A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

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Living Books for World War 2

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Over this past year, my son has been working through a study on World War 2.   We’ve engaged in a number of different ways to do so, watching movies, working through a unit study from Home School in the Woods, doing small unit studies, using timeline figures, reading a lot of living books, and doing independent research.   He has learned a lot and has thoroughly enjoyed his research.  I thought I would share some of the living books for world war 2 that he has gone through. 

Living books for World War 2

Independent Reading

“MOM!  You have got to read this series.  It’s very interesting!”  The Series on Camp x by Eric Walters consumed my lad.  For a while, every time I saw him it seemed like he was reading yet another in the series.   He spent his time learning about Camp X, a camp for Canada’s spies. 

In this series you’ll find

  • Camp X
  • Camp 30
  • Fool’s Gold
  • Shell Shocked
  • Trouble in Paradise
  • Enigma

He also read Spy Smuggler which is the story of Paul Lelaud a 13 year old French boy who wants to fights the Germans. 

How to Lose WW2 by Bill Fawcett. This book is part of the How to Lose series, and focuses on errors made during the war. 

On the Horizon is a book of poetry that looks back on the lives of soldiers at Pearl Harbour as well as citizens in Hiroshima.  

living books for world war 2

Reading Together

One of my joys in life is reading books together with my lad, one to two chapters either at night before bed, or just after dad leaves for work.  It’s our time which I guard jealously… my son perhaps not quite so much.  🙂   

But we’ve read some good books this past year. All of these came in as review books and I’ve linked to the reviews I did of them. 

Not a living book

My lad has also read some less “living book” style books.  I picked up a few books for doing some research.  Sometimes it’s easier to just have a book at hand than to go to a library and have to return them before you are ready.  

Spies, Lies and Disguise was an excellent book.  Providing problems, and then the solutions to problems. 

World War II by R.G.Grant.  My son said, “This was a good book, I learned a lot!” 

Canada’s Wars: An Illustrated History by Jonathan Webb was an overview book.  “It just told me a bit about the wars Canada has been part of.  I liked it!”  It was a source of inspiration for a couple of research papers. 

So there you have it.  Have you had your students delve deeply into a subject?  How did you approach it?  Did you utilize living books?  Or perhaps unit studies or hands-on studies? How does your student like to engage in in-depth study?  My son has enjoyed the mix of living books for World War 2 alongside his independent research and unit studies. 

God Himself is with us

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I originally posted about this hymn on my old blog.  God Himself is With Us is a lovely song that I thought was worth sharing with you again.  🙂  Speaking to God’s presence and our response to him.  The author’s story is one filled with hope. 

God himself is with us

Lyrics for God Himself is With Us

God Himself is with us:
Let us now adore Him,
And with awe appear before Him.
God is in His temple,
All within keep silence,
Prostrate lie with deepest reverence.
Him alone God we own,
Him our God and Savior;
Praise His name forever.

God Himself is with us:
Hear the harps resounding!
See the crowds the throne surrounding!
Holy, holy, holy,
Hear the hymn ascending,
Angels, saints, their voices blending!
Bow Thine ear to us here:
Hear, O Christ, the praises
That Thy church now raises.

O Thou fount of blessing,
Purify my spirit;
Trusting only in Thy merit,
Like the holy angels
Who behold Thy glory,
May I ceaselessly adore Thee,
And in all, great and small,
Seek to do most nearly
What Thou lovest dearly.

Author and History

Ger­hard Ter­stee­gen, a Geman Pietist, was born into a wealthy family in Moers, Germany in 1697. He had a successful life as a merchant and gave it up in order to search for God.   His life of solitude changed as people began to come to him for spiritual advice. Preaching, writing books and music, and devoting himself to ministry filled the remainder of his life. Over the course of his ministry, he led many people to Christ. 

Thoughts and Ponderings

Isn’t this a wonderful hymn?  Reminding us of God’s continued presence and what our response should to him. 

It makes me wonder how I see God’s presence daily and what my response is when I see him. I recently shared a post about what I call God-moments.

When we seek the things of God it can completely change our lives. What do I mean can… seeking God DOES change our lives.  God makes himself known to us and that influences everything we do!  The song God himself is with us reminds us that we need to respond to that. We need to give him the praise due to him. 

As we focus on his continued presence, can we trust him as this song calls us to do?  Adoring him for all he does?

I loved how God helped Ger­hard Ter­stee­gen turn his life around.  Changing him from being a merchant to a man dedicated to bringing others to Christ.  It’s a hopeful thing is it not?

Review: NatureGlo’s eScience

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DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS PRODUCT THROUGH THE HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW IN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST REVIEW. I WAS NOT REQUIRED TO WRITE A POSITIVE REVIEW NOR WAS I COMPENSATED IN ANY OTHER WAY.

I have reviewed NatureGlo’s eScience program in the past.  My son LOVED IT.  He used it for a full year and learned so much about math, art, science, history and how it all intertwined.  Just so very intriguing.  Ergo, when the opportunity came up to review the MathArt and Science Course Bundle, I leapt at the opportunity.  I was particularly interested in the Marine Biology courses and wanted to do this all for myself.   

My lad had the benefit of my learning as when he told me about his learning over the day, I could also tell him what I learned.  🙂  Marine Biology is fascinating, especially the way it is laid out in this course!

What I Received

I received one year of access to NatureGlo’s eScience MathArt & Science Course Bundle. This was a special bundle designed just for the Crew and comes to us from NatureGlo’s eScience.  It gave us a chance to sample a variety of the courses that NatureGlo provides to its audience. This is a private 25-course bundle, containing courses from Glo’s MathArt and natural sciences classes. In my opinion, it is geared forstudents in upper elementary to lower highschool.

The 25 courses were

  • Botany (redwood trees)
  • Bubbleology
  • Geology
  • Herps Explorers (three separate units)
  • Herps Zoology (two separate units)
  • Introduction to MathArt
  • Invertebrates
  • Marine Biology (six separate units)
  • Mammals
  • MathArt (six separate units)
  • Marine Reptiles
  • Marine Zoology (two separate units)
  • Math Connections with the Real World
  • Life and Mathematical Art (two separate units)

The Details about NatureGlo’s eScience

Nature Glo’s eScience is so easy to use. Once you are logged in and have your courses in front of you, you click on what you want to do and then you are off.  You’ll have the lesson on one side, and lesson outline on the other. 

You’ll find that each unit is a separate study covering specific topics.  Each unit is broken down into easily managed pieces.  One day you might complete a couple of slideshows, another day fill out a PDF, and yet another day complete a project. Nothing is too onerous and leaves you time to supplement if you want to know more or to just learn what Glo presents. 

Units vary in length from one to six lessons.  The length of each unit is clearly shown, and even though it’s one lesson, you may decide to do it over several days. Every unit within NatureGlo’s eScience course is self-paced.  Doing them in the order listed makes sense but I did play around with doing some of the lessons in a different order. This made it fun and it still made sense but it was better to follow the lessons the way they are laid out. Learning still happened. 

To help you track where you are, as you complete each part of a lesson you mark complete at the close of each lesson.

The quiz that I ran into was done in a matching game format. It was easy to do and was timed but it didn’t feel like a “pressure to complete” timer.  Just an encouragement to keep moving.  🙂   Below you’ll find an image of a partially completed quiz.  If you connect two and they are incorrect they will flash red. 

How I used NatureGlo’s eScience

I predominately played around with the marine biology courses.  So fascinating!   It was great to work my way through the lessons and occasionally make side trails as I wanted to learn more.  Like when I went to youtube to learn more about comb jellies instead of waiting for a future lesson with video!   

Please don’t misunderstand me, the lessons come complete with their own videos, but sometimes I just chose to seek out my own sources since I’m so curious about what I’m learning about.  🙂   Very informative lessons that make you curious to find out more information. 

I appreciated how I could see where I was in the lesson as I progressed along.  Lessons completed being striked out, lesson current in yellow, and upcoming lessons in purple.  It’s nice to know when you have a quiz coming up isn’t it?  🙂 

I was able to finish the jellies, mollusks and whales but not additional courses. I’m trying to decide if I want to do dolphins/turtles or fish next.   I’m also looking to start the Marine Zoology 1 course.  I figured marine zoology and marine biology belong together right?  🙂  I am hopeful by year-end to complete all the marine courses that NatureGlo offers in this bundle. All six of the marine biology as well as marine reptiles, and marine zoology 2.   I am finding it to be a nice addition to the marine course from another vendor.

I did run into one video that was informative but felt geared to young children. My choice was to look for another video that suited my demographic better.  Don’t be afraid to do that. You know your students best, and watching something more suited to their age bracket makes sense.  It’s hard to pick something that works well for all age groups.

Should you get NatureGlo’s eScience?

I haven’t looked at the MathArt courses again, nor at the Herping or Geology courses.  The Herp courses sound interesting.  I enjoy watching youtube videos from reptile owners, and the amount of information out there to learn is fantastic; and they are animals… who wouldn’t want to learn more about them?  When I finish marine zoology perhaps that will be my next stop!  🙂 

You can tell that Glo loves her job.  Her enjoyment of math, art, nature, history, and science shines through in all her material.  I urge you to check out NatureGlo’s eScience today.

If you’d like to check out my previous review I’d be delighted. 

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natureglo1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@natureglo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natureglosescience/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nesschool/
YouTube: youtube.com/user/1hasc

A bunch of us over the crew have been enjoying this specialty pack from NatureGlo’s eScience.  Read all 50 reviews by clicking the image below. 

tos click

I heard the Voice of Jesus Say

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Back in Sept 2014 I did my first hymn Study.  I started with I Heard the voice of Jesus Say.   Every other week (as time permits) I hope to bring back some of those earlier hymn studies and share new thoughts about them. 

I heard the voice of Jesus Say

Lyrics

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast.
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place,
And He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink, and live.
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,
And all thy day be bright.
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In Him my star, my sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk,
Till traveling days are done.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
My Father’s house above
Has many mansions; I’ve a place
Prepared for you in love.
I trust in Jesus—in that house,
According to His word,
Redeemed by grace, my soul shall live
Forever with the Lord.

This is the tune that I am familiar with.

The Author and History of I heard the voice of Jesus Say

Scotman Horatius Bonar was born in 1808 and began writing hymns for youth when he entered the ministry (originally as a Sunday school superintendent).  Over time he started writing hymns for adults as well. He ministered for 28 years in Kelso as part of the Free Church of Scotland. He finished his ministerial career in Chal­mers Me­mor­i­al Church in Ed­in­burgh.

He wrote over 600 hymns over the years, and is often referred to as “the prince of Scot­tish hymn writ­ers”.  For a full list of the hymns, he wrote please visit the cyber hymnal. 

Other Bonar Songs I have featured

I have had this version before, the tune always strikes me as unique.

Additional Thoughts

I don’t know the fourth verse, do you?  It’s something I’m always surprised by, the verses I don’t know that are actually part of the original song. 

As I read these words I ponder what I have heard Jesus say.  

  • “Peace, be still”.
  • “Remember I am God”
  • “Relax, I’ve got this”
  • “My child, hush, be calm”

This morning in church we were reminded that we need to hold on to the proper path to wisdom, to knowing God. To stay on that path.  We do this by clinging to the instruction we’ve received.  In Psalm 119:72 we read “The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold”.  Do we hold to that?  Do we hear Jesus reminding us of the truth of God’s words to us?

What does he say to you?

Open Up Your Heart and Let the Sunshine In

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I grew up listening to “Open Up Your Heart and Let the Sunshine In” on a record.  There was a lady who had a child-sounding voice when she sang, she put together a few recordings of faith-based songs for children.   She saw it as a ministry she was uniquely qualified for. 

Open up your heart and let the sun shine in

Lyrics

Mommy told me something a little kid should know.
It’s all about the devil and I’ve learned to hate him so.
She said he causes trouble when you let him in the room.
He will never ever leave you if your heart is filled with gloom.

So let the sun shine in, face it with a grin.
Smilers never lose and frowners never win.
So let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in.

When you are unhappy, the devil wears a grin
But oh, he starts a-running when the light comes pouring in
I know he’ll be unhappy ’cause I’ll never wear a frown
Maybe if we keep on smiling he’ll get tired of hanging ’round.

So let the sun shine in, face it with a grin.
Smilers never lose and frowners never win.
So let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in.

If I forget to say my prayers the devil wears a grin.
But he feels so awful awful when he sees me on my knees
So if you’re full of trouble and you never seem to win,
Just open up your heart and let the sun shine in.

So let the sun shine in, face it with a grin.
Smilers never lose and frowners never win.
So let the sun shine in face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in.

Song written by Stuart Hamblen

The Author of Let the Sunshine In

Stuart Hamblen grew up in a home of a travelling Methodist preacher.   He became the world’s first singing cowboy and was in several movies.   He not only composed more than 225 gospel songs, but wrote western songs as well.   Mr. Hamblen was the first man to fly a horse, flying his racehorse EL LOBO from Los Angeles to Bay Meadows, forever changing the horse racing world. 

He was not always a believer, despite his godly upbringing, he came to faith later in life.  He not only raced horses, appeared in movies, wrote songs, did rodeo but also had a radio career.  This on top of his degree in education.  This Texan was also a band leader.   Mr. Hamblen married Suzanne Obee and eventually had two daughters. 

Connections

I have to admit when I read all the things that Stuart Hamblen did I was quite impressed.  But when I read how his dad was a preacher, but that Stuart didn’t come to faith until later in life, my heart was encouraged.   

Some kids do this, they slide away from the faith.  Through God’s gift to us of free will, sometimes poor decisions are made.  AND YET… God can still work in hearts and lives.  One can cling to those promises. 

Thinking back to this song I can’t say I agree with all the words

“Smilers never lose and frowners never win”, that phrase has my guard going up.  Whether one smiles or frowns doesn’t affect the outcome of long-term life choices.  It might affect the here and now, and is really not a bad thing to encourage is it?

I do like how we are invited to remember how much the devil dislikes it when we pray.  Prayer is our battle cry.  We’d do well to remember it!  🙂 

 

Pirate Nell’s Tale to Tell

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raincoast FTC

Who doesn’t love a good pirate story?  Four to eight year-olds will delight in the story of Nell aboard a pirate ship.  She’s a sweet, determined character whose light is not dimmed by the nay-sayers in her life.  It is my distinct pleasure to review this delightful picture book Pirate Nell’s Tale to Tell for Raincoast Books. 

Pirate Nell's Tale to tell

What I am Reviewing

Pirate Nell’s Tale to Tell is written by Helen Docherty and beautifully illustrated by Thomas Docherty.  The words and images work well in tandem.  40 pages of storybook adventure await the 4 to 8-year-old reader.   Published by sourcebooks jabberwocky, you’ll find this hardcover book a delight to read. 

From the cover:

Nell is finally a pirate!
And she has her trusty Pirate’s Almanac to help her sail the seas, even if Captain Gnash doesn’t like books on his ship. But when the journey gets rough and the captain is in trouble, it’s Nell and all her pirate knowledge that saves the day and leads them to the greatest buried treasure of all. . .

The Details for Pirate Nell

Helen Docherty who also wrote The Snatchabook has written a delightful book of rhymes.  It is so easy to read, the words will just roll off your tongue.  As I reading quietly to myself, I couldn’t help myself and started reading aloud startling my hubby.  🙂  It’s good to do those things you know? 

Nell’s love of books is evident throughout, even if her captain disagreed.   He couldn’t see the importance of books, how could they help you be a good pirate afterall?

You’ll find loads of colour filling the pages, finding Nell hard at work whether it be scrubbing the decks or saving the Captain.  The Captain seems the not so nice sort, but by the end of the book, Nell has won him over. 

It’s a good read for both adult and child, the font big enough to read with a group of children, and illustrations varied enough to provide lots of talking points with them as well.   I received the ARC version, but the hardcover style it will come with will provide great durability.  Snatch it up, and enjoy with your pirate study today!  🙂 

Should You Get It?

Aw, this is such a cute book that fosters a love of reading.  Books helps us in so many ways

YES, go get Pirate Nell’s Tale to Tell!  Read it with your children.  Delight in the antics of the pirates, frown at the short-sightedness of the captain, and sit back in wonder at lessons learned. It’s a great romp through the world of books and learning. 

You don’t have to just use for 4-8 year olds though… it would be a great addition to a “fun with books unit”, or a Pirate study, or even a history of oceanic travel book… to talk about the work you need to do abroad ship.  Even a unit on how being kind and willing to share knowledge is a great thing to do.   It’s simply a lovely book.. read it with your children!  I think I’ll have my son read it as part of his speech studies!  

Other pirate based posts

Be Amazing: A History of Pride

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raincoast FTC

I have to tell you this right off the start, I almost chose NOT to review Be Amazing: A history of pride.  Why?  Because as a believer I do not believe in promoting what God calls a sinful lifestyle.   Why did I in the end choose to do so?  Because like it or not, agree with the lifestyle or not, as much as I dislike little boys dressing up in drag, the pride movement is part of our history.   Having this history tactfully told is also important.  Too often tact is not a part of history from EITHER side of the equation.   

Do note: I do not dislike or hate drag queens, drag kids, or drag youth.  I hate the sin and brokenness that is behind it.   I can dislike an aspect of something without disliking the whole being surrounding it. Just like my tenant and I don’t agree on everything and still manage to get along just fine. 🙂 

I do have concerns, and I’ll mention them later on in this review, but overall, Be Amazing in and of itself is not a bad book.  It tells of a part of history which for about 10% of our population is filled with pain.  Should that story not be tactfully told?  This story is only about a very specific part of PRIDE history, the drag queen movement. 

Be Amazing: A History of PRIDE

What I am Reviewing

From the cover of Be Amazing: A History of Pride:

In Be Amazing , drag kid Desmond is Amazing walks you through the history of the LGBTQ community, all while encouraging you to embrace your own uniqueness and ignore the haters. …. Throughout history, courageous people like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and RuPaul have paved the way for a safer, more inclusive society for LGBTQ individuals, and it’s thanks to them that people just like Desmond can be free to be who they really are.

Produced by Farrar Straus & Giroux, a 40 page, Dylan Glynn filled the pages with colourful, provocative images, designed to make you think and see the beauty that is in the Drag Queen world.   Author is Desmond the Amazing, a 12-year-old drag kid.   He is an outspoken gay boy, runway model and public speaker.   He founded Haus of Amazing, a drag house for kids. 

I disagree with the geared age range being preschool to grade 1. Honestly, do littles need to know the history of drag queens? I don’t understand the reasoning for them to know such history. 

There is much beauty to be found within the pages. There is also some painfilled history.   The end premise is … be the amazing person that you are and don’t let people destroy that. 

I am reviewing Be Amazing on behalf of Raincoast Books. 

The Details for Be Amazing

40 pages of bright, colourful images where appropriate.  Some parts of history are difficult and darker images filled those pages.  But overall, a bright palette filled the pages. 

The text is mostly normal sized, encouraging you to sit and read one-on-one rather than to a group of children.  Occasionally the text will be larger, but that’s the exception not the rule. 

Along the way you will meet some of the famous drag queens of history.   First you’ll learn about the Stonewall Riots, then Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera as well as others.  The Christopher Street Liberation Day March which started the Gay Pride Marches.  Some individuals are only mentioned in pictures, others you learn more of their story. 

Be Amazing

At the end of the book a question is asked “what makes you amazing?”  What would your answer be?

Recommendation

I don’t know if I would be comfortable letting an elementary-age child read this book on their own, but using it in middle school or high school as a precursor to a history unit?  Or as part of a logic/debate course? I would definitely give it a thought. 

Why the difference in age?   Older children can often see the bigger picture more easily and generally aren’t as quick to be fooled by agendas.  Can they be?  For sure, anyone can be fooled by an agenda.  But learning history and separating it from the agenda is more easily taught when students are older and better able to reason. 

This picture book, Be Amazing: A history of pride, tells the story of drag queens and how it ties into the PRIDE movement.  Tactfully addressing the pain, loss, determination, and what they hope the future will be like.