Book Reviews
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Manners – With Books
Instilling manners is always a work in progress. One fun, non-confronting approach is to read picture books together. I’d like to share some books we have enjoyed together. *For my local friends these are all available at our library. Fancy Nancy – Jane O’Connor Nancy is determined to teach her family to be fancy, they are rather ordinary. 3 Stars. Excuse me – Learning about Politeness – Brian Moses Deals with politeness, manners and courtesy in several different situations. Lighthearted but clear message. 3 Stars. Someday we’ll have Good Manners – Harriet Ziefert Fun, ‘tongue in cheek humour’. We have checked this book out periodically for years. 5 Stars. My…
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Top ‘How To’ Homeschool Picks
When I was a teenager and began reading homeschool material; I read John Holt, Raymond Moore, Mary Pride, the Colfaxes and Maria Montessori. These books certainly had a strong influence on forming my thoughts on homeschooling and continue to impact today. They will always stay a part of my library. Twenty years on there are so many more ‘homeschool books’ available. I was recently pondering which books I would advise recommend as, ‘must haves’ to a young mum investigating/beginning homeschooling. Today they would be: 1. Real Learning, by Elizabeth Foss Catholic, gentle, a must! My favourite:) 2. How to Homeschool, by Gayle Graham Makes homeschooling practical, doable and achievable. 3.…
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Books for World War 1
We wrapped up our WW1 studies weeks ago. I found it rather a challenge at first to find books for World War 1. Many of the chapter books listed we didn’t manage to read so I would recommend to pre-read. Online Database of Australian Books Be sure to head on over to our Online Database of Australian Books to find more books about our War Years. Picture Books for World War 1 Simpson and His Donkey – Mark Greenwood Two boys grow up in London together. One boy, Jack, sails to Australia seeking adventure. Jack lands in Gallipoli as a stretcher-bearer. He enlists a donkeys help to tirelessly carry…
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‘Traveling’ to Australia’s ‘Top End’
This week we ‘traveled’ to the Northern Territory. Unfortunately we were unable borrow the core book, Nardika Learns to Make a Spear by Chris Fry but we used all the extension books:) Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo – Alison Lester Ernie is a city boy who moves to the Arnhem Land for a year. He flies over the desert for hours, travels over the floodplains, crosses the East Alligator River and arrives in Arnhem Land. He writes back home to his friends telling of the seasons, of the everyday simple amusements, of the cultural life of the children of Arnhem Land. Interesting, informative and flows naturally. Held the attention of…
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Africa – Book Finds
Several weeks ago we had a brief ‘sojourn’ in Africa. Thought I’d share some titles. I have added them over at Aussie Book Threads. Picture Books Enormous Elephant – Mwenye Hadithi & Adrienne Kennaway In the days before the Big Rains many of the animals looked very different. This story tells how Enormous Elephant’s trunk was stretched. The children enjoyed this one. A Mam for Owen – Marian Dane Bauer Owen the baby hippo and his mama were best friends. That was before the tsunami(2004) came. Owen is adopted by a tortoise. A true story, I was near tears. Beautiful pictures, moving text. Highly recommend. Catch that Goat- Polly Alakija…
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American History – War of Independence to Civil War
Last term Koala studied American History; from the War of Independence to Westward Expansion. We were blessed to purchase some lovely new books and I thought I’d share here. For even more American History titles Koala enjoyed head on over to Aussie Book Threads, I will be adding over the next few days. America’s Paul Revere by Esther Forbes is a long picture/illustrated short chapter book making the ‘Midnight Ride of Paul Revere’ come alive. Koala was inspired to memorise the WHOLE poem! Over 10s John Treegate’s Musket by Leonard Wibberely tells a riveting tale of the ‘Boston Massacre’ and subsequent events. Published by one of our favourite publishers, Bethlehem…
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Geography Songs – Review
I am searching for solid resources for Geography but am increasingly frustrated in my attempts to find what I am looking for; resources that teach straight geography knowledge. Continents and their countries, countries and their capitals, rivers and mountains. Generally I want the children to have a good grasp of just where place names are located when they read of them. Earlier this term we purchased the Geography Songs Kit from Audio Memory. There are 33 songs that teach the names and locations of the continents, oceans, planets and 225 countries. The children and I listened to a few samples online, I read many reviews and it appeared to be…
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Downunder Literature Has Even More To Offer
If you haven’t already visited; Downunder Literature has a new look. Truly Michelle’s vision is incredible. A couple of our favourites which I share at Aussie Book Threads have been re-printed. Our Sunburnt Country will be forming the base of our Australian history focus this term. And for nature lovers the very best I have ever seen is The Wonderland of Nature by Nuri Mass Michelle has written an incredible resource to accompany the book, a Nature Journal with discovery sheets and web links. Downunder’s copywork resources are inspiring and for any of my overseas blog readers I know the Beatrix Potter for beginners is available from CurriClick. My latest…
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Books for Saint Nicholas
Happy Saint Nicholas:) Lots of excitement here today. We are celebrating with many yearly traditions including enjoying the following books: The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi An absolute must to have. Includes main events from St Nicholas’ life, full of information. The pictures are rich. Country Angel Christmas by Tomie DePaola Three little angels are the first to hear St Nicholas wants the country angels to plan the Christmas celebrations for all of Heaven. However they are not needed until it is realised that the angels have forgotten the most important detail of all. The Night Before Christmas-Clement Moore Although Santa Claus is not part of our Christmas celebrations…
