Across Five Aprils...

WOW!...that's what I have to say about Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt.  Even if you prefer textbooks or are not a living book aficionado, there are a few books that should be read.  Across Five Aprils is one of those books.

It is the story of young Jethro Creighton coming of age during the Civil War.  Jethro is the youngest surviving child of Matt and Ellen Creighton and is left home to run the family farm in southern Illinois, while his older brothers go off to war.  Hunt's writing is intense and realistic.  Though it is a work of fiction, her novel is based on true stories told to her by her grandfather who grew up during the Civil War.  The characters have depth and reflect the human spirit.  Not only is it a wonderful story, but also a great historical work as Hunt's book portrays the harsh reality of that time period.

I must confess that we did struggle getting started with the book.  The chapters are quite lengthy and the dialect of the characters was a bit tricky for this northerner. However, I knew from the first chapter it was worthy.  The kids also loved the book!  Ruben would beg for more.  Riley was hoping for a sequel.  After every chapter, they would talk about it through out the day.  

It's no wonder Across Five Aprils is recommended in TruthQuest History, Sonlight, and Beautiful Feet.  I just can't say enough about this fabulous book.  You must read it for yourself!  I can't wait to read it again with Levi some day. 

Since Across Five Aprils was originally published in 1964, I'm linking it as my 20th Century read in the 2015 Back to the Classics Challenge.

Books for Sale: Math & Science...

I will be posting updated lists of the books we have for sale over the next couple of weeks. Prices do not reflect shipping. I accept PayPal and ship media mail anywhere in the U.S. Please send questions and requests through the contact form. Once I have your list, I will package and weigh books and send you a total price.

Thanks so much for your consideration,
Melissa

A Beka

Arithmetic 3 $10 set

-       Teacher’s Edition Work-text

-       Teacher’s Key Tests & Speed Drills

Arithmetic 4 $10 set

-       Teacher’s Edition Work-text

-       Teacher’s Key Tests & Speed Drills

Grade 4 A Beka Academy spiral bound Video Manual $2 FREE w/ any book purchase

Arithmetic 4 Work-text Answer Key $8 $5

Arithmetic 6 Speed Drills & Tests – Student & Answer Key $5 set

Rod & Staff

Understanding Mathematics grade 6 $10 set

-       Student Text (hardcover)

-       Teacher’s Manual Part 1 (hardcover)

-       Teacher’s Manual Part 2 (hardcover)

Singapore Math   

 

New Elementary Mathematics $5 set

            -       Student Text 1          

            -       Quick Revision Guide

            -       Student Workbook 2

Science

A Week with AIMS (Activities Integrating Math & Science) Primary Grades Series 1 $5

Simple and Fun Science – Learning by Doing Level A $2

Mudpies to Magnets – A Preschool Science Curriculum $4

Ponies of the World by John Green (new Dover coloring book) $3

Spectacular Space! by Annalisa Suid grades 1-3 $3

Incredible Insects! Spectacular Space! by Annalisa Suid grades 1-3 $3

Outstanding Oceans! Spectacular Space! by Annalisa Suid grades 1-3 $3

Science Trivial Pursuit – Intermediate grades 4-6 by Jacome; published by Good Apple $2

Step by Step Science Series published by Carson Dellosa grades 4-6 $2 each

-       Water

-       Simple Machines

-       Kitchen Chemistry

-       Light & Color

-       Sound

Food, Fact, Fun & Fiction by The Solski Group grades 1-3 $2

The Brown Paper School Series $8 set

-       The Reasons for Seasons by Linda Allison

-       This Book is about Time by Marilyn Burns

-       Blood and Guts by Linda Allison SL 5/F

Winter Activities by Carson-Dellosa Publishing (story starters, puzzles, games, etc) grades 2-3 $1

Simple Science Fun by Teacher Created Materials, Inc. $2

Kids Celebrate! Activities for Special Days Throughout the Year by Esche & Braham $3

Hands-On Science Projects by John Clark $2

Teaching Science through Literature – grade 6-8 $2

Earth: Our Planet in Space by Seymour Simon (hardcover) $2

Jupiter Seymour Simon $2

Tornado Alert by Franklyn Branley $2

What the Moon is Like by Franklyn Branley $2

Ducks Don’t Get Wet by Augusta Goldin (hardcover) $2

Catch the Wind! All About Kites by Gail Gibbons $2

The True Book of Seasons by Illa Podendorf (hardcover) $2

Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft & Richard G. Van Gelder $2

The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System by Joanna Cole SL $2 each

The Magic School Bus Adventures in the Food Chain Activity & Coloring Book $1

Backyard Insects by Millicent Selsam $2

One Day in the Desert by Jean Craighead George $2

Simple Machines by Gare Thompson new $5 $3

Your Stomach by Anne Yivisaker (new hardcover) $2

Your Lungs by Anne Yivisaker (new hardcover) $2

Body Detectives, A Book Abou the Five Senses by Rita Golden Gelman $1

Muscles by Seymour Simon $2

How Ducklings Grow by Diane Molleson $1

Usborne First Nature Wild Animals by Barbara Cork $1

Usborne Mysteries & Marvels of Plant Life $1

The Gardener’s Journal, An Old Fashioned Keepbook (hardcover) $1

An Animal Information Book – 14 book set $4

-       Lions & Tigers

-       Puppies & Dogs

-       Kittens & Cats

-       Zoo Animals

-       Horses & Ponies

-       Farm Animals

-       Baby Animals

-       Bears

-       Birds

-       Wild Animals

-       Monkeys & Apes

-       Sea Animals

-       Reptiles & Amphibians

-       Big & Little Animal

Rivers by E. Joseph Dreany (A Maxton Book About – hardcover) $2

A Walk in the Deciduous Forest by Rebecca L. Johnson (hardcover) $3

Digging and Discovery – Wisconsin Archaeology by Diane Young Holliday & Bobbie Malone $3

All About Series (hardcover) $5 set

-       All About Whales

-       All About Satellites and Space Ships

-       All About Pre-historic Cave Men

-       All About the Ice Age

The Beaver Pond by Alvin Tresselt (hardcover) $3

White Snow Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt (hardcover) $3

Rain Drop Splash by Alvin Tresselt $3

Dolphin Adventure, A True Story by Wayne Grover SL $3 each

Shark Lady, True Adventures of Eugenie Clark by Ann McGovern SCM $3 each

It Couldn’t Just Happen by Lawrence Richards (hardcover) SL AO $3

Unlocking the Mysteries of Creation by Dennis Petersen (hardcover) $4

Exploring Nature with Your Child by Dorothy Edwards Shuttlesworth (hardcover) $6

Science Around the Year by Janice VanCleave $5

Rocks & Minerals by Janice VanCleave $3

A+ Projects in Biology by Janice VanCleave $4

Science in the Creation Week by Unfred – grades 2-5 $5

Exploring Nature with Your Child by Dorothy Edwards Shutttlesworth (hardcover) $6

Men of Science/Men of God by Henry M. Morris $3

The Adventures of Reddy Fox by Thornton W. Burgess $2

The Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel by Thornton W. Burgess $2

Math & Logic

                                                      

Scott Foresman – Addison Wesley Daily Cumulative Review Masters – Math Student Book grade 1 $3

Scott Foresman – Addison Wesley Math Text – grade 3 (hardcover) $3

Scott Foresman – Addison Wesley Math Text – grade 4 (hardcover) $3

Scott Foresman Exploring Mathematics 4^th grade set $50

-       Teacher’s edition

-       Student text

-       Enrichment blackline masters

-       Enrichment blackline masters key

Scott Foresman – Addison Wesley Daily Cumulative Review Masters – Math Student Book grade 5 $3

Houghton Mifflin Mathematics Text – grade 3 (hardcover) $5

Houghton Mifflin Mathematics Text – grade 4 (hardcover) & Teacher’s Edition (spiral bound) $12

Houghton Mifflin Mathematics Text – grade 5 (hardcover) $5

Houghton Mifflin Mathematics Text – grade 7 (hardcover) & Teacher’s Edition (hardcover) $10

Houghton Mifflin Math Text – grade 5 (hardcover) $3

Addison Wesley Teacher’s Edition grade 1 (spiral bound) $5

Addison Wesley text grade 1 (hardcover) $3

Holt Mathematics student workbook – grade 2 $5

Holt Mathematics blackline masters – grade 2 (3-hole punched w/binder) $5

Holt Mathematics student textbook – grade 4 (hardcover) $5

Everyday Mathematics student reference book – grade 3 (hardcover) $3

Everyday Mathematics student reference book – grade 4 (hardcover) $3

Everyday Mathematics student math journal 2 – grade 5 $5

Everyday Mathematics student reference book – grade 5 (hardcover) $3

Texas Everyday Mathematics student reference book – grade 5 (hardcover) $3

American Education Publishing Ready to Test Grade 3 workbook $3

Frank Schaffer Teacher Resource Learning About Money grades 2-3 $2

Frank Schaffer Teacher Resource Fast Ideas for Busy Teachers Math – grade 4 $4

Frank Schaffer Teacher Resource Fast Ideas for Busy Teachers Math – grade 5 $4

Multicultural Math – Carson Dellosa Publishing grades 1- 4 $3

Connections – Linking Manipulatives to Mathematics – grade 3 $3

Math Zones Level A Addition and Subtraction by Christine Losq (spiral bound) $5

Math Zones Level A Games for Number Sense by Jane McCabe & Christine Losq (spiral bound) $5

Creative Math Experiences for the Young Child by Imogene Forte & Joy MacKenzie $3

Scholastic Teaching Math with Favorite Picture Books grades 1-3 $2

Scholastic 50 Fabulous Measurement Activities grades 1-3 $2

Scholastic Easy Math Art Projects and Activities grades K-2 $2

Scholastic Collaborative Math Books grades K-2 $2

Literature-Based Math Activities an Integrated Approach by Alison Abrohms grades K-3 $2

Number Sense by Mcintosh & Reys grades 1-2 $2

Creative Teaching Press Instant Math Games that Teach grades 2-5 $2

Math: A Workbook for Ages 6-8 by Nancy Casolaro $2

Every Day Counts Practice Counts student workbook & annotated teacher’s edition grade 4 $5 set

Alpha Omega Lifepac Math grade 4 (diagnostic test, unit 6, 7, & 10) $4 set

Keys to Percents student workbook 3 & answers/notes: books 1-3 $2 set

Keys to Measurement answers/notes: books 1-3 $1

Decimals: Multiplication & Division grades 4-6 $2

Basic Mathematics Skills – Money grades 2-3 $2

Teacher Created Resources Measurement grades 1&2 $2

Teacher Created Resources Money grades 1&2 $2

Teacher Created Resources Problem-Solving Math Journals for Primary Students $5

Family Math $5

Count and See by Tana Hoban (hardcover) $2 each

Take Shapes Lines and Letters by Jeanne Bendick (hardcover) $4

Discovering Math – Subtraction by Alison Wells (hardcover) $2

Dividing Treasures (hardcover) $3

Logic Brain Boosters by Becky Daniel grades 1-4 $3

Subtraction Bingo (game) $5

Math Time by Cadaco $5

Cuisenaire Rods - $4 set

Linking Cubes - $4 set

Magnetic Days of the Week (Today is….) (Tomorrow is….) $3 set

Summer Math Success kits – covers grades K-6 $40 set

Friday Findings: A Nurturing Education, Benefits of Drawing, My Messy Closet, Favorite Canning Tools...

In A Nurturing Education, guest author Meghan Morales states, "{Education} is a matter of conscience".  It's a great article reminding us that a true education only comes through Jesus Christ.

The topic of drawing came up in our last CM Book Club when we were discussing cultivating affinities.  It was mentioned that in Charlotte's time, drawing was taught to everyone.  It seemed a core subject like arithmetic or reading, however, it has since fallen by the wayside.  In Rediscovering the Forgotten Benefits of Drawing, Jennifer Landin, Ph.D. attempts to show the importance of drawing, particularly in biology classes and why we should consider putting it back into the core subjects.  Reading her article was very timely for me.

Oh, I nearly cried when I read Hiding Behind Perfection.  You see, that's me...looking like I have it all together on the outside, but knowing it's really a crazy mess inside.  Last week, I held a book sale and school room open house in our home.  I thought I had everything pulled together.  Then a mom asked to see my All About Spelling/All About Reading programs.  I haven't used All About Reading for a couple of years since Ruben started tutoring at the Children's Dyslexia Center.  So, when I pulled it out of a drawer, it had at least an inch of dust covering it to my shame.  Of course, in my embarrassment, I apologized repeatedly.  And do you know what she said!..."It's OK, you're real."  UFFFDA...smile, and huge sigh of relief!...Because, isn't that what we all really want, the reality of it all, for better or worse.  There's something comforting in knowing we're in the trenches together.   I wonder if this desire for reality is what sparks the recent heightened interest in reality TV?

On the home front, no harvest time would be complete without my favorite preservation tools.  A couple years ago, a friend told me about the Vidalia Chop Wizard.  I don't normally jump on bandwagons and I typically prefer older kitchen gadgets that have stood the test of time.  However, this chopper is revolutionary!  It cuts salsa making time in half.

Another favorite is my 5 piece Home Canning Kit.  I bought this set back when I first starting canning, probably about twenty years ago.  Even though I only use it annually, I love opening my cupboard every year knowing it's there!  

What are your favorite harvest preservation tools?  Feel free to leave a comment below...

Books For Sale: Language Arts...

I will be posting updated lists of the books we have for sale over the next couple of weeks.  Prices do not reflect shipping.   I accept PayPal and ship media mail anywhere in the U.S.  Please send questions and requests through the contact form.  Once I have your list, I will package and weigh books and send you a total price.

Thanks so much for your consideration,
Melissa

Handwriting Without Tears

1^st Grade Teacher’s Guide $2 each

3^rd Grade Teacher’s Guide$2 each

4^th Grade Teacher’s Guide $2 each

Reasoning and Writing – Levels A through E (teaches logic & grammar through writing) $100 set

Level A – Presentation Book, Teacher’s Guide, Workbook 1 (x2), Workbook 2 (x2)

Level B – Presentation Book, Teacher’s Guide, Answer Key, Workbook 1 (x3), Workbook 2 (x2)

Supplemental Writing and Extension Activities for Reasoning & Writing A & B

Level C – Presentation Book, Teacher’s Guide, Answer Key, Workbook (x2), Textbook (x2)

Level C Reasoning & Writing Grading Rubrics, Fluency Writing Evaluation

Level D - Presentation Book, Teacher’s Guide, Answer Key, Textbook

Level D Fluency Writing Evaluation

Level E – Textbook

 Write Source – Great Source

Write One Teacher’s Edition grade 1 $3

Write on Track (A Handbook for Young Writers, Thinkers and Learners) with TE grade 3 $5 set each

Reading & Writing Sourcebook Teacher’s Guide grade 3 $2

Great Source Reader’s Handbook grades 3-5 $3

Writers Express (A Handbook for Young Writers, Thinkers and Learners) (hardcover) grades 4-5 $3

Write Source 2000 Student Handbook & Sourcebook 6000 Student Workshops, Activities, & Strategies grade 6-8 $5 set

Write Source 2000 Student Handbook grade 6-8 $3

Writer’s INC, A Guide to Writing, Thinking, & Learning MFW $4

Writing & Grammar Books

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 Better Letter Book by Donna Guthrie and Jan Stiles – grades 3-6 $2

The Student Editor by Virginia Allison – middle school $4

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

Correcting Reversals – grades K-4 $2

Basics First Capitalization & Punctuation – grade 2 $2

Basics First Capitalization & Punctuation – grade 6 $2

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

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 2 $6

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 4 $6

Daily Oral Language (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grades 1-5 (5 books) $3 each

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

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

Little Kids Can Write! – reproducible pages for early learners – ages 3-6 $3

Basic Skills Series Handwriting Traditional Manuscript $3

Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Practice Master Student Workbook (cursive) grade 3 $4

Quad-Line Advanced 3/16” Ruling 100 sheet pack $1 each

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. & E. B. White SL AO $4 each

Learning Language Arts Through Literature – orange teacher book – grade 4 $5

Learning Language Arts Through Literature – tan teacher book – grade 6 $5

Reading, Phonics, & Spelling Books

Claims to Fame – Fourteen Short Biographies – Book 3 $3 each

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

Claims to Fame – Fourteen Short Biographies – Book 1 w/ key $5

Guided Independent Reading – Book 1 Grades 3-5 $2

Frank Shaffer Integrating Literature Series middle and upper grades $6 set

-       Science

-       Environmental Education

-       Social Studies

-       Multicultural Education

Carson Dellosa Publishing Exploring Cultures Through Literature – African Americans grades 1-4 $1

Teacher Created Materials – An Annotated Bibliography of Multicultural Literature $1

Frank Schaffer Creative Teaching Through Picture Books for Middle School Students by Janet Reuter $2

Reading Response Forms by Classroom Complete Press grades 1-6 $5

Scholastic Using Caldecotts Across the Curriculum – grades K-2 $3

Knowledge Box Central Literature Book Report Lapbook $3

Spelling Power 3^rd edition (3-hole punched in a binder) $10

Spell Time by Cadaco $5

Yawn at Dawn by Saundra Scovell & Guyla Nelson $3

Five in a Hive by Saundra Scovell & Guyla Nelson $3

Treasury of Literature grade 1 set $5

-       Jump Right In (hardcover)

-       Whisper a Song (hardcover)

-       Writer’s Journal (teacher edition with student pages to accompany reading books)

Pathway Reader First Steps (hardcover – cracked spine) grade 1 $1

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

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

Study Guides

The Biggest Bear w/book $4

Ella Enchanted w/book $5

Tuck Everlasting w/book $5

The Westing Game w/book SL $6

Out of the Dust w/book SL $6

Misc. Study Guides $2 each

-       Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry SL

-       Out of the Dust SL

-       Oh, The Places He Went: A Story About Dr. Seuss

-       Ishi, Last of His Tribe

-       Arthur’s Honey Bear

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

Progeny Press Study Guide: The Bridge $4

The World of Anne Frank by Betty Merti – Walch Publishers $2