Does anyone know 0f a decent (and decently priced) historical atlas of the British Isles (including, perhaps, historical maps of London and whatnot)? My daughter is doing a semester on history and literature of the British isles and I think an atlas (or perhaps a really decent website) would be of great help.
Thanks in advance!
Alicia
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Friday, February 24, 2006
The Learning Calendar
The Learning Calendar is a wonderful, easy-to-use teaching tool. It is an award winning calendar of 365 historical facts with dozens of simple activity ideas and trivia questions. The calendar is quite large so that a paragraph of information will fit on each day. It's colorful, well-designed and easy to read. Most days also include a picture or drawing of the person or event. Geography is included by asking the student to find the country or city mentioned in the entry for the day. In addition, there is a map of the world at the back of the calendar for students to trace the travels of the explorers mentioned on the calendar.
We have ours in the back hall so that we can review the event of the day while either putting shoes/coats/boots on or off.
It is a wonderful way to learn bit by bit. It isn't overwhelming, it invites further learning (asking you to find something on a map, or encouraging people to follow the example of a great person such as Blessed Mother Teresa) as well as encouraging the student to think about a wide variety of historical figures.
Additional free activities corresponding to the calendar pages can be found at the web site. Crosswords, wordsearches, mazes and other printables are available. In addition, links are found to the web sites of related historical events mentioned on the calendar.
It only takes 30 seconds a day to learn a little bit more about history with this calendar.
Order from The Learning Calendar at www.learningcalendar.com or call 1-800-335-5621 Group discounts available.
If there is any criticism I can give it (and this is minor and more a printing thing) it was that when we first got the calendar, it really smelled powerfully. We had to air it out for several days just to come near it.
We have ours in the back hall so that we can review the event of the day while either putting shoes/coats/boots on or off.
It is a wonderful way to learn bit by bit. It isn't overwhelming, it invites further learning (asking you to find something on a map, or encouraging people to follow the example of a great person such as Blessed Mother Teresa) as well as encouraging the student to think about a wide variety of historical figures.
Additional free activities corresponding to the calendar pages can be found at the web site. Crosswords, wordsearches, mazes and other printables are available. In addition, links are found to the web sites of related historical events mentioned on the calendar.
It only takes 30 seconds a day to learn a little bit more about history with this calendar.
Order from The Learning Calendar at www.learningcalendar.com or call 1-800-335-5621 Group discounts available.
If there is any criticism I can give it (and this is minor and more a printing thing) it was that when we first got the calendar, it really smelled powerfully. We had to air it out for several days just to come near it.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Sneak Peek at Spring Issue of Heart and Mind Magazine
For those of you who have thought about subscribing and haven't quite decided yet, here are a few more reasons to subscribe to Heart and Mind Magazine:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS - Spring 2006 Issue
Secrets to a Joyful Homeschool Greg Popcak
Socialization Revisited by Pattie Kelley-Huff
The World's Greatest Speeches Maureen Wittmann
Letters to the Editor
CLASSICAL HOMESCHOOLING
Fine Arts in the Classical Curriculum Laura Berquist
THRIFTY HOMESCHOOLER
The Lost Art of Canning Maureen Wittmann
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
GOD'S WILDFLOWERS
Baby Sign Language Melissa Wiley
THE STUDENT'S VIEW
Learning from Real Books Christian Ohnimus
UNIT STUDY - Composting by Maureen Wittmann
LITERATURE ALIVE!
Traveling with Literature Nancy Carpentier Brown
A DAY IN THE LIFE...
School's Out Barbara and Vincent Puleo
RESOURCE REVIEWS
The Universe in My Hands
Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood
Literary Giants, Literary Catholics
Sewing with St. Anne
Flights of Fancy
Family Worship Resources
Young Faces of Holiness
Jonah and His Amazing Voyage
The Family Cloister
Dominic Savio
The Monks of New Skete
LAST WRITES
Weed Well, Waste Not Anne Bryan
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Speaking of which... yours truly will be taking over the job of Reviews Editor for Heart and Mind with the Summer 2006 issue. It's a volunteer position that seemed rather compatible with the work I'm already doing on love2learn.net
----------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS - Spring 2006 Issue
Secrets to a Joyful Homeschool Greg Popcak
Socialization Revisited by Pattie Kelley-Huff
The World's Greatest Speeches Maureen Wittmann
Letters to the Editor
CLASSICAL HOMESCHOOLING
Fine Arts in the Classical Curriculum Laura Berquist
THRIFTY HOMESCHOOLER
The Lost Art of Canning Maureen Wittmann
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
GOD'S WILDFLOWERS
Baby Sign Language Melissa Wiley
THE STUDENT'S VIEW
Learning from Real Books Christian Ohnimus
UNIT STUDY - Composting by Maureen Wittmann
LITERATURE ALIVE!
Traveling with Literature Nancy Carpentier Brown
A DAY IN THE LIFE...
School's Out Barbara and Vincent Puleo
RESOURCE REVIEWS
The Universe in My Hands
Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood
Literary Giants, Literary Catholics
Sewing with St. Anne
Flights of Fancy
Family Worship Resources
Young Faces of Holiness
Jonah and His Amazing Voyage
The Family Cloister
Dominic Savio
The Monks of New Skete
LAST WRITES
Weed Well, Waste Not Anne Bryan
-------------------------------------
Speaking of which... yours truly will be taking over the job of Reviews Editor for Heart and Mind with the Summer 2006 issue. It's a volunteer position that seemed rather compatible with the work I'm already doing on love2learn.net
CM from Classroom to Homeschool -- it's all about the child!
A Review of When Children Love to Learn: A Practical Application of Charlotte Mason’s Philosophy for Today edited by Elaine Cooper
By Mary C. Gildersleeve
Who, in the homeschooling or education world has never heard of Charlotte Mason, the late 19th/early 20th century British education philosopher? Her writings, which helped to change the face of schools in England, had been long-neglected until the penning of books like Susan Schaefer Macaulay’s For the Children’s Sake or Karen Andreola’s A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning. Elizabeth Foss, a Catholic mom of (soon-to-be) eight children wrote Real Learning: Education in the Heart of the Home, which helped bring Catholic homeschoolers into an understanding of this Anglican educator.
When Children Love to Learn: A Practical Application of Charlotte Mason’s Philosophy for Today edited by Elaine Cooper helps to bridge the gap between “traditional” schools and home schools trying to apply the CM philosophies to the school day. A collection of essays by “traditional” school educators – those who have implemented the philosophies in “real schools” both private and public – apply just as much to the home school environment. You’ll find how schools have implemented CM’s picture studies, nature journaling and handicrafts into their daily lesson plans. Tweaked a bit, the advice from these veterans can be translated to the homeschool schoolroom.
Mason’s techniques such as narration, living books and the absence of “twaddle” are translated into American classrooms and, again with tweaking, into American homeschools. Proven practices of how to implement the four pillars of education – education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life, a relationship between teacher and student – within a classroom setting are invaluable to the homeschool setting. The focus of a CM classroom – whether a private, public or home school – is the child as an individual made in the image and likeness of God and with the attendant responsibilities to be nurtured and taught accordingly.
The second section of the book – An Applied Philosophy – takes all the CM techniques and develops weekly lesson plans and sample schedules for lower and middle schools. This is by necessity a broad-brush approach to lesson planning, but still has some gems of wisdom.
If you’re interested in CM philosophy and education methods, this book When Children Love to Learn: a Practical Application of Charlotte Mason’s Philosophy for Today is a great addition to your resource shelf. For further information about CM from a Catholic viewpoint, check-out Elizabeth Foss’ forum at www.4real.thenetsmith.com/ or her website http://www.4reallearning.com/.
Crossway Books (www.crossway.com) publishes this, as well as many other, Christian-based education books. Some of their books are inappropriate for a Catholic audience, but this one should prove quite useful!
By Mary C. Gildersleeve
Who, in the homeschooling or education world has never heard of Charlotte Mason, the late 19th/early 20th century British education philosopher? Her writings, which helped to change the face of schools in England, had been long-neglected until the penning of books like Susan Schaefer Macaulay’s For the Children’s Sake or Karen Andreola’s A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning. Elizabeth Foss, a Catholic mom of (soon-to-be) eight children wrote Real Learning: Education in the Heart of the Home, which helped bring Catholic homeschoolers into an understanding of this Anglican educator.
When Children Love to Learn: A Practical Application of Charlotte Mason’s Philosophy for Today edited by Elaine Cooper helps to bridge the gap between “traditional” schools and home schools trying to apply the CM philosophies to the school day. A collection of essays by “traditional” school educators – those who have implemented the philosophies in “real schools” both private and public – apply just as much to the home school environment. You’ll find how schools have implemented CM’s picture studies, nature journaling and handicrafts into their daily lesson plans. Tweaked a bit, the advice from these veterans can be translated to the homeschool schoolroom.
Mason’s techniques such as narration, living books and the absence of “twaddle” are translated into American classrooms and, again with tweaking, into American homeschools. Proven practices of how to implement the four pillars of education – education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life, a relationship between teacher and student – within a classroom setting are invaluable to the homeschool setting. The focus of a CM classroom – whether a private, public or home school – is the child as an individual made in the image and likeness of God and with the attendant responsibilities to be nurtured and taught accordingly.
The second section of the book – An Applied Philosophy – takes all the CM techniques and develops weekly lesson plans and sample schedules for lower and middle schools. This is by necessity a broad-brush approach to lesson planning, but still has some gems of wisdom.
If you’re interested in CM philosophy and education methods, this book When Children Love to Learn: a Practical Application of Charlotte Mason’s Philosophy for Today is a great addition to your resource shelf. For further information about CM from a Catholic viewpoint, check-out Elizabeth Foss’ forum at www.4real.thenetsmith.com/ or her website http://www.4reallearning.com/.
Crossway Books (www.crossway.com) publishes this, as well as many other, Christian-based education books. Some of their books are inappropriate for a Catholic audience, but this one should prove quite useful!
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Catholic Suppliers
Adoremus Books
All Catholic Books
Aquinas and More
By Way of the Family
Catholic Heritage Curricula
Catholic Home Schooler's Book Shelf
Catholic Montessori
Emmanuel Books
Family-Centered Press
Illuminated Ink
MacBeth's Opinion
Our Father's House
Resource Connections to History
Sacred Heart Books and Gifts
St. John Fisher Forum
Stella Maris Books
All Catholic Books
Aquinas and More
By Way of the Family
Catholic Heritage Curricula
Catholic Home Schooler's Book Shelf
Catholic Montessori
Emmanuel Books
Family-Centered Press
Illuminated Ink
MacBeth's Opinion
Our Father's House
Resource Connections to History
Sacred Heart Books and Gifts
St. John Fisher Forum
Stella Maris Books
Catholic Homeschool Blogs
If you'd like to be added to our list, please provide your URL in the comment section.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
New Catholic Homeschool Products
Genesis 1: House of the Covenant by Mary Daly (coloring book - sorry, no image yet)
Here are some new, exciting products just released, and of special interest to Catholic Homeschoolers. We hope to have in-depth reviews available on love2learn very soon, in the meantime, you can click on the photos to jump to the authors/publishers' websites.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Carnival of Children's Literature
The very first Carnival of Children's Literature is now up and running at the Bonny Glen.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
This Day in History
Trinity Prep School has an interesting Widget from BrainyHistory.com on "This Day in History". Today there is an item stating that on February 11, 1978, China lifted its ban on Aristotle, Dickens and Shakespeare! I never knew such a ban existed, but it does seem to say something for the value of the authors, doesn't it? Anyone know anything about this ban and who else might have been included?
Fascinating!
Fascinating!
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
Posts and sites on Lourdes from all over:
"Our Lady's Place" from Clairity
Song of Bernadette
Photos from a Military Pilgrimage in Lourdes
Miraculous Cures at Lourdes officially recognized by the Church
"Marian Miracles" by Fr. Robert Fox
In case you haven't seen it, the movie Song of Bernadette is excellent (it won 4 Academy Awards in 1943 - including best picture!) You may find it at your local library (many libraries attempt to have offer all of the Academy Award winners for best picture).
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
February School
One thing neat about having an online community to discuss homeschooling issues with is that you notice certain problems or issues that affect lots of other families as well. One thing we noticed on CCE (a list I've been on for many years) was that every February a lot of families were feeling burnt-out on homeschooling, dragging their feet and whatever. An idea formed out of this was "February School" a time at which some families would take a break from their usual routine, maybe drop non-essential subjects for the month and do something a little different (and a lot fun). Last year (or was it the year before), we took a week off of ALL our "normal" subjects and had "Spanish Camp." One year we put a lot of time into an extra-credit Geography project (this was the one that sparked the Map Guy's passion for Geography).
Naturally there are techniques that help prevent burn-out all year round (like using living books and leaving room for children to pursue subjects of special interest). Please share any of your ideas for making school more fun or breaking up the monotony in the winter.
Naturally there are techniques that help prevent burn-out all year round (like using living books and leaving room for children to pursue subjects of special interest). Please share any of your ideas for making school more fun or breaking up the monotony in the winter.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Some Neat Things from the Bonny Glen
Just had to share a few of these treasures courtesy of Melissa Wiley...
100 Best First Lines in Literature
No surprise, I probably like the Chesterton, Dickens and Lewis ones the best.
Harper Lee and Homeschoolers
100 Best First Lines in Literature
No surprise, I probably like the Chesterton, Dickens and Lewis ones the best.
Harper Lee and Homeschoolers
Monday, January 30, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
What it means to be enthusiastic
This is a terrific post from Dr. Thursday, even if you're not interested in Greek. :)
I think this might shed some rather interesting light on a very important phrase from Pius XI's encyclical on Catholic education in which he states that every subject should permeated with Christian piety.
And on an ironically related note - Happy Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas!
I think this might shed some rather interesting light on a very important phrase from Pius XI's encyclical on Catholic education in which he states that every subject should permeated with Christian piety.
And on an ironically related note - Happy Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas!
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