George Washington Carver: A Book Review

So, I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and I thought to myself, 'Hey, George Washington Carver is one of the guys suggested for a biography option in AOy5, this'll be great!'




I especially thought it'd be great because though my kids have, I had never before read a biography of George Washington Carver. I've always wondered about him. All I knew was that he is always especially associated with peanuts. :) Well, what a guy! He's so much more interesting than just some guy who came up with some 300 peanut purposes! Though that in itself is AMAZING. Seriously, 300?! That is remarkable. Born a slave, he was a God-fearing, nature loving, creative mind who became world famous for his inventive intuitive discoveries. Without studying education that I know of, he upheld many principles of education that I myself treasure. I love this guy!

As impressed as I am with George Washington Carver, this isn't a review of George Washington Carver, but of a book about him, so I'll get on with the review. Yes, you're welcome. :)

I'm honestly not sure exactly what engaged me about the book, George Washington Carver, by John Perry. I flew right through it. It could be because I was bedridden and bored, or because GWC had a most inspiring life. It could be because it was really well written. I still can't put my finger on it. I know the language must have been adequately arranged because I certainly didn't trip over it.

Overall, I felt that the author did a good job of providing a well-balanced overview of GWC's life. He touches on the early years just enough to give a good background, then steps carefully through his wandering and then preparation years, before he settles into expounding his later productive years. It was evident that the author's intent was to reveal the motivations of George Washington Carver instead of backing any special interests he might have had. Though obviously an important figure with great contributions during a critical time in our country's history, the author didn't fail to point out some of his shortcomings as well. I feel that the author did a good job of showing a balanced view as he attempted to highlight the person behind the peanut.

Does it achieve Living Book status? The book boasts pretty simple, easy-to-read language, and holds your attention well. Regardless of my rating in this category, I think Carver would have approved the value of Living Books and certainly other other principles treasured by our beloved Charlotte Mason.
Here are a couple excerpts to whet your appetite for the book:

"Students liked him because he encouraged them to explore and learn from experience rather than getting their learning from the textbook."

"His life revolved around scientific study and research, painting and drawing, music, refined conversation, and the joy of learning for learning's sake."

"Carver believed that direct observation and hands-on experience were essential to learning. He also believed that students learned about botany by studying other subjects, some of which seemed completely unrelated to plants. Carver often brought plant samples or results of his experiments into the classroom. Rather than using textbooks, he emphasized seeing and examining plants. Rather than telling his students a set of facts, he had them derive the facts for themselves. He wasn't there to spoon-feed his students, but rather to encourage and guide them on their own journeys of discovery. In an introduction booklet published at Tuskegee in 1902, Carver wrote that

'every teacher should realize that a very large proportion of every student's work must lie outside the classroom... The study of Nature is both entertaining and instructive, and it is the only true method that leads up to a clear understanding of the great natural principles which surround every branch of business in which we may engage. Aside from this, it encourages investigation and stimulates originality.'

In another brochure he added that the

'thoughtful educator... also understands that the most effective and lasting education is the one that makes the pupil handle, discuss and familiarize himself with real things about him, of which the majority are surprisingly ignorant.'

So. In summary, would I read the book again?! You betcha. And now that I have it in our library, I'll also have my up-and-comings try it on for size too!

Map Skills: What we do

If you read this blog even remotely regularly, you'll catch on that I've ever-so-slightly had geography on the brain lately.  :)   See here and here if you doubt my words ;)  It's not that geography is all that we do... it's not even one of the MAIN things, so I'm not sure of the reason for all the latest craze!

But here we are.  :)

I've mentioned here that we've been using A Child's Geography: Explore The Holy Land by Ann Voskamp for the second half of AOy5 into the first half of this year.  In addition to mapping the readings for AmblesideOnline (which we have NOT been uber-faithful in doing for EVERY book over the years) we also hone our map skills using map drills ala SimplyCharlotteMason style. 




Here's what we do:

In AOy4 or AOy5, we formally begin Map Skills (depending on the child's skill level).  We use blackline maps and do the same sort of thing as we would do with picture study only with maps!  It's fun.  We pick a continent/region to concentrate on each term.  I give the boys their maps, they spend about 5 minutes looking at/memorizing what they can from the labeled map.  When they're done, or the time's up, they turn over the map and fill in everything they can remember - the country names/oceans, etc.  After a couple of weeks, once they have the general idea of the continent being studied, they usually like to spend time looking from various atlas maps as the coloring and such varies and makes it more interesting.

Now, since we do this weekly, there is no need to be sloppy.  They are to memorize one or two states or countries perfectly (spelling & capitalization) and fill them in.  Or, they are to remember as many as they possibly can and then refine the spelling later on (I prefer the former, my kids the latter ;).

They either hand this in for me to look over, or they self-correct using the labeled side of their map, or an atlas (this depends on my own assessment of how detail-oriented they are, or in need of encouragement).  They then wipe off their maps and store them away.

Also, since there are years of school ahead... I don't stress out about how much they remember (by the end of the term it is pretty amazing what all they know!).  Of course I want them to put forth their best effort, but they'll have other opportunities throughout the years to look at a map as it comes up in their readings and other studies.  What I'm aiming for is a good understanding of who is neighbors with who, which countries border the sea, which are land-bound, etc.  I also do try to choose a map that corresponds with what they'll be studying in the AO year they are in.

Materials:

Blackline map of the region desired.
Sheet protectors (with a glossy finish).
Fine tip, wet-erase pens (overhead markers).
Clear packaging tape (optional).
Sponge for wiping (optional).







How-to:

1. Print off maps (preferably find a map that has both labeled and blank versions of the same map, otherwise you'll have to fill in one neatly...)
2. Tuck into the sheet protector one labeled and one blank map back to back.
3. Tape the open edge shut (this will prevent your map from getting yucky when little people clean it off.
4. You are good to go!

Helpful Links:

THE 3 best sites online for FREE labeled and blank outline maps of the various regions -
National Geographic (print detailed, basic and even as simple continent outline, in .gif or .pdf!) &
Eduplace.com (available in .pdf only)
PrintableMaps.net

Expo Vis-A-Vis Wet Erase Markers, 8 Colored Markers - $7.50!  (pack of 4 pens is $6.50)
Avery Diamond Clear Heavyweight Sheet Protectors, Acid Free, Pack of 25 - These are the ones I use, cost a little more but are VERY good quality!  A great investment.

Tuesdays are for Literature

Ahh.  Today is Tuesday.  Hooray for Literature day!  As I've mentioned before we have our readings grouped by subject and then assigned to a day of the week.

Tuesdays we muse literature and poetry and plutarch.  

Almost always our favorite picks are the AO literature selections.  Such books as Robinson Crusoe, Oliver Twist, Kidnapped, Children of the New Forest, Understood Betsy, Wind in the Willows, Pilgrim's Progress, Parables from Nature, Robin Hood... oh, I forget myself, I could go on... and on.

Now we are reading Kim.  Thank goodness.  I've been wanting to read it ever since I picked up the practically new hardback book from a garage sale for 50 cents.  The lady at the garage sale looked glad that someone was so excited about it.  She said, "Oh good, you're buying Kim!", those are the words she said, but the way she smiled when she said it revealed, "That story is a friend of mine, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did."  So, I liked the book before I started reading it. Just look at the cover and art...

 

I think I've discoverd something important; when we read to our kids or present them with books, they'll give them a fighting chance if we are intrigued if not excited by them.  So my boys have an open mind towards Kim (I think), because I have been looking forward to reading it and have enjoyed wading into it with them.  Granted, it is a difficult book for this year.  It has so much religious and specific-to-India jargon that it IS rather boorish to read aloud.  For instance, how DOES one pronounce the following words and still maintain the flow of the story:

• Gunga
• Benares
• Loodhiana Sikhs
• naik (Mohammedan priest?!)
• Sobraon
• Chillianwallah
• Moodkee
• Ferozeshan

Okay, so you're saying to yourself those don't look that bad... it's one thing to see them in isolation quite another to come upon them suddenly in the midst of an interesting yet trying narrative!  Let me tell you!  :)

Anyway.  I'm going to try to round up some resources/links together for this book.  It's good, but it could be SO much better with some background knowledge.

Other things we read today:

Year 5 -
Age of Fable
Shakespeare (we are starting the Tempest this term)
Poetry by John Greenleaf Whittier
Plutarch's Romulus

Year 1 - 
Fifty Famous Stories Retold
Aesop's Fables
A Child's Garden of Verses

AOy5 Term 3 Planning Day

Yesterday and today I've been cramming to get this upcoming term planned.  We are about a week and a half later getting back from the coast than we had planned and we are scheduled to begin Ambleside Online's y5 Term 3... TOMORROW!!  Yikes. :S 

Yesterday was my official Homeschool Planning Day

(it was supposed to be last week... but I mentioned that already didn't I?)

Not only that but I have exactly 12 weeks in which to finish the 12 week term.  Margin for error = 0.

Can I just say that my adreniline was actually pumping as I was finishing up preparations last night?!  Oh but I came to realize that was nothing to get excited about, because as I was going over my calendar figuring and such - I realized that in addition to the 3rd term of AOy5, I have to start AOy1 with my 7yo tomorrow too!  I just 'bout fainted dead away.

So, today I've been scrambling.  I was planning to unofficially start AOy1 back in January, but was distracted by upwards of a thousand other things.  We've been working steadily on all the important stuff with my 7yo.  You know, like living and learning, so much so that I didn't even realize we hadn't unofficially started her official education yet.  SO... now it's come down to the wire... like dental floss gage wire.  Yikes.

Here was my to-do list for yesterday:

• Divide Shakespeare readings
• Divide Physics Lab readings
• Print AO's Plutarch reading, divide into 12 readings
• Print Age of Fable p.79-88 (I don't follow the suggested readings), divide readings over 12 weeks
• Print Artist/Composer study pages  {out of color ink...shoot!}
• Print An Island Story (ch.110-114)
• Decide copywork selections
• Find and download Folksong/Hymn selections  {hubby needed the computer...urgh}
• Decide handicraft focus - buy material
• Decide & print memory work selections
• Buy any y6 books that are lacking 
• Format checklists  
• Schedule YEAR ONE readings, for goodness sakes!

I'm still working today...

It's an effort to figure it all out, but I know I'm not the only one who does this :)

Science Junkie?

Have I ever mentioned that I REALLY like Jeannie Fulbright's Exploring Creation books?

Well, you might even say I have become an Exploring Creation junkie :)  A while back, I went ahead and bought about 4 from the series because I liked them that much... (well, that and they were on sale!)  I like them so much that apparently, I have gone completely hog wild with science reading requirements!  I'll have to do an honest to goodness review of the books themselves on another post.  The point of this post is to confess that, as of before working on this post, I was unaware that I have been requiring a double portion of science for two whole years in a row!  Oh my.  My poor over-schooled children.

Here's how it happened...

Since one of the options for AO science in y4 & y5 is out of print (and the library is not an option in Peru), I decided that meant I needed a substitution.  Obvious.  So, I subbed Astronomy in the missing book's place.  The problem is, I still have the boys reading the other two books, Fairy Land of Science & Nature Reader.  Not only that but I found an experiment book to replace the out-of-print book, that I also have them reading.  Yikes.  That's 4 science books. (*Note* It should be Exploring Creation OR the three other books; an either/or sort of thing)  I guess I just didn't want them to miss anything good!  I'm OUT of control! Well, for the last two years, it seems to have been perfectly fine and the boys certainly aren't any worse off :)  They didn't even notice!  hahahah!

Here's what the AO Advisory recommends:

Christian Liberty Nature Reader, Book 5 by Worthington Hooker, edited by Michael J. McHugh
The Fairy-land of Science by Arabella Buckley
Physics Lab in a Housewares Store by Robert Friedhoffer (another Friedhoffer book, or even another book of science experiments can be substitued if the book is hard to find - this book isn't worth paying inflated prices!)
OR   (somehow, I missed this ridiculously KEY word. perhaps I'd have actually noticed it if they'd at least emboldened the font. maybe.)
if you prefer, you can use any of the Exploring Creation With . . . series by Jeannie Fulbright for science in Years 3-6.

Unknowingly, I made the same double-up-fumble by using Botany alongside the other recommended books for AOy4, last year.  Again, the boys didn't realize it and though they would have been more delighted if we had had time to complete ALL the experiments, they still learned a LOT.

At the beginning of this year, we were still finishing up Jack's Insects from the previous year (it's yet ANOTHER added in science book... not an AO book, but a book that CM used. we LOVED it as a read aloud with everybody).  We finished that up by the end of the first term and again for some crazy reason, even though it wasn't even a scheduled book, I thought we needed something to replace it. 

Anyway, so there you have my confession.  Here's what science looks like this year.  We read all science related books and do Nature Study on Mondays.  We are using Astronomy as a read-aloud with everybody, the AOy1ers and the AOy5ers. 

Week 12 & 13: What is Astronomy? Week 14 & 15: The Sun Week 16 & 17: Mercury Week 18 & 19: Venus Week 20 & 21: Earth Week 22: The Moon Week 23 & 24: Mars	Week 25 & 26: Space Rocks Week 27: Jupiter Week28: Saturn Week 29 & 30: Uranus and Neptune Week 31 & 32: Pluto and the Kuiper Belt Week 33 & 34: Stars and Galaxies Week 35 & 36: Space Travel

My AOy5ers are also reading independently:

The Nature Reader
The Backyard Scientist - substitute for the Physics in Houseware's store
Fairy Land of Science - from which they really seem to be picking up some great ideas for thought.  I'm glad we stuck with this one.

So, we're crazy.  I'm crazy.  4 science texts?  oh my.  I can't believe I didn't get it 'til now.  Do I recommend it?  Probably not.  Next time around I'll know better :) 

Practice makes perfect, right? 

Isaac Newton's day

H a P p y  B i R t h D A y ! !

Isaac Newton was born today!

4 January 1643 – 31 March 1727

What a guy!  He was a serious mathematician inventing calculus, discovered that light could be split into different colors, and explained gravity!  The Lord definitely made him for a purpose, and he fulfilled that by not only using his God-given intelligence to pretty well close to his full potential, but he honored God acknowledging Him with his adoration and reverence.  I did not know that Isaac Newton was a Christian until very recently when we read this book for AOy5:

We read this book aloud with all my children.  It was understandable for my y1 girl yet not overly simplified for the y5 boys. This book did not have the "I can't put you down" factor going for it, and is very clearly written for a younger audience; identifies the young reader with Isaac's childhood, has simple vocabulary, short chapters, etc.  I really appreciated how it pointed out Isaac's spiritual growth alongside of his scientific advances.  I wouldn't mind reading another biography on his life written with an adult audience in mind.  This book definitely whetted my appetite to know more. This man accomplished a LOT!  The problem is, he was so smart, his discoveries so technical, that it might be difficult for a biographer to write about him in an engaging way without bogging the reader down in the details of his scientific development... but the main point is, this book did a good job of that because:

My kids enjoyed it.

Here are some impressive quotes from the book:

"We know [God] by his most wise and excellent contrivances of things, and final causes; we admire him for his perfections; but we reverence and adore him on account of his dominion."    ~Isaac Newton

"We must believe that he is the father of whom are all things, and that he loves his people as his children that they may mutually love him and obey him as their father."                             ~Isaac Newton