Spine Book #1
Our Young Folks' Josephus
rewritten for children by William Shepard
Any classically educated
person recognizes the name Josephus- the great historian from the first
century who chronicled the history of the Hebrew people-and to whom the
early church fathers, especially Eusebius, heavily referred. In 1884,
William Shepard rewrote his histories for children and this outstanding book
is once again in print! Starting with Abraham (2078 BC), the patriarch
of the Hebrews, the story is told through 70 AD. We see how the
Old Testament intertwines with Alexander the Great, the many Ptolemys,
Maccabeus, Aristobulus, Caligula, Vespasian, the fall of Massada, and other
events and people of the time.
$24.95
Available from Tanglewood!
Our
Young Folks' Josephus
presents a
chronological history of the ancient world as seen from the
Hebrew
viewpoint. The strength of this approach is that the
study of one particular country gives a strong framework on
which to hang other knowledge of the era. |
(Spine
Book for school year 2003/4 reading
schedule)
The Story of the World Vol. I by Susan Wise Bauer,
co-author of The Well-Trained Mind.
The sweep of ancient history is
presented in an engaging story format that is easy for first graders to
understand. Helpful timeline notes are also included at the end of
each chapter.
While I think that SOTW is
good and I appreciate the story-telling ability of SWB, I think the book has
a particular fault: Because of the "sweeping view" of history, the
reader does not develop an intimate view of any particular civilization(s).
(I also found bouncing back and forth between the civilizations
disconcerting and I assume it was somewhat confusing to my children too.)
When I consider what I want my students to remember from their elementary
ancient history studies, this is it: an intimate knowledge of the
Hebrew, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations and the important men and
women who shaped them. Because of this, we have selected different
spine books.
The
Story of the World
presents a
chronological view of history sweeping across countries and
cultures. The strength of this approach is that the
student gains a cursory knowledge of a variety of people groups.
The weakness is that the student does not gain an intimate
knowledge of any group and therefore does not have a grid on
which to hang future knowledge. |
|
Spine Books #2, 3, & 4
These books are absolutely great!
Each 2-page layout has a catchy rhyme and large illustration about something
pertinent to the civilization- famous persons, places, events, architecture,
culture, myths, etc. One thing I appreciate about the books is that they focus on the famous people- not the famous "gods" and mythological
characters.
I'm sad to say that I never heard
the name "Socrates" until I was in high school listening to an Amy Grant
song- and then, only from context, did I know his claim to fame was being
"wise" :-) These books will introduce your children (in a cursory way)
to most of the ancient characters an educated person should be familiar
with.
|
|
 The
Book of Centuries (BOC) Packet
-containing pages for all four eras
Each BOC packet will be emailed to you in a PDF file. You
will be able to print however many of each page you want, whenever you need
to!
The packet
includes (11) pages:
(3) pages for the ancient era
(3) pages for the medieval era
(3) pages for the renaissance era
(3) pages for the modern era
(1) cover sheet
(1) sheet with spine text for the binder and tab text for the tabs
(1) instruction sheet |
|
At the top of each page is an area for the title (where the child
writes in the name of the person/event/geographical concept
being studied) and relevant dates. There is also a
timeline on which the child can make a 'dot' in the appropriate
place.
On each page are four boxes (or two boxes) in which the child can place things
that will reinforce the importance of the subject. (Those of you
who like lapbooking will have great ideas, I'm sure!) The
boxes can contain pictures of the subject, lists, maps, quotes,
causes & effects, flora and fauna, monuments, architecture, etc. |
-or...Click here
for more information and bigger pictures of the BOC pages
Available from Tanglewood!
|
|
Pompeii...Buried Alive!
Your child will learn
about the inner workings of a volcano while reading the
dramatic moment-by-moment account of the volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.
Full color illustrations.
pb, 40+pp
|
The Twelve Labors of Hercules
Although he is the strongest man in the world, Hercules must also use his
wits to accomplish the twelve labors set before him by a jealous king.
Exciting illustrations enhance this wonderful first step into Greek
mythology.
pb, 40+ pp.
Awaiting reprinting at the
publisher, but if you can find a used copy, it's great! |
|
The Trojan Horse
The concluding story in the ten year struggle between the Greeks and the
Trojans. Would the Greek’s clever plan succeed in getting them inside the
walled city of Troy or would it get them all killed?
pb, 40+ pp. |
Aesop's
Fables
by Elizabeth McGovern
I love this author!
While this book is not one of the fancy illustrated ones, McGovern's
retellings of the fables are unbeatable. Contains 67 fables.
pb
|
|
Aladdin & Other Favorite Stories
Six classic stories are
contained in this little volume, including "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp,"
"Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves," "The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor,"
and others. We found the stories to be well-written and exciting.
pb, 83pp |
Pharaohs and Pyramids
a Time Traveler Book
Fascinating and lively illustrations in
this Usborne book make it a great complement to an overview of Egyptian
history. My girls enjoyed scenes including little children evading the fangs
of a cobra
pb
|
|
Tut's Mummy Lost and Found
The exciting story of
the discovery of an Egyptian boy-king's long lost tomb!
$3.99, pb, 40+ pp.
|
Adventures of the Greek Heroes
I can not say enough
good things about this book! I've reviewed a lot of children's books
on Greek mythology and this one beats them all, hands down. The
stories are simple and clear, written expressly for children. They are
also "clean," leaving out the sordid details that often accompany these
tales.
pb,
174pp
|
|
The Great Wall of China
How was King Chen of China going to protect his people from the fierce
Mongol raiders? Read this rhythmic account of his solution,
illustrated by Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Leonard Everett Fisher.
pb, 32pp
|
Gilgamesh the King
Retelling of the
ancient Sumerian epic with outstanding illustrations. No classical education
is complete without this one!
pb
|
|
The Token Gift
Based on an old legend
about the origin of chess, this story will intrigue young and old alike.
Mohan, who invented the game of military strategy as a young boy, is now
grown up and invited to play against the king of India. What happens next
will boggle the mind. I heard this mathematical riddle as a child and never
forgot it.
|
Science in Ancient Rome
See how the ancient Romans used ideas from other cultures to create
new techniques and materials to improve their own lives.
Intriguing!
*our picture
|
