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A Net in Time

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Books for Upper Elementary

Review: Overboard!

October 7, 2017 By Annette1 2 Comments

Overboard! Is part of the Survivor Diaries series written by Terry Lynn Johnson.   In this book Travis and his family, and their guide, get thrown into icy cold, chaotic waves when their boat capsizes. Will they manage to survive?

Black and white pictures are interspersed among the pages of this book, which help bring the story to life.  I would say the reading level is geared for grades 3 and 4.

I liked how the author interjected survival techniques into the storyline. This is a great way to teach children how to stay safe and survive in different situations they may find themselves in,  in particular what happens if they fall into icy cold water how will they survive?

We learned about the HELP technique, the importance of keeping your skin out of the water and having something to help you float.  Most of all, if you can keep yourself calm and your wits about you, you can survive.

The book closes with a section where the author clearly outlines the steps you need to stay alive in icy cold water. It was
well written in simple language that anyone could understand.

What I appreciated most about the book is how the two youth involved helped each other, figuring out what needed to be done, overcoming fears and simply doing what was necessary to survive. 

Overboard
Series: Survivor DIaries
Terry Lynn Johson
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Illustrator Jani Orban 
Hardcover
112 pages 

Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
Where can I find it?

Amazon.ca: Overboard.
Amazon.com: Overboard (survivor diaries).

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Book Review, Books for Upper Elementary, Raincoast, Review

Art Book: It’s Great to Create

September 20, 2017 By Annette1 2 Comments

Jon Burgerman has created a really fun art book for us to use.  Coming up with 101 creative exercises for anyone to do as they play around doing art.

art create exercises

It’s Great to Create is not a very large book but it is very packed full of ideas.   From writing upside down, to creating self-portraits using household items, and so much more.

These ideas are divided into 

  • prompts for paper
  • prompts for objects
  • Prompts for indoors and outdoors

Along with various resources you can use.   In this section Mr. Burgerman talks about the items such as pens, pencils, paints, and brushes available as well as other items.  

Can you imagine making a poem using colour?  I want to try this with some 6-8 year olds and see what they come up with!  🙂

 Some of these ideas make me want to do a fun night of 10 minute art challenges with my home school group.   Can you… create with colour, can you do a self-portrait while blind folded, can you make a smudge animal, and so on and so forth.  Wouldn’t that just be a hoot?  Think quick, don’t worry on perfection, just do it!  Remove the fear from art and just have fun.

  
What do you think?   Doesn’t it look like a fun book?   I think so.  🙂

It’s Great to Create: 101 Fun Creative Exercises for Everyone
Jon Burgerman
Chronicle Books
Size: approximately 5 x 4
Age range: all ages
Type: art book
Pages: 224

Reviewed for: Raincoast Books. 

Where can you find it?
Amazon.ca: It’s Great to Create.
Amazon.com:  It’s Great to Create.

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Filed Under: Art, Uncategorized Tagged With: Art, Art Books, Art Series, Book Review, Books for Adults, Books for Children, Books for Middle School, Books for Upper Elementary, Review, Series

Review: Shark Lady

September 16, 2017 By Annette1 2 Comments

Eugenie Clark was a girl who’s very determined to work with marine life, particularly with sharks.   She was fascinated with them from the time she was very litter. Shark lady is the story of how she realized her dream.

This is a lovely picture book filled with images of how Eugenie worked through her life, with determination. She didn’t tell anyone to tell her she could not achieve her aims.  Nothing stopped her. Not negative talk or disbelief. 

Eugenia loved sharks when she was young and set her heart and mind to learning everything she could about them.  Nothing dissuaded her.  Not even being without a father. A determined young lady who became a renown marine biologist woman. We can see the beauty of sharks in the very pages of this well illustrated, almost magical book. 

I really liked that this lovely book not only tell the the story of Eugenia Clark but also gave us some real information about them.  Learning that sharks can be trained and can remember their training for a long time. That sharks do not have to keep moving all the time in order to breathe and so much more. 

Shark Lady concludes with a timeline of Eugenia Clark’s life, where I learned that the belted sandfish can change it’s gender in as little as 10 seconds!  Amazing!!

I found it an absolutely fascinating book to read it made me want to give it to every little girl and boy out there with a dream to show them but they too can choose not to let anything stop them in their quest for what they want to do.   

Have dreams, dream big, and follow them through!

Shark Lady: The true story of how Eugenia Clark became the Ocean’s more fearless scientist
Jess Keating
Illustrator: Marta Alvarez Miguens
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
40 pages
Elementary book
Hardcover
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.  

Where can you find it?
 Amazon.ca: Shark Lady.
Amazon.com: Shark Lady.

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Book Review, Books for Children, Books for Upper Elementary, homeschool, Resources, Review

Art Book: Making Amazing Art

September 13, 2017 By Annette1 4 Comments

Did you know that art has seven different elements to it?
Can you name them all?


Divided into Seven chapters, one for each element.
We have Line, Shape, Texture, Color, Value, Form and Space.  Each section having 4-6 projects that focus on that one element.  Each section has it’s own corner page design so you can easily tract which area you are covering.  The topic is introduced at the beginning of each section.

From there we run into projects such as Giant sunflower, Color Explosion, sock-head sculpture, beautiful butterfly, stencil shapes, visual music and furry pet portrait.  40 projects in all, and each unique in their own way.

I really liked the “meet the masters” and the “through the artist’s eye” sections…learning about people who’ve done interesting things with art such as Meret Oppenheim.

The projects have clear easy to follow instructions.  You really aren’t left guess what you should be doing.

All in all, it’s a great book that will help you teach your students/children the different aspects of art.  Teach them all about Line, Shape, Texture, Color, Value, Form and Space.  This book will help give all those aspects form.  🙂

Making Amazing Art: 40 activities using the 7 elements of art design.
By Sandi Henry
Illustrator: Sarah Rakitin Cole
Series:  Williamson Kids Can
Hardcover

Where can I find it?
Amazon.ca: Making Amazing Art: 40 activities
Amazon.com:  Making Amazing Art: 40 activities using the 7 elements of design

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Art, Art Books, Book Review, Books for Children, Books for Middle School, Books for Upper Elementary, homeschool, Resources

Canada Book: Crazy About Canada

September 13, 2017 By Annette1 2 Comments

Crazy about Canada is a neat book all about Canada.  

 
This book takes the questions Canadian children have about Canada and answers them. Pretty neat eh?

“Vivien Bowers (as a character in her own book) and her 12-year-old,
Internet-savvy sidekick, Morton, take on each question with
determination, candid curiosity, and a great sense of humor. The answers
to kids’ burning (and sometimes freezing) questions about this
country’s wildlife, geography, and cultures are presented here in an
energetic, refreshing format.”

The types of questions children ask about Canada:

 
Don’t you just love the clarity of the images, and the reader friendly text?

I just love when a book for children and youth teaches me something too.  Did you know this fact about fire?   It surprised the lad and I. 

Who would have thought you could have a fire underground!!!
I thought it was great how there was liberal use of not only photos, but also graphics. The mix of white space with text and illustrations was well balanced.  The text was informative without being over whelming, giving just enough information to answer the question without going off into rabbit trails. 
Crazy About Canada!  Amazing Things Kids Want to Know.
Author: Vivien Bowers
Illustrators: Dianne Eastman and Owlkids books
Pages: 96
Publisher: Maple Tree
Type: Hardcover, Fact
Grades: 4-6
Series: Canadian Geographic Kids
Where Can You Find it?
Amazon.ca: Crazy about Canada!
Amazon.com: Crazy about Canada!

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Book Review, Books for Upper Elementary, Canada, Canada Books, Review

Art Book: Stick Sketch School

August 30, 2017 By Annette1 4 Comments

I want you to imagine that you have just taught your children about this amazing animal called the blob fish.  It comes out of Tasmania, and you asked your children to draw a picture of it and they give you a blank look… How can you help them draw this amazing fish?   Well, if you have the Stick Sketch School book it will be easy peasy.. just turn to page 86 and before you know it your children will have created a beautiful image of the blob fish.  🙂   Might be a sketch figure but it will be “beautiful” enough to colour in and create an underwater world.

Allow me now to introduce you to a wonderful book called “Stick Sketch School”

Stick Sketch School

This is a rather neat book that I see so much potential for in a homeschool situation (or even a lets just draw together at home).

There is such a variety of animals (real or imagined) such as frogs, tigers, bears, reindeer, spiders, flies, blob fish, whales and more

Each animal comes with a small introduction, along with where they are from.  They have fun introducing the animal.

stick sketch school

The rest of the page shows you different ways you can draw your stick figure animal.

Stick Sketch School: An Animal Artventure: Mastering the Art of Stick Figure Critters (Stick World)

Each animal is given a two page spread.
One to show how to draw it and give ideas.  The second to create a scene with your newly drawn animals.  Do you see how he has three sheep started?   Wouldn’t it be fun to draw them in and then add some little sheep frolicking about?

stick sketch school

I think this is a such a neat art book.  Animals, with their place in the world, an author with a sense of humour that shows various ways you can draw the same animal in a simple stick figure way.  Bring those critters to life eh?   

It could be such a fun addition to geography study, nature study or just a fun art class.  🙂   Use it as part of a co-op class!   Have fun, bring your stick figures to life, give them facial expressions and interesting poses. 
 

Stick Sketch School: An Animal Artventure: Mastering the Art of Stick Figure Critters (Stick World)

Stick Sketch School.  Mastering the art of stick figure critters.
Author/Artist: Billy Attinger
Author: Rachel Kochackis
Series:Stick Figures- An Animal Adventure
Softcover
Art Book

Reviewed for: Quarto Group

Where Can I Find It?
Amazon.ca: Stick Sketch School
Amazon.com: Stick Sketch School, an animal adventure

Linked up at the Virtual Fridge!

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Art, Art Books, Art Series, Books for Middle School, Books for Upper Elementary, homeschool, Review, Series

Review: The Superhero Handbook

August 16, 2017 By Annette1 2 Comments

 I have to admit, this is a cute book. Written in bold, easy to read font with quick easy instructions to get children on the road to making their own Superhero gear.   The Superhero Handbook is just that, a handbook made just for your average superhero, reminding him/her of all things important to superheroes.

Clear Text.   Easy to understand. Easily read by most children in the 7-11 years old bracket. 

Materials lists.  I like how they added the images to add clarity.   As face it, not all children read at the same level.

Clear instructions.   Again with illustrations to keep it straight-forward. Stickers as well to help you embellish your creations.

Some of the ideas are downright clever!   Giant hands! Hoverboards.  Blasters and Electro-magnets.  Let’s make them all!   What perfect fun for a child during summer holidays!

With it comes certificates needed. Oaths to make to protect and serve.   To help each other.  To have a great sidekick.

 My Thoughts:
This is a fantastic book that will be a great boon and idea maker for all the young superheroes among us.   It would be easy to extend the ideas in this book into learning opportunities (should you as parent/teacher desire to do so).  But frankly, I’d had this to my young superhero and say “here’s an idea book for you… run with it!”
 

The Superhero Handbook.
Janet Doyle and Jason Ford
Laurence King Publishing
144 pages
ages: 7-11
Approximate size: 6 x 8

Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

Where can you find it?
 Amazon.ca: The Superhero Handbook: 20 Super Activities to Help You Save the World!

Amazon.com:  The Superhero Handbook: 20 Super Activities to Help You Save the World!

 ——

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Book Review, Books for Children, Books for Upper Elementary, child-led learning, delight-directed learning, hands-on learning, Raincoast, Review

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