It's Disgusting and We Ate It!

We read It's Disgusting and We Ate It! True Food Facts from Around the World and Throughout History as an additional historical read for Chapter one in Story of the World (Nomads) and it was very good. While it seems a book of modest page count, the information (and words) was astronomical. It focused on what used to be eaten, what is eaten other places, and what we eat that others find gross. All of my kids loved it. In addition to the typical paragraphs there was also a variety of poems and rhymes. The illustrations were also entertaining all on their own. This is something that I would like to have on my bookshelf for my kids. The drawback.... I go this book from the library as a read to go with the history lesson but due to it length we read it separate. I had alloted about 45 minutes in the morning to read it and it took considerably longer. This isn't a flaw with the book but something to be considered when working it in with other material for a history unit. I think we might have this book to just read for edification not just for a history chapter. We will be using this again!

One Small Blue Bead

We read One Small Blue Beadby Byrd Baylor for Chapter one in Story of the World (Nomads). It was really good. It focuses on a young boy in a group of nomads and his wondering about other people being out there. It is written in a very poetic form and and the illustrations were beautiful. It seemed communicate just how separate the nomadic groups were from each other. My kids related to the boy and could empathize with his wondering. This was an easy pre-bed read for us due to its calming effects. We will definitely be using this again!

First Grade WTM Materials

I have been helping a friend get set up to begin the Well Trained Mind program with her son. In this effort, I have decided to list all the books I used. Now remember that there is lee way as to which ones you use, these are just my choices. Remember, a)I am an encyclopedia geek (they make for good reading) and b)I will be using all the non-consumables with my other 3 kids. So while it looks like quite a bit I know I will get a lot of use out of these.

History:

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, Revised Edition (Story ... the World: History for the Classical Child) by Susan Wise Bauer

The Story of the World: Activity Book 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, Third Edition by Susan Wise Bauer

The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia Of World History

The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia

Language Arts:

Spelling Workout, Level A (Student Edition)

First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind

Handwriting Skills Simplified Level A: Learning Manuscript Writing (still Zaner-Bloser Method)

BROKEN MIDLINE PAPER 5/8X5/16 LONG-ZANER BLOSER

Math:

Singapore Math Primary Mathematics 1A Textbook

Singapore Math Primary Mathematics 1A Workbook

Singapore Math Primary Mathematics 1B Textbook

Singapore Math Primary Mathematics 1B Workbook

Science:

The Kingfisher First Animal Encyclopedia

The Kingfisher First Human Body Encyclopedia

Green Thumbs: A Kid's Activity Guide to Indoor and Outdoor Gardening

(In both the interest of full disclosure/pleading, if you place an Amazon order for anything through these links I will get a kick back. Since it doesn't change your total please use these links;)

Less Than 48 Hours

You have less than 2 days to submit your posts for the Carnival of Homeschooling that I will be hosting on Tuesday. In honor of Thanksgiving I will be looking at all the things about school I am thankful for. Trust me, as a nerd I have an interesting perspective on school and its surrounding issues;). So pop over to BlogCarnival and submit your post and then go over to the main Nerd Family Blog on Tuesday!

Little Grunt

The NerdBug has just finished Little Grunt and the Big Egg in relation to his chapter on Nomads in The Story of the World. This is a great literature book and was recommended in my Activity Book. The NerdBug was able to read this completely on his own and really enjoyed it.

It is a sweet story of a boy finding an egg, getting a pet that out grew his home and then the pet saving them all. It is short enough that they can read it all in one sitting. It also has enough going on that they are enthralled so they don't want to put it down. I even hear the NerdBug telling his brother and sister about his good book. We will definitely use this one again when the other kids cycle onto this area of history.

WFMW: Backwards Day

So today is Backwards Day on Works For Me Wednesday so here is my plaintive plea. In the spirit of books and things. How do you organize your books? Better yet how do you put them so the little kids can put them back organized?

Congrats!

Congratulations to Angela over at One Baby, Seven Dogs, and a Mommie. She has won the copy of Betsy in our giveaway.