I completely forgot Omaha public libraries were having their yearly book fair this weekend. Maybe because we do not live in Omaha and rarely go to Omaha, but things like that normally make it on my refrigerator, in my calendar and posted prominently on my computer. This is a revision of last year’s book purchasing goals to help keep me focused, and my budget under control. After all, vacation was all about visiting little book stores and buying books. Lots of books.
Please feel free to add any tips or suggestions.
History
This year, we are focusing on Ancient Egypt. I have everything I need, but, well, you know how it is. Something with some good maps would be nice. I need something to use as an illustration of how the geography influences human activity.
Biographies. Any suggestions of people I should particularly be on the look out for?
Science
Field guides. All sorts. No homeschool should be without a shelf dedicated to identifying local flora and fauna.
Hands on projects/experiments.
Any Facts On File materials, should they happen to be available. The last one I found has formed the backbone of our science curriculum, and I am close to shelling out the $150 + they cost to purchase new. They are that good.
More biographies.
Books about raising chickens and about beekeeping, two projects we are hoping to undertake next year. [Ooh, we raised our chickens and got eggs! Adding books about goats and pigsto the list.]
Art
Just about anything. We do not have much in the way of art books, but mostly I would like to pick up a few coffee table books featuring particular artists or movements so that we have something visual to look at during our studies.
Children’s craft books are always a hit.
Literature
Classics. Just about anything else, I’d rather just check out. But these books will take us longer to read, and may well end up with a bit of writing in the margins.
And books on tape/CD. My kids will listen to them over and over and over in the car, making errands both educational and enjoyable for all of us.
For Mouse
Some books about horses. But of course, I likely will need only show them to her and she will buy them herself.
For Bear
Any and everything about frogs. And lizards. And snakes. But mostly frogs.
For Bug
Bug is mostly interested in whatever her older siblings are up to, but she does like books with whimsical and sort of impressionistic art in them. At least those are the books she picks up at the library. I may just let her go through the bins and pick something out.
For L. E. Fant
Books with photographs. They are her favorites and she will study them at great lengths.
It is all so exciting and a little overwhelming. What kinds of things do you look for at book sales?
Roscommon Acres is a place to stop and discuss news and information related to faith, family and particularly education. Turn your children out on the pasture, pour yourself a cup of tea and join the conversation!
Friday, 11. September 2009
Van Loon’s Geography is based on people movements. He gets rather snarky about things like church and war so a parent ought to read first but it could be a good reference for geography with careful editing.
I don’t know what he says about Egypt.
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Friday, 11. September 2009
There are two books on the http://www.simplycharlottemason.com website – Boy of the Pyramids and Letters from Egypt that would be a good fit for your Ancient Egypt study. She has some other books recommended by age categories about Ancient Egypt if you don’t already have them.
Blessings
Diane
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Sunday, 13. September 2009
We are raising chickens too – anxiously awaiting our first egg!! And we bought two baby goats this last spring. My daughter is very interested in veterinary science so I have asked her to study up on chickens and goats for us. ( :
A suggestion for good books on frogs, lizards and snakes (I have three boys!) – we really love most anything by Jim Arnosky.
Have fun looking Dana!
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Monday, 14. September 2009
We love the “Atlas of Ancient Worlds” from DK. There’s also a good workbook put out by Frank Schaffer Publications called “World Map Skills”. It has black line maps of different places from history, including ancient Egypt, and instructions on how to complete the maps. It’s available from Rainbow Resource is cheap and reproducible for your family. Besides just the maps it has mini lessons and activities.
Dover has good coloring books on different nature themes you might want to check out for nature study.
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Saturday, 19. September 2009
Dana: “I completely forgot Omaha public libraries…”
Oh, no. I just read “Obama public libraries.” I guess it’s time to take a vacation from current events — though now I’ve been reminded that public libraries *are* products of socialism, so maybe they *do* belong to Obama. [eek-shudder]
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Sunday, 20. September 2009
Some people go a little far in their zeal for whatever it is they’re after. I was accused of hypocrisy last time I posted something about libraries for using the socialist system I otherwise speak out against.
Can’t help but wonder why they’re online, taking advantage of a resource created with government grant money.
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Monday, 21. September 2009
Just to be clear, my comment was not aimed at you, Dana.
Good point about the Internet. Apparently there are good and bad forms of socialism. It’s confusing. I think I need a chart or something.
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Saturday, 26. September 2009
I just found your site…I am thinking of homeschooling. I also sell Usborne books which I know a lot of homeschool curriculum suggests. Thanks for sharing and let me know if you would like to order any books.
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