A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

history

Dawn Raid

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Dawn Raid) through Raincoast Books.  Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so.  🙂

It’s not every book that does this, but Dawn Raid, by Ms. Smith peaked my interest in an historical event.  Let me explain.  This past weekend I went camping with the family, I brought Dawn Raid along with me. As I read I would stop and talk to my lad about what I was reading.  I had never heard about the dawn raids in New Zealand before so this was all new to me. My son was quite surprised as well. It made for some interesting discussions that my hubby joined in on as well.  When I got home I headed to youtube to learn more.   I think every country has sad periods like this in it’s history don’t you? 

Racism is such a hard topic to have a discussion about isn’t it?  In the states they deal with it as we learned in Uncomfortable Conversations with a black Boy. In Canada we have the First Nations people which a book I am reading slowly communicates about, Five Little Indians.  But learning about it and how it affects people, helps to change behaviour a bit doesn’t it? 

About Dawn Raids

Anyways, we should probably get on with the book eh?  🙂    Dawn Raid was written by Pauline Vaeluaga Smith, she also started a small museum that helps people to better understand the dawn raids.  At 304 pages it is an easy read for most middle schoolers especially with illustrations on many of the pages.  Written from the point of view of a 13 year old girl.   She talks about family and school life, as well as life as an Islander in New Zealand.  Published by Levine Querido c/o Chronicle Books.   Reviewed for Raincoast books. 

One thing you need to understand.  Sofia’s family is of Islander stock.  They came over to New Zealand to help when they had a labour shortage.  Many stayed…some legally, some not so legally.  Other nations of the world did the same thing.  Coming to help, and sometimes overstaying their welcome.    The thing is, ONLY islander people were targetted in these Dawn Raids conducted by the government via the police force.  This is the story of one such Islander family. 

Details about Dawn Raid

13 year old Sofia, a New Zealand girl, gives us a first person account of her families life in the mid-1970’s.   We learn about her brothers who have more energy than brains. My son couldn’t believe the antics those boys got into. Their antics provided comic relief to the rest of the story.  A hard-working family teaching their children to be good citizens. 

The language is typical of a 13 year old and easily relatable to middle school age children.  For me it was a bit of a walk back into time with go-go boots and the Osmonds.  🙂 

Dawn Raid

Illustrations liberally dot the pages.  I appreciated the addition of maps so that I understood better just where those islands where.  There is a continent game I play on my phone but it’s not clear enough to really show the detail needed to see where all the islands are.  Having the maps helped me practice my geography skills for sure! 

I loved the natural way history and community flowed within the diary pages of Sofia.  I often felt like I was there helping Sofia do her milk run, or attending the doctor with her mom and younger brothers, and her father dealing with the oldest brother.  The fear of being woken up so early in the morning… Sofia expresses emotion well.  

Dawn Raid

Should you Get Dawn Raid?

Should Dawn Raid be part of your library?

It’s an interesting read.  I have to admit, when I first started I wondered what the purpose of this diary was.  But seeing how the family lived, how school life progressed and some of the daily life experiences shared.  Gradually the politics of the time were introduced until you wanted to know what would happen.  

If you are studying New Zealand, add this book to your shelves.  Gain some understanding about the politics of the time and what it meant to the people involved.  It would either be a good way to introduce the topic of racism in New Zealand or be a finish out the study.  It would also be a good way to show the racism isn’t just in Canada, or the United States, but is actually a world-wide concern. 

If you are just looking for a good story to read that tells of a family’s experience living in New Zealand during a hard rough time in it’s history, it’s a good read in and of itself!  🙂 

Creation to Christ, flexible timeline

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew

Home School in the Woods creates these fantastic timelines I want to take a moment to tell you about.  Timelines that are NOT only good for your history and social studies lessons, but also good if you want to do character studies, or study people who exemplify certain traits you want your children to focus in on.   Characters from the bible are included, so using this set as you do biblical studies is an added bonus.   Today we’ll learn about the Timeline Set: Creation to Christ (Beginning – 100 AD).

Creation Through Christ

The Basic Facts about this Timeline Collection

It has been my privilege to review one of Home School in the Woods (HSitW) timelines before.  My son used the Historical Figures timeline.  Today I am happy to review the Timeline Set: Creation to Christ (Beginning – 100 AD).   This set encompasses history from when the world began through to 100 AD.  You will see such historical figures as Enoch, King Solomon, Pythagora, and Hannibal.  Both biblical and non-biblical figures are featured in this set. 

This set retails for $22.95 and as a digital product you will find yourself using it throughout your studies in the bible, history, character and more.   You will discover 250+ figures in black and white, in four formats.  Two are in wall size one with text description, and the other with just name and date.  You’ll find those same two formats in notebook size as well.     The wall size varies from 2.5 to 4 inches, with the notebook size ranging from1.5-2.75 inches.  BUT one of the things I love about digital products is once I cut and paste, I can make the size anything I want it to be.  🙂 

This set is geared for students in grades K through 12.  The Timeline series contains four sets: Creation to Christ, Resurrection to Revolution, Napoleon to Now,and  America’s History.  There is also the timeline collection and various add-ons you can do. This page will help you check out all those details. 

Home School in the Woods was started by Amy Pack as she searched for better ways to present history to her children.  Timelines seemed the perfect way to do that, and from then on the company has expanded their options. 

How does it work?

Once you download your timeline set it will look like this in your file once you unzip it.  Reading through the intro will give you a good idea how to use each of the file formats. 

History runs throughout the ages, timelines can done in a book format or on a wall, or as a notebook.  And Home School in the Woods has made it as easy for you to approach history how ever you want.  🙂  Size them to your needs, and teach history!

You’ll find the images come in two styles.  Titles and dates, or Titles and dates with a blurb. 

Home school in the woods Creation to Christ

Two sizes, small (wallet sized) or large (notebook size).   Use them at the size given, or copy and paste them and expand to whatever size you need them.   You might choose to do full page images and write on the back of them, in doing so you allow your students to see the name and the image and test their recall.  Over time you’ll have a full binder with interesting people from history, with facts that your students find important. 

I like how Home School in the Woods organizes their materials, making it easy for teachers and students to use.  The variation allows for so much flexibility it is fantastic.  Over the years I have reviewed a number of their products. 

Find Home School in the Woods on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeschoolinthewoods/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HSintheWoods
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeschoolinthewoods/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hsinthewoods/_saved/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrKq6iLty2fpB6R6ZpcUb8A/videos

Should you get it?

YES!  I know, you’d expect me to say that eh?  But honestly, if you’ve ever followed my blog you should know that I don’t just blithely say “get this”.  I’m aware that everyone has different needs and different styles of homeschooling.  Some of us our faith based and others not.  One of the things I like about HSitW is that it is geared to all sorts of homeschoolers.  It includes historical figures from the bible and outside the bible.  While faith is behind the makers of this marvellous resource it isn’t the only thing going for it (if you know what I mean).   

These timelines can be used in so many different formats. 

Imagine a co-op that says “we’re going to study different figures of history”, and uses the depictions as colouring pages, notebook focal points, and/or a timeline on the wall.  Faith based or not, these depictions will work!

Or a mom who says, I want my children to have some heros (and maybe anti-heroes) so they can see what true character is like.  People of honour, honesty, faith, shrewdness in battle, or whatever you want to focus on.  

Imagine that you are doing a study on how the world began, use the images to help stimulate discussion and to set your explorations up better.  Or you are looking for truths of gospel revelation throughout history, studying the ancient peoples more indepth, you have the timeline pictures to act as a guide.   There are so many ways to use timeline sets from Home School in the Woods, I urge you to pick up the set that will serve you best today. 

Read the Reviews

You will need to check out the reviews of 47 members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew.  Home School in the Woods asked us to review the following products: 

Individual Timeline Sets (Grades K-12)

  • Creation to Christ  (Beginning – 100 AD)
  • Resurrection to Revolution (0 -1799 AD)
  • Napoleon to Now (1750 AD – Modern Day)
  • America’s History (Explorers to 21st Century)

Project Passport World History Studies (Grades 3-8)

  • Ancient Egypt
  • Ancient Greece
  • The Middle Ages
  • Ancient Rome
  • Renaissance & Reformation

Time Travelers U.S. History Studies (Grades 3- 8 )

  • New World Explorers
  • Colonial Life
  • The American Revolution
  • The Early 19th Century
  • The Civil War
  • The Industrial Revolution through the Great Depression
  • World War II

Maps Combo-Pak (US & World Maps)

Lap-Pak: Wonders of the World

Activity-Pak: The Old Testament

Activity-Pak: The New Testament

 

Hands On History with Homeschool in the Woods

As the Deer Pants for the Water

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I think I grew up singing this song, did you?   As the deer panteth for the water is how I learned it first, but later the language changed in it a wee bit. Today we’ll learn a bit about who the author is and how this song was created. 

as the deer pants for the water

Lyrics

As the deer pants for the water
so my soul longs after you
you alone are my hearts desire
and I long to worship you.

You alone are my heart’s desire
To you alone my my spirit yield.
you alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship you.

You’re my friend and you are my brother
even though you are my king.
I want you more than any other
So much more than anything.

Author and History

American born Martin J. Nystrom wrote As the Deer Pants for the Water in 1984.  He wrote the song after fasting for a spell.  He happened to read Psalm 42 and found himself bursting into song. Sharing the song with one friend led it to being shared with a group of young believers who then popularized it.  You can learn more about Mr. Nystrom on his website. 

Pondering On As the Deer Pants for the Water

Psalm 42:1 is the basis for this quiet song of praise. 

As a deer pants for flowing streams,
    so pants my soul for you, O God.

Lately, I’ve been feeling a dearth of panting for the Lord.  I think I’ve been feeling the lack of being able to meet in church for a real service.  

This song reminds me of my first real love.  God minds me so much.  Cares for me deeply, it’s all I can do to return that love. I shouldn’t be letting the circumstances of life beat that down.  Part of me wants to say I need to pull myself up by my bootstraps, but I think this is something that I need to lean on the Lord with.  To let him remind me of how he is indeed my heart’s desire.  Letting him renew the depth of my love for him.. 

Soon and Very Soon

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Until today I did not know that Soon and Very Soon had actual verses to it!  How could I not have known that?   I suppose that like many, I simply have never sung them.   A call to action though… to see God’s action in our lives.  To realize that one day soon he will be returning to earth and all our sorrows will be finished with. 

soon and very soon

Lyrics to Soon and Very Soon

Soon and very soon we are going to see the king
Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the king X3
 
No more crying there, we are going to see the king
Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the king X3
 
Should there be any rivers we must cross
Should there be any mountains we must climb
God will supply all the strength that we need
Give us strength till we reach the other side.
 
We have come from every nation,
God has already signed our name.
Jesus took his blood and he washed my sins, he washed them all away.
Yet there are those of us who have laid down our lives
But we all shall meet again on the other side.
 
Back to the chorus
 
Should there be any rivers we must cross
Should there be any mountains we must climb
God will supply all the strength that we need
Give us strength till we reach the other side.
 
Back to the chorus

Author and History

Andraé Crouch is sometimes referred to as the “Father of modern gospel music”.  He recently passed away in 2015.  This American gospel writer was born in California and wrote his first piece of gospel music at age 14.   He helped to bring the gap between black and white music, bringing contemporary music into the church at large. 

He played with various bands throughout his life as well as having a solo career.  Friends with Michael Jackson he and his singers played a role in some of Mr. Jackson’s albums and performances. 

Complications from diabetes and cancer took his life. 

Pondering the Words

Having done Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending, I suppose this fits nicely into the order the hymnal (affiliate link) I am using doesn’t it?   Another glimpse of glory we see in this song by Andraé Crouch.

God will bring us through to glory is written throughout this song don’t you find?   

I found it interesting how many versions of Soon and Very Soon on youtube only featured the chorus being sung multiple times.  And I have to admit, the chorus is lively and compelling. I think the verses add to the overall song though, don’t you? 

Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

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It has been a long time since I have sung this song.  Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending.  I didn’t recognize the tune in the hymnal I am using, but I immediately started singing the song.  I could not find the tune I was used to, and once I heard the tune on Youtube I completely lost the tune in my head.  So well you know… enjoy?  🙂 

lo he comes with clouds descending
Dramatic god lights passing through clouds and shining on shining on sky.

Lyrics to Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

Lo! He comes with clouds descending,
Once for favored sinners slain;
Thousand, thousand saints attending,
Swell the triumph of His train:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God appears on earth to reign.

Every eye shall now behold Him
Robed in dreadful majesty;
Those who set at naught and sold Him,
Pierced and nailed Him to the tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
Shall the true Messiah see.

Every island, sea, and mountain,
Heav’n and earth, shall flee away;
All who hate Him must, confounded,
Hear the trump proclaim the day:
Come to judgment! Come to judgment!
Come to judgment! Come to judgment!
Come away!

Now redemption, long expected,
See in solemn pomp appear;
All His saints, by man rejected,
Now shall meet Him in the air:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
See the day of God appear!

Answer Thine own bride and Spirit,
Hasten, Lord, the general doom!
The new Heav’n and earth t’inherit,
Take Thy pining exiles home:
All creation, all creation, all creation,
Travails! groans! and bids Thee come!

The dear tokens of His passion
Still His dazzling body bears;
Cause of endless exultation
To His ransomed worshippers;
With what rapture, with what rapture,
With what rapture
Gaze we on those glorious scars!

Yea, Amen! let all adore Thee,
High on Thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory,
Claim the kingdom for Thine own;
O come quickly! O come quickly!
O come quickly!
Everlasting God, come down!

Author and History

This song has a bit of a convoluted history.  Originally written by John Cennnick in 1752, it was later altered by Charles Wesley in 1758, and Martin Madan in 1760.   It makes me curious about what changes they might have made.  So I found an original version on the Cyber Hymnal.  It’s quite different!

Born into the Quaker tradition, John Cennick joined the Methodist movement with the Wesley’s and Whitefield.  When they parted ways, Cennick followed Whitefield and later joined the Moravians.   He became a pastor in the Moravian church.  A successful hymn writer he published two hymnals.   He left a number of hymns unpublished at the time of his death which his Son-in-law saw published. 

So I’m pretty sure that the pastors of the church I was part of growing up changed the tune of this song to a more familiar one. Why?  I don’t know this tune, though when I saw the words I started singing the hymn.   Go figure eh? 

Pondering The Words

Do you know this song?  As you sing it do you ponder Christ’s Return? How do it make you feel?

I read these words and all I see is the joy they hymnist has at Christ’s eventual return.  How he will take this kingdom for his very own, and his reign is one to celebrate. 

And so I’m convicted.  I am… I so rarely think of Christ’s return and think of it so joyfully.  Do I long for Christ to return?  Yes.  I see it as an ending to the suffering in the world and things being made right…but I often don’t go beyond that to the total joy of Christ being able to reign supreme. No longer will I have to look through a glass dimly.  I’ll be able to see him face to face in a world again made right.  This is something to celebrate don’t you think?

The Sea-ringed world

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (The Sea-Ringed World) through Raincoast Books.

Have you ever taken the time to ponder the stories of those who were here before our ancestors came here? In The Sea-Ringed World we get to read 56 stories of the original inhabitants of the Americas.  Stories from the Hopi, Maya, Andean. Sioux and many others.  As we read their stories, native inspired art dot the pages. 

The Sea-Ringed World

The Basic Details

232 pages filled with the original history of the Americas. Stories that Maria Garcia Esperon helps to bring to life and awareness.  The artwork is done by Amanda Mijangos while David Bowles translates into English.  These stories focus on the Native America peoples of the Lower United States, Mexico, and Central and South Americas.   I am reviewing this book of the sacred stories of the Americas for Raincoast books.  These stories are geared to youth 8 – 14 years.

You’ll find 56 stories contained with in the pages of this hardcover book from Levine Querido publishing.  Each story is four pages long.   The stories come to us by way of the Hope, Mexica, Muisca, Andean, Guarani, Taino, Maya, Nahua, Mapuche, Blackfoot, and Ona peoples among others. 

Artwork is scattered throughout it’s pages, all are in the blue/black/white motif. Some feature plants (I think), others animals, and the rest a variety of scenes.  The artwork (to me) didn’t seem to be connected to the stories. 

Each story in The Sea-ringed World is predicated by poetry?  Moral?  Not sure what to call it.  These words do call you to pay attention to the main character or thought of the story that follows. 

Should you get it?

I know this isn’t the intent of the author, but one of the things I find interesting when I read the ancient stories of another people is how a kernel of God’s truth can be found within.  So when I read of a people became so evil that their god reigned down destruction upon them… I think of the God of the bible and the ark.    When I read of how all was good in the world… and then a trickster came along who wrecked havoc, and I think of God, the garden of Eden and how Satan tricked the woman. Even when the language isn’t the same kernels of truth can be seen, and it always surprises me. 

But that aside, it is interesting and helpful to get to know the stories of the people around you.  Knowing a person’s stories, and knowing a person’s past, helps you to gain insight in their now.  And that’s how you help to build a community.  The stories were varied and came from different sources which helped give glimpses into different original American cultures. 

These stories would be fun to use in a wide-variety of situations.  Discernment and truth-seeking classes with middle through highschool students.  Bedtime stories with elementary students.  Supplement to learning about Native Americans.   An addition to geography and history classes.  Learning about peoples of the world.  And I’m sure there are more situations that I haven’t even thought of.  🙂 

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

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Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is a song that I have known for such a long time.  I have recollections of it being on the records my mom used to play. I think… Johnny Cash did a version of it?   At least that’s what my vague memories tell me.  ANYWAYS, it often pops into my mind and I’ll find myself singing.  I do not know all the verses by heart. 

swing low sweet chariot

Lyrics to Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Refrain

Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home,
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.

I looked over Jordan, and what did I see?
Coming for to carry me home,
A band of angels coming after me,
Coming for to carry me home.

Refrain

If you get there before I do,
Coming for to carry me home,
Tell all my friends I’m coming, too.
Coming for to carry me home.

Refrain

I’m sometimes up and sometimes down,
Coming for to carry me home,
But still my soul feels heavenly bound,
Coming for to carry me home.

Refrain

The brightest day that I can say,
Coming for to carry me home,
When Jesus washed my sins away,
Coming for to carry me home.

Refrain

I’m sometimes up and sometimes down,
Coming for to carry me home.
But still my soul feels heavenly bound,
Coming for to carry me home. 

Author and History

We don’t know for sure who wrote Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.  It might have been Wallace Willis, a Negro slave born in Mississippi and owned by Britt Willis, a Choctaw.   It is thought he was inspired by the Red River which reminded him of the River Jordan and the prophet Elijah. Alexander Reid, a minister at a Choctaw school Willis was at, heard him singing and transcribed the music sending it The Jubilee Singers.  Learn more at Songwriters.

Or if it was created by Sarah Hannah Sheppard a slave.  Apparently, she learned her master was going to sell her daughter and in her fear, she ran away intent on suicide for herself and her daughter.  You can read the rest of this story at the Library of Congress.   The daughter Ella was part of The Jubilee Singers.

Either way, it’s an old African Spiritual regardless of who wrote it. 

Thinking More

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is a song that has a rhythm to it.  It’s no wonder to me that when I’m doing a repetitive task that this tune will pop into my brain.  

I like this line “I”m sometimes up and sometimes down, But still my soul feels heavenly bound”.  It’s that just so true?  We don’t always feel like we’re doing well in our faith journey but still… our goal is the same.  Heaven is our ultimate stopping place. Â