Classical Conversations Cycle 3 Book List Weeks 13-24

12 Dec

Welcome all Classical Conversation families! Additionally, welcome to homeschooling families that use this list to supplement their study of American history!

A few notes about the arrangement of books in this post:

  1. This book list is a tool and not a checklist! Please use it to supplement your morning time routines or studies of CC memory work.
  2. My family will not read all these books listed each week (there are so many more I could list!). Instead, this will be a reference list for us to utilize in weekly book selections and in chapter book read alouds or read alones. (Note: We ceased using Classical Conversations two years ago and have transitioned to a more Charlotte Mason approach; however, I know what a valuable tool book lists are for our family so I have continued to complete the 3 cycle book lists for families like yours! )
  3. Additional books are listed after the twelve week suggestions which can be used throughout the cycle. 
  4. I will not provide a download of this list, but encourage you to write these suggestions in the Memoria section of your Foundations Guides.
  5. This list is primarily a history based reading list in addition to books relating to fine arts and geography. I am not as familiar with science read alouds.

It is my hope that this list proves to be a wonderful resource for your family enabling you to make memories around the shared experience of reading great books. You can find weeks 1-12 here. Enjoy!

*All links below are affiliate links.

Week 13:

Week 14:

Week 15:


Week 16:


Reader Warning: There is a logging accident death in this book that the boy witnesses.

Week 17:


Week 18:

Week 19:


Week 20:

Week 21:

Week 22:

Week 23:

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Classical Conversations Reading List Cycle 3 American History Weeks 1-12

13 Jun

Welcome all Classical Conversation families! Additionally, welcome to homeschooling families that use this list to supplement their study of American history!

A few notes about the arrangement of books in this post:

  1. This book list is a tool and not a checklist! Please use it to supplement your morning time routines or studies of CC memory work.
  2. My family will not read all these books listed each week (there are so many more I could list!). Instead, this will be a reference list for us to utilize in weekly book selections and in chapter book read alouds or read alones. (Note: We ceased using Classical Conversations last year and have transitioned to a more Charlotte Mason approach; however, I know what a valuable tool book lists are for our family so I have continued to complete the 3 cycle book lists for families like yours! )
  3. Additional books are listed after the twelve week suggestions which can be used throughout the cycle. 
  4. I will not provide a download of this list, but encourage you to write these suggestions in the Memoria section of your Foundations Guides.
  5. This list is primarily a history based reading list in addition to books relating to fine arts and geography. I am not as familiar with science read alouds.

It is my hope that this list proves to be a wonderful resource for your family enabling you to make memories around the shared experience of reading great books. Enjoy!

*All links below are affiliate links.

Week 1:

Week 2: 

Week 3: 

Week 4:

Week 5:

This book would be a wonderful selection for the entire year for a masters level student.

Week 6: 

Week 7:

Week 8:

Week 9:

California:

Week 10:

Week 11:

Week 12:

Additional Read Alone’s or Family Read Alouds:

History Spines: 

Great little booklet full of wonderful reading lists set during each time period in American History through WWII.


If you only want to read from one book a little each day during Cycle 3, I recommend purchasing this book. The illustrations and text will engage a wide range of ages. Great for a Morning Time read aloud.

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Classical Conversations Cycle 2 Booklist: Medieval History to The Gulf War

26 May

Welcome all Classical Conversation families! Additionally, welcome to homeschooling families that use this list to supplement their medieval history study!

A few notes about the arrangement of books in this post:

    1. This booklist is a tool and not a checklist! Please use it to supplement your morning time routines or studies of CC memory work.
    2. My family will not read all these books listed each week. Instead, this will be a reference list for me to utilize in weekly book selections and in chapter book read alouds or read alones.
    3. The pictured links in the twenty-four week lists are arranged by picture books first followed by chapter book selections.
    4. Additional chapter books, audio books, missionary studies, and fine arts books, including a poetry section, are listed after the twenty-four week suggestions. 
    5. I will not be providing a download of this list, but encourage you to write these suggestions in under the Memoria section of your Foundations Guides.

It is my hope that this list proves to be a wonderful resource for your family enabling you to make memories around the shared experience of reading great books. Enjoy!

*All links below are affiliate links.

Week 1:

What Really Happened In Medieval Times is a wonderful resource filled with 8 biographical short stories on figures such as: Joan of Arc, Saint Patrick, Martin Luther, and more.

Week 2:

 

Geography: English Channel

Week 3:

Geography Selections: France

I Juan de Pareja is a chapter book set in Spain and based on a true story. This is one you will want to read to the entire family ages 8/9 and up! A personal favorite of mine.

Week 4:

 

Week 5:

The Book of Boy holds some religious beliefs that you may want to clarify or discuss. Perhaps it is a good one to read like a book club with your older students such as 5th and 6th grade. Check out this review over at Redeemed Reader. 

Timeline:

Week 6:

Week 7:

Week 8:

Week 9:

Geography Selections:

Week 10:

Geography Selections:

Week 11:

I was unable to find many resources on the French Revolution, with the exception of the two chapter books listed above (one of which was suggested by a reader), so I have opted to provide more books featuring France instead.  Please  leave  your  suggestions  in  the  comments  section. I welcome them!

 

Week 12:

Week 13:


Week 14:

Week 15:

Week 16:


Week 17:

Week 18:

Week 19:

A Single Shard is one of my all-time favorite books. Perfect for a meaningful read aloud!

Week 20:

Inside Out and Back Again is a book written in prose. The protagonist is based on the author’s real life experience moving to Alabama as a refugee after Vietnam. This book will provide many good discussion points about the treatment of people who are different from us in nationality, traditions, and religion. Check out Redeemed Reader’s post for discussion questions! 

I suggest these two incredible books by Gary Schdmidt for read alouds. The Wednesday Wars for upper elementary and middle school, and the second for middle school due to sensitive content. These are two of my very favorite books! The Wednesday Wars ties in Shakespeare as well which is a bonus!

Week 21:

My Brigadista Year is a coming of age story set in Cuba just before the Bay of Pigs. Probably a good fit for 5th or 6th graders knowing that propaganda is woven in the story as a reality of the time and setting. However, I loved this story because it tells how Cuba became a literate nation in such a short amount of time. You can read more about this book over at Common Sense Media. 


Week 22:

Week 23:

Week 24:

 

Audio Resources:

Additional chapter books to read aloud or to read alone:

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is the first of a four book series by Andrew Peterson. Read more about the series here.  The entire set is found in this book:

 

 

Missionary Biographies set during or just after WWII:

Supplemental Geography:

Books about our Great Artists:

 

Music for Composers Study:

Poetry:

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Classical Conversations Booklist Cycle 1: Ancient History

15 May

Welcome all Classical Conversation families! Additionally, welcome to homeschooling families that use this list to supplement their ancient history study!

A few notes about the arrangement of books in this post:

  1. This booklist is a tool and not a checklist! Please use it to supplement your morning time routines or studies of CC memory work.
  2. My family will not read all these books listed each week. Instead, this will be a reference list for me to utilize in weekly book selections and in chapter book read alouds.
  3. The pictured links in the twenty-four week lists are my top suggestions for families new to Classical Conversations or with first year, abecedarian, students. I wanted to make this easy for you!
  4. The books are arranged in alphabetical order per week first by picture books, and then chapter books.
  5. Please leave any additional suggestions your family enjoys in the comments below. Thank you!

*All links below are affiliate links.

Week 1:


How Many Animals Were on the Ark?
Cabinet of Curiosities: Collecting and Understanding the Wonders of the Natural World
Karl, Get Out of the Garden!: Carolus Linnaeus and the Naming of Everything
The Seven Days of Creation
The Real Story of the Creation
The Real Story of the Flood
Adam and His Kin: The Lost History of Their Lives and Times
How to Think Like a Scientist: Answering Questions by the Scientific Method

Week 2:


The Assyrian Empire’s Three Attempts to Rule the World : Ancient History of the World | Children’s Ancient History
The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science
Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reverso Poems

Week 3:


Something From Nothing
Snow in Jerusalem (Albert Whitman Prairie Books (Paperback))
The Bronze Bow

Week 4:


Hosni the Dreamer: An Arabian Tale
Pyramid
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Week 5:



Cleopatra
Exodus
Pagoo
Temple Cat
The Egyptian Cinderella
the How and Why Wonder Book of Sea Shells
Tutankhamun
Boy of the pyramids, a mystery of ancient Egypt;
The Golden Goblet (Newbery Library, Puffin)
Mara, Daughter of the Nile (Puffin Story Books)

Week 6:


Galileo and the Stargazers
The Hero and the Minotaur
The Librarian Who Measured the Earth
Archimedes and the Door of Science (Living History Library)
The Children’s Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy
The Children’s Homer (Audiobook)

Week 7:

Augustus Caesar’s World
Beyond the Desert Gate
The Bronze Bow
The Cat of Bubastes: A Tale of Ancient Egypt (Dover Children’s Classics)

Week 8:


From Cone to Pine Tree (Start to Finish Second Series)
Gandhi
I is for India (World Alphabets)
Oh Say Can You Seed?: All About Flowering Plants (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library)
The King’s Chessboard (Picture Puffin Books)
The Story of Little Babaji

Week 9:



A Single Pebble: A Story of the Silk Road
Kites
Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China
Ruby’s Wish
The Curious Garden
The Empty Pot
The Magic Pillow
The Master Swordsman & the Magic Doorway: Two Legends from Ancient China
The Seven Chinese Brothers (Blue Ribbon Book)
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt
The House of Sixty Fathers
Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze

Week 10:



Grandfather’s Journey
In the Eyes of the Cat: Japanese Poetry For All Seasons
A Tree Is Nice (Rise and Shine)(Science)
The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks (Picture Puffins)
Today And Today
My Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics)(Science)
Pocket Guide to the Outdoors: Based on My Side of the Mountain
The Big Wave (Deals with death and religion-Excellent book!)

Week 11:


The Reason for a Flower: A Book About Flowers, Pollen, and Seeds (Explore!)
This is Rome: A Children’s Classic
Polycarp of Smyrna (Heroes of the Faith)

Week 12:


Genghis Khan (Illustrated Biography)
Marco Polo

Week 13:


A Boy Named Giotto
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole (Irma S and James H Black Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature (Awards))
Zomo the Rabbit: A Trickster Tale from West Africa

Week 14:



Anna Hibiscus (Set in modern day Africa, but a beautiful and loveable story series that will charm your readers!)
Anna Hibiscus (The audiobook is equally beautiful!)
A Rock Can Be (Millbrook Picture Books)
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain (Rise and Shine)
King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian
Masters of the Renaissance: Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and more

Week 15:



Around the World in a Hundred Years: From Henry the Navigator to Magellan
To the Top! Climbing the World’s Highest Mountain (Step-Into-Reading, Step 5)

Week 16:


The Corn Grows Ripe (Puffin Newbery Library)

Week 17:



Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale (Picture Puffin)
Stories From Africa
A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story (Violent content that may be suitable for your older children; however, a lovely story of hope and restoration.)

Week 18:

Secrets in Stone : All About Maya Hieroglyphics

Week 19:



Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

Week 20:


Hallelujah Handel
The Snake Scientist (Scientists in the Field Series) (Geography)

Week 21:


Black Whiteness: Admiral Byrd Alone in the Antarctic (Science)

Week 22:


If You Were Me and Lived in…Peru: A Child’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World (Volume 12)
Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu
My Name Is Gabriela/Me llamo Gabriela (Rise and Shine) (English, Multilingual and Spanish Edition)
Paddington (Geography)
Secret of the Andes (Puffin Book)

Week 23:


Chatter, Sing, Roar, Buzz: Poems about the Rain Forest (Poetry)
The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest
Victoria Goes to Brazil (Children Return to their Roots)

Week 24:

Additional Resources:

In studying ancient history, our children are exposed to many different religions and worldviews. A wonderful way to reinforce the Christian worldview within other cultural contexts and religions is through missionary biographies. Heroes Then and Now provide wonderful biographical accounts of missionaries in the countries we study in history and geography. If you are unfamiliar with this series, I would recommend this starter kit. It contains four missionaries in geographical locations we memorize this cycle and the fifth is Corey Ten Boom which you could use for geography;y and history study in Cycles 2 and 3.

You might also consider these two:

An action packed, science audio series we love in our home is Jonathon Park. Here is the first complete set; there are ten in all and we have enjoyed and learned so much from each and every one. This series reinforces the creation perspective and the effects of the world-wide flood.

Two excellent history resources that we used before include:


Story of the World, Volume 1 Publisher: Peace Hill Press (Audio Version)

For study of composers:

For a closer look at how children live in the countries found in our memory work this year consider this:

I am adding the Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers after seeing a comment on the Classical Conversations Facebook Page that it is fantasy written allegorically to the life of King David. How exciting! So let’s say it fits shall we?  I have the first book already on my shelf and can’t wait to dive in. Also, listen to Sarah Mackenzie of the Read Aloud Revival speak with author, Jonathan Rogers about this series and his other works here.

Finally, this last book has been such a valuable resource not only in compiling this list, but in studying the world with our children on numerous occasions. If you don’t already own this book by Jamie Martin, you will want to add it to your library of books on books.

You can now purchase my book, Thirty Balloons: An Adoption Tale, on Amazon.

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Considering Homeschooling?

28 Feb

homeschoolingpost

So you’re thinking about homeschooling? Welcome! I meagerly offer you the information that I have gleaned the last three years in the hopes that it will be profitable to you.

I sensed the Lord leading me to homeschooling after observing and interacting with the families of homeschooled students within our student ministry several years back. I had little to no exposure to homeschooling and didn’t think of it as an option for our family prior to those interactions.

After asking many questions, researching online, and attending our state homeschooling convention, Ron and I decided to give homeschooling a go. I have not regretted our decision once in the preschool and now kindergarten years of schooling. However, I have questioned my methods.

For example, at the beginning of this school year, I decided that I would teach math and reading without the aid of a curriculum. This may have worked, but by September I was feeling as if my child was behind, and her mother was in need of some structure. So, I spoke to a few veteran homeschooling moms and chose a math curriculum they suggested and the reading curriculum that I had loved at the homeschooling convention – A Beka math & The Logic of English. We are now enjoying the structure and freedom that the curriculums’ offer, and I feel better about the progress that my daughter is making in these areas.

Lesson learned: Don’t be afraid to change course when you feel you are off course. 

I first heard of Classical Conversations through a local homeschool support group. After attending an informational presentation on the classical method of education, Ron and I decided to join a local community when our oldest was kindergarten age. This decision has been one of the best decisions we have made for our family concerning Christian education and teaching a biblical worldview. I love everything about the Classical Conversations curriculum developed by Leigh Bortins. The grammar introduced each week and the resources to help with memory mastery of each subject has made learning fun and given a natural flow to our days. As a bonus, I am redeeming my education! If anyone has obtained an education this year, it is definitely the homeschooling mom.

If you are interested in Classical Christian Education, please visit Leigh Bortin’s Classical Conversations website, here.

I am a proponent for Christian apologetics and feel the magnitude of making disciples of our children while teaching them to develop a biblical worldview. That being the case, I am so very thankful for the opportunity to use wonderfully paced, content-rich curriculum such as that developed for Classical Conversations.

Lesson Learned: God will guide your steps to the curriculum that is right for your family. Our family aligns with Christian Classical Education. 

Often people will ask me how long we plan to homeschool. My answer is, “Until I feel God’s freedom and direction to choose another educational option.”  If God has called you to homeschooling – and no, I don’t think that everyone is called to homeschool for all or any season of their child’s education – then He will give you the answers you need in the time that is right.

Lesson Learned: Homeschooling is a calling for a season; God will show you the duration of that season be it a year or K-12. 

At the end of the day we are all home educators; life is a classroom for those willing to learn. If you are considering homeschooling, here are a few websites/posts that may offer more direction:

God bless your journey,

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