Sarah Mackenzie from Read Aloud Revival mentioned that she had used this curriculum for her high school children's history.
A total of ten textbooks cover all of US history, from the First Americans to All the People. The writing will engage the reader. The content is interesting and includes information that "typical" textbooks may not have.
Since we already have a history curriculum, I selected different tidbits to supplement our learning.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Starring Kevin James, Henry Winkler
Rated: PG
Burnout teacher Scott Voss spontateoulsy vows in front of his principal and colleagues to save the school's music program. Realizing that teaching a night class to individuals who are studying for their citizenship test is not going earn the money quickly enough, Scott decides to fight in mixed martial arts matches. Even if he loses, he earns a lot of money!
Funny, unique characters and a great plot! All the problems work out perfectly -"a feel good movie".
It was an uplifting, fun movie to watch as a family. Wish they produced more movies like this one.
*Highly recommend (for ages 10 and older)
Warnings: One swear word, violence-bloody, intense fight scenes
-Borrowed from a friend.
After reading The Giver of the Stars by Jojo Moyes, I was intrigued about the pack horse librarians in Kentucy. I am so glad that Ms. Appelt & Ms. Schmitzer were fascinated by them too and wrote this book!!
I read this book in one sitting. Although it is categorized as a "juvenile nonfiction" book, adults can learn a lot of information about the pack horse librarians in a short amount of time . . .. and retain the information! Photographs enhance and support the text.
My admiration for Jojo Moyes's research and ability to weave in fact with a novel deepened as I read this book. Most of what I read in this nonfiction book was integrated adroitly into her novel.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
The Voice of the Statue of Liberty
Readers will learn about the life of Emma Lazarus, why she wrote the poem "The New Colossus", and why the plaque with the poem engraved is on the Statue of Liberty.
Very interesting!
-Borrowed from the library.
Since I grew up in the same area as Mr. Bean, I try to keep up to date with his publications. The reason why I borrowed this book was because he had illustrated it. 😊
After his parents divorce, Daniel moves to a quaint village with his mom. He misses his dad. His mom works into the evening. To combat his loneliness, he wanders his street discovering interesting individuals and animals. His neighbor, Tilda Butter, notices (with the help of her animal friends with whom she can communicate) that Daniel is a lost boy and needs some help.
To be honest, I did not care for Daniel. I loved Tilda Butter and Dewey Wonder! The setting and characters reminded me of Kate Dicamillo's Deckawoo Drive. I wanted to know more about Agatha Brown and what made her finally begin to actually play her saxophone.
Mr. Bean's illustrations are expressive. The map of Falling Star Valley is intricate.
Points to discuss: divorce, lying
A delightful neighborhood and characters!
-Borrowed from the library.
For October's Poetry Tea, my boys and I read a few of Langston Hughes's poetry. This collection has poems that will appeal to children. The etching illustrations are expresssive and impressive.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.
The sequel to Guess How Much I Love You
When my oldest son was born, I received multiple copies of Guess How Much I Love You. It was a favorite of mine to read to him. Visiting Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare again was a delight! In this book Little Nutbrown Hare goes off to play by himself and makes a new friend.
I like Guess How Much I Love You better, but still thoroughly enjoyed this one. Ms. Jeram's illustrations are lovely and beckon me to come romp with Little Nutbrown Hare.
Sadly, Mr. McBratney passed away this September, 2020.
-Borrowed from the library.
Since Ms. Glaser's newest Vanderbeeker book usually is released mid-September, it has become a tradition to give my youngest son the book as a gift. I read aloud this newest one in the series to him, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Experiencing life with the Vanderbeekers is exciting, humorous and uplifting.
Someone is sleeping in the garden's shed. The Vanderbeekers supply food and drink for the individual. Almost immediately the reader discovers that the person is Orlando, Miss Josie and Mr. Jeet's grand-nephew. Apparently, Orlando's mom was behind in the rent and was evicted. She abandoned Orlando. Of course, the Vanderbeekers throw themselves into helping him . . . . not even asking what kind of help he desires. Can they convince him to stay in Harlem with Miss Josie and Mr. Jeet?
A myriad of obstacles present themselves, but nothing can withstand the Vanderbeeker's love, loyalty and friendship.
Although "finding Orlando a home" is the main problem of the story, other "problems" arise. Mr. Jeet's health is failing (warning-I cried. My boys have never seen me cry over a book! I had a difficult time reading aloud for a bit.) . Benny, Isa's "boy", seems to be hanging out with another girl all-the-time and is taking this girl to the homecoming dance! Hyacinth's friends have moved away and is having a difficult time making new friends in her third grade class.
Once again Ms. Glaser has created a wholesome yet realistic story about an admirable family.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-My son owns this book.
After participating in a live Writers on Writing (WOW) workshop on Read Aloud Revival with Mrs. Pinkney, I requested this book, her newest.
First of all, the format, theatrical monologue vignettes in first-person narratives, is an incredible accomplish and also attest to Mrs. Pinkney's creativity and ability to write. She creates a strong voice for each of the characters. Skillfully, she weaves in historical facts and events into the monologues.
Three different members of the Little family, Loretta, 1927-1930, Roly, 1942-1950 and Aggie B., 1962-1968, share their experiences of suffering under the bondage of sharecropping, the Jim Crow laws, and Klu Klux Klan. Their grit and self-respect allow them to endure. The narratives end with Loretta and Aggie B. working diligently to help their fellow African-Americans claim their right to vote. Initially the Democratic party would not allow them to join, so the African-Americans created their own party, Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. During the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, LBJ, the Democratic presidential candidate at the time, even diverted attention away from them by calling all the television networks for an emergency press conference.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Points to discuss/Warnings: cruelty/violence, a monologue where Aggie B. is almost beaten to death
After being beaten up by two boys at school, Sam does not like himself. To prove that he is brave, he takes his new boat out into the Alabama swamp to search for a dead body. Instead, he discovers Davey living in an abandoned camp. The boys soon develop a secret friendship. As their relationship develops, Sam realizes that Davey's secrets could launch the boys into serious trouble.
I kept reading this book into the wee hours of the morning. The suspense is well-crafted, and the plot compels the reader to read "just one more chapter". I felt, however, that ending was too long for how fast the rest of the plot was. Davey's adoption process was sweet, but it felt tagged onto the end of another wise suspenseful story.
Sam and his parents attend church. It seems like Sam's mother is the only one who values a relationship with God (she works at the church too). Sam's dad attends because he knows his wife wants him there and out of duty. Sam daydreams and does not listen to the sermons. When he does pray, it is to bargain with God.
Points to discuss/warnings: swearing, lying, divorce, underage drinking/smoking, murder, drugs (marijuana)/drug dealers, violence (When the two boys beat up Sam and his friend Grover, it is graphic; a dead body is found; Slade, Davey's step-brother is evil and resorts to violence).
-Borrowed from the library.
After reading this book to himself, my thirteen-year old announced, "This book makes me want to be an astronaunt or at least go out in space to see what is there." His comment reveals how impactful this book is!
Mr. Chin is an incredible artist and writer. In this book he compares various objects to each other to give the reader an idea how tall the object is. He begins with an eight year old and ends at the edge of the observable universe!
Lots of side texts and back matter. Although the main text is simple, the extra information on each page and the back matter will appeal to older readers.
Point to discuss: old earth view/evolutionary views
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Fleeing Ireland during the Great Famine, siblings, Molly and Kip, arrive in England without parents, searching for work. When the town doesn't provide job opportunities, they seek employment in the countryside at a manor house. A huge tree is growing next to the house with its roots growing into the rooms and walls. The family that resides there seems sickly. Each day they seem to be growing thinner and paler. At night a man wanders the house with a watering can and wind swirling around him. Everyone in the house has reoccuring nightmares. When Molly and Kip try to protect each other and the family from the man, he pursues them and nearly kills them. They know they must leave the manor. Evil lurks and controls it. Then Molly enters the mysterious room with the green door. What she finds there causes her to feel compelled to stay. Can Kip open her eyes to the depth of evil and convince her to leave?
A very well-crafted story with interesting characters (even the minor ones are well-developed). I stayed up very late to finish the last half of the book! It took Mr. Auxier nine years to write this book. Every aspect of it is quality.
*Highly recommend, but NOT for the sensitive reader. Some scary parts (the Night Gardener is very creepy and evil) ; violence. Three people die during the story. **Spoiler alert-Molly and Kip's parents die in a sinking boat before the story begins.
-Borrowed from the library.
What a delight it was to revisit Prince Edward Island and the King family! I read The Story Girl when I was in junior high or high school. When autum arrives, the desire to revisit L.M. Montgomery's works is strong!
Beverly (a boy) and his brother Felix travel from Toronto to Prince Edward Island to stay with Uncle Alec and Aunt Janet for the summer while their father travels for work. As the boys pass the months on the family farm with their cousins, they experience adventure, mischief and of course, delicious stories told by their cousin, Sara Stanley.
The beautiful writing, well-developed characters, humorous mishaps and a picturesque setting will whisk readers to an enchanting world.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Monet's paintings are paired words from letters he wrote to friends and family and also articles he wrote.
A beautiful, simple book that will deepen appreciation for his gift.
Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
During my African-American literature course in college, I am sure I read Douglass' narrative. When I offered it as a free book choice to my eighth grader and he read it, I knew it was time to reread it.
Mr. Douglass candidly reveals his life as a slave with concise and well-constructed writing. It really opened my eyes to the power slavery had over the people. Reading how well respected "Christians" were the harshest masters disturbed me. In the appendix, Mr. Douglass explains how these "Christians" were not follwers of Christ.
Beth Johnson writes an "afterword" where she points how Mr. Douglass' autobiography is relevant to modern times. Parents should be aware that she includes "sexual orientation" as an area of modern-day prejudice.
Catergorized as "young adult" in my library.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Sarah Mackenzie talked with Mem Fox the other week on Read Aloud Revival. Ms. Fox recommended reading this book aloud.
Billy is not impressed by much. Whenever his father presents impressive situations or objects, his reply is, "Whatever". A funny ending (but may bother sensitive readers).
Simple text and illustrations, but effective!!
Teaching idea: superlatives, "change the y to i and add est" examples, a writing prompt to share what happens to Billy after the end.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Mr. Postmouse and his family tour every possible ecosystem from the tropics to the arctic to the desert to even a cloud for their vacation. Of course, Mr. Postmouse delivers unique packages to creatures living there.
It is fun to see the packages/letters dwindling in his wagon after each stop and what the creature receives. Cut-aways allow the reader to view the unique, clever homes. Imagination and creativity abound in the illustrations.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Zachariah Junior has always been his dad's "little man". His pro-football father is his hero. Then his dad begins to have untreatable headaches, begins to forget, begins to have bursts of anger, begins to have moods. Doctors do not have answers. Will his dad ever remember again and create songs with him?
Ms. Woodson reveals the agony families endure when a loved one suffers from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Her character development is superb. I love and admire Zachariah and his mother. His friends exemplify how friends should be during a traumatic time.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
To support our study of the Civil War, we read through a couple of picture books that contained Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
#1- illustrated by Michael McCurdy
-We own this one.
Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artist
Mr. Venezia's books offer a great overview of the artist's personal life and artistic development. Smatterings of comical illustrations add humor. In this book about Monet, prints of his work enhance Mr. Venezia's words. He also lists musuems where the reader can view original Monet art.
-Borrowed from the library.
Memorable Tales of Men of Faith
Boys (and girls) can learn about a myriad of men who chose/choose to make God King of their lives. A wide variety of men are featured from Old Testament men to apostles to church fathers to modern day athletes. Each man has an one page biography and an opposite page illustration. As parents and children read each biography, they will learn when the man lived, what he is known for and how he chose to glorify God with his life. A Bible verse at the bottom of the page reinforces the focused lesson/character trait to discuss. Real-life application is also included.
Inspiring! Best for elementary school age kids (K-6th grade-depending on their attention span and maturity).
Some of the men featured in this book are: Abraham, Augustine, Drew Brees, Frederick Douglass, Radamel Falco, John the Baptist, Luis Palau, Francis Schaeffer, Carson Wentz, Louis Zamperini.
The publisher also has produced 100 Extraordinary Stories for Courageous Girls.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
