Language Arts, Bible/Character, and Elective Books For Sale - January 2019...

Below you will find our latest list of Language Arts, Bible/Character, Elective, and misc. teaching resources for sale. A few of the books are ex-library, but most are from a private collection. Workbooks are clean, new, and unused unless noted. There is a variety of curricula and supplemental resources for language arts teaching.

The prices do not reflect shipping. We are a smoke and pet free home. I accept PayPal and ship media mail within the U.S. Please use the contact form on the right side bar to send inquires and desired list.

Thanks so much for your consideration,
Melissa

Writing & Grammar Books

Language Lesson for the High School Student 2 by Sandi Queen – student book & key $10

Many Luscious Lollipops – A Book about Adjectives by Ruth Heller $4

Up, Up and Away – A Book about Adverbs by Ruth Heller $4 each (x2)

A Cache of Jewels and Other Collective Nouns by Ruth Heller $4 each (x2)

Little Kids Can Write! by Karen Sevaly ages 3-6 student workbook $3

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. & E. B. White (hardcover) SL AO 9 $4 each (x2)

Scholastic Success with Writing Grade 5 $3

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 2 $4

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 5 $4

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 6 $4

No Frill Grammar Drill grade 4 $2

Scholastic Narrative Writing by Tara McCarthy grades 4-8 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 2 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 3 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 7 $3

Spectrum Language Arts – grade 6 $3

Teacher Created Resources Daily Warm – Ups Language Skill Grade 5 $3

The Student Editor by Virginia Allison – middle school $4

Critical Thinking Co. Editor in Chief Book A-1 $4

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 2 $3

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 4 $3

Jensen’s Grammar by Frode Jensen AO $8

Easy Grammar Ultimate by Wanda Phillips Teacher Edition Reproducible for Student use Grade 8 $10

Easy Grammar Ultimate by Wanda Phillips Teacher Edition Reproducible for Student use Grade 12 $10

Writer’s INC, A Guide to Writing, Thinking, & Learning MFW $5 each (x2)

Reading, Phonics, Vocabulary & Spelling Books

Spectrum Word Study and Phonics Grade 5 $4

Claims to Fame – Fourteen Short Biographies – Book 2 w/key by Carol Einstein $5

Bob Books – Levels 1, 2, & 3 $3 each level

Wordly Wise 3000 8 Test Booklet & Answer Key $3

Vocabulary in Action by Loyola Press Level E (student workbook) $3

Building a Strong Vocabulary by Carl B. Smith, Ph.D. $3

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Level A $8 set

-       Student book (some writing)

-       Test Book

-       Teachers Guide & Answer Key

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Level B $8 set

-       Student book (some writing)

-       Answer Key

-       Teachers Guide & Answer Key

The Writing Road to Reading by Romalda Bishop-Spalding 4^th edition $3

Spelling Workout Level G Student Workbook NEW! $3

Spellwell Levels A-D w/answer keys $30 set

Art, Music, Foreign Language, & Home Economics

Art & the Bible for Children by Barry Stebbing (NEW hardcover) $20

Rich & Sharon Jeffus Preschool & Early Elementary Art Basics $5

Adventures in Art Kindergarten Teacher’s Guide $5

Discover Art by Laura Chapman $30 set

-       Kindergarten Teacher’s Edition (by Cynthia Colbert & Martha Taunton)

-       Art Print Guide grades 1-3

-       Grade 1 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 1 teacher’s edition

-       Grade 3 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 3 teacher’s edition

-       Art Print Guide grades 4-6

-       Grade 4 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 4 teacher’s edition

-       Grade 5 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 5 teacher’s edition

-       Grade 6 teacher’s edition

Discover Art Teacher’s Edition by Laura Chapman grade 3 $4

Discover Art Teacher’s Edition by Laura Chapman grade 4 $4

The Gift of Music, Great Composers and Their Influence by Jane Stuart Smith & Betty Carlson $5

Art in Action by Guy Hubbard Grades 1-5 hardcover $10 set

Come Look With Me – American Indian Art by Stephanie Salomon (hardcover) $4

Kids Colorpix My Favorite Masterpieces Assorted Cards & Envelopes $3

Start with Art – Animals by Sue Lacey (hardcover) $4

Sue Patrick’s Workbox System Starter Kit for 2 Children & A User Guide book $10

Hand – Print Animal Art by Carolyn Carreiro (Williamson Publishing) $3

Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists Faith Ringgold by Mike Venezia $3

The Story of Painting by H. W. Janson (hardcover w/jacket – excellent!) AO $10

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards $6

Linnea in Monet’s Garden by Christina Bjork and Lena Anderson (hardcover w/jacket, ex-library) $4

Bible, Character, & Misc. Resource Books

Bible Quest: God’s People, God’s Land – Home School Teacher’s Edition $5

3 in 1 (A Picture of God) by Joanne Marxhausen $3

Little Visits with God by Allan Hart Jahsmann & Martin P. Simon $3

Egermeier’s Bible Story Book by Elsie Egermeier (hardcover) SL K $5

Egermeier’s Bible Story Book by Elsie Egermeier SL K $5

Hurlbut’s Story of the Bible for Young and Old (original 1932/1947 hardcover) $5 each (x3)

NIV Women’s Devotional Bible (Zondervan – hardcover) $5

Little Ladies series by Sandi Queen (new) $10 set

-       Dressing for God

-       Speaking to Please God

-       Keeping Myself Pure for God

The Sling and the Swallow by Eleanor Means Hall (hardcover) $3

Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook (hardcover w/jacket) $4

Early Education at Home – A Curriculum Guide for Parents of Preschoolers and Kindergarteners by M. Jean Soyke $8

Art Adventures at Home – Level 1 (grades K-2) by Pattye Carlson and M. Jean Soyke $7

Learning at Home – Preschool and Kindergarten by Ann Ward $15

Home-Spun Schools by Raymond and Dorothy Moore (hardcover w/jacket) $5

What Your First Grader Needs to Know by E. D. Hirsch $4

What Your Second Grader Needs to Know by E. D. Hirsch $4

What Your Fifth Grader Needs to Know by E. D. Hirsch (hardcover) $4

Why Johnny Can’t Read and What You Can Do About It by Rudolf Flesch $3

Reflections on IEW Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons...

Late last summer, I did a curriculum preview, in which I shared that I would be using IEW's Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons by Lori Verstegen with Ruben. Today, I want to follow-up on that post with an end of year reflection.

First, a little about IEW...

There are nine structural models of writing taught in the IEW writing programs, which will take you from the early primary grades through high school writing. These include:

Note Making and Outlines
Writing from Notes
Retelling Narrative Stories
Summarizing a Reference
Writing from Pictures
Summarizing Multiple References
Inventive Writing
Formal Essay Models
Formal Critique and Response to Literature

Within these structural models, IEW has created lessons to guide the student in practice of different types of writing. The main essence of IEW is their Levels A, B, and C with continuation courses. As mentioned in the past, we dabbled in IEW Level B the year before and I was ready to branch out and try the History-Based Writing program. Each lesson in the History-Based Writing course is designed to take one to two weeks of study.

In addition to the nine structural models, IEW gradually introduces a variety of stylistic techniques to help the student develop more sophisticated writing. These include things like: dress-ups, sentence openers, and decorations. If you are not familiar with IEW, this most likely doesn't mean much to you. In order to teach IEW, you really should watch and participate in their Teaching Writing: Structure & Style course. As I mentioned in my former post, I did this many years ago, when I first began home educating.

I was on the fence about using IEW when I first learned about it, particularly with the girls. Angel learned to narrate as an older student, but did fine with it and the transition to writing. Riley's been narrating from day one and was an excellent oral narrator. She has also done fine with the transition to writing. I didn't want their writing to become formulaic by worrying about structure and style rather than their thought process. Ruben, on the other hand, has struggled with narration from day one. And, I'm not sure why. Sometimes, he does great with oral narration, but then sometimes not so much. There's no consistency. When we tried to transition to paper, there were major meltdowns and it just wasn't happening. This is what led me back to IEW. I felt he needed some structure to compose his thoughts. After testing with Level B, I knew we were on to something.

Next, a little about our experience...

Last fall, Ruben started really strong with key word outlining and retelling or summarizing narrative stories in the Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons. IEW offered a model of writing and then a way to break it down into manageable parts, which can then be reconstructed into a whole. This seemed to be the piece that Ruben needed. He worked the early lessons with ease and even starting improving in his oral narrations, which we continued along the way.

I also used the IEW suggested book list, tying together his history and literature study. This worked beautifully as most of the passages he was studying in his writing lessons were reinforced by story in the literature. The suggested books were as follows....

Beowulf by Michael Morpurgo
1001 Arabian Nights by Geraldine McCaughrean
King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green
The King's Shadow by Elizabeth Alder
Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle
Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpadden
Marco Polo by Demi
The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean
Crispin: The Cross of Lead by AVI

We did not read The King's Shadow as I didn't own it and wanted to substitute something else, but we did read all the others. Many of which became new favorites. A couple of the books Ruben even picked up and read on his own!

We did run into a snag toward the end of our journey around structural model six, Summarizing Multiple References, which does take a higher level of skill. We continued into structural model seven, Inventive Writing, until it really became a fight. Somewhere around lesson 23, we decided to call it quits. I then had Ruben focus on simple written narrations for the rest of the year. 

Overall, I feel our experience with IEW's Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons was successful. I thought the IEW models and literature were excellent and gave Ruben a great spring board for his writing. I do plan to continue with IEW's U.S History-Based Writing Lessons in the fall, as this will again match our time period of history. This will allow Ruben the opportunity for more practice with the early structural models of writing and should provide some review and repetition, which is needed for mastery. I will also have him continue with oral and some written narration as well. 

Language Arts, Bible/Character, and Elective Books For Sale...

Below you will find our latest list of Language Arts, Bible/Character, Elective, and misc. teaching resources for sale. A few of the books are ex-library, but most are from a private collection. Workbooks are clean, new, and unused unless noted. There is a variety of curricula and supplemental resources for language arts teaching.

The prices do not reflect shipping. We are a smoke and pet free home. I accept PayPal and ship media mail within the U.S. Please use the contact form on the right side bar to send inquires and desired list.

Thanks so much for your consideration,
Melissa

Writing & Grammar Books

Language Lesson for the High School Student 2 by Sandi Queen – student book & key $10

Many Luscious Lollipops – A Book about Adjectives by Ruth Heller $4

Up, Up and Away – A Book about Adverbs by Ruth Heller $4 each (x2)

A Cache of Jewels and Other Collective Nouns by Ruth Heller $4

Little Kids Can Write! by Karen Sevaly ages 3-6 student workbook $3

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. & E. B. White (hardcover) SL AO 9 $4 each (x2)

Scholastic Success with Writing Grade 5 $3

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 2 $4

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 5 $4

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 6 $4

No Frill Grammar Drill grade 4 $2

Scholastic Narrative Writing by Tara McCarthy grades 4-8 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 2 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 3 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 7 $3

Spectrum Language Arts – grade 6 $3

Teacher Created Resources Daily Warm – Ups Language Skill Grade 5 $3

The Student Editor by Virginia Allison – middle school $4

Critical Thinking Co. Editor in Chief Book A-1 $4

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 2 $3

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 4 $3

Jensen’s Grammar by Frode Jensen AO $8

Easy Grammar Ultimate by Wanda Phillips Teacher Edition Reproducible for Student use Grade 12 $10

Writer’s INC, A Guide to Writing, Thinking, & Learning MFW $5

Reading, Phonics, Vocabulary & Spelling Books

Spectrum Word Study and Phonics Grade 5 $4

Claims to Fame – Fourteen Short Biographies – Book 2 w/key by Carol Einstein $5

Bob Books – Levels 1, 2, & 3 $3 each level

Wordly Wise 3000 8 Test Booklet & Answer Key $3

Vocabulary in Action by Loyola Press Level E (student workbook) $3

Building a Strong Vocabulary by Carl B. Smith, Ph.D. $3

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Level A $8 set

-       Student book (some writing)

-       Test Book

-       Teachers Guide & Answer Key

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Level B $8 set

-       Student book (some writing)

-       Answer Key

-       Teachers Guide & Answer Key

The Writing Road to Reading by Romalda Bishop-Spalding 4^th edition $3

Spelling Workout Level G Student Workbook NEW! $3

Spellwell Levels A-D w/answer keys $30 set

Art, Music, Foreign Language, & Home Economics

Art & the Bible for Children by Barry Stebbing (NEW hardcover) $20

Rich & Sharon Jeffus Preschool & Early Elementary Art Basics $5

Adventures in Art Kindergarten Teacher’s Guide $5

Discover Art by Laura Chapman $30 set

-       Kindergarten Teacher’s Edition (by Cynthia Colbert & Martha Taunton)

-       Art Print Guide grades 1-3

-       Grade 1 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 1 teacher’s edition

-       Grade 3 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 3 teacher’s edition

-       Art Print Guide grades 4-6

-       Grade 4 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 4 teacher’s edition

-       Grade 5 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 5 teacher’s edition

-       Grade 6 teacher’s edition

Discover Art Teacher’s Edition by Laura Chapman grade 3 $4

Discover Art Teacher’s Edition by Laura Chapman grade 4 $4

The Gift of Music, Great Composers and Their Influence by Jane Stuart Smith & Betty Carlson $5

Art in Action by Guy Hubbard Grades 1-5 hardcover $10 set

Come Look With Me – American Indian Art by Stephanie Salomon (hardcover) $4

Kids Colorpix My Favorite Masterpieces Assorted Cards & Envelopes $3

Start with Art – Animals by Sue Lacey (hardcover) $4

Sue Patrick’s Workbox System Starter Kit for 2 Children & A User Guide book $10

Hand – Print Animal Art by Carolyn Carreiro (Williamson Publishing) $3

Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists Diego Rivea by Mike Venezia (hardcover) $4

Bible, Character, & Misc. Resource Books

Bible Quest: God’s People, God’s Land – Home School Teacher’s Edition $5

3 in 1 (A Picture of God) by Joanne Marxhausen $3

Little Visits with God by Allan Hart Jahsmann & Martin P. Simon $3

Egermeier’s Bible Story Book by Elsie Egermeier (hardcover) SL K $5

Egermeier’s Bible Story Book by Elsie Egermeier SL K $5

Hurlbut’s Story of the Bible for Young and Old (original 1932/1947 hardcover) $5 each (x3)

NIV Women’s Devotional Bible (Zondervan – hardcover) $5

Little Ladies series by Sandi Queen (new) $10 set

-       Dressing for God

-       Speaking to Please God

-       Keeping Myself Pure for God

Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook (hardcover w/jacket) $4

Early Education at Home – A Curriculum Guide for Parents of Preschoolers and Kindergarteners by M. Jean Soyke $8

Art Adventures at Home – Level 1 (grades K-2) by Pattye Carlson and M. Jean Soyke $7

Learning at Home – Preschool and Kindergarten by Ann Ward $15

Home-Spun Schools by Raymond and Dorothy Moore (hardcover w/jacket) $6

Home Grown Kids by Raymond and Dorothy Moore $2

What Your First Grader Needs to Know by E. D. Hirsch $4

What Your Second Grader Needs to Know by E. D. Hirsch $4

Language Arts, Bible/Character, and Elective Books For Sale...

Below you will find our latest list of Language Arts, Bible/Character, Elective, and misc. teaching resources for sale. Some of the books are ex-library and some are from a private collection. Workbooks are clean, new, and unused unless noted. There is a variety of curricula and study guides as well as living books.

The prices do not reflect shipping. We are a smoke and pet free home. I accept PayPal and ship media mail within the U.S. Please use the contact form on the right side bar to send inquires and desired list.

Thanks so much for your consideration,
Melissa

Writing & Grammar Books

Daily Guided Teaching and Review for 2^nd & 3^rd Grades by Wanda C. Phillips $5

Language Lesson for the High School Student 2 by Sandi Queen – student book & key $10

Many Luscious Lollipops – A Book about Adjectives by Ruth Heller $4

Up, Up and Away – A Book about Adverbs by Ruth Heller $4

A Cache of Jewels and Other Collective Nouns by Ruth Heller $4

Up, Up and Away – A Book about Adverbs by Ruth Heller $4

Bowmar/Noble Handwriting Level F (cursive workbook) $3

Little Kids Can Write! by Karen Sevaly ages 3-6 student workbook $3

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. & E. B. White (hardcover) SL AO 9 $4 each (x2)

Scholastic Success with Writing Grade 5 $3

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 2 $4

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 5 $4

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 6 $4

No Frill Grammar Drill grade 4 $2

Scholastic Narrative Writing by Tara McCarthy grades 4-8 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 2 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 3 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 7 $3

Spectrum Language Arts – grade 6 $3

The Student Editor by Virginia Allison – middle school $4

Critical Thinking Co. Editor in Chief Book A-1 $4

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 2 $3

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 4 $3

Jensen’s Grammar by Frode Jensen AO $8

Writer’s INC, A Guide to Writing, Thinking, & Learning MFW $5

Reading, Phonics, Vocabulary & Spelling Books

Knowledge Box Central Literature Book Report Lapbook $3

Spectrum Word Study and Phonics Grade 5 $4

Claims to Fame – Fourteen Short Biographies – Book 2 w/key $5

Bob Books – Levels 1, 2, & 3 $3 each level

Wordly Wise – prices as marked

-       Wordly Wise 3000 6 Test Booklet & Answer Key $3

-       Wordly Wise 3000 7 Test Booklet & Answer Key $3

-       Wordly Wise 3000 8 Test Booklet & Answer Key $3

Vocabulary in Action by Loyola Press Level E (student workbook) $3

Building a Strong Vocabulary by Carl B. Smith, Ph.D. $3

Study Guides

The Biggest Bear w/book $4

Total Language Plus Guide - The Wheel on the School SL $10

Art, Music, Foreign Language, & Home Economics

Art & the Bible for Children by Barry Stebbing (NEW hardcover) $20

Rich & Sharon Jeffus Preschool & Early Elementary Art Basics $5

Adventures in Art Kindergarten Teacher’s Guide $5

Discover Art Teacher’s Edition grade 3 $8

Discover Art Teacher’s Edition grade 4 $8

Big Book of Books and Activities by Dinah Zike $3

Come Look With Me – American Indian Art by Stephanie Salomon (hardcover) $4

Kids Colorpix My Favorite Masterpieces Assorted Cards & Envelopes $3

The Second Painter’s Problem Book (hardcover w/jacket) $3

Start with Art – Animals by Sue Lacey (hardcover) $4

The Gift of Music, Great Composers and Their Influence by Jane Stuart Smith & Betty Carlson $5

Beethoven Lives Upstairs by Barbara Nichol $3

Sue Patrick’s Workbox System Starter Kit for 2 Children & A User Guide book $10

Bible, Character, & Misc. Resource Books

Bible Quest: God’s People, God’s Land – Home School Teacher’s Edition $5

3 in 1 (A Picture of God) by Joanne Marxhausen $3

Little Visits with God by Allan Hart Jahsmann & Martin P. Simon $3

Egermeier’s Bible Story Book by Elsie Egermeier (hardcover) SL K $7

Egermeier’s Bible Story Book by Elsie Egermeier SL K $5

Hurlbut’s Story of the Bible for Young and Old (original 1932/1947 hardcover) $10 each (x3)

NIV Women’s Devotional Bible (Zondervan – hardcover) $5

Little Ladies series by Sandi Queen (new) $10 set

-       Dressing for God

-       Speaking to Please God

-       Keeping Myself Pure for God

Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook (hardcover w/jacket) $4

The Book of Virtues for Young People by William J. Bennett (hardcover) $5

Early Education at Home – A Curriculum Guide for Parents of Preschoolers and Kindergartners by M. Jean Soyke $8

Art Adventures at Home – Level 1 (grades K-2) by Pattye Carlson and M. Jean Soyke $7

Learning at Home – Preschool and Kindergarten by Ann Ward $15

Learning Activities for Threes (hardcover, ex-library) $5

Year Round Activities for Four-Year-Old Children by Coletta (hardcover, ex-library) $5

Home-Spun Schools by Raymond and Dorothy Moore (hardcover w/jacket) $6

Konos

Character Curriculum by Jessica Hulcy $10 each or $15 for the pair

-       Obedience

-       Orderliness

World View

Countering Culture by David Noebel book & video set NEW (Video in shrink wrap - unused) $20

2017-2018 Curriculum Preview - IEW Themed Based Writing Lessons and Literature....

I'm trying a new approach this year for writing with my Year 7 child. I'll be using Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons with Ruben. I don't typically use writing curriculum. Our children simply narrate. Beginning orally and transitioning to written. However, Ruben has a bit of trouble getting started. We briefly tried Writing & Rhetoric by Classical Academic Press for a term last year unsuccessfully. I then pulled my dusty IEW Level B off the shelf and tried it.

IEW is something I collected years ago after completing a seminar with a local homeschool group, watching the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style together. Once I learned the method, I dabbled in it with our high school graduate, but didn't stick with it as she was a fine narrator and I didn't see the need. I have since heard many success stories of people using IEW with their dyslexic kiddos. Ruben and I had the pleasure of meeting and hearing Mr. Pudewa speak at the CiRCE Regional Conference back in January. Ruben enjoyed Mr. Pudewa immensely so I thought maybe I'd give IEW another try.

We completed several lessons of IEW Level B in the spring. Ruben bought into it and enjoyed writing as much as he could. Having dysgraphia, writing has been a consistent struggle alongside reading. However, while using IEW Level B, I saw growth. This was very encouraging. I want to continue. Since we are studying Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation this year for history, I decided to try the IEW Themed Based Lessons for this time period.

The Theme Based Lessons come with a Teacher's Manual and Student Book. The Teacher's Manual includes the lesson pages from the Student Book, along with teaching notes, sample key word outlines, answers to questions and vocabulary quizzes, as well as ideas for motivating the student. There are 30 lessons. It is suggested that one lesson will take approx. one week at 4 days per week. However, a few may take 2 weeks. I'm not as concerned about timing of a lesson as much as whether Ruben is understanding the material and showing continued growth in his writing. In addition, the Student Book contains vocabulary cards to accompany the writing lessons. However, I'm undecided as to whether or now we'll use these, as Ruben's vocabulary is very strong. I attribute this to years of classic book and literature read alouds.

Something that I really like about the Medieval Theme Based Lessons is the suggested literature list. In the scope and sequence, Lori Verstegen, the author, has included a list of titles to accompany the writing study. The suggested books look wonderful and many of them are the same books used in BF's Medieval History Intermediate study, which means Riley and Ruben will be reading many of the same titles.

The suggested books are:

Beowulf by Michael Morpurgo
1001 Arabian Nights by Geraldine McCaughrean
The Legend of King Arthur by Roger Lancelyn Green
The King's Shadow by Elizabeth Alder
Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle
Robin Hood by J. Walker McSpadden
Marco Polo by Demi
The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean
Crispin: The Cross of Lead by AVI

These will be Ruben's literature books for the year. I will throw in a few other history titles and that will be covered as well. So there you have it, our writing, literature, and history base for Ruben's Year 7!

Wordsmithy, Hot Tips for the Writing Life - A Review....

I received a copy of Wordsmithy by Douglas Wilson from Timberdoodle for review and my honest opinion. It is part of their 11th grade curriculum kit.

Even though Wordsmithy is a short read at only 120 pages, I've been reading slowly through it over the past few months. It is broke down into 7 chapters:

1. A Veritable Russian Doll of Writing Tips
2. Read Until Your Brain Creaks
3. Word Fussers and Who-whomers
4. Born for the Clerihew
5. The Memoirs of Old Walnut Heart
6. Ancient Roman Toddlers
7. Uncommon Commonplaces

Each chapter is then broke down into 2-4 page tips. At the end of each tip is a Takeway Point, which is typically a one sentence summary, and Recommended Reading with suggested books to further your study. For example, tips from Chapter One are write from life experience; be authentic in your writing; know your audience and be clear in your message; align speech with writing; stay interested in everyday happenings around you; live a full life; and enjoy! Chapter two is all about reading in order to be a better writer. Wilson clearly believes in reading widely and deeply, but he suggests not being too analytical.

We live in a narcissistic age, which means that many want to have the praise that comes from having read, without the antecedent labor of actually reading. Wanting to write without reading is like wanting to grind flour without gathering the wheat, like wanting to make boards without logging, and like wanting to have a Mississippi Delta without any tributaries somewhere in Minnesota. Output requires intake, and literary output requires literary intake. (p. 29-30)

I believe Wilson's wit could appeal to even the most reluctant writers. His clear, easy to read, no nonsense approach could soothe even the faint at heart. With over thirty titles under his belt, Wilson is an authority on the subject of writing. He blogs, sometimes multiple times a day, at https://dougwils.com/

Overall, I believe Wordsmithy would be a great edition to any upper level writing course. It's a handy pocket reference of sorts. Wilson presents a ton of sound information in a brief, concise manner. I will be handing over this handy resource when my students reach the high school level.