11.20.2009

Renaissance Literature for Children

I have been compiling lists of books we have used and will use in our study of the Renaissance. We are using Susan Wise Bauer's Story of the World Volume 2 (and eventually Volume 3) as our spine.

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The first list includes just what we have read so far for SOTW Ch. 31-35

You can download this pdf file here:

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We have also postponed our artist study of Van Gogh in order to spend two months studying the Renaissance artists (while still going forward in the SOTW book).

So, this second list includes books we will use for this study. This file, also in pdf format, can be downloaded here:

11.16.2009

Wow -- doesn't this just make you want to run out and buy a ham for Thanksgiving?

11.14.2009

Piano Recital # 2






New Scrapbooking Layouts I Made Tonight











Ben and Thumbprinting



This book has been a favorite in our home. It is so very easy, and the results are great!

Buy it Here




11.09.2009

Pictures from Homeschool Graduation

These photos were taken at a homeschool graduation we attended celebrating the accomplishments of the lovely Morgan Wilson. Congrats!







Look what John caught in a trap!

We had a suspicion that some nocturnal creature was visiting us, so John set a trap (a harmless one). It was an opossum! I was happy to see it, because we toted one off a couple of years ago thinking that they were "bad" to have around the house -- sort of like having a rat. I then learned how beneficial they are (they eat slugs for one). So, we released him in the backyard. I hope we didn't scare him away.


Pictures from Today's Homeschool Science Fair







11.07.2009

I actually scrapbooked -- it's been so long!


11.03.2009

The Hobbit Audio Book Cover -- Drawing by Nathan



11.01.2009

Graduation Card I Made


10.30.2009

Amazing Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

This cake is made with chick peas instead of wheat flour. It is so very moist and delicious!

Garbanzo Bean Chocolate Cake


(image is from www.allrecipes.com)

Happy 10th Birthday, Nathan!


10.24.2009

Spoken by Nathan on October 22, 2009

"How will I ever become a great artist when she's in the competition? She makes them come alive!"

He was referring to Jill Barklem of The Complete Brambly Hedge (which I snagged for $25 after waiting for months!).

10.22.2009

Lesson Plans and Information about Filippo Brunelleschi

Geography of the Renaissance

Discovering Linear Perspective

An Interdisciplinary Unit

The Dome of the Duomo
** You can click on biography, vocabulary, or tasks from there.

Children's Books about Filippo Brunelleschi -- the Renaissance Architect

You can buy them all at Amazon

Waiting for Filippo: The Life of Renaissance Architect Filippo Brunelleschi by Michael Bender

A pop-up book about the Italian Renaissance architect,sculptur and engineer, Filippo Brunelleschi, explaining how he designed the dome of the cathedral in Florence. Brunelleschi developed the theory of perspective, altering the face of architecture. The details of Florentine life are given as the book follows Brunelleschi's career from apprentice to leading architect.


Filippo's Dome by Anne Rockwell

The building of the dome of the city of Florence by Brunelleschi.

Pippo the Fool by Tracey E. Fern

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence was a marvel of art, architecture, and engineering. But it lacked a finishing ornament, a crowna dome! The city fathers had a solution: to invite the finest masters to compete for the chance to design a dome. The rumors of this contest reached the ears of Filippo Brunelleschi, better known in Florence as Pippo the Fool. As soon as he heard about the contest, Pippo knew it was the chance he had been waiting for. If I can win the contest, I will finally lose that nickname once and for all! This book tells the story of the construction of an architectural masterpieceBrunelleschis Dome. Tracey E. Fern depicts Pippos prickly personality with humor and warmth, and Pau Estradas richly detailed illustrations bring Renaissance Florence to life. An excellent way to introduce kids to an important moment in Western engineering and history.

10.14.2009

Here's a great coloring book website!

It even has The Adventures of Tintin coloring pages!


More favorites are Beatrix Potter, Sarah Kay, Thomas the Tank, and Winnie the Pooh.

Check Out This Math Website

Full of games, lesson plans, etc. You can search by grade or topic.

click here

10.12.2009

Bats -- Teacher Resources

Guide to Bat Resource Trunk

Glorious Bats
(scroll down to page 36 for a matching exercise and pages 41-42 for a cute research printable).

National Wildlife Federation

Bat House Plans

Reader -- Printable Book

Free Lapbook

Booklet for younger students

Leonardo da Vinci -- Websites Galore

Here are some great websites for studying Leonardo da Vinci.

Museum of Science

A Lifetime of Color

Leonardo's Workshop

Time Warp Trio Guide

Lesson plan for older students

Mono Lisa Coloring Page

Art prints to print