An Online Curriculum Sale Blog Hop!
- Create a blog post with your gently used curriculum (and any other books/items) that you’d like to sell or pass on to another family, with pictures if possible.
- Add a link to your post, referring back to this post, so that others can find the link up.
- Using the linky below, enter the direct link to your post.
- Thank you for participating!
Organizing the School Room :: A Used Book Sale #2
As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I will be hosting a Used Book Sale Link-up here at Shower of Roses today!! The last Used Book Sale I had really motivated me to continue sorting though our books and I have come up with the items pictured below, to pass on to other homes where they might be used a little more. The embarrassing thing is, even with all the books I’ve boxed to sell, I still have quite a few baskets of books that do not have a home, in addition to all the books that are stored in my closet! (I’m starting to think that the solution, at this point, might just be a couple new bookshelves, since we really don’t have all that many!)
If you are interested in purchasing any of the books listed, please leave a comment with your email address and I will send you your total, with shipping, along with my PayPal info. (If you’d rather not leave your email address, you can email me directly at jessica(dot)showerofroses(at)gmail(dot)com.
Shipping will be $3.50 for 1-2 items and $5.00 for 3 or more, to cover the cost of packaging and media rate in the continental U.S. If you end up ordering a lot of books, or you would like the books mailed elsewhere, I will get back to you with the actual shipping costs.
Thank you for taking a look, and be sure to check the link-up for even more online used book sales!
UPDATE 8/2: Thank you all for your purchases! Everything that has been purchased so far has been marked sold and packaged for shipment. I also just went through and reduced the prices on some of the remaining items.
UPDATE 8/15: I am no longer updating this post. You can see all the remaining items available, discounted even further, here.
- Simply Grammar: An Illustrated Primer
by Karen Andreola, Asking $10.00
- Writing Road to Reading 5th Rev Ed: The Spalding Method for Teaching Speech, Spelling, Writing, and Reading (Harperresource Book)
, like new,
Asking $10.00(Sold) - First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind (Vol. Levels 1 & 2) (First Language Lessons)
,
Asking $10.00(Sold)
- Sound Beginnings: Parent/Teacher Manual ($38)
- Sound Beginnings: Worksheets ($6)
- Easy Reader’s Bible ($17)
- Sound Beginnings: CD ($8)
- Sound Beginnings: Composition Notebook ($6)
- Sound Beginnings: Phonogram Cards ($12)
- Sing a Song of Seasons, like new, Asking $20.00 (Sold)
- This is the Way-We-Wash-a-Day, like new,
Asking $20.00(Sold)
- The Sacraments
by Inos Biffi, Out of Print – ex library book,
Asking $5.00(Sold) - An Introduction to the Liturgical Year
by Inos Biffi, Out of Print – very good condition,
Asking $15.00(Sold) The Ten Commandments (My First Catechism)
by Inos Biffi, Out of Print – very good condition,
Asking $7.00(Sold)- Home Catechesis Manual for Ages 3-5, by Moira Farrell. Finally, a home-based program of religious education in the Montessori tradition! This spiral-bound manual offers thirty-two scripted presentations for children ages 3 to 5. Also, patterns, ideas and directions for making all the necessary hands-on materials. Topics include: items used at Mass, parts of the Mass, biblical geography, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Parables of the Kingdom, Baptism, Creation, and others. like new (retails for $40+s/h), Asking $35.00 (Sold)
- Home Catechesis Manual for Ages 6-9, by Moira Farrell. These spiral bound pages offer twenty-seven scripted presentations for chidlren ages 6 to 9. Topics include: Solar Calendar, Liturgical Calendar, Advent Wreath, Jesse Tree, Annunciation, Visitation, Epiphany, Zacchaeus, Bartimaeus, Palm Sunday, Last Supper, Eucharistic Presence of the Good Shepherd, Seder Meal, Parts of the Mass, etc. Includes patterns, ideas and directions to make the hands-on materials to accompany these presentations, like new (retails for $40+s/h), Asking $35.00 (Sold)
- The Garden of the Good Shepherd: A Sticker Calendar to Count the Fifty Days of Easter
, new,
2 available Asking $15.00 each(Sold) - Forty Days and Forty Nights
(A Lenten Ark Moving toward Easter), new,
2 available Asking $15.00 each(Sold)
- Great Women of the Bible
,
3 available(Sold) - Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha,
2 available(Sold) - Mary My Mother
,
5 available(Sold) - The Immaculate Conception
,
1 available(Sold) - Our Lady of Guadalupe,
1 available(Sold) - The Our Father and Hail Mary
,
3 available(Sold) - I Believe in God
,
3 available(Sold) - Great Men of the New Testament
,
2 available(Sold) - St Martin de Porres,
2 available(Sold) - Saint Peter the Apostle,
1 available(Sold) - Saint Paul the Apostle,
3 available(Sold) - Saint Francis of Assisi,
5 available(Sold) - Saint Patrick
,
6 available3 available - The Parables of Jesus
,
1 available(Sold) - The Sacramentals of the Church,
3 available(Sold) - My First Catechism
,
8 available4 available - The Works of Mercy
,
5 available(Sold) - My First Catholic Picture Dictionary,
2 available(Sold) - The Apostles of Jesus
,
2 available(Sold) - Good Saint Joseph
,
1 available(Sold) - My Day with Jesus
,
1 available(Sold) - Following Jesus
,
2 available(Sold) - My Friend Jesus,
2 available(Sold) - Pray Always,
3 available(Sold) - My Life with God
,
2 available(Sold) - Going to Confession
,
1 available(Sold) - The Promises of the Sacred Heart,
2 available(Sold) - The Eight Beatitudes,
2 available(Sold)
- About Rosary Coloring Book
6 available,Asking $1.00 each(Sold) - Catholic ABC Coloring Book
3 available,Asking $1.00 each(Sold) - Everyday Prayers Coloring Book
7 available,Asking $1.00 each(Sold) - Opposites (Usborne First Learning Activity Book)
,
Asking $3.00(Sold) - Primary Skills Workbook – Seatwork, Asking $2.00
- A Coloring Book of Great Explorers
,
Asking $3.50(Sold) - Do-A-Dot Art Mighty Trucks Activity Book
,
Asking $1.00(Sold)
- Mary and the 50 States
- Who do you say that I Am?
- Our Lady
- St. Paul
Religion and Spelling Books from Seton and Building Spelling Skills:
- Religion 1 for Young Catholics, like new condition,
Asking $10.00(Sold) - Religion 2 for Young Catholics (2005 Edition), like new condition,
Asking $10.00(Sold) - Spelling 1 for Young Catholics (2007 Edition), like new condition,
Asking $7.00(Sold) - Spelling 3 for Young Catholics (2007 Edition), like new condition,
Asking $7.00(Sold) - Building Spelling Skills, Grade 1, MISSING WEEK ONE and first page of Week two, Pages 39-142 are loose but in excellent condition, I had my son look at the pages and write the answers in a notebook, Asking $5.00
- Building Spelling Skills, Grade 2, Brand New-Never Used, Asking $8.00
- Building Spelling Skills: Grade 3, Weeks 1-8 of 30 have been completed, Asking $5.00
- Building Spelling Skills: Grade 5, New – Never Used, Asking $8.00
This set of Science books/materials is used by Kolbe Academy in the 1st-4th Grades – I purchased it all used from Amazon, Ebay and Cathswap. Purchase all the Harcourt materials together for $50.00.
- Harcourt Science Grades 1-2 with 2 Harcourt Science, 2nd Grade Workbook (the cover on the back of one workbook has a small tear) Includes Course Plans for 1st and 2nd Grade, Asking $45.00
- Harcourt Science Grades 3-4, Excellent Condition, Asking $15.00
- Saxon Math 3 Home Study Kit with Workbooks and Meeting Book,
Asking $50.00(Sold) - Math K Meeting Book (new),
Asking $7.00(Sold) - Saxon Math 54
textbook, this has lots of wear but is still useable, Asking $5.00
- Saxon Math 65 with Home Study Packet, this has lots of wear but is still useable,
Asking $6.00(Sold)
- Right Start Math Level C Lessons,
Asking $60.00(Sold) - Right Start Math Level C Worksheets,
Asking $15.00(Sold) - Right Start Math Level D Lessons, new- never used, Asking $60.00
- Right Start Math Level D Worksheets, new – never used,
Asking $15.00(Sold)
- I Can Do All Things – A Beginning Book of Drawing and Painting
, Asking $6.00
- Planet Earth & Art Activities (Arty Facts)
, Asking $2.00
- Big Book of Books and Activities: An Illustrated Guide for Teacher, Parents, and Anyone Who Works With Kids!
, Asking $12.00
- First Art : Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos
,
Asking $8.00(Sold)
- Exploring God’s World (Catholic Elementary School Science Program), 1960 edition, Book 5,
Asking $10.00(Sold) - The New More Streets and Roads
, Book 3-2, 1956 Edition,
Asking $10.00(Sold) - The New Days and Deeds
(The New Cathedral Basic Readers), 1956 edition, Book 5-1,
Asking $10.00(Sold) - More Days and Deeds (The New Cathedral Basic Readers), 1957 edition, Book 5-2,
Asking $10.00(Sold) - The New People and Progress (The New Cathedral Basic Readers), 1958 edition, Book 6-1,
Asking $10.00(Sold)
- Child’s Bible History, good condition (some pencil marks throughout),
Asking $4.00(Sold) - History Pockets: Life in Plymouth Colony, Grades 1-3
, new,
Asking $7.50(Sold) - Meet Josephina
, like new, asking $4.00
- Bach and Mozart Companion CD
Unfortunately CD this does not work on a Mac… 🙁 Asking $5.00
- Red Badge of Courage, The (Great Illustrated Classics)
, good condition,
Asking $4.00(Sold) - If You Lived In Colonial Times
old edition, wear to cover,
Asking $1.50(Sold) - The Courage of Sarah Noble
,
Asking $2.50(Sold) - Hamlet (Bantam Classic)
, very good condition,
Asking $1.00(Sold)
- Stories to Learn By
, Asking $4.00
- Stories from the Life of Jesus Puzzle Book
, like new (duplicate copy),
Asking $4.00(Sold) - The Life of Christ
, like new (duplicate copy), Asking $8.00
- The Way I Feel , Asking $2.00
- Dinosaur Model and StoryBook Mega Plant-Eaters (Includes models to make and fact-packed stories)
, Asking $1.00
- Dinosaur Model and StoryBook Ferocious Flesh-Eaters (Includes models to make and fact-packed stories)
, Asking $1.00
- By Day and By Night (Explore Your World)
, Asking $1.00
- 50 Things to do on a Journey
, some wear to corner of box, otherwise like new (just realized we had two of this game),
Asking $4.00(Sold) - Discovery Toys Wiz Kidz Card Game
, Asking $6.00
- Wild Animal Tattoos
, Asking $0.50
- The Jetsons – The Complete First Season
, Asking $10.00
- The Catholic Answers Guide to Family Finances
, never used, slight wear to cover,
Asking $5.00(Sold) - The Religious Potential of the Child: Experiencing Scripture and Liturgy with Young Children
, very good condition, Asking $20.00
- Teaching Montessori in the Home: Pre-School Years: The Pre-School Years
, very good condition,
Asking $6.00(Sold) - The Rosary is a Place
Fr. Benedict Groeschel & Simonetta, Set of 2 Cassettes, Asking $1.00
- Little Flowers CD Virtues and Verses Wreaths 1 & 2, New in shrink wrap since I accidentally purchased 2,
Asking $10.00(Sold) - St. Francis
DVD, like new,
Asking $10.00(Sold) - St. John Bosco: Mission to Love
, new in shrink wrap,
Asking $18.00(Sold) - Creative Clips and Fonts
, Asking $3.00
- The Invisible World: Understanding Angels, Demons, and the Spiritual Realities That Surround Us
, like new, Asking $5.00
- The Book of Genesis: Question by Question
, like new, Asking $5.00
- The Joy of Family Traditions: A Season-by-Season Companion to 400 Celebrations and Activities, like new,
Asking $7.00(Sold) - The Preacher’s Bride
, like new, Asking $4.00
- Little Daily Wisdom: 365 Inspiring Bible Verses to Change Your Life
, like new, Asking $4.00
- A Lenten Journey with Jesus Christ & St. Therese of Lisieux
, like new (I managed to order two copies of this book… oops!), Asking $10.00
- Parent Home School Handbook
, Free with any other book (Sold)
- Why Can’t My Child Behave?
, very good condition, Asking $15.00
- Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West
, hardcover – like new, Asking $6.00
- American Heroes: In the Fight Against Radical Islam
, hardcover – like new, Asking $6.00
- We Were Soldiers Once… and Young: Ia Drang–The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam
, paperback – very good condition, Asking $3.00
- Into the Rising Sun: In Their Own Words, World War II’s Pacific Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat
, Asking $4.00
- Beyond Valor: World War II’s Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat
,
Asking $4.00(Sold) - With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa
, Asking $4.00
- The Road to Arnhem: A Screaming Eagle in Holland (World War II Library)
, Asking $2.50
- Currahee!: A Screaming Eagle at Normandy
,
Asking $2.50(Sold) - Flags of Our Fathers
, paperback – very good condition, Asking $4.00
- Harry Boland
,
Asking $4.00(Sold) - Michael Collins: The Man Who Made Ireland
,
Asking $5.00(Sold) - Michael Collins and the Making of the Irish State
,
Asking $8.00(Sold)
- The Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Official Illustrated Movie Companion
,
Asking $3.00(Sold) - Inside the Passion: An Insider’s Look at the Passion of the Christ
, like new, Asking $3.00
- A Guide to the Passion: 100 Questions About The Passion of The Christ
, like new, Asking $1.00
- Catholic Apologetics : God, Christianity, and the Church (A Course in Religion)
, some wear to cover,
Asking $6.00(Sold) - The Saints Show Us Christ: Daily Readings on the Spiritual Life
, very good condition, Asking $8.00
- Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on “Romanism” by “Bible Christians”
, some underlining, Asking $5.00
- The Incredible Catholic Mass: An Explanation of the Mass
, Asking $5.00
- God’s Choice: Pope Benedict XVI and the Future of the Catholic Church
, like new, Asking $4.00
- Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality
, like new, Asking $5.00
- Pope Fiction: Answers to 30 Myths and Misconceptions About the Papacy
, like new, Asking $6.00
- Surprised by Truth: 11 Converts Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic
, like new, Asking $5.00
- Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: A Practical Guide for Improving Communication and Getting What You Want in Your Relationships
, like new, Asking $4.00
- I Kissed Dating Goodbye
, Asking $5.00
- Real Love: The Ultimate Dating, Marriage and Sex Question Book
,
Asking $4.00(Sold) - Head of the Family: Christian Fatherhood in the Modern World
, new, Asking $7.00
- The Practice of Presence of God
, new,
Asking $2.00(Sold) - Here. Now. A Catholic Guide to the Good Life.
, new, Asking $5.00
- Grilling: Delicious Recipes for Outdoor Grills
, new, Asking $3.00
- 29 Minutes to Dinner Volume 2
, new, Asking $6.00
- Easy Meals: Rice and Risotto
, like new, Asking $2.00
- 101 Things to Do with a Tortilla
, new, Asking $5.00
- The Bad Catholic’s Guide to Wine, Whiskey, & Song: A Spirited Look at Catholic Life & Lore from the Apocalypse to Zinfandel, like new,
Asking $7.50(Sold) - The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home Cookbook (Pampered Chef)
, some cooking spots (is that what you call it? throughout, and a missing link of the spiral on top), Asking $
2.00
- Babybjorn
Classic Original Baby Carrier, Navy Blue
- Sling EZee Baby Sling
, EUC
- Chic Papoose Reversible Baby Sling, EUC
{pretty, happy, funny, real}
Our quickly growing Twinkle Toes, wearing a pretty new dress and holding the Strawberry & Peach Tea Cake we just finished baking!
Strawberry & Peach Tea Cake
I have been wanting to bake this cake ever since first seeing it on Jennifer’s blog and then again on Kelly’s. It was so worth the time and effort. I am reposting the recipe here for future reference, since I plan to make it again… and again!
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature, for pan
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 -1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
2 1/2 cups coarsely chopped mixed stone fruit, fresh or frozen (I used 1 cup of fresh peaches and added 2 cups of fresh strawberries)
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (I used Maple Sugar)
1. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Using a handheld mixer with beaters or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the sugar and butter together on medium-high speed for 3 to 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition, then stir in the vanilla and cinnamon. Add the flour mixture and stir just until smooth dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, flatten into a 1-inch thick disk, and freeze for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 375F. Butter a shallow 10 inch round baking pan or tart pan. Divide the dough into two equal portions and pat one portion evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the fruit over the dough. Break the remainder of the dough into tablespoon-size pieces and distribute atop the fruit, then sprinkle the turbinado sugar over the dessert.
3. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until lightly golden and firm. Cool for 30 minutes before serving.
It was also the perfect opportunity to pull out our iSi Cream Whipper and make some homemade whipped cream to go along with the cake. I am still amazed at how neat this little gadget is, and it makes the BEST whipped cream!
Wrapped in plastic wrap, this tea cake will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the unbaked dough; if wrapped well, it will keep for up to 3 months. You can freeze a whole, unbaked cake with fruit, wrapped well for 1 month. Serves 10 to 12.
American History :: Our Book Lists & Plans
I’ve been spending some time over the past couple weeks creating plans for our American History Study for this coming school year – using the books we have on our shelves, in addition to a few of my favorite resources
for finding additional book suggestions, to create our book lists.
I’ve broken the year into 6 Units, each unit containing core reading assignments, additional picture books/literature based on the time period, coloring books, a lap book, timeline entries, additional activities, and geography (state) assignments. I’ve broken the lists into two sections – one for my Pre-K/Kindergartner-3rd graders (mainly the girls) and the other for my 4th-5th graders (the older boys). We will most likely spend 4-8 weeks on each unit, some units requiring more time than others, but we’ll have to see how it goes.
These plans are completely tailored towards my own family, and I didn’t intend to share them online (at least not until after completing each unit and posting our Lap Book pictures), but since so many of you asked for them, here you go. . .
Note: Books in bold on these lists are ones that we already own. The rest we will purchase throughout the year if they are not available to check out from our local libraries. Overall it is a LOT of books, but I don’t intend to have all of my children read all of them. They will each be assigned some of the books from the lists, and at least 2-3 from each list will be read aloud all together.
- From Sea to Shining Sea
(Captain & Rascal)
- America, My Country (Twinkle Toes & Chiquita)
- American History 1 for Young Catholics (Twinkle Toes & Chiquita)
Kindergarten-3rd Grade
- Saint Brendan and the Voyage Before Columbus
- Leif the Lucky
- Columbus
- The Voyage of Christopher Columbus in His Own Words (A Pop Up Book)
- Who Was Ferdinand Magellan?
- The Lady of Guadalupe
- Meet Kaya: An American Girl
or Kaya Boxed Set With Game
4th-5th Grade
- The Usborne Book of Explorers
- Brendan the Navigator
- Leif the Lucky
- First Voyage to America: From the Log of the “Santa Maria”
- Where Do You Think You’re Going, Christopher Columbus?
- The Voyage of Christopher Columbus in His Own Words (A Pop Up Book)
- Ponce de Leon: Exploring Florida and Puerto Rico
- Ferdinand Magellan: Circumnavigating the World
- Ship’s Boy with Magellan
- Hernando Cortes: Spanish Invader of Mexico
- Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe Empress of the Americas
Coloring Books, Activities and Games
Kindergarten-3rd Grade
- Jamestown, New World Adventure
- The Pilgrims of Plimoth
- Who’s That Stepping on Plymouth Rock?
- Long Ago in Colonial Days
- Pocahontas
- The Thanksgiving Story
- Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims
- Saint Isaac Jogues: With Burning Heart
- Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
- “I Want to be a Christian!” Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (Glory Stories)
- Benjamin Franklin
- A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin
- Ben Franklin and His First Kite
- The Courage of Sarah Noble
- The Mission Bell
- Meet Felicity: An American Girl : 1774
4th-5th Grade
- James Towne: Struggle for Survival
- Three Ships Come Sailing
- A Lion to Guard Us
- The Landing of the Pilgrims (Landmark Books)
- St. Francis Solano
- If You Lived In Colonial Times
- Pocahontas
- . . . If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620
- Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims
- Kateri Tekakwitha: Mohawk Maiden (Vision Books)
- Benjamin Franklin: Young Printer (Childhood of Famous Americans)
- What’s The Big Idea, Ben Franklin?
- Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos
- Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia (Landmark Books)
- Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
- The Padre on Horseback: A Sketch of Eusebio Francisco Kino, S.J. Apostle to the Pimas (The American West)
- Priest on Horseback: Father Farmer, 1720-1786
- Madeleine Takes Command (Living History Library)
Coloring Books, Activities and Games
- Colonial Days: Discover the Past with Fun Projects, Games, Activities, and Recipes (American Kids in History Series)
- Colonial Fashions Paper Dolls
- Everyday Dress of the American Colonial Period Coloring Book (Colouring Books)
- Life in Colonial America
- Indian Tribes of North America Coloring Book
- Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Coloring Book
- Felicity’s Craft Book: A Look at Crafts from the Past With Projects You Can Make Today
- Felicity’s Cookbook: A Peek at Dining in the Past With Meals You Can Cook Today
Kindergarten-3rd Grade
- The Matchlock Gun
- Paul Revere and the Bell Ringers (Ready-to-Read. Level 2)
- . . . If You Grew Up with George Washington
- The Boston Tea Party
- George Washington
- A Picture Book of Patrick Henry
- A Picture Book of Paul Revere
- Paul Revere’s Ride
- Liberty’s Kids: Complete Series
- Why Don’t You Get a Horse, Sam Adams?
- Revolutionary War On Wednesday (Magic Tree House 22)
- A Picture Book of Thomas Jefferson
- Thomas Jefferson’s America
(Jim Weiss – Audio)
- John Adams Speaks for Freedom (Stories of Famous Americans)
- Winter at Valley Forge (Graphic History)
- Sam the Minuteman (I Can Read Books: Level 3)
- George the Drummer Boy (I Can Read Book 3)
- George Washington’s Breakfast
- John Adams Speaks for Freedom
- Abigail Adams: First Lady of the American Revolution (Stories of Famous Americans)
- They Called Her Molly Pitcher
- Phoebe the Spy
- The Fourth of July Story
- A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution
- The Star Spangled Banner
4th-5th Grade
- Struggle for a Continent: The French and Indian Wars: 1689-1763 (The American Story)
- The Bulletproof George Washington
- George vs. George: The American Revolution As Seen from Both Sides
- Boston Tea Party, Rebellion in the Colonies
- Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George?
- George Washington: Young Leader
- Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May?
- Paul Revere: Boston Patriot (Childhood of Famous Americans Series)
- The American Revolution (Landmark Books)
- Mr. Revere and I: Being an Account of certain Episodes in the Career of Paul Revere,Esq. as Revealed by his Horse
- Why Don’t You Get a Horse, Sam Adams?
- Guns for General Washington: A Story of the American Revolution
- Thomas Jefferson: Third President of the United States (Childhood of Famous Americans)
- The Great Little Madison (Unforgetable Americans)
- The Reb and the Redcoats (Living History Library)
- John Treegate’s Musket
- Peter Treegate’s War
- Johnny Tremain
- John Adams: Young Revolutionary (Childhood of Famous Americans)
- Abigail Adams: Girl of Colonial Days (Childhood of Famous Americans)
- Molly Pitcher: Young Patriot (Childhood of Famous Americans)
- Why Not, Lafayette?
- Becky Landers: Frontier Warrior (Living History Library)
- Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?
- Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution
- If You Lived At The Time Of The American Revolution
Coloring Books, Activities and Games
- Revolutionary War Days: Discover the Past with Exciting Projects, Games, Activities, and Recipes (American Kids in History Series)
- Story of the American Revolution Coloring Book
- Uniforms of the American Revolution Coloring Book
- George Washington Coloring Book
- Heroes and Heroines of the American Revolution
- Prof. Noggin’s American Revolution
(game)
Kindergarten-3rd Grade
- Who was Daniel Boone?
- Kat Finds a Friend, a St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Story
- A Picture Book of Sacagawea
- If You Lived With The Sioux Indians
- The Long Way Westward (I Can Read Book 3)
- Lewis and Clark: A Prairie Dog for the President (Step into Reading, Step 3)
- Thomas Edison to the Rescue!
- Listen Up!: Alexander Graham Bell’s Talking Machine
- Amazing Impossible Erie Canal
- A picture book of Davy Crockett
- The Josefina Story Quilt (I Can Read Book 3)
- Wagon Wheels (I Can Read Book 3)
- Dandelions
- Apples to Oregon
- Westward To Home: Joshua’s Oregon Trail Diary
- Buffalo Bill
- They’re Off! : The Story of the Pony Express
- Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express (I Can Read Book 3)
- Louisa: The Life of Louisa May Alcott
- Meet Josefina: An Amercian Girl
- Meet Kirsten: An American Girl
- Little Women
(Audio)
4th-5th Grade
- Daniel Boone: Young Hunter and Tracker (Childhood of Famous Americans)
- Mother Seton and the Sisters of Charity (Vision Books)
- Sacagawea: American Pathfinder (Childhood Of Famous Americans)
- How We Crossed The West: The Adventures Of Lewis And Clark
- Lewis and Clark: Explorers of the American West
- American Slave, American Hero: York of the Lewis And Clark Expedition
- Thomas Edison: Inventor With a Lot of Bright Ideas
- American Tall Tales
– Jim Weiss Audio
- Alexander Graham Bell: Setting the Tone for Communication
- Downright Dencey
- Davy Crockett: Young Rifleman (Childhood of Famous Americans Series)
- If You Traveled West In A Covered Wagon
- On to Oregon!
(or watch Seven Alone
)
- Bound for Oregon
- Brave Buffalo Fighter
- Riding the Pony Express
- The California Gold Rush
- By the Great Horn Spoon!
- Little Men
(Audio)
Coloring Books, Activities and Games
- Pioneer Days: Discover the Past with Fun Projects, Games, Activities, and Recipes
- Lewis and Clark for Kids: Their Journey of Discovery with 21 Activities
- Daniel Boone Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Books)
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition Coloring Book
- The Story of the Alamo (Dover Pictorial Archives)
- The Story of the California Gold Rush Coloring Book
- The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Classic Stories
- Early American Corn Husk Doll Kit or Traditional Corn Husk Doll Kit
- LEGO Architecture White House (21006)
Kindergarten-3rd Grade
- Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad
- Escape North! The Story of Harriet Tubman (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3)
- Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt
- If You Grew Up with Abraham Lincoln
- Abraham Lincoln (Dell Picture Yearling Special)
- Just a few words, Mr. Lincoln: The story of the Gettysburg Address
- Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers
- Abe Lincoln and the Muddy Pig
- Abe Lincoln Remembers
- Abraham Lincoln: Lawyer, Leader, Legend
- A Picture Book of Robert E. Lee
- Civil War On Sunday (Magic Tree House #21)
- B is for Battle Cry: A Civil War Alphabet
- Cassie’s Sweet Berry Pie: A Civil War Story
- Thomas Finds a Treasure: A St. John Neumann Story
- Willy Finds Victory: A Blessed Francis Seelos Story
- Meet Addy: An American Girl
4th-5th Grade
- . . . If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad
- Go Free or Die: A Story About Harriet Tubman
- Brady
- Young Abe Lincoln: The Frontier Days: 1809-1837
- Abe Lincoln: Log Cabin to White House
- Meet Abraham Lincoln (Landmark Books)
- Stonewall
- The Long Road to Gettysburg
or Gettysburg (Civil War Times Illustrated Special Edition)
- The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale (Tale of Young Americans)
- My America: My Brother’s Keeper: Virginia’s Civil War Diary, Book One
- Robert E. Lee: Young Confederate (Childhood of Famous Americans)
- Behind the Blue and Gray: The Soldier’s Life in the Civil War (Young Reader’s Hist- Civil War)
- Ghosts of the Civil War
- If You Lived At The Time Of The Civil War
- Classic Starts: The Red Badge of Courage
- Abraham Lincoln and the Heart of America
– Jim Weiss Audio
Coloring Books, Activities and Games
- Civil War Days: Discover the Past with Exciting Projects, Games, Activities, and Recipes
- A Soldier’s Life in the Civil War (Dover Pictorial Archives)
- From Antietam to Gettysburg: A Civil War Coloring Book
- Story of the Civil War Coloring Book
- Prof. Noggin’s Civil War
Kindergarten-3rd Grade
- The Orphans Find a Home: A St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Story
- Saint Katharine Drexel: The Total Gift
- Train to Somewhere
- First Flight: The Story of Tom Tate and the Wright Brothers (I Can Read Book 4)
- The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot July 25, 1909
- Eat My Dust! Henry Ford’s First Race
- How Many Days to America?: A Thanksgiving Story
- The Long Way to a New Land
- Tattered Sails
- The Memory Coat
- When Jessie Came Across the Sea
- The Story of the Statue of Liberty
- Teddy Roosevelt: The People’s President
- Earthquake in the Early Morning
- A Penny for a Hundred
The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto
- Jose Finds the King; a Blessed Miguel Pro Story
- Dust for Dinner
- Little House on the Prairie
(Audio Books)
- Potato: A Tale From The Great Depression
- Finding Daddy: A Story of the Great Depression
- Meet Samantha: An American Girl
- Meet Kit: An American Girl 1934
4th-5th Grade
- Mother Cabrini: Missionary to the World
- Saint Katharine Drexel: Friend of the Oppressed
- Ten Mile Day: And the Building of the Transcontinental Railroad
- The Journal Of Sean Sullivan, A Transcontinental Railroad Worker
- The Wright Brothers (Landmark Books)
and/or The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane
- Henry Ford: Young Man With Ideas
- If Your Name Was Changed At Ellis Island
- The Orphan Of Ellis Island (Time Travel Adventures)
- A is for America
- Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt!
- Earthquake!: A Story of the San Francisco Earthquake
- The Usborne Introduction to the First World War
- The Great Serum Race: Blazing the Iditarod Trail
- The Journal of C. J. Jackson, a Dust Bowl Migrant, Oklahoma to California, 1935
- Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Biography
- Children of the Great Depression
It’s a pretty full book list already, but if anyone has any additional favorites to recommend for these time periods, I’d love for you to share them in the comments!
On the Feast of St. James. . .
Today is the feast of St. James the Greater. It also happens to be a Nameday in our home! I had all sorts of ideas for celebrating… However, after spending most of the day in town for car repairs, errands, and a major grocery shopping trip, I had to keep it simple. We had Baked Chicken and salad for dinner, followed by a scoop of ice cream for the kids. After dinner we made this simple St. James Cross and Shells Candle!
That’s it! It only took about 10-15 minutes to make from start to finish, and we ended up with a beautiful candle to decorate our table, in honor of St. James.
St. Christopher, Ora pro nobis.
Making Plans :: 2011-2012
I never did get around to posting the list of curriculum that we used last year, and now, I am not even going to try… Instead I will mention (mainly for my own reference) what worked for us, or didn’t, as I share our plans for this coming school year.
This coming year our oldest boys will be going into 5th and 4th grade, the girls will be in 2nd and 1st. Snuggles (who just turned 4) is still Pre-K.
I am not quite finished finalizing our History plans, and then I’ll still need to update our weekday schedule, but at least it is a start! Here is what we are planning for the year:
We have been using the Baltimore Catechism to teach our children the Catholic Faith since our oldest was a toddler. Another one of our favorite resources is My Catholic Faith. Usually my husband is the one that does most of the formal catechism “classes” with the kids, and I focus on teaching the kids through celebrating the liturgical year in our home, leading Little Flowers for the girls, Lap Books, etc.
- Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism
(with Dad)
- Angel Food for Boys & Girls
Volumes 1-4 (using Jen’s wonderful list of corresponding stories for the Baltimore Catechism lessons)
- Baltimore Catechism 1 on CD for Review
- Faith and Life Series (Grades 2, 4 and 5) with My Catholic Faith Delivered – We are still considering using this program… I think it might be a nice supplement to the kids current studies, and they would enjoy the computer time. If any of you have used it yet, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Of course, this will probably be the first thing to get checked off the list, depending on our school books budget…
- First Communion Preparation (Twinkle Toes)
Towards the end of our 2009-2010 school year, I ended up switching Math programs yet again… Even though we loved Right Start Math, with so many little ones, I just wasn’t able to keep up. At that time I switched the older boys to Teaching Textbooks, and the girls to workbooks that I already had on my shelves – still supplementing with the Math Games from Right Start. I think we have finally found the perfect fit for our family!
- Teaching Textbooks 5 (Captain)
- Teaching Textbooks 4 (Rascal)
- Teaching Textbooks 3 (Twinkle Toes)
- MCP Math A
(Chiquita)
Phonics/Reading
This past year Twinkle Toes completed Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and is reading splendidly! She breezed through the Faith and Freedom Readers for Grade 1 and is reading all sorts of books now. I plan to use the same for Chiquita this coming year. For additional phonics practice my girls both really enjoy the Explode the Code books. Last year I did the online version (I purchased our subscription at 50% through Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op), but this year we will be going back to the printed workbooks, since my girls need all the practice they can get with handwriting.
- Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
- Faith and Freedom Readers for Grade 1
- Explode the Code 1
, 1 1/2
, 2, and 2 1/2
- Explode the Code 3
, 3 1/2, 4, and 4 1/2
Spelling
In 2009 we also switched from using Seton’s spelling workbooks to All About Spelling. Shortly afterwards I attended a seminar, on “Dyslexia: Symptoms and Solutions” that was given by Susan Barton, and learned that children who are dyslexic learn the best using Reading and Spelling programs which are based on the Orton-Gllighmam method of teaching. Sure enough, it has been a perfect program for my boys!
Now that they are getting a little older, I have been searching for a program that they can complete a little more independently (freeing up more time for me to spend working with the younger children), but still includes a multi-sensory approach. After discussing it with a friend, I think that The Phonetic Zoo from The Institute for Excellence in Writing is just what I have been looking for. It is designed for children ages 9 years old and up, and I was very happy to see that they suggest beginning with All About Spelling. Perfect!!
- The Phonetic Zoo – Level A (Captain and Rascal)
- All About Spelling – Level 1 (Twinkle Toes)
Grammar
We were also very happy with our choices for Grammar last year, and will be continuing on for this school coming year.
- First Language Lessons Level 1
(Chiquita)
- First Language Lessons Level 2
(Twinkle Toes
- First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind: Level 3 Student Workbook and Instructor’s Guide
(Rascal – complete from last year, before moving on to Level 4 Workbook with Instructor’s Guide)
- Winston Grammar Basic Level (Captain)
Writing
This will also be a continuation from last year. The only thing I am going to do differently, is make sure the boys each have their own workbook. Last year I tried to save a little money by photocopying the Student Pages for the boys, which is allowed within your own family. However, it was just not worth my time, not to mention the cost of paper and ink! 🙂
- The Complete Writer: Writing with Ease (Resource)
- The Complete Writer: Level 1 Workbook for Writing with Ease (Chiquita)
- The Complete Writer: Level Two Workbook for Writing with Ease (Twinkle Toes)
- The Complete Writer: Level Four Workbook for Writing with Ease (Captain & Rascal)
Vocabulary
Last year Captain used Word Study and Rascal used Wordly Wise. Captain hated vocabulary and it was one of Rascal’s favorite subjects. This year they will all be using Wordly Wise. 😉 The only thing that I haven’t decided on, is whether to continue using the old editions, or try the Wordly Wise 3000
series… (Update: After a couple emails mentioning that the new editions contain some stories with a liberal slant, I think we’ll stick with the old editions.)
Handwriting
This is the one subject that I haven’t made a decision on yet. . . The girls will be continuing on with Handwriting Without Tears, but I am torn whether to continue using the Handwriting for Young Catholics series for the boys, or to switch to something a little less expensive. In the meantime I have been watching for the Handwriting for Young Catholics books on Cathswap… We’ll see!
- Handwriting without Tears Hands-On Materials
- Get Set for School (Snuggles)
- Handwriting Pages created with Startwrite
- My Printing Book (Chiquita)
- Printing Power (Twinkle Toes)
- Handwriting for Young Catholics 4 (Rascal)
- Handwriting for Young Catholics 5 (Captain)
Ever since switching to the Exploring Creation series, my children have really enjoyed Science. The boys didn’t love Botany nearly as much as they loved studying Astronomy, but they still learned so much and had lots of fun in the process!
- Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the 5th Day
- Zoology 1 Notebooking Journal (Captain & Rascal)
- Corresponding Lapbooks for Lessons 1-6 and 7-14 (Twinkle Toes)
- Various Science Experiments, Projects and Field Trips
- Exploring Creation With Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures of the 5th Day
- Exploring Creation with Zoology 2 Notebooking Journal (Captain & Rascal)
- Corresponding Lapbooks for Lessons 1-5 and 6-13 (Twinkle Toes)
Chiquita always loves to just listen along whenever we are reading aloud from the Exploring Creation books, but she also enjoyed Science and Living in God’s World 1A last year, and will continue on to Science and Living in God’s World 1 this year.
For the past three years we have been using, and loving, Connecting with History! We are never able to get to quite as many of the hands-on activities and other projects as we would like, but my children (the boys especially) love the book lists and reading assignments. This past year was a little harder than usual. . . I ordered all the books on the book list, but I kept waiting to order the completed teachers guide (which was originally scheduled to be published last summer) instead of downloading the units as they were available. (I really prefer having a hard copy and didn’t want to spend the money on the downloads, if I planned to purchase the print edition.) Anyhow, we did the first three units and then continued with just reading assignments from the book lists for units 4-8, skipping any of the books that have to do with Early American History.
Since Volume 4 of Connecting with History has not been published yet, and since my boys have been begging, we will be revisiting American History this coming year! It will be the perfect opportunity for the boys to focus (and hopefully complete) their State-by-State Scrapbook for Geography as well. Over the past week I have been working on creating plans for the year, which makes me even more thankful for the wonderful resource that the Connecting with History Books have been!
I’ve decided to use From Sea to Shining Sea as a spine for the boys, and America, My Country along with American History 1 for Young Catholics for the girls. At this point I am looking at breaking the year into 6 Unit Studies, including: New World Explorers, Colonial Life, The American Revolution, The Early 19th Century, The Civil War, and The Industrial Revolution through the Great Depression. I’ve been working on coming up with book lists, reading assignments, lap books, various projects, and timeline dates to add to their Record of Time Timeline Notebooks for each unit. It still needs some work, but so far the plans are coming together nicely!
- Holling C. Holling Map Study – Complete the 3rd and 4th Maps
, based on the books Minn of the Mississippi
and Seabird
- The boys will continue adding to their State-by-State Scrapbooks using the Discover America State by State Alphabet Series
– So far they have completed Delaware-Vermont (though I haven’t posted pictures from the last 5, and they keep asking me just when I plan to do that!)
- State Study for the Girls – A simplified version of what the boys have been doing, using United States Maps Notebooking Pages
- Maps, Charts, and Graphs
(1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th – my kids love these workbooks!)
- Great States and Great States Junior
- Geo Puzzles: USA and Canada
Music is something that has been put off for way too long (at least formally), and so this year the kids will hopefully begin piano lessons, in addition to starting a study on composers which will include creating a “Composers” lap book. Here are some of the resources we will be using, most of which we already own:
- An Introduction to the Classics – The Vox Music Masters Collection
(Including The Story of Bach, The Story Of Handel, The Story of Beethoven, The Story of Mozart, and more…)
- Stories of the Great Composers (Book & CD)
- Various Books by Opal Wheeler
- Story of the Orchestra : Listen While You Learn About the Instruments, the Music and the Composers Who Wrote the Music!
- Meet the Orchestra
- Great Composers Coloring Books
- Musical Instruments Coloring Book
- M is for Melody: A Music Alphabet
{pretty, happy, funny, real}
Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
Exploring Creation with Botany Lap Book :: Part 2
This past school year, for Science, my children studied Botany using Exploring Creation with Botany along with the Exploring Creation with Botany Lapbook Lessons 1-5 and Exploring Creation with Botany Lapbook Lessons 6-13. They completed up the study early last month, , finishing the text book along with their 2nd Lap Book for the year, but I am just now getting around to posting. You can see pictures from their first Botany Lap Book here.


















































































































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