Home Is Where The Heart Is - Homeschool Blogger

Canadian History and Geography

Sun, 20 May 2007 04:24:00 -0500

I just thought I would list the resources we are using for next year's Canadian History and Geography study. WARNING!!! This list is LONG!!

Introduction
For my Canadian History and Geography program I have selected several books. Below you will find a list of all the books used in my study on this topic. I have chosen 3 history spines. Two of them are strictly Canadian and the other is The Story Of The World by Susan Wise Bauer. I have included SOTW to add to our Canadian/ North American studies as well as to include the goings on around the world in the same time period. I constantly use abbreviations when scheduling books so you will find them after the book title. I have also included books that not only have high "living book" quality, but also include many projects for my kids. Having the very hands on children I do makes this a necessity. As with any program, pick and choose what works for you. I have intended for this study into our history and geography to be very in depth, therefore, I have designed it to take at least a year and a half to complete, possibly even 2 years. We wanted to be able to explore all the projects we could and dig into every bunny trail that popped up.

Canadian History

History Spines:
The Story Of Canada by Janet Lunn - SOC
My First History Of Canada by Donalda Dickie - MFHC
The Story Of The World by Susan Wise Bauer
    Volume 3 - SWv3
    Volume 4 - SWv4

History & Project Books:
Discovering Canada Series by Robert Livesey
    Native Peoples - DCNP
    The Vikings - DCV
    Fur Traders - DCFT
    New France - DCNF
    The Defenders - DCD
    The Railways - DCR
    Loyal Refugees - DCLR
    The Rebels - DCReb
    Black Heritage - DCBH
Forts Of Canada - Ann-Maureen Owens and Jane Yealland - FOC
Pioneer Crafts by Barbara Greenwood and Heather Collins -PC
The Maple Syrup Book by Marilyn Linton - MSB

History Picture Books/additional interest
Kids Book Of Canadian History by Carlotta Hacker - KBCH
Usborne World History - Last 500 Years - UWH
Houses Of Snow, Skin and Bone by Bonnie Shemie - HSSB
On Juno Beach by Hugh Brewster - OJB
At Vimy Ridge by Hugh Brewster - AVR
Frank Slide by J. William Kerr - FS
Exploring The Titanic by Robert D. Ballard - ET
Canada's Maple Leaf by Ann-Maureen Owens and Jane Yealland - CML
Boldly Canadian (story of the RCMP)

Other history books:
A First Book of American History by Edward Eggleston 2000 Ed - FBAH
The Red Ochre People by Ingeborg Marshall - ROP
Sea and Cedar by Lois McConkey - SC

Shorter history unit study's:
A Pioneer Thanksgiving by Barbara Greenwood - PT
A Pioneer Christmas by Barbara Greenwood - PC
A Pioneer Story by Barbara Greenwood - APS
The Last Safe House by Barbara Greenwood - LSH
Gold Rush Fever by Barbara Greenwood - GRF
House Calls by Ainslie Manson HC (pioneers doctor 1800's)

Biographies
Canada, Portraits Of Faith - CPOF
Buffalo Bill by Ingri&Edgar d'Aulaire - BB
Leif The Lucky by Ingri&Edgar d'Aulaire - LTL
Pocahontas by Ingri&Edgar d'Aulaire - Poc
George Washington by Ingri&Edgar d'Aulaire - GW
Canadian Biography For Young Readers by Pat Hancock - CBYR
Marie Curie's Search For Radium by Berverly Birch & Christian Burmingham - MC
Alexander Graham Bell (The Canadians Series) by A. Roy Petrie - AGB
David Thompson (The Canadians Series) - DT
Exiled To The Red River by Dave & Neta Jackson (Trailblazer Books) - ERR
Peter The Great by Diane Stanely - PTG
Trial & Triumph by Richard M. Hannula - TT

Historical Read Alouds (includes historical fiction and non-fiction)
A Dirty Deed by Ted Stenhouse - DD (1950 prairie town, deals with racism)
Canadian Summer by Hilda Von Stockum - CS (American family comes to Canada)
Prairie Fire by Bill Freeman - PF (Portage la Prairie Manitoba 1876)
Ambush In The Foothills by Bill Freeman - AF (Alberta 1877)
Bully Boys by Eric Walters - BB (war 1812)
Jeremy's War 1812 by John Ibbitson JW (war 1812)
Laura's Choice by Connie Brummel Crook LC(war 1812, Laura Secord)
Pit Pony by Joyce Barkhouse PP(Cape Breton)
The Guests Of War Trilogy by Kit Pearson GOW(1940 children coming to Canada as war guests)
Indian Captive by Lois Lenski IC(story of Mary Jemison 1758)
The Trenches by Jim Eldridge TT(story of Billy Stevens, the Western Front 1914-1918)
Dear Canada Series
    If I Die Before I Wake by Jean Little DBW(flu epidemic 1918)
    A Prairie as Wide as the Sea by Sarah Ellis PWS(immigration to Saskatchewan 1926)
    Footsteps In The Snow FS(Rupert's Land 1815)
Roughing It In The Bush by Susanna Moodie (1852)
Downright Dency by Caroline Dale Snedeker (war 1812)

Poetry
The Best of Robert Service by Robert Service RS

Study Guides
Modern History Through Canadian Eyes by Heather Penner
Teaching With Dear Canada Volume 1 by Amy von Heyking
Geography - A Literature Approach by Rea C. Berg (Beautiful Feet Books - uses Holling C Holling books: Paddle To The Sea, Minn of the Mississippi, Tree in the Trail and Seabird)

Canadian Geography (including Holling C Holling's books)
Canada - Pacific to Atlantic by Josef Hanus & John Hanus (book of photography - Canadian landscapes) - Any can be used
The Kids Book Of Canada by Barbara Greenwood - KBC
WOW Canada by Vivien Bowers
Canada Map Book 2 by George Quinn
Canadian Landscapes by George Quinn
Canada Coloring Book (Rod & Staff)
Holling C Holling:
    Minn of the Mississippi
    Seabird
    Paddle To The Sea
    Tree in the Trail
Geography Through Literature Maps (for Holling C Holling books)

Young Children's Picture Books/ Readers
Follow The Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter
The Drinking Gourd by F.N. Monjo
Bear On The Train by Julie Lawson
The Dust Bowl by David Booth and Karen Reczuch
ABC of Canada by Kim Bellefontaine
Pigeon Hero! by Shirley Raye Redmond
Very Last First Time by Jan Andrews

Music
Canada is for Kids Volume 2 CD

Art Appreciation
The Great Canadian Artpak by Cyndy Regeling

Language Arts
Poopdecks and Pirates Treasure by Marilyn Hahn
(a wonderful intergrated writing and social studies project)

Whew!!

Have fun!

Tracey

A Day of enjoyment.....

Tue, 15 May 2007 20:13:00 -0500

There is nothing I love more than spending time with my children. The weather is beautiful and we cannot keep ourselves inside. This week we have put aside our bookwork and are simply just enjoying nature and time together.

The kids and I went back to their "fort" by the old bridge. This time I was prepared with my camera!

What child would not like this place? Arran is "harpooning" a rock! LOL

My girl!

Sighlie is fishing for tadpoles!

Scooby wants to play too!

Two of my darlings!

How fun!

Awww...

Signs of summer!

The fort!

Its not fun unless you are wet!

Well, that is their treasured spot! It was lovely to spend a few hours there today. After many attempts, the kids were unfortunately unable to catch any tadpoles. They were hoping to bring one home to our aquarium. Thats ok, we wil be back again to check on their progress!

Blessings!

Such a beautiful day............and a day filled with pain and sorrow...

Mon, 14 May 2007 16:52:00 -0500

Today started beautiful. I started the day at 5:30am walking the dogs. The air was crisp and fresh. I felt totally energized and ready to take on the day. At 7 am I woke the kids and made breakfast. By 7:45 we headed out for our morning nature walk. This morning Lachlan and Arran wanted to lead the way to their fort. They took us down to "the bridge" where they and their friends play and spend most of their days lately.

Their "fort" reminded me of a Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn hideout. It was a beautiful little oasis a little ways back in the woods. The small area was wonderfully secluded. A small (and shallow) creek ran through and the boys "shelter" was beneath a bridge. It was quiet and peaceful. All around us nature sang out. We were surrounded by birds, ducks, beaver (seriously!!) and the beautiful smells of nature. Fresh and delicious. I couldn't be happier.

I was so pleased that the boys found such a treasured place to simply be boys. They told me how each of them had a rock that was "claimed land" to call their own. They spent their time having picnics, water play, sunning on the rocks and getting dirty. What young boy could resist such a wonderful find? It was beautiful and I was so very happy for them and for this precious time with them. I thought of how incredible it is to have my children at home to enjoy and to share these moments with. What an incredible blessing.

I returned home a few hours later to some devastating news. One of the ladies in my Sonlight forum tragically lost her 10 year old son. He died as a result of a terrible accident while they were away on vacation. One moment he was fine, then in one tragic second he was gone from this earth forever. My heart was crushed. They are of course completely devastated. Can you imagine? Can anyone? It was such a contrast from the feelings I had in the earlier part of the day.

We need to everyday live life to the fullest. Hug our children, encourage them, be a blessing to them, look out for them as best we can and always point them to God. Unfortunately not all things in life can be prevented. Perhaps it is just not in His plan. I can't quite understand it, but I know it is true. I know that God will use this situation for good. God is incredible and He can do that. Our children are such incredible blessings: Love them and enjoy every moment. Let them reveal His wonder to us.

The family I have told you about is among His faithful. Please keep Amy and her family in your prayers as they walk this most difficult path. Please pray for their healing.

Oh Wednesday, How Long Art Thou...........

Wed, 9 May 2007 20:36:00 -0500

Is it just me, or do Wednesdays seriously drag on forever.............. Today went well. We are using this week to catch up on a few things. Nice and relaxed. Mark has been away all week on a training exercise. Maybe that is why I have felt the week to be dragging along. We are almost done reading Strawberry Girl by Lois Lensky. Nice book, the kids really have enjoyed it. I (and my dh) have been feeling the tug for a few years to add to our family. The glitch? I had a TL after Sighlie was born. Mark and I have been preparing to adopt for some time. He thinks we should continue with those plans, but the other day he dropped a bombshell. Despite the cost ($3200) and possibility that I may not be able to concieve anyway, he would like me to have a T reversal. I nearly fell off the couch when he said it. It is not that I would not like to have another baby of our own, I guess I just wrote it off as no longer a possibility. If anyone at all reads my blog (LOL), have you had a reversal? I would love to talk to you about it. Has it worked? Oh, so many questions.

Has it been that long already????

Tue, 8 May 2007 22:46:00 -0500

Wow! I did not realise that so many months can go unnoticed until I looked at the date of my last blog. What can I say? I've been busy!!! The kids are doing very well. We only have about 7-9 weeks of school left before the summer break. We will continue with math and reading for the summer months but the majority of the work is going to be done by then! We have had an exceptional year of studdies! This year we delved into world history and boy, was it ever fun! I have learned so much! LOL! One of my favorite things is learning right along with the kids. Arran has come along this year by leaps and bounds with his reading. I can hardly keep up with him. Something just happened this year for him. He could read at the beginning of the year, but not very well. He is ready for chapter books now and is so interested in what he is reading about! WOW! I can hardly believe he will be in third grade next year. Time flies! Speaking of time flying by, Lachlan will be in fifth grade next year!!! How on earth did I ever end up with a ten year old??? How is it possible I could even HAVE a ten year old?? Sighlie is five now!!! Ouch - just pulled another grey hair. Mark is on a training exercise. He is preparing for his tour overseas. December is suddenly feeling awfully close.

So much going on, so little time.........

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 15:25:00 -0600

We are on busy bunch. The last few months have been busy, but so rewarding. Back in July we started our own home daycare. We now look after 4 llittle ones as well as continuing our homeschooling journey. This has been wonderful for my own children as they learn about caring for others as well as learning about having a business. Exhausting? Yes. Fun? For sure. We have also started using Sonlight's curriculum. It has been a wonderful decision for us. We are working through Core 1+2 with the boys (9&7) and Pre K for Sighlie. It is so interesting and the kids love all the history. We also started using Singapore Math. This has also proved to be a great choice. The boys have started 4H for the first time. They are in the canine program. This year they are learning all about the care of dogs, training and showing. It is great fun to see them working with their pets. It is hard work for them, but it was a great choice. Speaking of pets, we have increased in size there too. We now have 5 dogs and 3 cats. We love'em all. I wouldn't have it any other way. The kids really benefit from having them to care for and play with, and the companionship is great. We are a bustling home. We just recently finished our Christmas decorating. I really feel the spirit of Christmas this year. It will be our first Christmas at home and without a move interupting it for a couple of years. The military life is great, but we sure are glad to be home and settled this year! This Christmas will be extra special since we know that Mark is going to be deployed overseas next Christmas. We have to celebrate extra hard this year. Sometimes it is so hard to think about him not being here for this holiday next year. I feel God just urging us to be together right now, and leave that for him to worry about. I know that is going to get harder to do as the new year starts to unfold.

Another week is done!!

Fri, 26 May 2006 22:31:00 -0500

Well, this week was fun. We did some really neat reading out of the book: The Book Of Virtues by: William J. Bennett. This is a wonderful book to use for character study. WOW. We have been discussing self-discipline. Reading these selections on this topic has encouraged some incredible discussion on this important area. I love it when the boys become so engaged in a story that they can so easily spend an hour or so talking about the story and relating it to their lives. We talked today about how important it is to count to 10 or step away from a situation when you are angry. The story we read illustrated beautifully what can happen when we allow our temper to take control. They both were encouraged to rise above anger. Later in the day I witnessed them both use this skill. I love the time we have as homeschoolers to discuss these issues and spend all the time we need to explore together. I love that my boys are talking. I hope this lasts always. I just know that it would not happen if so many hours were spent away from home.

I hope you all have a great weekend. God Bless.

Damage control.................................LOL

Thu, 25 May 2006 19:21:00 -0500

Well, damage control complete!! The end result? Well, I think she looks pretty cute. (she does too, LOL) I am happy to report that she is feeling quite and as of this evening she is no longer . ROFLOL I am also happy to say that I am no longer or . Yes it will grow back, LOL. I have asked many times today the infamous question, WHY????????????? So far the answer remains a definate . Oh well, chalk it up to experience. We will however be sure to keep the photos safe and sound to display on her wedding day. Oh, and of course, if my dear wee girl had to go short, short, I figured I mind as well join her!! LOL What do ya think?

My girl cut her hair!!

Wed, 24 May 2006 23:59:00 -0500

My wee girl!!!!! Where did your hair go?????????????? Can you believe this??? And to think, she is soooo happy with her handy work! Unbelievable. Well, on the bright side, this is the time of year for summer hats!! Thank goodness it will grow back!! LOL She is so precious.

What makes my mother THE GREATEST Mother....

Fri, 12 May 2006 13:24:00 -0500

* She has always supported me, even if she didn't like what I was doing...

* My Mother raised me with the freedom to discover who I am...

* During the hardest times of my life, My Mother has always been at my side...

* When I was sick with pancreatitis My Mother (and father) took care of my children without any hesitation...

* My Mother has always been there to provide advice when asked...

* She has helped me through the labor pains of each of my children...

* My Mother took in my dear puppy (Sasha) when we could not take her with us, and looked after her for over a year...

* She has loved me through my ugliest of times...

* My Mother made my wedding day wonderful...

* Growing up, My Mother was always active in all we did and she did her best to participate in my interests...

* My Mother loved me even when I joined the army...

* Through all of my mistakes My Mother has always been my loving mentor...

I am so proud to have the Mom that I do. I hope I can follow her example of Motherhood to my own children. If I can I know that I will also be The Greatest Mother.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's at Homeschoolblogger.com!!