A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Homeschooling

Going Through Browser Tabs

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It’s the letter G this week for the blogging through the alphabet challenge and I was wracking my brain for what I could do.  As I was driving home from church this morning I thought hey!  I know I do Going for the letter G.  So here’s my third for the year I think.. Going through Browser Tabs. 

going through browser tabs

Wanting to check links

I have a number of sites that I want to go through the links on them.  All are homeschooling related. 

Homeschooling Related

Other sites that I want to do something with

  • Canadian Schoolhouse.   The Canadian site of The Old Schoolhouse.
  • Make Belief Comix just looks like an interesting site that I wanted to show the lad sometime. 
  • World War 2 search on Christian Book Distributors. 
  • Terrific Turtles.  This inspires me to try my hand at something like this.  I just like the set up and wanted to remember it.   Sarah did a number of posts like this for the summer. 
  • Compound Interest… A bunch of graphics on elements from the periodic table I think.  It intrigued me. Maybe it will you too.
  • World War 2 colouring pages interested me at EduPics.   They have lots of variety there so you should check it out!
  • I was looking into some highschool alternatives for the lad, checking out the virtual learning centre and independent learning centre.   I might sign the lad up for a course or two next year. 
  • WW2 materials on TeachersPayTeachers. 
  • Wondering if this might be a better grammar program for the lad. 
  • I still need to share this engineering journey with the lad. 
  • As I increasingly think on making printables to sell, these lapbook templates from Homeschool Share seem like a good idea.  Maybe not to use to sell but to at least generate ideas. 
  •  

Faith Related

RightNow Media.  This was a gift from our church, a free subscription.

24 inspiring bloggers.   I’m linked on this page!  🙂

Various Others

Sometimes I just have random links open 

  • Hover a place that just does domain names. 
  • The Blog Plan – I started this course, just haven’t finished it.   This site is related I think…. Start a Mom Blog. 
  • Make and Sell Printables.  I’ve done most of this.   Yes, I still need to finish it, I’ve just been otherwise motivated lately.  And there is this related page. 
  • AudioGrabber.  Hubby sent me this for some reason that I can’t remember, but it seemed important to keep.  🙂
  • Some day I will make this stuffed mushrooms. 
  • Someone brought up on facebook asking about alternatives to netflix so I went looking and found these. 
  •  

Others in this series

Crossing on Time

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Steam Ships… there is something about steam ships that incites the imagination (at least for me!).   Did you know the first working steam engine was made to help coal miners?   Building from those early models, David Macauley draws us into the world of steam ships until we reach the final steam ship, the SS United States in Crossing on Time.  A steam ship the author himself travelled on.

This is actually a hard review and intro to write.  I so like this book I want to draw you into it and I’m afraid my words will fail me.   What will you find?  Drawing, illustrations, pictures, well written text and more.  Come on, let me show you why you should get this book!  🙂

Crossing on time review

What I am Reviewing

Crossing on Time: Steam Engines, Fast ships, and a journey to the new world.
David Macaulay.
Roaring Brook Press
128 pages, Ages 10-14 years
Received: Advanced Readers Copy
Formatted as Hardcover or Kindle.

Reviewed for Raincoast books.

Steam Ships, Engines, Ships, History, Boats, Inventors,

Prior to the 1800s, ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean relied on the wind in their sails to make their journeys. But invention of steam power ushered in a new era of transportation that would change ocean travel forever: the steamship.

Award-winning author-illustrator David Macaulay guides readers through the fascinating history that culminated in the building of the most advanced – and last – of these steamships: the SS United States . This book artfully explores the design and construction of the ship and the life of its designer and engineer, William Francis Gibbs.

Framed around the author’s own experience steaming across the Atlantic on the very same SS United States, Crossing on Time is a tour de force of the art of explanation and a touching and surprising childhood story.

Details for Crossing on Time

Full colour illustrations dot every page of this book.  From drawing illustrating how the engines where put together. 

Crossing on time

As well as illustrations of vessels.  It was important to get ships that could run under their own power.  Depending on the wind, or man-power was a barrier to moving people via the waterways.   People wanted reliability in their travel, so developing better ships to transport people was an imperative.   It was a difficult task, fraught with disappointment, but also with elation.  Success was a great thing.  The SS United States was the fulfillment of a dream for William Francis Gibbs.

Crossing on time

The text throughout was easy to read and lead well from one page to the next.   Crossing on Time is not divided into chapters, but reads just like a fiction book from page to page.

Crossing on time

There is so much information contained within the pages, but it never felt like a hard read.  Just really interesting watching the development of steam ships throughout the years.  All the images/illustrations provided broke up the text and really aided understanding. 

Crossing on time

All these illustrations made me wonder if I could somehow build my own steam engine.  It made me thoroughly appreciate the early inventors. Learning how to put all these intricate pieces together.

Crossing on time

One of my delights was this fold-out page of the SS United States.   Wasn’t it just immense?  Remember… this was run on steam.  That just amazes me.  

Recommendations

I asked my son to look through Crossing on Time.   His response after just a short time was “I like how they have so many diagrams. It’s an interesting book.  You are keeping this one right?”

And inside I said “YAY!”  Because you know what… I really like this book.  It’s chock full of details about steam engines.  The diagrams are well done and you could really see the progress in the steam ships.   

Crossing on Time is a wonderful look back in time.  A must read for anyone who loves ships, is interested in innovation, and/or likes to trace the development of invention.   A delightfully informative book.  Well worth reading. 

Enjoy Learning Music?

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Did you know that my lad and I used to practice songs together?  We’d memorize hymns such as Rock of Ages or Silent Night.  We picked up playing the keyboard and have learned some flute.  I love music though I admittedly have lost my good singing voice. Introducing this love of music has been a goal of mine for the past 14 years.  🙂   I don’t know how successful I have been, but my lad has signed up to learn guitar this coming year.  Could it be true that my lad might enjoy learning music?

enjoy learning music

Resources

So let’s imagine that you, like me, have this desire to help your children enjoy learning music.  How might you do so?  I’ve collected some resources that may prove useful for you.

  • Classics for Kids. I LOVE this website.  My lad and I used it throughout his elementary years.  Listening to classical music, learning about the composers behind it.  Wonderful site!
  • Harmony Fine Arts has a music appreciation course that you might like. 
  • If you are learning music and want to learn some theory to go with it, Teoria and Music Theory might be sites you want to check out. 
  • Music in our Homeschool is a facebook group for folks wanting to bring music… into their homeschool!   🙂  I’ve been a member since it started I think.  It’s a pretty good group of people. 
  • Grab a song, whether it’s a hymn, folk, country, jazz or whatever. Learn songs of your choice.  Learn about the person who wrote it. Music draws people together.  Memorizing songs serves you well in your older age if you have it memorized and you can’t read the words!  🙂  (No no, not speaking from experience!) Give that gift to your children and sing together.
  • you could even head to youtube to listen to various genres of music.  See what you like and what you don’t. 

Games and More

  • SFSkids has a flash player game to learn about the orchestra.  Then go to Carnegie Hall and play an orchestra related game. Both require flash player to work. 
  • Another way to add enjoyment to your music lessons is to make your own instruments.  This can be as simple as beating a plastic bowl, taping elastics to a box, or blowing on a piece of grass held between your palms.  There are kits to build your own ukulele.  
  • Two years ago we got a subscription to the K-W Symphony.  Just a two ticket package for six different shows.  The lad and Dad went a couple times on their own, and I and Dad and then twice we bought an extra ticket so we could all go.  It was a TOTAL hoot! The lad loved it and got to listen to many different styles of music.  He developed a love of classical and plays it while he does his school work.   We would LOVE to do this again sometime.  🙂   If you can… do it!

Reviews I’ve Done

  • Maestro Classics is a fun way to learn music.  CD’s telling a story about music and composers.  It’s a great listen. 
  • Learning piano or organ?  You might want to check out this free music site called Simply Music.  This is my review. 

In Conclusion

I hope you have found something to help your students enjoy learning music.  Adding music into your life will add depth and enjoyment to your life. Music is a good thing!  🙂

This post is my last in the write 31 days challenge.  I know some I was very strict and stuck to the five minute rule and others I just included it as part of another post.  It’s okay to do that you know, sometimes you have to bend the rules to make a challenge work.  🙂  

enjoy

10 Fantastic Ways to Learn History

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History is a fascinating topic, one that is more than just dates, names and places.   My son studied WW1 last year and this year he’s doing WW2. He has been totally fascinated as he’s learning about spies, North African battles and the people involved.  Ergo I thought it would be fun to share 10 fantastic ways to learn history.   For it’s definitely more than reading and memorizing dates. 

10 fantastic ways to learn history

Unit Studies

Unit Studies are a fantastic way to learn history.  They help to connect all the dots between dates, science, geography, fashion, wild life and more.  What you put into a history based unit study is what makes it complete.  

You might not be able to include everything, and definitely you can’t in all the detail you might like, but the details you add will bring depth to your study.   

For instance: As my lad studied World War 1 last year we learned about the animals that helped the war effort.  We learned about the cats, dogs, pigeons and more.   We touched on them lightly but we didn’t read the stories of men and their mascots. Nor did we delve in-depth into the care of the horses.  But we learned that animals were important to the war effort, which was our hope. 

Some resources you might like

YouTube

My son, being the visual learner that he is, loves to go to YouTube.   In fact, if he struggles with learning any concept he turns to youtube for answers. 

When we studied WW1 a lot of our videos came from The Great War Channel. 

Next year we intend to study Canadian history and I expect we’ll use Canadiana a lot as a base of study.  And Historica Canada as well, who makes videos like the one below. 

Adventures

The Great Canadian Adventure is a monthly subscription plan with guides walking the reader through each provinces history.  Walk through the formation of our country.

The Canadian homeschooler has a monthly online subscription that bounces you all over Canadian history.   The Canadian Time Capsule has good options for various ages making it an excellent resource to study Canadian history as a family. 

Or you can take Audio history tour with Headphone History. Learn the stories and legends of Canada, stories written for children. 

10 fantastic ways to learn history

Magazines

Canada’s History has a fantastic adult magazine and a really really good kids magazine.  Canada’s history and Kayak are premier magazine that will give an good overview of Canadian history over the course of a year.   

If you are looking for something beyond Canadian History these top 10 might intrigue.

On-Line Resources

Of course you can always find history resources on line.   I’ve a bunch in my pinterest board that might intrigue.  Beyond that I have some links to resources.

Field Trips

Real life or virtual field trips help history come alive.  Some trips to museums just let you browse through the past.  Others, especially if you go as part of a group create experiences, helping you role play history.

Chapter Books, Living Books

Oh boy there are TONS of books that spell out history.  

  1. Biographies.  Abraham Lincoln.
  2. Diaries.  Dear Canada diaries.
  3. Period books.  It rained warm bread. 
  4. Chapter books that touch on history.  Magic Tree House.

Encyclopedias to Learn History

Encyclopedias that focus on history are a fantastic find and if you can find some that approach history from different perspectives… even better.   My son and I learned so much history reading two page spreads each night before bed.   

Some focus on art, others on weapons, others on the development of people groups.  Each encyclopedia has it own focus.  Read them, think it through, compare them to each other.  It’s amazing the links you’ll find. 

Hands-on Elements

Make dioramas, lap books, build with lego or play dough.  So many ways you can make history interactive.  Cook from from whatever time period you are studying.  

models of trenches, hands on history

Personal Accounts

Listening to Gramma talk about her experiences during the war my son’s ears perk up.  It’s relevant to him.  Also serving in army cadets, especially over Remembrance Day dinners, gives him the opportunity to listen to the war stories of our local veterans.   Whose history are you willing to learn?  What opportunities can you find to listen?

History Surrounds Us

History surrounds us, in monuments and museums, in the people from other lands and times, in the books we read and the things we do.  How can you make history relevant to your students?   What other fantastic ways to study history can you come up?

This post is part of the ABC blogging tour.  Come on join us!

alphabet

Others in this series:

A – Add in your life.
B – Edmund Burke.
C – Clarity in Writing.
D – Deep Runs the Well.
E – Ease of Consistent Schedules.
F – 10 fantastic ways to learn history.

Finding Narnia

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Finding Narnia, which is the story of C.S. Lewis and his brother gives me a great opportunity to participate in the Write 31 Days Challenge.  Today’s word is NOT Narnia, but rather person.   

Finding Narnia Review

What I am Reviewing

Finding Narnia: the Story of C.S.Lewis and His Brother.
Caroline McAlister
Jessica Lanan (illustrator).
Roaring Brook Press
48 pages, Grades 1-2, Ages 4-8, trade paperback

Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

Narnia, C.S.Lewis, biography, siblings, boys and men, picture book,

Before C.S. Lewis wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, he was a young boy named Jack who spent his days dreaming up stories of other worlds filled with knights, castles, and talking animals. His brother, Warnie, spent his days imagining worlds filled with trains, boats, and technology. One rainy day, they found a wardrobe in a little room next to the attic, and they wondered, What if the wardrobe had no end?

Years later, Jack began to think about what could be beyond that wardrobe, and about a girl named Lucy and her siblings. This picture book biography introduces the beloved creator of The Chronicles of Narnia to a new generation of children who see hidden magic in the world around them.

Finding Narnia

The Details for Finding Narnia

Beautiful images fill the pages of Finding Narnia.  The reader is introduced to the lives of the Narnia boys from boyhood through to adulthood.

Finding Narnia

Caroline McAlister does an excellent job of bringing the imagination of two young boys to life.  Can’t you just see the knights in action?   We get to see how they worried over their sick mama and how they dealt with it.

Their dislike of boarding school was made apparent, and over time their involvement in World War 1.  The love of family was ever so clear.

The World War 2 came and to my surprise, it was also brought the beginnings of Narnia.  Who would have thought?

Finding Narnia

I loved how illustrator Jessica Lanan started this lovely picture book with a map of England and then closed it with a map of Narnia.  Very clever!

Finding Narnia

Recommendations

Many people chose to read the Chronicles of Narnia with their children.  It’s a wonderful series.  Imagine if you could introduce your children to the author of those books?  Wouldn’t that be wonderful?  

Finding Narnia is a gentle look into the life of C.S.Lewis.  The lovely pictures give us insight into the sights he would have seen, the places he might have biked with his brother. The colours showing the bleakness of war or the joy of starting a good story.  

It is not an indepth biography of this famous person, but picture books can’t be an indepth as a non-fiction book can they?  🙂   For sure it is a great introduction into the life of C.S.Lewis.

Person C.S.Lewis
disclosure

I have decided to follow Jesus

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This morning in church we sang a song that normally you sing with littles, it brought to mind this other song that normally we sing with littles. I have decided to follow Jesus has an unexpected story behind it!   I thought I would TELL you about it (the write 31 days challenge word).

Lyrics

  1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
    I have decided to follow Jesus;
    I have decided to follow Jesus;
    No turning back, no turning back.
  2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
    The world behind me, the cross before me;
    The world behind me, the cross before me;
    No turning back, no turning back.
  3. Though none go with me, still I will follow;
    Though none go with me, still I will follow;
    Though none go with me, still I will follow;
    No turning back, no turning back.
  4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
    My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
    My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
    No turning back, no turning back.
  5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
    Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
    Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
    No turning back, no turning back.

Author/History

I have decided to Follow Jesus is a folk melody from India. 

A revival happened in Wales.  The result of that revival is Welsh missionaries heading off to India to convert the masses.    One man headed off to Assam, India.  Conversion of one native man occurred, resulting in the conversion of others.   This led to a fair amount of resentment and anger on the part of the local village chief.

Learn the rest of the story below, then listen to a quiet rendition of this lovely, simple song. 

Looking Deeper

When I discovered the story behind this song, my heart stopped for a moment.  Considering… what would I have done in this situation?  If I could save the life of my son, would I recant the Lord?  What would I do?

Then another song that we sung in church this morning that spoke to how we need to become like a shadow of the Lord.  Doing what he does, following him everywhere, serving as he serves, loving as he loves.  Being his direct shadow.   

Again my heart stops and I find myself stopping to ask.  What is my first love?  If I have to stop and ask the question doesn’t that call into question what is truly my first love?  A first love shouldn’t need to be questioned or wondered on.

How about for you?  What would you do in the situation?  Would your actions, as a result of your love for the Lord God, be words that could inspire a song, inspiring others for generations?

Active Days

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Today was a rather active day, busy from sun up to sun down.  It’s not a bad thing to be busy.  Don’t you find that active days keeps a person on their toes and sometimes even learning new things?

Like today… I learned how to make roasted Sunflower seeds.  I’m a bit concerned that I might have missed some insect damaged ones. (Not that insects will kill yah.. more for the taste factor).  They don’t taste quite the same as store bought so I’m like…hmm….  Just not sure about this one. 

active days

I also went to a bible study this morning.  It’s been a while since I’ve attended a women’s bible study. Time factors have been a biggest reason.  Anyways, it was a good meeting.  I think I’ll go again. We’re doing a study called No Other Gods by Kelly Minter. I wasn’t able to do the homework this week, but the study looks interesting enough, and is divided over five days, that it looks doable.  Should be good I think. 

Other work today had me taking pictures of baby bunnies and updating my website. I always like taking pics of my babies.  Teaching them to set still for just five seconds! Handling them,  doing a good health check, watching their development.  A good part of my week.  🙂

The Boy Holland Lop rabbits

My Active Day Continued…

My active day ended with my answering student questions, writing a blog post, and finding out my remedial care of the washing machine that my helpful lad over stuffed probably didn’t work.  I can’t get it working again and something seems rather wrong with it.   I’m not happy with myself.   

Active Days are like that filled with learning, discovery, the same old same old, and disappointments. What sort of active days have you had lately?

OH!   This is part of the write 31 days challenge AND Kate’s weekly link up!