My Teaching Library - Crew Review

 

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

My Teaching Library is full of many educational resources for homeschooling families. For this review, I was given a one-year access to the Download Club. The Download Club is a subscription membership that allows members to have unlimited access to the digital downloads, as long as their subscription remains active. My Teaching Library offers two memberships – annual and lifetime; and you can use code CELEBRATE25 to save 25% off a Lifetime Download Club membership. This offer expires on September 30, 2020.

The website offers educational resources for all grade levels and you can filter your product search by grade – 0 through PreK, K through 1^st, 2^nd through 3^rd, 4^th through 5^th, 6^th through 8^th, and 9^th through 12^th. You can also filter your product search by subject – arts, character education, electives, language arts, math, science, and social studies. The website also has several miscellaneous resources for your whole family – classroom management, seasonal themed learning, interactive learning, puzzles, games, instructional videos, and more.

Throughout the review period, our family has been reading through The History of Music by Waldo Seldon Pratt. The founder has scanned and uploaded several books as a pdf file for your enjoyment.

We are also working through the book Learn to Draw Flowers by Barbara Levy. This book provides step-by-step instruction to draw 30 different flowers – evening primrose, buttercup, iris, pansy, black-eyed Susan, poppy, daisy, aster, Easter lily, morning glory, orchid, petunia, red lily, hollyhock, bluebell, bird of paradise, gloxinia, crocus, jack-in-the-pulpit, lily of the valley, tulip, rose, violet, daffodil, water lily, sunflower, poinsettia, forget-me-not, carnation, and zinnia.

Throughout my product searches I came upon a great resource for high school students. In the state of Texas, in order to be a legitimate homeschool, you must have a curriculum which teaches spelling, and there are not many resources available to meet this requirement. So, when I happened upon the High School Master Spelling List, I was very surprised. This list provides 36 weeks of high school level spelling words. Please note, this resource only provides the list of words.

The High School Spelling Semester 1 download provides the student pages and answer key.

These are only a few of the digital downloads our family used throughout the review period, there are so many more resources available. Visit the Crew Blog to read more reviews from the Homeschool Review Crew.

Using Literature to Teach Ancient History in Middle School

 

Many of us use a curriculum to teach history; but using literature to teach history can be a great teaching tool. I am continuing this history literature series with some of the best books to teach ancient history. Students in ancient times, sitting by candlelight, actually read history through literature. There simply was no other way of studying history and the subject has effectively been taught this way ever since. Using literature to teach history illuminates the time period, helps integrate your history curriculum, and enriches social studies. With my love for literature and history, it only makes sense to combine the two, so I have gathered some of my favorite books that teach ancient history in middle school.

Ancient Greece by Christine Hatt explores history’s great civilization through fascinating archaeological finds. Looking at excavations of historical sites and the wonderful objects uncovered, this book brings to life the excitement of archeological discoveries. Ancient Greek civilization led to superb buildings, imaginative new ways of thinking, and forever changed how battles were fought. This great civilization has influenced every part of our modern lives, and more is still being uncovered from beneath the streets of Greek cities today.

Roman Diary by Richard Platt is the journal of IIiona of Mytilini. IIiona never imagined that her sea voyage from Greece to Egypt would lead her to Rome. But when her ship is boarded by pirates, that’s where she ends up – as a slave. Separated from her brother, Apollo, IIiona is soon at the whim of her owners, and the chance of regaining freedom seems like a distant dream. But unlike her brother’s plight, IIiona’s life as a slave isn’t as bad as she feared, her new family provides clothing, food, and even schooling, and best of all, she is free to explore the wonders of Rome. Step back to AD 107 and take in the luxury of the baths, the splendor of the Senate, the thrill of gladiatorial combat, and the excesses of Roman feasts in a fictional diary full of excitement, humor, and accurate historical detail.

Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt by Elizabeth Payne tells of a great civilization that thrived along the banks of the Nile River. Ruled by god-kings called pharaohs, Egypt was a land of bustling cities, golden palaces, and huge stone monuments. This astonishing culture endured for more than 3,000 years before it gradually disappeared. Its cities crumbled to dust, and the meaning of its writings were lost. But beginning with the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1799, the secrets of Egypt’s people, its pharaohs, and its golden days have slowly been revealed. Bit by bit, this book has solved the mystery of one of the most fascinating civilizations of all time.

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth Speare portraits the life of Daniel bar Jamin. After witnessing his father’s crucifixion by Roman soldiers, Daniel is fired by a single passion – to avenge his father’s death by driving the Roman legions from the land of Israel. Consumed by hatred, Daniel joins the brutal raids of an outlaw band living in the hills outside the village. Though his grandmother’s death slows his plans by forcing him to move home to care for his sister, he continues his dangerous life by leading a group of boy guerrillas in spying and plotting, impatiently waiting to take revenge. In nearby Capernaum, a rabbi is teaching a different lesson. Time and again Daniel is drawn to the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, only to turn away, disappointed and confused by Jesus’s lack of action in opposing the Romans. Devoid of tenderness and forgiveness, Daniel is on a destructive path toward disaster.

The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw tells of a boy, Ranofer, who wants only one thing in the world, to be a master goldsmith like his beloved father was. But how can he when he is all but imprisoned by his evil half-brother, Geru? Ranofer knows the only way he can escape Gebu’s abuse is by changing his destiny. But how can a poor boy with no skills survive on the cutthroat streets of ancient Thebes? Then Ranofer finds a priceless golden goblet in Gebu’s room and he knows his luck – and his destiny – are about to change.

These are only a few of my favorite books that teach ancient history, there are so many more out there! Feel free to share in the comments what you consider the best book to teach ancient history.

September Homeschool Collection

 

It has been a while since I have participated in the Homeschool Collection; but when they asked for posts regarding keeping Christ the center of your homeschool, I felt led to participate and share past posts. This month, seven homeschool bloggers have participated in this monthly homeschool round up, so I encourage you to grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) and allow these ladies to encourage you and bring you some resources to help you along this homeschool journey. 

Happy Homeschooling!

Keep Immune Health a Top Priority

 

Immune health has been a hot topic all year due to the coronavirus; and now that we are approaching colds and the seasonal flu, how can we keep immune health a top priority? To help maintain a healthy immune system, we can turn to several supplements that have demonstrated helpful antiviral properties.

Vitamins A and B6 are important for development and regulation of our innate immune system. Vitamin C is well known as a cold and flu fighter. When it comes to Vitamin D, among those who are deficient, supplementation is consistently associated with benefits to immunity; and it has been shown to reduce incidence of influenza A.

Elderberry is known for its ability to inhibit viral infections. It is packed with nutrients that help stimulate your immune system and fight inflammation. Elderberries have shown positive effects on the length and severity of flu and common cold symptoms.

Probiotics function as immune modulators and are a powerful tool against cold and flu viruses.  Probiotics also reduce the infections’ average duration.

Zinc is a mineral that is known for its antiviral effects. It can improve the ability of the innate immune system to resist a virus, inhibit the ability of the of the virus to grow new versions of itself during the infection process, and reduce related symptoms.

So, as we approach the cold and flu season, with the coronavirus, I encourage you to keep immune health a top priority. There are many supplements on the market today, please feel free to share in the comments below one that has demonstrated helpful antiviral properties, and kept your family healthy.

Mother's Embrace

 

A dear friend recently encouraged me to have a moment to myself in remembrance of my dear little one that was taken away a year ago. This prompted me to do something I had not done in several years, write a poem. After sharing it with my husband, he encouraged me to share it on Facebook because he thought it would minister to others who have had a miscarriage. I told him I do not feel ready to minister because I am still working through this grieving process; but then my pastor shared an article on Facebook that I read this morning and God's Word is telling me in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ." So I share with you these words -

The world may never see

If a rosebud doesn't bloom

Just like a child

Held inside the womb.

Every life that ever forms

Or ever comes to be

Touches many hearts

For all eternity.

A year ago today

I held you in my womb

But after seven weeks

God called you to His home.

My joy turned into sorrow

As a part of me died

For I'd never felt such heartache

And I cried and cried.

I didn't get to hold you

In my arms this side of heaven

But I know there's coming a day

I will hold you in heaven.

Where my sorrow will turn into joy

As I see your precious face

And I hold you in my arms

Your mother's embrace.

Help! How Do I Teach High School Math?

 

The college-bound student will need three to four years of mathematics for college admissions; but many homeschool parents do not feel qualified to teach these courses – Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, or Pre-Calculus. Rest assured, there are many teaching options available that can teach these courses for you.

A variety of online courses are available for high school courses. Teaching Textbooks is designed exclusively for homeschoolers and their courses include interactive lectures with real-world applications, automated grading, and audiovisual solutions for every single problem. CTC Math is similar as it includes video tutorials, interactive questions, and automatic grading; but when students get a problem wrong, it does not provide an audiovisual solution for the student to learn from their mistake.

Another option would be to find a homeschool mom in your area who teaches math. Many, like myself, offer weekly classes, assign homework, and grade materials before we move on to new lessons. If your teen is struggling through an online course, they may benefit from another teacher who can present the material through their learning style.

And then there’s always dual-enrollment for teens who are up for the challenge of community college courses. Teens can earn both high school and college credit at the same time through dual-enrollment courses; and the professor will present each lesson, give assignments, and provide grades at the end of the semester.

If you do not feel qualified to teach high school mathematics, you can provide the required mathematic courses for college admissions through online courses, private teachers, or dual-enrollment. Homeschooling doesn’t mean you have to teach everything. It just means you decide what is taught, how it’s taught, and by whom it’s taught.

Happy Homeschooling!