A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Elementary

Listen by Holly McGhee

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Listen by Holly McGhee, is a poetic book with interesting illustrations.  A first quick read through had me smiling in delight.   Let me tell about it, and then my final thoughts.  🙂

LIsten by Holly McGhee

What I am reviewing

Listen.
Holly M. McGhee
Pascal Lemaitre (illustrator)
Roaring Brook Press.
32 pages, age 4-7, trade paperback
Reviewed for Raincoast books.

values, environment, senses, empathy, listen

Listen
with your heart.
It is your ears
your eyes
your nose
your mouth
your hands – 
Author Holly M. McGhee and illustrator Pascal Lemaitre ask you, me, and all of us to inspire empathy by exploring what it means to be connected to everything, including the natural world. Simple and tender, Listen teaches us to engage our senses, to taste, see, and feel in order to engage with the world around us.

The Details of Listen

Oh… what a poetic book.   Poetic lines fill every page.  Calling us to use all our senses.  To feel, smell, and hear the world around us.

LIsten by Holly McGhee

Listen to the world around us.  Listen to the people are in this world.  Hear the stories they share.  

Complete with oh… I love the drawings.  They are so whimsical.  They fit the mood and atmosphere of the poem that Listen is.   The youngsters walking through sunflowers, or listening to a bird, or digging in the dirt.   It all just fits really well.

LIsten by Holly McGhee

What I think of McGhee’s book Listen

I have to admit this… I have VERY mixed feelings about this book LIsten by Holly McGhee.  Much of me likes it… because it’s interesting and poetic and makes me think.  I like that!

But when I stop and think about the words it feels very … like it’s trying to promote a philosophy of living, a faith system of sorts.  And as such I can’t fully and easily recommend it.

On one hand I see the inclusive nature.  The air, the water, the sun… it’s shared by all of us. Can’t be owned by anyone.   These physical, tangible things are what we all share in common.  She started to lose me when she said “the food I eat is also the sun is also the rain”.  Just alarm bells?

But my story is MY story.  It’s not yours. It might be similar, might have familiar themes, but it’s still mine.  NOT yours.  Your story isn’t mine, though I might emphasize with it.   My history, my thinking, my faith are rooted differently than your history, thinking, and possibly your faith.   These things are not all the same. 

But should we be willing to listen?  It hear the sounds of our own feet, and to hear the sounds of others?   For sure…and that generalized thinking is what I like.  So.. mixed feelings.  The poetic part of me wants to say “read this book and ponder the words” and the parenting, faith-oriented part of me wants to say “Be careful with words momma, be careful Dad, your children are listening…what are they hearing?”

From a Small Seed

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Don’t you just love picture books that teach children about pivotal people in history?   Today’s book, From a Small Seed tells the story of Eliza Hamilton.   I have to admit to not being up on US History so the story of Mrs. Hamilton was new to me.  She sounds like such an interesting person. 

from a small seed

What I am Reviewing

From a Small Seed: The story of Eliza Hamilton.
Camille Andros
Tessa Blackham (illustrator)
Christy Ottaviano
4-8 years, 40 pages, trade paperback
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

Social activism, women in history, government, USA history, biography,

A lyrical picture book biography of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, co-founder and director of the first private orphanage in New York City and wife of founding father Alexander Hamilton.
Ever since she was a young girl, Eliza Hamilton hoped to help people in need. From the private quarters of her family home to her national platform as Hamilton’s partner, Eliza was a lifelong advocate for fairness, freedom and faith. The remarkable acts of charity and public service she performed after Alexander’s death are considered a significant contribution to the Hamilton legacy the world celebrates today. Here is a thoughtful, historical account of her life beginning with herchildhood influences.

from a small seed

The Details of From a Small Seed

Tessa Blackham has done a fantastic job of illustrating this book from the 1800’s.  It feels and looks very 1800’s. The simple drawings and basic colour patterns sets the mood nicely. 

from a small seed

I loved the simplicity of the drawings, that still provided enough detail to make the images come alive.  Can’t you just see playing on the floor with the baby, or taking time to sing together?  It’s a great thing isn’t it?  Helps me to better understand Eliza’s life. 

from a small seed

Thoughts/Recommendations

I was so intrigued by the story of Eliza Hamilton I headed to youtube to learn a bit more. 

This story is an decent introduction to the life of Eliza Hamilton.  The author changed a couple of details to make the story work better but she openly tells us what those changes are.  At the close of this picture book she two page more detailed synopsis of Mrs. Hamilton’s life. 

How to use From a Small Seed well?

  1. just to read.  It is such an easy read, written in a lyrical style..
  2. history! Learning about the founding members of American society.
  3. character study… caring for orphans, teaching values, loyalty etc.
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How to Teach Elementary Science

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Wanting to do science with your students?  I love science, I find it very easy to teach, particularly in the younger years, but not everyone has a natural love of science.  The question arises: How to teach elementary science.  Let’s walk through some of the options you have for teaching science to elementary aged students.

how to teach elementary science

Nature Study

Honestly, I find nature study to be easiest way of teaching science to elementary students.   There is so much to explore and learn just be observing the world around you. 

Observe Animals

Observed the animals around you.  These can be the squirrels in your local park or the spiders and bugs inside your house.  You can visit the animals at the local zoo or at a wildlife rescue centre.   You might want to visit a friend with a rabbit/guinea pig/dog or maybe go to a dog/cat/rabbit show.

Perhaps your co-op will offer an animal class or your local library offer a photo series of animals around the world.

You might want to sit down in your own backyard, block off a section of 1 or two feet and have your children count all the animals they find.  Then you could walk down to the local stream or park and look for ducks, water striders, bugs, spiders etc.

You could easily do a  bird study by setting up a bird feeder in your backyard.  Find animals and take time to watch them, you’ll be amazed at what you learn.  

If you can, bring along your phone, or a nature study guide, or a note pad (to write down questions for later) so you can answer questions that your children have.  

An example of Nature Study

 We have three squirrels in our back yard… grey (new youngster) white and black.  Just by watching them we know that grey is a bold as brass and will probably cause trouble in the rabbitry this winter.   White is easy going and knows to stay out of our way.  She’s been around for the past two years and doesn’t cause any fuss for us.  Black will get into mischief in the summer and if I leave a bowl of grain out for him in the winter he’ll get into that but won’t bother with anything else.   Bold as brass grey is starting to chase black around but so far hasn’t ousted him from the backyard maple tree. Grey is still confined to the front yard… he is pushing hard though.   By watching them we are able to learn so much about them, what they eat (did you know they will eat green tomatoes?), how they defend their territory (or to challenge for more), and all the sounds they make.   

observing nature

Unit Studies/LapBooks

Other than getting out in nature, or alongside of getting out in nature are unit studies and lapbooks. 

You take your child to the zoo and they get fascinated by tigers, or chimpanzees, or maybe the dwarf goats.   You can find a unit study or lapbook on them. My son has long been fascinated by ants and spiders and his youth I commissioned an amazing ant unit study for him.  He LOVED it.  Learned so much.  Now he raises ants and gains additional learning. 

Some places you can go for materials.

  • Amanda Bennett Unit Studies. Horses, tigers, dolphins, geckos, insects, oceans, volcanoes, seashells, caves and so much more.  Go explore, and then come home and learn some more!  (pay)
  • Homeschool Share has all sorts of unit studies and lapbooks.  (free)
  • Lapbook Lessons – Animals and science to learn and do. (free)
  • SchoolhouseTeachers.com – a variety of lessons, so many options, bug science, world of animals, curious science, disgusting creatures etc.  with over 400 lessons there’s sure to be nature studies for you! (paid)
Schoolhouse teachers

Pay Attention to Landforms, Soils and Plants

When you are out and about pay attention to landforms.  Notice the pond, the creek, the hill, the way stones stick out of the ground.  As you travel around pay attention to different trees and terrain.

When you are working out in your garden show your children what good soil looks and feels like.  Have them experiments with sandy soil, clay and good loam.   Does it make a difference if you add fertilizer?  

Help them grow a row, or start a bean plant in a container, or maybe grow some cat grass for a loved family pet.  Have your children test out if a plant will grow in the dark or what happens if light is far away from it.  Learn about phototropism and more.

When you walk through a forest pay attention to the mosses, fungi, ferns and trees.   Help your students see the different levels of a forest and then take an excursion on line and learn about the rainforest and its different levels. Expand their learning naturally. 

Additional Online Sites

There are numerous places on-line if you need more of a curriculum, or places to learn or see experiments done.  

  • Mystery Science – has open and go science lessons. Sign up for a free year of science lessons.  They have a limited number of spaces open. 
  • cK-12 – has an elementary division that you might find useful.  These are flexbooks that you can use online or download as a PDF. 
  • In the Lab of Mr. Q you will find downloadable classic science texts.  Provide a well-rounded science education. 
  •  The Canadian Wildlife Federation has put together education units to help teachers. 
  •  Nature Canada doesn’t have lessons but they are a wealth of information. 
  •  PBS learning has a number of experiments to watch and maybe do. 
  •  Canadian Geographic has a great kids area, and as an educator you can sign up for the cangeo education newsletter.  They put together some great resources!
  •  Project Gutenberg has put together an elementary geography program.
  •  Easy Peasy has an all in one science curriculum. An excellent resource for your science needs.  
  •  Guesthollow has a science and literature course. 
Online sources for teaching elementary science

Don’t forget other sources

Don’t forget to 

  • go to the library and raid their shelves for all things nature study-ish
  • Watch youtube videos
  • search websites with good information on whatever your children are interested in.
  • Easy science experiment books…. there are lots on the market.  

There is so much information available, make use of it. 

For instance, I am hopeful to get my lad into a Biodiversity weekend.   That might not work for your younger children, but I know in London we have groups that do forest school, another that takes regular walks in the local swamp, my son spent time with friends and family looking for minnows, crayfish and clams in our local streams, and of another group that does scavenger hunts in various local playgrounds.  Make use of the world around us, and do science the easy way!    Enjoy your explorations.

A book that might help you is the family adventure journal, or these nature cards.   You might want to make some crafts from the things you discover making the crafty nature journal just what you need.  I’ve pinned loads of ideas over on my nature study pinterest board.  Give it a boo, you might be delighted by what you find. 

Almost Time

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Ever had a book that makes you smile when you read it?  Almost Time did that for me.  Though the storyline didn’t exactly follow my son’s keenness for homemade maple syrup, his eagerness was well matched by young Ethan  Smiles of memory are a good thing.

Almost Time Review

What I am Reviewing

Almost Time.
Gary D. Schmidt & Elizabeth Stickney
G. Brian Karas (illustrator)
Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Reviewed for Raincoast books.
4-7 years, 38 pages, trade paperback,
Maple Syrup, picture book, preschool, elementary, waiting, weather, seasons, growing up, patience

Eager for maple syrup, Ethan can’t wait till sugaring time rolls around. And he can’t wait till his loose tooth falls out. But his father keeps telling him it’s not time yet, and no matter how hard he tries, he can’t make time pass more quickly. The closeness of father and son is evident throughout as they wait and then celebrate the end of waiting. The brief, lyrical text is illuminated by G. Brian Karas’s beautifully composed, evocative illustrations.

Almost Time

Details of Almost Time

Almost Time is a super sweet book about a little boy sad by sweetness missing from his life.  You can tell that he knows what he is waiting for.  He gets fed well but what he wants just isn’t there.  When will the maple syrup come!?!?!?!?  Papa helps him out.  It will be maple syrup time when your tooth comes out… Can Ethan be patient?  What will he experience in the meantime?

Almost Time

Aren’t the pictures lovely?   Occasional pictures are full page colour, Other pages are bordered in white.  They have to me, a water colour feel to them. The text a great size for holding up to read to a group of children.  They all convey the story well, with good details when reading with a young child.

Almost Time

Thoughts/Recommendations

This book would be EXCELLENT as an early spring book, or working through a unit on maple syrup.  Learning about sweeteners?  Tell the story of maple syrup.  It would also be great if you were working through a character study and learning about being patient and how you can help yourself wait. 

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Space On Earth

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Did you know that space technologies don’t cost as much money as you might think? And they create lots of spill off jobs?  I know… that last was a shocker to me. How would space tech affect earth?  That’s the question that Space on Earth answers.

Space on Earth review

What I am Reviewing

Space on Earth: intergalactic facts about the world around you!
Dr. Sheila Kanani
Del Thorpe (illustrator)
Alma Junior
128 pages, trade paperback,
Grades 3-4
Reviewed for Raincoast books.

Have you ever looked up into the sky and wondered about space, astronomy and the universe? Perhaps you have. But you’ve probably never looked around you – at the sunglasses you wear or the selfies people take – and thought about space. The truth is, there is more of space on earth than you realize. . . 
Full of amazing facts about everyday innovations inspired by space travel and sections on the people who brought them to us, Space on Earth is an entertaining and fascinating look at space and the untold relationship with the planet we live on, helping children not only to feel the awe and wonder of the universe, but also to understand the reasons why space is relevant to us here on Earth.

table of contents

Details on Space on Earth

Three categories are discussed on how space tech interacts with the world at large.   Technology, health and fashion. 

One example of technology is solar power.  This was used for space travel.  Fuel weighs a lot so if they had to haul batteries up to space as well… the load would be too heavy.  Solar panels are a lot lighter and let the space craft create electricity.   Over many years the technology was adapted for use by anyone. 

Space on Earth

As you learn about the different technologies such as cochlear implants you also get to meet scientists and learn amazing facts.  Each example comes with a short biography on the scientist involved. Since there are all these details, I find this a great book. 

You’ll find simple black and white illustrations throughout.  You will find these illustrations work well with the text.

Space on Earth

Thoughts/Recommendations

I’m told that Space to Earth is for children 8 and up.  I think it would be great for students from grade 3-6.   To discover the wonderful things that space exploration has given us.  Who would have thought baby blankets for premmies would be developed, or that patients with dementia be helped, or our sound systems be improved.   Space tech making our lives better, creating jobs for people that wouldn’t have existed otherwise. 

I love that we told about the scientists and doctors who helped develop the technology. It’s a great way to expand the learning you know?  Learn about the tech, research the developer. 

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Carlos Santana

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I did not know who Carlos Santana was before I opened the pages of this joyfully illustrated picture book. Gary Golio brings us the sound of the heart, and the song of the world as it is found in Carlos Santana. 

Carlos Santana

Let me have you give a listen to his music as you read my review.  🙂

What I am Reviewing

Carlos Santana: Sound of the Heart, Song of the World.
Gary Golio
Rudy Guiterrez (illustrator)
Christy Ottiviano Books
Music, blues, Mexico, Electric Guitar, Biography, Picture Book
40 pages, ages 5-9
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

Carlos Santana grew up surrounded by music. His father, a beloved mariachi performer, teaches his son how to play the violin when he is only six years old. But when Carlos discovers American blues, he is captivated by the raw honesty of the music. Unable to think of anything else, he loses all interest in the violin. When Carlos finally receives his first guitar, his whole life begins to change.

From his early exposure to mariachi to his successful fusing of rock, blues, jazz, and Latin influences, here is the childhood story of a legendary musician.

The details

The first thing that hits me in this picture book are the brilliant colours.  Just check them out eh?

Carlos Santana

All the Blues, reds, yellows that flood the pages, curving, flowing lines…. it all screamed music and rhythm to me.  So well suited to a biography about Carlos Santana whose life was filled with music. 

Carlos Santana

The story itself is well written, walking us through Carlos’ life from early childhood through to young adulthood.  Excitement over music, it’s sound and how it meant to shared with others.  This love was with him from early on, nurtured by his father who taught him the violin.   It’s hard with this book to not tell you the whole story!   

Carlos Santana

Should you get it?

I can see this book being an important addition to the study of music and/or character.  Watching a boy,  watching his dad.  Seeing his dad work hard, and listening as his dad teaches EVEN IF he’s learning something he’d rather not. Observing his determination and love of the new was intriguing.  I wanted to see how his dad would react, perhaps you might too!   Learning new rhythms, discovering a combined world.  It is well worth the read.   Add Carlos Santana to your music studies!

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The Truth about Hawks

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You may remember I wrote about The Truth of Crocodiles last week?  Today I have The Truth about Hawks to share with you.  Maxwell Eaton has again created a fascinating, humour-filled book. 

the truth about hawks

What I am Reviewing

The Truth About Hawks.
Maxwell Eaton III (author and illustrator)
Roaring Brook Press.
40 pages, ages 4-8, grades 1-2.
Picture book, hawks, birds, humour, children,
Series: The Truth about Your Favourite Animals.
Book Six.
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books.

Maxwell Eaton III’s The Truth About Hawks is part of his illustrated nonfiction series continuing to enlighten and delight readers. Filled with useful facts about hawks that will make you laugh so hard you won’t even realize you’re learning something!
Did you know that hawks can see four to eight times better than a human?
How about that some hawks even eat other types of birds?
Did you know that hawks use ultra-violet light to find their prey?
Discover these facts and more in this new addition to the popular series that combines raucous amounts of humor with a surprising amount of information on beloved animal friends.

the truth about hawks

The Details

Bright colourful images fill the pages of this picture book.   The natural colours of these magnificent birds are brought into sharp relief. 

the truth about hawks

Scattered throughout the pages is humour.  When we are told that golden eagles knock Dall sheep off mountain tops, and then we see Dall sheep taking parachutes off the cliff with looks and expressions of glee.   It’s funny!  (at least I know it would be for kids right?)  🙂

the truth about hawks

We are introduced to a variety of raptors some of which are golden eagle, vultures, snail kites, bald eagles, and red-tailed hawks.  We learn about mating habits, child rearing, food requirements, migration and threats to their existence.   Mr. Eaton lightly touches on all these areas and more. 

My Thoughts

As much as I like this book I am bothered by eagles, owls etc being called hawks.  They are birds of prey, and given the birds discussed in the book a better title would be “The Truth about Raptors”.   Even with littles, being more accurate is better than being less accurate. 

That said… would I want people to read this book?  YES!  Learning about these magnificent birds is important.  Helping to conserve them means learning about who they are, where they live, what threats they face and everything we can.   Maxwell Eaton does a marvellous job of doing that with a sense of style and well-played humour. 

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