Posted in How we are using My Father's World Curriculum
|
OK, so I want to update everyone on how "RTR" is going so far, and it's been a while since I've posted about that topic. The thing is I'm not sure what to say about it. We are beginning week 8, and finally 13 weeks of Rome are finally winding down. I can tell you that it has been a very interesting study, and we have learned so much about the history leading up to the time of the birth of Christ. These things I know have helped me to have a better understanding of some things that I've read in the gospels, but they didn't really sink in. Sometimes we read things and just take for granted what they say, but if we learn a little of the background information it really brings it to life and we have a much better understanding of the context of the passage. I think that is what has happened for me, and it has definitely made an impact on the kids. My son is very detail oriented and knowing all of this history behind Herod and the social and political climate of the Roman empire during this time has really made the scriptures make more sense to him. As usual, here is the list of our favorites from the past few weeks. 1. Reading The Bronze Bow, by Elizabeth George Speare This book is absolutely captivating. We can't seem to put it down. The characters pull you in, and you seem to get lost in their world. It's almost as if you can see the Roman soldiers, the villages and towns, the crowds of lame and infirm crowding around Jesus just to get close enough to touch Him. You can feel the anger and defiance in Daniel toward the Romans, and you find yourself hoping against all odds that Leah will be set free from her fear. It's no wonder this book won the John Newbery Medal. 2. Again I have to list The Body Book, by Donald M. Silver and Patricia J. Wynne The kids have really enjoyed making the body models with this book. The discussion questions and information provided in the book are excellent as well. We've completed the model of the ear and the tongue, and will do the skin, hair, and nails this week. I like the way the models break down the body part in a manner that kids can get a more realistic view of how everything is positioned and attached. 3. And, once more, Augustus Caesar's World makes the list.... We have already learned how Herod built a new temple for the Jews during his building campaign, and a little about how paranoid and ruthless he was. We are nearing the death of Herod in the book because we have already been reading about the birth of Jesus from the Scriptures. It looks like from the schedule that tomorrow Herod dies  , but I don't think the Jewish people will be mourning!The kids have really gotten into the stories. They liked talking about Eratosthenese and some of the other philosophers, but they don't like talk of the gods/goddesses. One thing that displeases me about this book is the way that the Jewish religion is covered. Of course, as Christians we know that our faith is tied to the Jewish faith, and I don't think this book was written to be favorable to any particular belief. The book does seem to misrepresent some of the points of Jewish history when compared to the Bible. It was one brief chapter, and after reading it I agreed with our curriculum and skipped it. It didn't effect the flow of the study at all. I am personally looking forward to getting into some Middle Ages history. I think I've had enough of Rome. Who knew you could find some many things about Rome to talk about over the course of 13 weeks. Thankfully we are talking about Jesus' life over the next few weeks. I believe that from this point forward as we talk about Jesus, some Apostles, Paul's missionary journeys, the early Christian church, and the fall of Rome we will be able to enjoy these last few weeks of Rome. We are also looking forward to beginning Twice Freed, by Patricia St. John. We didn't have the opportunity to get her books that were scheduled last year in CTG, so after hearing so many accolades for her work I'm excited about reading this book. I'll post more later and let you know how we are progressing. One last note: If you have the opportunity read The Librarian Who Measured the Earth, by Kevin Hawkins. This book is listed for the book basket in the TM. I've read it to preview it before my kids read it and it was wonderful. The illustrations are great and really help to visualize how he finally came up with a way to determine the measurement of earth. I'll give this one two thumbs up  .Blessings, Missy |
Comments
|
|
|
|
|
Posted by
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|