Booklists
Join the email community where I share author updates, books, art, and more.
I wanted to include the work of current artists – authors, visual artists, musicians, etc. who have inspired me. See this list at the bottom of the post! These people help make the world a better place.
Bach
Becoming Bach
“Mr. Bach Comes to Call” video series
Music Study With the Masters: J.S. Bach
Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven: Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Composers
Beethoven’s Heroic Symphony
Music Study With the Masters: Beethoven
Chopin
Frederic Chopin: Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Composers
Music Study With the Masters: Chopin
“Great Composers: Frederic Chopin” video
A.A. Milne
Who Was A.A. Milne? by Sarah Fabiny
When We Were Young by A.A. Milne
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson Unit (with Visual Aids)
A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
Looking For a Booklist?
Disclaimer: If you are here to find a booklist that incorporates good, living books into a 24-week-long study of multiple content areas (aligned with Classical Conversations Foundations), you are in the right place! Scroll past the brief post, “Six Tools to Use in a Living Education”. If you are curious about Charlotte Mason methods, you might want to take about 5 minutes and read my post.
Six Tools to Use in a Living Education
- read living books
- observe
- tell it back/narrate
- record it
- memorize (this comes AFTER guided discovery)
- create something new from what you have learned
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn about a living education. I have experienced bits and pieces of this, but I still strive to make it part of the basic fabric of our homeschool. More continuity, more of an atmosphere. Here I write briefly on each of these tools for a living education. My thanks goes out to Simply Charlotte Mason. The Charlotte Mason Together Retreat was unforgettable, unhurried, life-giving.
Living Books
One obvious way we can cultivate a living education in our homeschool is by introducing my kids to living ideas found on the pages of living books. If I had it my way, we would probably buy all of our books, but frugality matters, too. So, we use our local library. However, when a book cannot be found there (unfortunately, this is the case more often than I’d like to admit), we either borrow it from a friend or buy it. And once we have it added to our library here, we have even more opportunities to seek out the living ideas found within, spread out like a feast on the pages. Time and time again. What is a living book, you might ask? I have created a cheat sheet for you here.
Observe
Picture Study. Nature Study. Composer Study. The list goes on, and in a Charlotte Mason education, we take the time to form a living, personal acquaintance with what we observe. The mere question, “What do you see? …hear?” without any interjection by the teacher can ignite the spark that allows a child to possess what he or she is beholding. To truly tell about, to put it into words, what he or she is taking in allows that child to form that living, personal acquaintance with something created by God.
Narrate/Record it
Know. Tell.
It begins with building oral fluency. It culminates with the goal of learning formal writing. Narration lays the foundation for writing well. When narration is done well, one possesses what he is beholding. This is a form of knowing, truly knowing. Therefore, narration is also a training exercise in thinking well. It’s an art. It builds relationships. If you are interested in starting this journey of narration with me, look no further than right here. I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, take a look at the narration resource I made for those who are wanting to “test drive” narration.
Memorize
Charlotte Mason taught IDEAS first, memorizing facts later. A common thread found throughout a Charlotte Mason education is “taking something into the mind’s eye”.
You can find this thread woven into the “spelling” lessons. What we call “spelling” Charlotte incorporated into the larger skill of reading and using language. Charlotte didn’t formally teach spelling as one might encounter it today in an institutionalized setting, but exercised this habit of attention to eventually have students write down a passage that was dictated to them. They would have to possess the passage in their minds’ eye, before attempting to write the dictation. This comes from memorization of words, yes, but usually within the context of a larger passage, after the students have already encountered the rich ideas found in the passage. Dictation would not be expected until around 10 years of age. Before that age, students would be practicing copy work and memorizing short phrases, pieces of a large poem or proverb.
You find this thread woven into the picture study our family has come to love.
You find this thread woven into the composer study, the nature study, the foreign language study, the list goes on.
It has taken a shift in thinking for me, to put such emphasis on the habit of attention. I will have to get used to short lessons. Only saying the directions once. I do believe it will reap benefits, not just for my kids, but also for me.
Create Something New
I think this is self explanatory. How could you create something new from ideas? You have surely done this before. Inspiration arises while one is living life. It usually doesn’t arise from anxiety or pressure to meet a deadline.
Let’s use my own blogging as an example. Create something new. I am starting to learn what this might be for myself. Cultivating habits that foster creativity, I hope to take incremental steps and be faithful in my writing, for example. It does not take an hour a day. It might take just 5 minutes a day. Inspiration arises from living life. So, I live my life. For me, a reliable writing routine is more about the life I live as a person, as a person who writes. I am not just a writer. So, I look for good ideas, but I am not in a frenzied state of searching. I admit, my mind does get caught up in some kind of crazy rumination at times! Nonetheless, I remember to pause and write. I remember to do something with my hands. I remember to play with my kids. I remember to go for a walk.
Books That Have Changed My Life
The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
The Awakening of Miss Prim: A Novel by Natalia Sanmartin Fenorella
A Charlotte Mason Approach to Classical Conversations Cycle 1
CYCLE 1, Quarter 1(Weeks 1-6)
Subsequent quarters below!
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases of these CC Cycle 1 books using these links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Year-Round Resources
Science:
| The Story Book of Science (Yesterday’s Classics) by Jean Henri Fabre |
| Pond and Stream by Arthur Ransome |
| Pond and Stream Companion by Karen Smith |
| R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey Earth & Environment 1 by Blair Lee, M.S. |
| Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail: What Will You Find? by Editors of Storey Publishing |
| Look Up!: Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette LeBlanc Cate |
| Science Encyclopedia Paperback Book w/Internet & QR Links |
Science Encyclopedia Paperback Book w/Internet & QR Links is also something we have on our shelves for quick reference or longer reading sessions.
Fine Arts:
| Website: https://artsintegration.com/2012/09/19/picture-this-exploring-art-elements-in-picture-books/ (Exploring Art Elements in Picture Books) |
| Art from Simple Shapes: Make Amazing Art from 8 Simple Geometric Shapes! Includes a Shape Stencil |
| An Introduction to Art History: A Classical Approach to Art Part II by Barry Stebbing (Ancient Art: Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome) |
| The Stuff They Left Behind from the Days of Ancient Egypt (Simply Charlotte Mason) |
| The Stuff They Left Behind from the Days of Ancient Greece (Simply Charlotte Mason) |
| The Stuff They Left Behind from the Days of Ancient Rome (Simply Charlotte Mason) |
| Picture Study Portfolios: Michelangelo (Simply Charlotte Mason) |
| The Arts: A Visual Encyclopedia |
| Music Study with the Masters (Simply Charlotte Mason) We will be studying Bach. |
| Singing the Great Hymns (Simply Charlotte Mason) |
| Drawing With Children: A Creative Method for Adult Beginners, Too by Mona Brookes |
History:
Classical Conversations has a Bookstore that would be helpful in finding comprehensive history resources. We are currently in the FOUNDATIONS Program. History cards, Trivium Table (for Cycle 1), Cycle 1 Audio CD for reciting memory work and timeline, History cards for Artists and Composers, and Ancient World Echoes are some examples of good resources we have used or are going to use in the future. If you are looking to save some money, look into joining Classical Conversations Connected. The Foundations Learning Center has a FILE SHARING feature that has helped me find resources like history sentence copy work, memory work flipbooks, and more.
Geography:
| My Pop-up World Atlas |
| Elementary Geography by Charlotte Mason |
| A Child’s Geography: Explore the Holy Land Knowledge Quest |
| Eat Your Way Around the World by Jamie Aramini |
Math:
| Mathematicians Are People, Too: Stories from the Lives of Great Mathematicians by Dale Seymour Publications |
| The Math Chef: Over 60 Math Activities and Recipes for Kids |
| Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late (Bedtime Math Series) by Laura Overdeck |
| Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late (Bedtime Math Series) by Laura Purdie Salas |
| The Lion’s Share by Matthew McElligott |
| The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins |
| The Greedy Triangle (Scholastic Bookshelf) by Marilyn Burns |
Sites that promote mathematical thinking
Charlotte Mason Poetry (Math Resources)
Free Number of the Day Worksheets
Lifestyle/Personal Development:
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones
Week 1
Science (Classification):
Fine Arts (5 Elements of Shape):
| When a Line Bends . . . A Shape Begins by Rhonda Gowler Green |
| The Greedy Triangle (Scholastic Bookshelf) by Marilyn Burns |
| If You Were a Polygon (Math Fun) by Marice Aboff & Sarah Dillard |
| My Heart Is Like a Zoo Board Book by Michael Hall |
History (Commandments 1-5):
| Exodus from Egypt (Bible Stories) by Mary Auld |
| The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd Jones (10 Ways To Be Perfect chapter) |
| Old Testament Days: An Activity Guide (Hands-On History) by Nancy Sanders |
Geography (Fertile Crescent):
Math (1s and 2s):
Since I do not have any specific read aloud books for this topic of 1s and 2s, I think it might be a good idea to share how we will try to incorporate Math into our Morning Time this upcoming school year. I have a 7 and 4.5 -year-old who will be joining me, and our 2.5-year-old will be around.
Introducing the Math Loop
Note: A loop schedule allows you to complete any activity on any particular day, just picking up where you left off the next day you get to the list. Once all the activities on the list have been “run through”, you repeat the loop from the top.
| Day | Activity (roughly 10 minutes) |
| 1 | Counting exercise on the hundreds chart |
| 2 | Number of the day from Kindergarten Mom (trace, count, frame, draw, tally, write) |
| 3 | Word Problem from Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late (Bedtime Math Series) |
| 4 | Practice telling time on analog clock like DHCHAPU Student Learning Clock Time Teacher Gear Clock 4 Inch 12/24 Hour |
| 5 | Charlotte Mason Math Tables |
| 6 | Marcy Cook Math Game – Turn Over Tiles to Find X or Bearly Balanced Tiles |
Week 2
Science (Kingdoms):
| A Mammal is an Animal by Lizzie Rockwell |
| About Fish: A Guide for Children (About…, 6) by Cathryn Sill |
| About Amphibians: A Guide for Children (About…, 5) by Cathryn Sill |
| The Burgess Animal Book for Children (Dover Children’s Classics) by Thornton Burgess |
| The Burgess Bird Book for Children by Thornton Burgess |
Fine Arts (Mirror Images):
History (Commandments 6-10):
| Exodus from Egypt (Bible Stories) by Mary Auld |
| The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd Jones (10 Ways To Be Perfect chapter) |
| Old Testament Days: An Activity Guide (Hands-On History) by Nancy Sanders |
Geography (Assyrian Empire):
| Map Trek The Complete Collection (I would only get Map Trek VI: Ancient World) |
| Gilgamesh the King (The Gilgamesh Trilogy) by Ludmila Zeman |
Math (3s and 4s):
See the above Math Loop resources from Week 1 Math.
Week 3
Science (Animal Cell):
| All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World by Lori Alexander |
| Cell Biology Diagram |
| Newton’s Workshop Bug Safari / Cell – A – Bration DVD by Moody Video (January 01,2010) (TRACK #6) |
| Minn of the Mississippi by Holling C. Holling (one of our very favorites) |
Fine Arts (Upside-Down):
| Optical Illusions In Art: Or–Discover How Paintings Aren’t Always What They Seem to Be by Alexander Sturgis |
| Imagine a Day by Sarah L. Thomson |
History (Greek and Roman gods):
| D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d’Aulaire and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire |
| The Illustrated Book of Myths : Tales and Legends of the World by Neil Philip |
| Roman Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean |
| Classic Myths to Read Aloud: The Great Stories of Greek and Roman Mythology, Specially Arranged for Children Five and Up by an Educational Expert by William F. Russell |
Geography (Hebrew Empire):
| The Phoenicians: Mysterious Sea People (Ancient Civilizations) by Katherine E. Reece |
| Ten Best Jewish Children’s Stories by Daniel Sperber |
Math (5s and 6s):
See the above Math Loop resources from Week 1 Math.
Week 4
Science (Plant Cell):
| Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring The Earth To Life by Molly Bang |
| Cell Biology Diagram |
| The World of Plants (God’s Design) by Debbie and Richard Lawrence |
| Newton’s Workshop Bug Safari / Cell – A – Bration DVD by Moody Video (January 01,2010) (Track #6) |
Fine Arts (Abstract Art):
| Touch the Art: Catch Picasso’s Rooster by Julie Appel |
| Touch the Art: Make Van Gogh’s Bed by Julie Appel |
| The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock |
| Vincent Can’t Sleep: Van Gogh Paints the Night Sky (KNOPF BOOKS FOR) by Barb Rosenstock |
History (7 Wonders):
| How the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Were Built by Ludmila Henkova |
| The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World: A Pop-Up by Celia King |
Geography (Hittite Empire):
| The Archaeology Book (Wonders of Creation) by David Down |
| How Many Donkeys?: An Arabic Counting Tale by Margaret Read McDonald |
Math (7s and 8s):
See the above Math Loop resources from Week 1 Math.
Week 5
Science (Invertebrates):
| The Bug Safari and The Cell-A-Bration DVD (Track #5: Entymology) |
| 1001 Bugs To Spot (Usborne 1001 Things to Spot) by Emma Helbrough |
| Where Butterflies Grow (Picture Puffin Books) by Joanne Ryder |
| The Big Book of Bugs (The Big Book Series) by Yuval Zommer |
| Seashells: More Than a Home by Melissa Stewart |
Fine Arts (Perspective):
History (Romans):
| City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction by David Macaulay |
| Rome Antics by David Macaulay |
| Galen and the Gateway to Medicine (Living History Library) by Jeanne Bendick |
| Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfield |
| Danger in Ancient Rome (Ranger in Time 2) (2) by Kate Messner |
| The Story of the Romans (Yesterday’s Classics) by H.A. Guerber |
| Animals in Rome: A Latin Vocabulary Coloring Book and Primer Titvs Classics |
Geography (Egyptian Empire):
| Mummies Made in Egypt (Reading Rainbow Books) by Aliki |
| Of Numbers and Stars by D. Anne Love |
| The Egyptian Cinderella by Shirley Climo |
| Tutankhamen’s Gift by Robert Sabuda |
Math (9s and 10s):
See the above Math Loop resources from Week 1 Math.
Week 6
Science (Vertebrates):
| The Snake Scientist (Scientists in the Field Series) by Sy Montgomery |
| Match a Track: Match 25 Animals to Their Paw Prints (Magma for Laurence King) GAME! |
| Every Autumn Comes the Bear by Jim Arnosky |
| Box Turtle at Long Pond by William George |
| Bones: Skeletons and How They Work by Steve Jenkins |
Fine Arts (Final Project):
Take a look at the Picture Study Portfolios from Simply Charlotte Mason. Choose one portfolio to focus on for the next term. Revisit the fine arts principles of shape, mirror images, upside-down, abstract art, and perspective as you study these full-color works (8.5″ x 11″ prints) by an original artist of your choice! Picture study is simple. Each portfolio includes a 5-step process to explain how picture study is conducted. Portfolios also include an artist biography, leading thoughts, Charlotte Mason inspiration regarding picture study, and specs on each masterpiece.
For first quarter, our homeschool will by doing its picture/history study on Ancient Egypt and for second quarter, Ancient Rome. Since these are not conventional artist picture studies, we will follow them with a true, artist picture study third quarter.
We will be doing our picture study in the third quarter on Michelangelo.
History (Ancient Greeks):
| A Child’s Introduction to Greek Mythology: The Stories of the Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, Monsters, and Other Mythical Creatures (A Child’s Introduction Series) by Heather Alexander |
| Bright-Eyed Athena: Stories from Ancient Greece by Richard Woff |
| How Would You Survive As an Ancient Greek? by Fiona MacDonald |
| What’s Your Angle, Pythagoras? (Charlesbridge Math Adventures) by Julie Ellis |
| The Librarian Who Measured the Earth by Kathryn Lasky |
| The Story of the Greeks (Yesterday’s Classics) by H.A. Guerber |
Geography (Ancient Greece):
| Our Little Athenian Cousin of Long Ago (Yesterday’s Classics) by Julia Darrow Cowles |
| Our Little Spartan Cousin of Long Ago (Yesterday’s Classics) by Julia Darrow Cowles |
| The Aesop for Children (classic fairy tales for children): illustrated with MP3 Downloads (Dover Read and Listen) by Milo Winter |
| Geography Matters in Ancient Greece (Geography Matters in Ancient Civilizations) by Melanie Waldron |
Math (11s and 12s)
See the above Math Loop resources from Week 1 Math.
Cycle 1, Quarter 2 (Weeks 7-12)
Week 7
Science (Reproduction)
Fine Arts (tin whistle)
Tin Whistle for Children by Stephen Ducke
History (Hinduism)
Geography (Roman Empire)
| Roman Diary: The Journal of Iliona, Slave Girl by Richard Platt |
Math (13s)
| Times Tables the Fun Way! |
“Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.”
Charlotte Mason
Week 8
Science (seed plants)
From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons
Fine Arts (dynamics)
History
Geography
Math (14s)
Week 9
Science (Parts of Plant)
Fine Arts (note values and staff)
History (Lao-Tzu)
The Magic Treehouse: Ninjas and Samurai by Mary Pope Osborne
Geography (Japan)
Let’s Go Sightseeing in Japan! Baby Professor
Math (squares)
Amazing Visual Math by DK Publishing
NOTE: Although this book does not focus specifically on square numbers (i.e., 2 x 2 =4), it looks amazing for those of us who are visual learners!
Week 11
Science (parts of a flower)
Fine Arts (note names and scales)
History (Byzantine Empire)
Geography (Byzantine Empire)
Math (cubes)
Sorry, guys. I do not have any books that exclusively teach cube numbers. However, looking at a 3-D cube might help solidify the concept.
Week 12
Science (Plant Systems)
Photosynthesis by Rebecca Woodbury, PhD
Pretty Tricky: The Sneaky Way Plants Survive by Etta Kaner
The World of Plants (God’s Design For Life) by Debbie Lawrence
Celebritrees: Historic & Famous Trees of the World by Margi Preus
Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth To Life by Molly Bang
Fine Arts (Review and Celebration, Tin Whistle)
History (Muslim Empire)
Geography (Muslim Empire)
Baking Class: 50 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Bake! by Deanna F. Cook
Week 13
Science (Parts of Geosphere)
Planet Earth: Inside Out by Gail Gibbons
1,000 Facts About The Earth by Moira Butterfield
Into the Sea by Brenda Z. Guiberson
Fine Arts (Great Artists Introduction, Giotto)
A Boy Named Giotto by Paolo Guarnieri
Giotto Picture Study Portfolio (Simply Charlotte Mason)
History (Kush and Berbers)
Geography (Western Africa)
I Wonder Why the Sahara is Cold at Night by Jackie Gaff (more of a desert climate book than specifically Sahara Desert)
Why Mosquitos Buzz In People’s Ears: A West African Tale by Verna Aardema
Africa, Amazing Africa: Country By Country by Atinuke
Math (Liquid Equivalents)
The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs by America’s Test Kitchen Kids
Week 14
Science (Three Kinds of Rock)
A Rock Is Lively by Dianna Aston
Volcano Rising by Elizabeth Rusch
Rocks & Minerals (Smithsonian Handbooks)
Fine Arts (Ghiberti)
Pippo the Fool by Tracey E. Fern (see Lorenzo in a DIFFERENT light in this story!)
Video: How to Create a Ghiberti Inspired Aluminum Foil Relief Panel
History (Trade in Africa)
When Sundiata Keita Built the Mali Empire by Baby Professor (I am hesitant to call this a “living book” since it is very dry in its style, but it is informative)
Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions by Margaret Musgrove
Mansa Musa and the Empire of Mali by P. James Oliver
Geography (Ancient Africa)
Pair it with:
Math
One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab (A Counting by Feet Book) by April Pulley Sayre
Week 15
Science (What is each continent’s highest mountain?)
Everest: The Remarkable Story of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay by Alexandra Stewart
The Lure of Mountain Peaks by Myra Weatherly
Fine Arts (Angelico)
Fra Angelico: Preaching Through His Paintbrush by Dr. Melissa McCrory Hatcher
Picture Study Portfolios: Fra Angelico (Simply Charlotte Mason)
History (Prince Henry of Portugal)
Around the World in a Hundred Years: From Henry the Navigator to Magellan by Jean Fritz
The Sea Route to Asia by David Rutsala
Geography (Middle East)
Children’s Illustrated Atlas (DK and Smithsonian Institution)
Material World: A Global Family Portrait by Peter Menzel
Hungry Planet: What the World Eats by Peter Menzel
Math (Metric Measurements)
The Metric System by David A. Adler
Week 16
Science (Four Kinds of Volcanoes)
Will It Blow?: Become a Volcano Detective At Mount St. Helens by Elizabeth Rusch
I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79 by Lauren Tarshis
Oh, The Lavas That Flow! by Todd Tarpley
Fine Arts (Durer)
History (Mesoamerica)
Maya, Incas, and Aztecs (DK Find Out!)
Geography (African Waters)
The Elephant Keeper: Caring for Orphaned Elephants in Zambia by Margriet Ruurs
Family Reference Atlas (National Geographic)
Math (Area of a Rectangle)
My Rectangle Book by Agnese Baruzzi
The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns
Week 17
Science (Parts of a volcano)
Vladimir the Volcano: A Tale of Unforeseen Eruption by Rana Boulos
Oh, The Lavas That Flow! All About Volcanoes (The Cat in the Hat Series) by Todd Tarpley
Fine Arts (Michelangelo)
Picture Study Portfolio: Michelangelo (Simply Charlotte Mason)
Michelangelo’s Surprise by Tony Parillo
History (Aztecs)
The Sad Night: The Story of An Aztec Victory and Spanish Loss by Sally Schofer Mathews
Geography (African countries)
Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions by Margaret Musgrove
We All Went on a Safari by Laurie Krebs
Shaka, King of the Zulus by Diane Stanley
Math (area of a square)
The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns
Squares, Rectangles, and Other Quadrilaterals by David Adler
Week 18
Science (Four Types of Ocean Floor)
The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts! by Bethannie Hestermann
Fine Arts (El Greco)
Spanish Art Coloring Book: Goya, El Greco, and Velasquez by Arthur Benjamin
History (Mound Builders)
The Indian Book (Childcraft Annual 1980)
If You Lived With the Iroquois by Ellen Levine (not exactly the mound-building civilizations, but in the same broad region)
Geography (Mesoamerica Regions)
Draw Mexico, Central and South America by Kristin J. Draeger
Math (Area of a Triangle)
The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns
Week 19
Science (Ocean Zones)
DK Smithsonian Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia
Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins
Fine Arts (Composers and Orchestra, Baroque and Classical periods)
Poppy and Vivaldi: Storybook with 16 Musical Sounds by Magali Le Huche
Poppy and Mozart: Storybook with 16 Musical Sounds by Magali Le Huche
Music Study with the Masters: J.S. Bach by Simply Charlotte Mason
History (Anasazi)
Dance in a Buffalo Skull by Zitkala-Sa
Anasazi Coloring Book: the story of the Ancestral Puebloans by Sandra Stemmler
Geography (Mesoamerica)
Munching on Churros in Mexico – Geography Literacy for Kids by Baby Professor
Living in… Mexico: Ready-to-Read Level 2 by Chloe Perkins
Barefoot Books: Off We Go to Mexico! by Laurie Krebs
The Adventures of Lily Huckleberry in Mexico by Audrey Smit
Math (Area of a circle)
Week 20
Science (Parts of the Atmosphere)
Earth’s Atmosphere Composition Demo
Smithsonian Atmosphere Activities
Stickmen’s Guide to Earth’s Atmosphere in Layers by Catherine Chambers
Big Book of Earth & Sky: A 15-Foot Chart Showing the Inner Core to Outer Atmosphere
Fine Arts (Orchestra and Composers)
A Child’s Introduction to the Orchestra
Child’s Own Book of Great Musicians: Handel by Tom Tapper (Kindle only)
Stories in Music: Peter and the Wolf by Simon Lpo
Stories in Music: My Name is Handel by Maestro Classics
History (Mexican Revolution)
Family Pictures by Carmen Lomas Garza
Remember the Alamo: Texians, Tejanos, and Mexicans Tell Their Story by Paul Walker
Geography (Dominion of Canada)
Math (Circumference of a Circle)
Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi by Cindy Neuschwander
Week 21
Science (Circles of Latitude)
A Search for the Northern Lights by Elizabeth Rusch
National Geographic Student World Atlas, 5th Ed. by National Kids
Fine Arts (Bach)
Music Study with the Masters: J.S. Bach (Simply Charlotte Mason)
History (Exploration of Canada)
John Cabot (Jr. Graphic Famous Explorers)
Champlain: A Life of Courage (First Book) by William Jay Jacobs
Hudson’s Bay Company Adventures: Tales of Canada’s Early Fur Traders by Elle Andra-Warner
Geography (Canadian Waters)
T is for Territories: A Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut Alphabet by Michael Kusugak
Good Night Canada by Adam Gamble
Math (Associative Law of + and x)
This Plus That: Life’s Little Equations by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Each Orange Had 8 Slices (Counting Books) by Paul Giganti, Jr.
Week 22
Science (Kinds of Weather Fronts)
National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Weather
Oh Say Can You Say What’s the Weather Today?: All About the Weather by Tish Rabe
The Storm Book by Charlotte Zolotow
Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey
Fine Arts (Mozart)
The Story Orchestra: The Magic Flute: Press the Note to Hear Mozart’s Music by Katy Flint
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Composers) by Mike Venezia
Mozart (Famous Children Series) by Ann Rachlin
Who Was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
History (British North America Act of 1867)
The Kids Book of Canadian History by Carlotta Hacker
Canada Year by Year by Elizabeth MacLeod
Carson Crosses Canada by Linda Bailey
Geography (South America-West)
Just One More by Wendi Silvano
Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown
Not Just Tacos by Shirley Solis
The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynne Cherry
Up and Down the Andes: A Peruvian Festival Tale by Laurie Krebs
Math (Commutative Law for + and x)
Week 23
Science (Types of Clouds)
A Drop Around the World by Barbara Shaw McKinney
Clouds: Let’s Read and Find Out Science by Anne Rockwell
Tomie dePaola’s The Cloud Book by Tomie dePaola
Next Time You See A Cloud by Emily Morgan
Fine Arts (Orchestra Overview)
See books from previous four weeks.
History (Liberation of South America)
A Picture Book of Simon Bolivar by David A. Adler
Pachamama Tales: Folklore From Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay by Paula Martin
Geography (South America – East)
Material World: A Global Family Portrait by Peter Menzel
(Although Material World is outdated, it is a pictorial journey through the homes of real people from all over the world.)
Math (Distributive Law)
I am having a hard time finding a living book strictly related to distributive law, but here are some titles of great living math books that deal with multiplication:
Spaghetti and Meatballs For All! by Marilyn Burns
Multiplying Menace: The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin by Pam Calvert
Each Orange Had 8 Slices by Paul Giganti, Jr. and Donald Crews
The Best of Times by Greg Tang
Science (Globe Markings)
Week 24
Latitude and Longitude (Map Basics) by Kristen Rajczak
North South: A Tale of Two Hemispheres by Sandra Morris
(this is a book of poems to be read through the eyes of children living in each hemisphere – compare and contrast – it is so beautiful!)
Fine Arts (Review and Celebration)
Attend a symphony orchestra concert in your locale. Here is an example of how the orchestra gears its educational concerts towards students of all ages and types.
History (Portuguese Empire)
Songs from a Journey with a Parrot by Magdeleine Lerasle
A Map and a Mule: A Peace Story of Queen Isabel of Portugal by Eric Timar
Note: A Map and a Mule is not from the time period (1800s) of study, but from the Middle Ages.
Geography (North Atlantic)
Talloqut: A Story from West Greenland by Pannenguaq Lind Jensen
Lundi the Lost Puffin by Eric Newman
Math (Identity Law of + and x)
Properties video (multiplication)
You can find books we have enjoyed from YEARS 1 and 2 of My Little Brick Schoolhouse on my page, “Classical Conversations and the Eclectic Approach“.
I have listed some of our very favorite books from our schoolhouse to-date.
Our Favorite Living Books, Picture Book Biographies
My four-year-old daughter’s favorites:
Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jane Bryant (special needs, perseverance)
Leave It To Abigail by Barbara Rosenstock (strong women, politics, American history)
Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully (perseverance, hard work, courage)
My six-year-old son’s favorites:
Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow (inventors)
The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies (biology, nature study)
Benjamin Franklin by Ingri and Edgar d’Aulaire (inventors, American history, apprenticeship)
Our Favorite Series Read-Alouds
My six-year-old son’s favorites:
Ranger In Time by Kate Messner
We read Danger in Ancient Rome and were impacted by the reality of the gladiator life. The book itself centers around a search-and-rescue dog who has time-traveling abilities and goes on an adventure to first century Rome. While he does not initially know his mission, he does find out later the reason he was beckoned there. Although some of the content was a little graphic for my son, I would say it is up to you and your judgment as to how much you want to bring the Roman Empire to life for your children (Recommended for CC Cycle 1).
Sarah Mackenzie’s lists
–Picture Book Biographies Through History
Simply Charlotte Mason’s bookfinder
Favorite Fall Read Alouds
Super Cozy Family Read-Aloud
Free Downloads and Read Alouds for Our Summer
Now is the chance to gather your June books (see recommendations below)! I found all of ours at the library.
Narration is a vital part of classical and Charlotte Mason education. I created something that will pair well with any living books you choose to read with your children this summer. Make sure you look at the last page to examine the criteria of a good living book, as well as read a note about narration.
I look forward to hearing about your summer adventures in reading and narrating! XO, Holly
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey
From Season to Season: Happy County by Ethan Long
Attack of the Underwear Dragon by Scott Rothman
Return of the Underwear Dragon by Scott Rothman
Boats Float! by George Ella Lyon
I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly by Glen Rounds
If I Had A Tail by Karen Clemens Warrick
Dex: The Heart of A Hero by Caralyn Buehner
One Well: The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Strauss
Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle by Miranda Paul
Magnets Push, Magnets Pull by David Adler
Prairie Boy: Frank Lloyd Wright Turns the Heartland into a Home by Barb Rosenstock
A Picture Book of George Washington by David Adler
Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House #4)
Famous Explorers (reader) by Garnet Jackson
Our Yard is Full of Birds by Anne Rockwell
Summertime in the Big Woods (Adaptation) by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Abraham Lincoln by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire
Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia by Jeanette Winter
When Walt Disney Rode A Pig by Mark Andrew Weakland
Book Baskets
We keep a basket for each child in the family on the window seat by the kitchen table. Each basket contains four to five personally-owned and library books I have chosen, based on each child’s special interests and reading ability. From my oldest’s basket, we select one for about 15 minutes a day, as I like to keep him (rising third grader) reading aloud as much as possible throughout the summer. The books get rotated out every week to couple of weeks. My daughter is a rising kindergartener, but I still offer her books of interest to read on her own or at least look at the pictures during our quiet time. The youngest is three, so his books and little toys in his basket are meant to keep him occupied while waiting at the kitchen table for a meal, or during our morning time together.
8-Year-Old Boy
Super Heroes: Super-Villains by Victoria Taylor
Super Heroes: Ready for Action! by Victoria Taylor
A Day in the Life of a Musician by Linda Hayward
A Day in the Life of a Builder by Linda Hayward
A Bargain for Frances by Russell Hoban
5-Year-Old Girl
Snuggle Puppy! by Sandra Boynton
Dick and Jane: Away We Go by Penguin Young Readers
Paddington Plays On by Michael Bond
Dick and Jane: We See by Penguin Young Readers
Amelia Bedelia and the Baby by Peggy Parish
3-Year-Old Boy
Usborne Books First Math Lift-The-Flap Book
Hello, World! Ocean Life by Jill McDonald
Elementary Science: STEM, Animal, Plant, Environmental Science
Mr. Ferris and His Wheel by Kathryn Davis
A Drop Around the World by Barbara McKinney
Tale of a Tadpole by Barbara Ann Porte
A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel
Pagoo by Holling Clancy Holling
Minn of the Mississippi by Holling Clancy Holling
Christian Liberty Nature Readers Set of 6 (Grades K-5)
Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Newton’s Rainbow: The Revolutionary Discoveries of a Young Scientist by Kathryn Laskey
The Usborne Science Encyclopedia
History: Middle Ages (Integrated with Fairy Tales and Fable)
Story of the World: Middle Ages (Volume 2) by Susan Wise Bauer (history spine)
Pictorial Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
George MacDonald’s The Complete Fairy Tales
Kingdom Tales by David and Karen Mains
Favorite Celtic Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs
Fables LaFontaine (remastered) Warning: the copy I purchased was in FRENCH.
Chanticleer and the Fox by Geoffrey Chaucer (illus. Barbara Cooney)!
Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess by Richard Platt
Stephen Biesty’s Cross-Sections (Castles) by Richard Platt
Rupert’s Parchment: Story of Magna Carta by Eileen Cameron
Marguerite Makes a Book by Bruce Robertson
How Children Lived: A First Book of History by Chris Rice
Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci by Joseph D’Agnese
Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges
The Kitchen Knight: A Tale of King Arthur by Margaret Hodges
DK Eyewitness Books: Viking by Susan Margeson
D’Aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths by Ingri d’Aulaire and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire
Mansa Musa and the Empire of Mali by P. James Oliver
Sundiata: Lion King of Mali by David Wisniewski
Traveling Man: The Journey of Ibn Battuta by James Rumford
Alfred the Great: The King Who Taught His People by Jennifer Pepito
The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli
Geography
Visits to Europe by Simply Charlotte Mason
6 Ideas for Teaching Homeschool Geography + Books
Elementary Math
The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
The Lion’s Share by Matthew McElligott
Bedtime Math by Laura Overdeck
Composer Study
Beethoven’s Heroic Symphony by Anna Harwell Celenza
Living Biography
A living biography is one of my all-time favorite genres. Here is a description of what I look for to distinguish between the “living” and the “dead” books: This is what every homeschool bookshelf needs!
In alphabetical order, here are some of our favorites:
A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkinson Illus. by John Hendrix
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Tad Lincoln’s Restless Wriggle by Beth Anderson Illus. by S.D. Schindler
Peter the Great by Diane Stanley
Easter
The Donkey Who Carried a King by R.C. Sproul
Rechenka’s Eggs by Patricia Polacco
Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones
The Garden the Curtain and the Cross Easter Calendar by Carl Laferton
A Tale for Easter by Tasha Tudor
That Grand Easter Day by Jill Roman Lord
Simon and the Easter Miracle: A Traditional Tale for Easter by Mary Joslin
A Jesus Easter by Barbara Reaoch (devotional to do with younger kids)
Lord, Have Mercy by Amy Edwards (devotional to do with older kids)
An Ocean of Grace by Tim Chester (devotional for adults)
Memorial Day
A Day for Rememberin’ by Leah Henderson
Twenty-One Steps:Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by Jeff Gottesfeld
Fathers’ Day
Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer
Why a Daughter Needs a Dad by Gregory E. Lang
Why a Son Needs a Dad by Gregory E. Lang
Just Helping My Dad by Mercer Mayer
Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems
A Father Like That by Charlotte Zolotow
All the Little Fathers by Margaret Wise Brown
Independence Day
Boys and Girls of Colonial Days by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
A Spy Called James by Anne Rockwell
Benjamin Franklin by Ingri and Edgar D’Aulaire
What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? By Jean Fritz
George Washington by Ingri and Edgar D’Aulaire
If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution by Kay Moore
Veterans’ Day
Tucky Jo and Little Heart by Patricia Polacco
The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans by Barbara Walsh
Brave for My Family by Davidson Whetstone
Christmas
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco
The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving: The True Meaning of Christmas by Jan and Mike Berenstain
The Queen and the First Christmas Tree: Queen Charlotte’s Gift to England by Nancy Churnin
The Last Christmas Tree by Deborah Hoffman
Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect by Richard H. Schneider
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (adapted)
The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
Who Was Born This Special Day? by Eve Bunting
Night Tree: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids by Eve Bunting
Going Home: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids by Eve Bunting and David Diaz (illus.)
The Christmas Story: A Little Golden Book
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: A Classic Holiday Story Keepsake by Parragon Books
Thank you very much for sharing this. It is very helpful for a mother who didn’t have access to books growing up and yet wants to introduce her kids to them. These lists allow me to save much needed time.
D, I am so glad it has been of some help to you! What ages are your children?
Thank you very much for sharing this. It is very helpful for a mother who didn’t have access to books growing up and yet wants to introduce her kids to them. These lists allow me to save much needed time.
D, I am so glad it has been of some help to you! What ages are your children?