Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Rea on Read-Aloud Revival Podcast!

Come listen to the lovely Sarah Mackenzie as she interviews Rea on life and literature and the power books have to change our lives.  Rea shares from her own personal experience as a reader, a mom, a home school mother, and publisher of children's books. Sarah and Rea cover the importance of nurturing readers by giving an abundance of books that are beautifully written and, whenever possible, also beautifully illustrated.  This develops a child's palate with a love of beauty that will carry them through their entire lives and inform how they make choices themselves. The present emphasis on teaching history chronologically is explored through the lens of what science knows about child brain development.  And finally the power of memorization and how we use that in our children's lives is looked at in light of great men who changed history. Access the interview here. You don't want to miss this as you embark on a new school year! 







Our new 2015-2016 catalog is now available! If you want to view it right now it's available online here. And if you would like to request a hardcopy, click here.

We would love to hear what you think! Chime in below in the comments section and share your thoughts. Don't forget to check out our Facebook and Pinterest pages.  To learn more about Beautiful Feet Books, click here.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

History of Science Update!

Our new revised and expanded History of Science study guide and book pack are almost ready! We hit some bumps along the way–not super surprising but we have not written notes for a book only to find out right before printing that it's gone out of print! Anyway, the final editing stage us upon us and the guide will be available shortly. Downloads will be available even sooner. In the mean time, we wanted to share with you the book list because we are very excited about it! We've changed up the resources entirely and hope that you find the new books a lot more approachable and informative. We've also added five (!) new biographies and expanded the scientists studied in detail. Experiments from The Way Science Works will tie in principles and scientific discoveries with the men and women who discovered them!

Resources:

Follow the lives and work of over 50 major innovators as you set off on a journey from the earliest inventions in recorded history to the most recent developments in science and technology. Colorful, decade-by-decade catalog of the world's greatest inventors. Illustrated with 800+ drawings, and bursting with facts, Great Inventors celebrates ingenuity of people throughout the ages. Fascinating read for those curious about the notable, and not so notable, technical achievements that have shaped our lives.

The Way Science Works by Robin Kerrod and Dr. Sharon Ann Holgate
Eye-opening experiments and exceptional photography bring science to life. Discover science in action, from the principles that explain the natural world around us to the theories behind today’s fast-moving technology. Test key theories in more than 60 hands-on projects using items from around the house! Next-generation visuals and cutting-edge content help illuminate major scientific developments in this book that is packed full of facts about famous scientists, new technology, and much more! 

The History of Science Timeline by Christen Blechschmid
This time line goes back to the ancient world of Pythagoras, Aristotle and Archimedes, to the medieval world of Copernicus and Galileo, up to the modern world of Edison and Einstein. With a total of twenty-one illustrations many of the world's most notable scientists will be brought to life for your student. All the figures are dated with a brief explanation concerning the discoveries of each individual. Your student will more fully appreciate the progress of science through the centuries.

Biographies


Wonderful biography of one of the most important scientists of Ancient Greece and an explanation of his contributions to physics, astronomy, and mathematics. Archimedes was a most remarkable ancient Greek. His belief that truth is important for its own sake, not for its practical applications, is of enormous importance. This book shows how exciting Archimedes found ideas.

Along Came Galileo by Jeanne Bendick
Often referred to as the "Archimedes of his time" Galileo was forever asking questions. These questions led to some of the most important answers of the scientific world—and to his contributions to astronomy, physics, and mathematics. Galileo also advanced the astronomical telescope and invented the compound microscope. He measured the rotation of the sun, invented the thermometer, a geometrical compass and the pendulum clock. 

Leonardo da Vinci by Diane Stanley
Drawing from a range of sources, including her subject's extensive notebooks, Stanley's conversational narrative describes Leonardo da Vinci's astoundingly far-reaching and varied achievements. Young readers will come to appreciate both da Vinci's universally renowned accomplishments as a painter and the breadth of his scientific experimentation and research. A virtuosic work. 

Born in England in 1643, Isaac Newton grew up in the age when Renaissance thinkers were challenging accepted ideas throughout Europe. Fascinated by all earthly science, Newton developed laws of motion and universal gravitation which also furthered our understanding of the movement of celestial bodies. This vibrant biography profiles the famed physicist as an acclaimed mathematician, astronomer, alchemist, philosopher, and inventor as well. 

Ben Franklin was one of the busiest men in the American colonies. Through his own hard work, he established a printing business in Philadelphia. He was also a postmaster, an inventor, a writer, and a diplomat. His inventions have improved the lives of millions of people and his exploration of electricity made huge advances in the field!

In 1856, when Louis Pasteur first began studying microbes in rotten sugar beet juice, he put into motion a chain of events that saved France's wine industry, and revolutionized medicine and biology. This is the true story of a man who helped save millions of lives. Because of his work, the diseases that had killed people for centuries were finally defeated. His imagination, patience, and clear thinking have transformed our world forever. 

The Story of Thomas Alva Edison by Margaret Cousins
Genius is 'one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.' So said Mr. Edison. America's greatest inventor's contribution to modern technology are all colorfully explained. Thomas Edison set up a laboratory in his basement when he was just ten years old. When he got older, he worked as a telegraph operator and found ways to make the telegraph work faster and more efficiently. He went on to invent revolutionary inventions that forever changed the way people live. 

George Washington Carver by Tonya Bolden
Born a slave, George Washington Carver grew up to become of the the most famous scientists in the world! He discovered how to improve crop conditions in the South by planting peanuts and sweet potatoes. He then invented hundreds of new ways to use these crops! His work was so important that Mr. Carver was honored by the President of the United States. He was loved and admired not only by other scientists, but by all who knew him!

This activity book tells the amazing true story of how two bicycle-making brothers from Ohio, with no more than high-school educations, accomplished a feat that forever changed the world. At a time when most people still hadn't ridden in an automobile, Wilbur and Orville Wright built the first powered, heavier-than-air flying machine. Woven throughout the heartwarming story of the two brothers are activities that highlight their ingenuity and problem-solving abilities as they overcame many obstacles to achieve controlled flight. 

Marie Curie’s Search for Radium by Beverly Birch and Christian Birmingham
Marie Curie's scientific research and discovery of radium in 1902, helped open the door to our modern nuclear age. This handsomely illustrated, documentary-style volume is filled with facts but conveys the drama of a good story. An exciting tale of scientific exploration for young readers. Learn about how this young woman from Poland changed our understanding of energy and led the way for other women to enter the field of science!


Following Einstein’s life from his boyhood in Germany and Italy to his time teaching in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany and finally ending up in the United States, this biography provides insight into the man who would change science forever. His famous theories changed the way scientists understood gravity, light, and energy. Quiet, absentminded, and kindhearted, Einstein’s genius went beyond science and his influence is felt far and wide.

Radio dramatization of the life of Alexander Graham Bell. Learn all about his childhood, struggles in school and his mother’s unwavering belief in her son’s abilities. The inventor of the telephone changed the way we communicate and this CD provides a wonderful biography of this remarkable inventor. 



Everything is available in our discounted pack online.








Our new 2015-2016 catalog is now available! If you want to view it right now it's available online here. And if you would like to request a hardcopy, click here.

We would love to hear what you think! Chime in below in the comments section and share your thoughts. Don't forget to check out our Facebook and Pinterest pages.  To learn more about Beautiful Feet Books, click here.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Teaching Early American History!

Today we get caught up with Jessica from jessicalynette.com as she gives us a look into the first six weeks of using our Early American History, A Literature Approach for Primary Grades. Her thoughtful approach to reading through the literature slowly, taking time to process character lessons, and delving deep in to a period are so refreshing. Enjoy! Post original published here
Dance through history with living books that paint beautiful images in your mind, connect you with great men of old, and lead you through deep conversations on character, cause and effect, and God.
This year, for the first time ever, I am following a set schedule for our history reading- using the engaging books and useful guidebook published by Beautiful Feet. You can read my intro post to this living books approach to history here. Now that we are finishing off our first term (6 weeks) I wanted to write an update on how it is working for us.
Term one led us through the lives of Leif Erikson and Christopher Columbus with the beautiful D’aulaire books and the thoughtful questions from the guidebook.Dance through history with living books that paint beautiful images in your mind, connect you with great men of old, and lead you through deep conversations on character, cause and effect, and God.Dance through history with living books that paint beautiful images in your mind, connect you with great men of old, and lead you through deep conversations on character, cause and effect, and God.
“There was once a boy who loved the salty sea. He would be a seaman when he grew up. He would not be a weaver like his father, who sat all day in a dark, little shop weaving yarn into cloth. A ship would be his shuttle, the waves his warp, the wide and bounding sea his loom.”
That is just a taste of the beautiful language these books contain that paint such vivid images for your mind and dance you through history with living books.
Dance through history with living books that paint beautiful images in your mind, connect you with great men of old, and lead you through deep conversations on character, cause and effect, and God.
Here is where I must offer up my secret confession:
I was terrified about the pace.
I know many whom stretch these books into two years.
But can I be honest? The pace is much slower than what we normally do.
Two books (which was 18 lessons) over the course of 6 weeks seemed painfully slow.
I had previously read the boys Leif the Lucky as a bedtime story in one night and I wasn’t entirely certain what to think of this slower pace that the manual lays out.
I dutifully followed the reading plan laid out in the guide, and while narration and conversations have always been a part of our family culture, I have been pleased with this slowing down and marinating of the characters. We have labored, adventured, and talked over these men for 6 weeks. I feel as if we know them more intimately.
“Having found the book which has a message for us, let us not be guilty of the folly of saying we have read it. We might as well say we have breakfasted, as if breakfasting on one day should last us for every day! The book that helps us deserves many readings, for assimilation comes by slow degrees.” -Charlotte Mason
Dance through history with living books that paint beautiful images in your mind, connect you with great men of old, and lead you through deep conversations on character, cause and effect, and God.Dance through history with living books that paint beautiful images in your mind, connect you with great men of old, and lead you through deep conversations on character, cause and effect, and God.
I had formatted, printed and bound all of the resources from BFB for the Early American History books and we have kept pace with working through them.  My third grader is not overly enthusiastic about coloring in the pictures, but my second grader enjoys doing that as I read. Dance through history with living books that paint beautiful images in your mind, connect you with great men of old, and lead you through deep conversations on character, cause and effect, and God.I have really enjoyed the questions that the guide shares to stimulate conversations. A lot of them focus on the character of a person, and I am convinced that this is a powerful way for us to learn. In fact, it is point number 11 in our list of 13 ways to help protect our children from the addiction of pornography. Connect them to great men of the past – talk about the strengths and weakness. Cause and effect.
The Early American History guide book has done an excellent job at extracting deeper conversations with our sons about the character of Leif and Columbus and I am looking forward to us finishing off the life of Columbus (an oral presentation is required) and studying the life of Pocahontas, the details of Jamestown, and some of the pilgrim stories in term two.Dance through history with living books that paint beautiful images in your mind, connect you with great men of old, and lead you through deep conversations on character, cause and effect, and God.

Thank you Jessica! Love this glimpse into how you are making BFB your own! Your workbooks are genius. Be sure to check out Jessica's blog where she talks about home education, Charlotte Mason, developing character, and much more. 


Our new 2015-2016 catalog is now available! If you want to view it right now it's available online here. And if you would like to request a hardcopy, click here.

We would love to hear what you think! Chime in below in the comments section and share your thoughts. Don't forget to check out our Facebook and Pinterest pages.  To learn more about Beautiful Feet Books, click here.

Wednesday, September 09, 2015

Teaching Medieval History!


Today we catch up with Audria and her family as they share their progress through our Medieval History Through Literature study for intermediate grades! I absolutely love getting to peak in to their homeschool, don't you? One of my favorite things in this post is how they interpreted the assignment in Week 7 to create a model of the Feudalistic system. Audria's children built a Lego model! I love it when families take cues from the guides, and then make the assignments entirely their own!

I also loved how Audria handled her son's questions about justice and injustice. This is one of the strengths of teaching history using literature–children are able to encounter topics and events in ways that move their hearts. Yes, they will encounter painful ideas but this comes in the safety of their homes where they can talk about it with people they trust. These discussion build relationships and encourage the development of informed opinions, compassion, and a love for justice.

Enjoy your read! I'm sure you'll be inspired!

Medieval Study: Eleanor to Robin Hood

by Audria

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some of the books we read for weeks 7-12
By the title you can see that we haven’t covered a long period in history. We hit a little snag in our schedule…my husband was offered a wonderful job and we are in the process of moving. My homeschool schedule took a major hit! Normally, I would have carried on this section of our study on through to the Magna Charta, medieval architecture, and castle life. We should be finishing up week sixteen of the study instead we are in the midst of week twelve.
The study of Queen Eleanor and her times begins in week seven of the study. We chose to start this section with one of the recommended books A Proud Taste of Scarlet and Miniver  by E. L. Konigsburg. Oldest loved this book and even the younger children listened to the story. We couldn’t put the book down and I finished reading it aloud in about four sittings. Oldest became enthralled with Queen Eleanor. Everything about her and her times fascinated him. He checked out several extra books at the library on the time period and enjoyed a couple of books on Saint George the Dragon Slayer. After reading the next chapter in our spine book (The European World) we started on Queen Eleanor: Independent Spirit of the Medieval World.
Lego feudalism model
Lego feudalism model
In his first couple of weeks with this section of the guide Oldest explored feudalism. He chose to make a Lego representation of the feudal system. He then explored several websites on Gothic architecture, Vikings, and the early Crusades. He also worked on his map marking cities and Queen Eleanor’s route on the Second Crusade. We read about the struggle between church and state through the tragic story of King Henry II and Thomas Becket. Oldest found Becket’s betrayal of his friend and king shocking and just could not understand the Church’s stance on a nation’s laws. Oldest still sees the world in very black and white terms. He was rather upset at the lack of true justice in medieval law. He struggled with the idea that people who called themselves Christians did not “walk the talk”. I had to remind him at this point that many people during this time in history could not read. Most people did not have access to a Bible and simply believed whatever they were told. We had some good discussions that we will likely revisit when we study the Protestant Reformation. I felt a little sad for my son…sensing his faith in humanity took a hit. A little gray is starting to penetrate his black and white world.
the crossbow worked
the crossbow worked
Oldest designed a tapestry with a battle scene from the Second Crusade. I then assigned him a five paragraph paper on Eleanor of Aquitaine. I simply hoped to get one page. He does not enjoy writing. He loved to write when he was younger but something happened during his public school years to choke that early spark from him. The past few months I have backed off from too many writing assignments and started slowly implementing techniques I’ve learned from Brave Writer. Once he started writing about Eleanor he couldn’t stop! I took a very hands off approach with this assignment. As he continued to write I allowed him to put off his other work. He wrote 1144 words! I was beyond thrilled and chose to accept his paper without a proper editing session. I didn’t want to end his enthusiasm for writing or history. He also wrote a poem about her that I will have to add a picture of later. It is currently boxed for the move (along with both of the Eleanor books).
We then started The Boy Knight: A Tale of the Crusades by G. A. Henty and Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam by Diane Stanley, Saladin: The Warrior Who Defended His People by Flora Geyer and Richard the Lion Heart and the Third Crusade: The English King confronts Saladin by David Hilliam. All of these books are only recommended and are not a required part of the guide. We enjoyed reading The Boy Knight and the rest of the books above helped to flesh out the history in the novel. Oldest made a mini crossbow and then spent some time tinkering with it to make the design better.The Boy Knight segued quite nicely into The Adventures of Robin Hood. We’ve watch a few Robin Hood movies over the years so he knows the basic story. Due to our crazy moving schedule we only got through three or four chapters a week. We had already chosen our projects and bought parts but will have to wait until after the move. We were going to make a PVC pipe long bow and Robin Hood style hats for everyone and host an archery competition followed up with a proper medieval feast. We’ll actually do those projects at the end of our study.
We did watch the Doctor Who episode: Robots of Sherwood. Oldest enjoyed pointing out scenes that were inspired from the book. He thought the actor and writers did a good job of bringing Robin Hood to life…other than the robots and time traveling of course. We discussed heroes in literature, forest law and justice. I was surprised when he pointed out the similarities in literary style between Doctor Who, King Arthur, 1001 Arabian Knights, and Robin Hood! They are all framed narratives. Just as each chapter of the books is part of an overall narrative telling a single story so is an entire season (sometimes several) of Doctor Who. I was impressed he caught that. I also never considered using literary devices to describe visual media. We also read a few article on the Battle of Hastings and the Norman invasion of England. Learning about the conquest helped us to understand the animosity between the Saxons and the Normans in The Boy Knight.
fig tarts
fig tarts
Oldest did have to write a food review for another course and chose to make medieval fig tarts. He finds a way to merge most assignments into his medieval studies these days. The tarts were tasty but really heavy on the spices. I had to make a slight modification to the recipe above since fresh figs are hard to come by in Kentucky! I found dry whole figs at the local Mennonite shop and soaked them in grape juice overnight. I also skipped the saffron and used turmeric…
We are looking forward to getting settled in our new home so we can continue our medieval history studies. We are about to start the story of the Magna Charta and the origins of representative government. For now, Oldest is learning to play one of the ballads in The Song of Robin Hood by Anne Malcolmson, Grace Castagnetta and Virginia Burton. The book is a must have for any true fan of Robin Hood. The book contains early original ballads of Robin Hood with music adapted for modern times. Once he is comfortable I’ll record his version and upload it to YouTube and post a link here. Also, last month one of my favorite blogs: As He Leads Is Joy posted a picture of Little John’s grave she found while out on a walk. Just something of a neat coincidence…
Thank you so much Audria for sharing this with us! Be sure to check out Audria's blog, At The Well where this post originally appeared.
Our new 2015-2016 catalog is now available! If you want to view it right now it's available online here. And if you would like to request a hardcopy, click here.

We would love to hear what you think! Chime in below in the comments section and share your thoughts. Don't forget to check out our Facebook and Pinterest pages.  To learn more about Beautiful Feet Books, click here.

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Tuesday, September 08, 2015

Kuplink, Kuplank, Kuplunk: A Celebration of the Life of Robert McCloskey

Robert McCloskey is one of our favorite children's authors here at BFB and today, Kathy shares information on the man behind the endearing and enduring classics Make Way For Ducklings, Homer Price, One Morning in Maine and many other favorites. 

As the school bell rang, our kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Bortorff motioned for us to gather around her in a circle for story time. As we clambered for places near her chair, she showed us the book she had selected for our first read aloud, Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey.  “One day, Little Sal went with her mother to Blueberry Hill to pick blueberries…” our teacher began reading aloud. During the next thirty minutes I was magically transported to the state of Maine, accompanying Sal and her mother as they picked blueberries for the winter. Along the way, they met up with Little Bear and Mother Bear which leads to a befuddling and bewildering adventure for all four involved. I had never seen illustrations such as these before. The artwork was done in blue ink on a white background. The story line was reminiscent of the previous summer experience my own mother and I had had while picking grapes to make juice and jelly for the coming winter. After the book was closed, I knew I had found a new favorite author and illustrator. 

Over the next week, our teacher read through McCloskey’s Make Way for Ducklings, Lentil, and One Morning in Maine. A few years later in the third grade, I was introduced to McCloskey’s Homer
Price and The Centerburg Tales.  Who could ever forget the donut machine gone haywire? Or the slick talking con-man turned salesman in the Ever So Much More episode? McCloskey was a prolific illustrator, and is known throughout the world  as the  illustrator for the Henry Reed book series by Keith Robertson and children’s book Journey Cake Ho! authored by his future mother in-law, Ruth Sawyer. I would like to take a few moments to introduce you to the individual who is largely responsible for the modern illustrated children’s picture book. 

As the old saying goes, “From little acorns grow great oaks.” Robert McCloskey was born in the Midwestern town of Hamilton, Ohio on September 15, 1914. While attending public school he became interested in art, music, and inventing mechanical devices. Interestingly enough, these hobbies would play a future role in his children’s books. In 1932 he won a scholarship to the Vesper Art School in Boston. Two years later he received his first important commission, creating bas-reliefs for the municipal building in his hometown. 

Upon visiting children’s book editor, Mae Massey, she gave him some sound advice to “get wise to myself and to shelve the dragons, Pegasus, and limpid pool business and learn how and what to 'art' with.” Massey’s advice sent McCloskey back to his home state of Ohio, where he began to draw and paint the landscape and people around him. In 1940 the fruits of his labor were born in the children’s book, Lentil, a semi-autobiographical story of a boy in a small Midwestern town that is reminiscent of the author's formative years. In 1941 came his Caldecott Medal award winner, Make Way for Ducklings which was inspired by the ducks he met while walking through the Boston Public Gardens each morning. 

The world was introduced to Homer Price in 1943 and in 1945 when he, his wife Peggy and daughter Sal were expecting the arrival of the next McCloskey family member. Blueberries for Sal made its debut in 1948. The family life on an island near Maine became the basis for One Morning in Maine, Burt Dow, Deep Water Man, and A Time of Wonder. In addition to illustrating books, McCloskey designed puppets and enjoyed painting portraits of family members. In 1991 he traveled with President and Mrs. George W. Bush to Russia to present a set of Make Way for Ducklings statues to the children of Russia on behalf of the children of the United States of America. 1992 marked the fiftieth anniversary of Make Way for Ducklings, and in 2000 he was named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress. McCloskey died in 2003 after a brief illness.

In closing, I would like to leave you with the words of the author himself, “It is just sort of an accident that I write books. I really think up stories in pictures and just fill in between the pictures with a sentence or paragraph of a few pages of words.”

Bibliography
McCloskey, Robert. “Make Way for McCloskey” pp. 139-144. New York: Viking, 2004

Marcus, Leonard S. “Robert McCloskey at 100” September/October 2014 “The Horn Book”

Our new 2015-2016 catalog is now available! If you want to view it right now it's available online here. And if you would like to request a hardcopy, click here.

We would love to hear what you think! Chime in below in the comments section and share your thoughts. Don't forget to check out our Facebook and Pinterest pages.  To learn more about Beautiful Feet Books, click here.

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