The Chronicle of the Earth

More to Come...

2011-12-03T02:25:00.000-05:00

I have several people ask and I wanted to let you know I do have plans to finish the Middle Ages lapbook as well as the other parts of book two that I want to get on the blog. But don't hold your breath. We have some things on hold on this end, and I am not sure when I will get to it. But I will!!

Trisagion Hymn Lapbook

2011-05-20T12:04:00.000-04:00

This free lapbook was designed as a way to study the Trisagion Hymn. It is best when used with And Then Nicholas Sang: the Story of the Trisagion Hymn by Elizabeth Cripina Johnson as the main text. If she want to share this with others, please link them to the blog post, instead of to the PDF directly. Thanks!

*Download lapbook here*

Books for Further Reading

And Then Nicholas Sang: the Story of the Trisagion Hymn by Elizabeth Cripina Johnson

Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress?: The Story of Theodora by Robin Phillips

The Kingfisher Atlas of the Medieval World by Simon Adams

Istanbul, Once Constantinople by Sue Donovan

Daily Life in Ancient and Modern Istanbul (Cities Through Time) by Robert Bator

Attila the Hun: Leader of the Barbarian Hordes (Wicked History) by Sean Price

The Byzantine Empire (World History) by James A. Corrick

Life During the Great Civilizations - The Byzantine Empire by Don Nardo

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: The Middle Ages by Susan Wise Bauer (specifically chapter 4)

Documentaries for Further Learning

Byzantium: The Lost Empire 1997

The History of Orthodox Christianity 2005

Celebration of Catholicism 2005

Byzantium: The Lost Empire 1997

A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years Disc 3 2009

Websites

See an online timeline of the Byzantine Empire.

Look at samples of Byzantine art.

Look at a map of the Byzantine Empire at its largest.

Trisagion (Holy God'|) '” Strochnoi Chant by Sretenyie available for individual download

Watch a six minute online movie called: Civilizations: Inside Byzantium

Extended Areas of Study

Earthquakes:

Earthquakes by Seymour Simon

Jump into Science: Earthquakes by Ellen J. Prager and Susan Greenstein

Time For Kids: Earthquakes! by Editors Of Time For Kids

Earthquakes (Let's-Read-and-Find... Science 2) by Franklyn M. Branley and Megan Lloyd

Free online unit study and lapbook on earthquakes

Watch a video online called: Earthquakes: The Science Of Earthquakes

Documentary called: Earthquake!: The Science Behind the Shake

Constantinople:

Medieval Constantinople (A Travel Guide To...) by James Barter

The Walls of Constantinople AD 324-1453 by Stephen Turnbull

Watch a two and a half minute online video called: The Founding Of Constantinople

Byzantium Architecture:

Sailing to Byzantium by Osbert Lancaster

The Middle Ages: A Watts Guide for Children by William Chester Jordan

People:

Emperor Theodosius

Loyola Kids Book of Heroes: Stories of Catholic Heroes and Saints Throughout History by Amy Welborn

Hagia Sophia :

Seven Wonders of the Ancient Middle East by Michael Woods

Super Structures by DK Publishing, Inklink, and Phil Wilkinson

A page online from the kid’s encyclopedia about Hagia Sophia

A virtual tour of the Hagia Sophia

A virtual reconstruction of the original Hagia Sophia

Watch a 2 minute online video called: Secrets Of Hagia Sophia: Justinian's Commission

Review of Sylvan Dell Spring 2011 Titles

2011-05-10T20:12:00.000-04:00

Sylvan Dell (a children's book publisher that integrates science into it's picture books) released their spring titles several weeks ago and though my children dug right into reading them as soon as they set their eyes on the brilliant glossy covers, I am running behind with reviewing them online. All Sylvan Dell books have a "For Creative Minds" section in the back . These pages are every homeschooling parent's dream, with several pages of material ready to be turned into easy lesson plans.

Scotti Cohn, Author of Big Cat, Little Kitty, also wrote one of my previous favorite Sylvan Dell releases, One Wolf Howls. This story from her follows a different cats from the feline family throughout a week; a tiger, cheetah, a lion, a snow leopard, a cougar, a jaguar, and a bobcat and after each page contrasts the wild cats to children's familiar favorite pet, the house cat. As each page is read the child learns about the different habitats these wild cats live in and which animals the cats are predators to. Susan Detwiler's illustrations are vibrant and show the beauty of the cats beautifully. The author uses a vast variety of verbs throughout the story which adds great interests and vocabulary development for the child.

Deep in the Desert is a genius book. Our whole family was entertained. My three year old was dancing. My 7 year old cranky-kid came to check it out and started singing/reading it again by himself when we were done. Best of all, I was stimulated while reading it, not bored. It is a series of songs put to familiar tunes (I knew all the tunes well) and all the new lyrics in the book teach about the desert and desert animals. We had fun getting the tunes into our head before we commenced with the new words and there were particular ones that were declared at the end "that was a fun one!" The illustrations by Sherry Neidigh (also from Count Down to Fall) were detailed and seemed almost textured. Rhonda Lucas Donald has not written for Sylvan Dell before but I hope she does again.

The Glaciers are Melting was my three year old's favorite, but as read-aloud-reader it was a nightmare. It's all done with animal names such as Wiley Wolverine, Sally Squirrel, Harry Hare, Mountain Monarch, Mandy Marmot, ect. Once we met all the animals I hoped we would then be on a first name basis with them but the book continues the tongue twister-ing names throughout the whole book. But this lyrical type chant by Donna Love did enrapture my three year old and the message stuck as afterwards she reenacted the book with her toys, complete with calls of "the glaciers are melting!" Also, some fabulous illustrations within this book though from Shennen Bersani. These illustrations were my favorite from the releases this spring.

This is short and simple book, Habitat Spy, relies on detailed illustrations by Christina Wald (who illustrated one of my favorite illustration from the Sylvan Dell books, Henry the Impatient Heron). Visiting many habitats through this book the text asks you to spy 4 things on each page. It is done in short and simple rhyme and opens up plenty of opportunity for discussion of the different verbs used (guard, cling, sip, knit, etc.) as well as room for further investigation about the subjects you are looking for (lichens, midges, algae, alders, ect.). I am quite impressed with this first picture book from Cynthia Keiber-King.

This book offers some wonderful information on the planets in a fun "announcer" style of writing (break out the "voices" for this read-aloud!). Laurie Allen Klein, who also illustrated a Sylvan Dell favorite, Where Should Turtle Be (which for this blog I designed a free lapbook for) had a difficult job, I am sure, personifying the planets through her illustrations. This book is more "cutesy" in over all style than my family usually goes for and my kids did not spend as much time with it as others, but for some families I know it would be a great success. It is also nice to have a recent astronomy release with Pluto omitted. With this book I did not have to explain why Pluto was there, and why it shouldn't be.

As a parent, an educator, and a daughter of a published children's author, my favorite illustration vote this season go to Shennen Bersani from The Glaciers are Melting and my favorite writing was by Rhonda Lucas Donald for Deep in the Desert. My 10 year old girl voted for Deep in the Desert as her favorite story and her favorite illustrations came from Big Cat, Little Kitty. My 7 year old boy was drawn to the pictures from The Glaciers are Melting also and his favorite story was Deep in the Desert. My almost 4 year old girl got into them all but The Glaciers are Melting made the most lasting impression on her.

All in all I am really very pleased with the spring titles. I always look forward to Syvlan Dell's releases. Be sure to check them all out!

New Buttons

2011-05-03T08:53:00.000-04:00

I've added some buttons to the blog for "following". The only one that is not active it Twitter. Not sure if I am going that direction or not. But there is a new facebook group for general SOTW chatter amongst ourselves. You can also subscribe via email, RSS feed or blogger. Everyone is starting to think about next year, time to get yourselves into the planning mode!

SOTW 2 History Schedule

2011-05-02T12:35:00.000-04:00

Due to schedule and life-type stuff with the families in our own class, we have decided to start doing one SOTW book every TWO years. We were having a really hard time doing all 42 chapters in 52 weeks. I know many individual families have had the same experience. This is why the blog has been so quiet recently. We got half way through half of SOTW 2 and decided to stop for the year. We will be picking it back up in September, starting with a review and doing 3 classes a month instead of one every week, also giving us more time for breaks around holidays. Also, we live in a rural farming area and trying to continue to meet through July was nearly impossible with people's outdoor schedules. Breaking the books up will allow us to finish up the unit by the time public schools are out for the year. Look for the second half of SOTW in September! I will be posting things here and there as my family and I catch up on some missed projects and as I prep for the coming school year. I also have a free lapbook almost ready for download on the Trisagion hymn, for all the Catholic and Orthodox homeschoolers out there....

Middle Ages Lapbook for Story of the World

2011-02-20T16:25:00.001-05:00

Bumping this to the top for those who have missed it, updated to chapter 23 and added pictures.

I am designing the lapbook elements for volume two's lapbook one week at a time, as we go. You can find them all in each chapter's post using the "Middle Ages" tag but I will also put them here, the ones I have so far, and update the running list every so often. When all the chapters are complete I will zip them into one large file as well as post a video walk through. When you print these makes sure you set your settings to "shrink to a printable area".

Cover
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23

SOTW Two Chapter 23: The First Russians

2011-02-20T12:05:00.004-05:00

Internet links:

See Russian icons

A short history of Russia
Scroll down to read about the role of Ivan the Great.

Downloadable images:

Map of the Russian lands

Cathedral of the Annunciation

Nevsky and his troops

Tartar warrior

Copywork:
The First Russians
Activities:
You are a Noble, You are a Peasant activity
Possible movies or DVDs:

Movies

The 13th Warrior (R) 1999

Alexander Nevsky (NR) 1938

Andrei Rublev 1966 (UR)

Ivan the Terrible (NR) 1944

Ivan the Terrible (Bolshoi Ballet) (NR) 1976

Brainpop:
Vikings
HowStuffWorks:
Kremlin
Snack:
Borscht and bread from the activity guide
Lapbook element:
Chapter 22- PDF download
Books for further reading:

SOTW Two Chapter 22: Exploring the Mysterious East

2011-02-20T10:39:00.004-05:00

Internet links:

Dine with Genghis Khan

More about Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan

An in-depth look at the Mongols
Find out why the Mongols were successful invaders and learn more about their way of life. To see pictures of key figures, click on links under "Image Gallery".

Everyday life of the Mongols

Follow the journey of Marco Polo
Marco Polo was a European who travelled through the Mongol Empire in the thirteenth century.

China during the Tang and Sung dynasties
Click on the Tang and Song (also Sung) books in the bookcase, click on the camel and notebooks to learn about trade, then explore the scene for a timeline and more information. To return to the room, click on "Home".

More about Tang, Song (Sung) and Ming dynasties
Click on the links under "Daily Life/Culture".

Timeline of porcelain, how it's made and a quiz
Point your mouse at the white circles on the "learn" section to find out how porcelain is made, then to go on an adventure, click on "Porcelain Hunt" on the "interact" section.

The world's oldest printed dated book
Find out more about a book made in 868 in China.

Clickable timeline of China
Find out about dynasties, key figures, art and technology.

Follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo
Click on "Marco Polo" and follow the introduction or click on "The Journey" for a clickable map (click on square icons).

More about the travels of Marco Polo
You can also read a few extracts from his book.

Short animation about the enormous Chinese junk

Read more about Ibn Batuta
Scroll down to read more about Ibn Batuta (Buttuta) and see a map of his travels.

Downloadable images:

Map of the Mongol Empire

Japanese attacking a Mongol warship

Single-footed man-monster

Map of explorers' routes

Copywork:
Exploring the Mysterious East
Activities:
Travel the Silk Road
Possible movies or DVDs:

Movies

Marco Polo (NR) 2007

The Adventures of Marco Polo (NR) 1938

Tan Dun: Marco Polo (NR) 2008

Documentaries

History's Mysteries: The True Story of Marco Polo 2005

Mysterious China: Marco Polo's Shangri-La 2006

Mysterious China: Marco Polo's Silk Road 2006

Mysterious China: Marco Polo's Roof of the World 2006

The Silk Road: An Ancient World of Adventure 1990

Secrets of the Silk Road 2007

Journey Along the Silk Road 2005

Inside the Forbidden City: 500 Years of Wonder, History and Power 2008

China & the Forbidden City 1987

China's Forbidden City 2009

Ancient Mysteries: Forbidden City: Dynasty and Destiny 1996

HowStuffWorks:
Silk Road
Lapbook element:
Chapter 22: PDF download
Books for further reading:

Quarter Two review- Jeopardy Game for SOTW volume two

2011-02-20T09:52:00.000-05:00

I do not yet have pdf documents for practice review for SOTW volume two for chapters 11-21. But here is a pdf file of a jeopardy game I made up for chapters 11-21 review. We played this game again as a class of 6 teams of 2 people. This is still our best arrangement thus far. We paired the strongest students with the younger players and the teams came out fairly evenly matched. I did not have a jeopardy board this time, but worked off of index cards which was an expectable substitute since I was behind on planning this time around.

Pilgrim Badges

2011-02-19T20:05:00.000-05:00

Quarter 2 Review

2011-02-19T20:04:00.001-05:00

Tzedakah Box

2011-02-19T20:04:00.000-05:00

SOTW Two Chapter 21: The Mongols Devastate the East

2011-02-08T12:11:00.005-05:00

Internet links:

Dine with Genghis Khan

More about Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan

An in-depth look at the Mongols
Find out why the Mongols were successful invaders and learn more about their way of life. To see pictures of key figures, click on links under "Image Gallery".

Everyday life of the Mongols

Downloadable images:

Map of the Mongol Empire

Japanese attacking a Mongol warship

Kublai Khan

Tamerlane

Copywork:
The Mongols Devastate the East
Activities:
Quarter 2 Review Game
Possible movies or DVD's:

Movies

Mongol (R) 2007

Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea (R) 2007

Genghis Khan (R) 1965

Genghis Khan (NR) 2007

By the Will of Genghis Khan (NR) 2009

Documentaries

Genghis Khan: Terror and Conquest 1995

The Secrets of Genghis Khan 2003

Barbarians Disc 2 2004

HowStuffWorks:

Genghis Khan

Brainpop:

Great Wall of China

Snack:
Chicken in peanut sauce from the Activity book
Lapbook element:
Chapter 21: PDF download
Books for further reading:

SOTW Two Chapter 20: The Diaspora

2011-02-08T11:56:00.005-05:00

Copywork:

The Diaspora
Activities:
Tzadakah Box
Possible movies or DVDs:

Documentaries

The Jewish People: A Story of Survival 2008

The Jews: A People's History 2009

HowStuffWorks:
None this week
Brainpop:
None this week
Snack:
Charoset from the Activity Book
Lapbook element:
Chapter 20-PDF download
Books for further reading:

SOTW Two Chapter 19: A New Kind of King

2011-02-01T16:00:00.000-05:00

Internet links:

Pictures and information about the feudal system
Click on "Feudal System".

See pages from the Magna Carta

Photographs of Crusader castles

Find out about the Crusades
Click on "Next" to continue.

More on The Crusades, with maps and works of art
Click on the drop-down menu for links to related topics.

Brief overview of the Crusades

How fleas spread the Black Death

Online guide to 14th century and the Black Death
Click on "14th Century".

Can you win an archery contest and save your life?
The King suspects you of treason and to regain your freedom you must win an archery contest.

Find out more about medieval crime and punishment
Click on any of the topics under "Before 1450" then click on "Game" on the left for an activity, or click on "Case Studies" on the right to see original documents.

Downloadable images

Feudal system diagram

Noble paying homage

Peasants rioting in London

Battle in the Third Crusade

Map of the Holy Land

Town infected with the Black Death

Statue of Robin Hood

Map of Europe

Copywork:
A New Kind of King
Activities:
Making our own Magna Carta
Simple Robin Hood quiver and arrows
Possible movies or DVDs:

Movies

Kingdom of Heaven (R) 2005

The Prince of Thieves (NR) 1945

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (PG-13) 1991

Robin Hood (PG-13) 2010

Robin and Marian (PG) 1976

Ivanhoe (NR) 1977

Ivanhoe (NR) 1982

Documentaries

Richard the Lionheart 2006

Great Kings of England: Richard the Lionheart 1994

History's Mysteries: The True Story of Robin Hood 2006

A History of Britain Disc 3 2000

HowStuffWorks:
None this week
Brainpop:
Magna Carta
Snack:
Still looking for one...
Lapbook element:
Chapter 19- PDF download
Books for further reading:

Norman and Saxon by Rudyard Kipling

2011-01-30T19:14:00.000-05:00

Illumination Art

2011-01-30T18:58:00.000-05:00

Statue of Alexander the Great

2011-01-30T18:56:00.000-05:00

Coat of Arms

2011-01-30T18:52:00.000-05:00

SOTW Two Chapter 18: The Age of the Crusades

2011-01-19T20:02:00.005-05:00

Internet links:

Photographs of Crusader castles

Find out about the Crusades
Click on "Next" to continue.

More on The Crusades, with maps and works of art
Click on the drop-down menu for links to related topics.

Brief overview of the Crusades

Examples of Moorish art and architecture

Photo gallery of the Alhambra Palace in Granada

How Arab culture influenced life in a Spanish city
Listen to an historian talk about Cordoba, a Spanish city, in the year 1000.

Downloadable images:

Battle in the Third Crusade

Copywork:

The Age of the Crusades

Activities:

Making pilgrim badges

Possible movies or DVDs:

Movies

The Crusades (NR) 1935

The Crusaders (R) 2001

Crusade: A March Through Time (PG) 2006

Soldier of God (NR) 2006

Documentaries

The Knights Templar 2001

The Crusades: Crescent and the Cross 2005

The Crusades 2001

Jerusalem: Center of the World 2009

Jerusalem: Between Heaven and Earth 2008

HowStuffWorks:

Crusades

Brainpop:

None this week

Snack:

Still looking...

Lapbook element:

Chapter 18: PDF download

Books for further reading:

SOTW Two Chapter 17: Knights and Samurai

2011-01-19T19:30:00.001-05:00

Internet links:

Pictures and information about the feudal system
Click on "Feudal System".

See pages from the Magna Carta

Build a catapult and destroy a castle
Click on "Destroy the Castle".

Prepare a knight for battle
Find out what a knight wore to battle.

Video clips, pictures and facts about knights and their weapons
Enter the site, click on "Arms and armor around the world" then "Europe".

The last great battle of the Samurai
To zoom in on a painting of the battle, scroll down to "Interactive Art" and click on "siege of Osaka Castle" or for more samurai facts, click on an image on the left of the webpage.

Samurai armour and how it was worn
Click on the samurai soldier then click through all the pages for lots more information.

History, pictures and movies of Japanese Noh plays
NB Click on "Cancel" in the Language pack installation pop-up box to reach the webpages.

Find out more about Japanese Noh masks

Fun details about Japanese culture
Roll over "Virtual Culture" in the "PLAY" section, then select a subject to find out more about the history of origami, judo, kimonos and much more.

Downloadable images:

Feudal system diagram

Noble paying homage

Peasants rioting in London

Mounted knight

Noble knighting a squire

Map of Japan

Japanese Noh masks

Samurai riding into battle

Copywork:
Knights and Samurai
Activities:
Designing own coat of arms
Word search
Possible movies or DVDs:

Movies

A Knight's Tale (PG-13) 2001

Knights of the Round Table (NR) 1954

Samurai: Hunt for the Sword (NR) 2000

Documentaries

Knights and Armor 2004

Samurai: The Last Warrior 2004

Samurai: Behind the Blade 2008

Terry Jones: Medieval Lives 2004

HowStuffWorks:
Samurai
Brainpop:
None this week
Snack:
Still looking...
Lapbook element:
Chapter 17: PDF download
Books for further reading:

SOTW Two Chapter 16: England After the Conquest

2011-01-09T14:48:00.004-05:00

Internet links:

Take a virtual tour of Warwick Castle in England

Explore a medieval reconstruction of Dover Castle
Visit the Guest Hall, also known as the Great Hall, and the public and private rooms of the King. (Click on "Discover The Great Tower" then "Virtual Tour" or for video clips, click on "Family Fun".)

Find out about life in a Scottish castle
Click on the topics in the left menu to find out more about medieval times.

Read about castle ghosts and medieval jobs
To read ghost stories, click on "Castle Ghosts" in the menu on the left, or to find out about some castle jobs, click on "Castle Learning Centre" then "Medieval Jobs".

A castle timeline

Try an online quiz about jousting

Take a virtual tour of a medieval village home
Click on the letters c-h on the map to explore "Bayleaf Farmhouse".

Medieval pictures of country life throughout the year
Click on the pictures to see larger versions.

Do you know how to catch a rat?
Watch video clips of actors in medieval how-to guides. (For more about medieval life, click on the following topics: forge an arrow, make a pen, play a hurdy-gurdy and throw a pot.)

Explore a medieval town and go to a banquet

Trades and crafts in medieval times
Click on "The Anglo-Norman Territories" and then on "Trades and Crafts".

Medieval craft and domestic artifacts
Scroll down and click on the links under "Medieval" to see artifacts from medieval York.

Downloadable images:

Cutaway picture of a castle

Cutaway picture of a medieval cottage

Blacksmiths' guild badge

Play of Saint George and the dragon

Copywork:
England After the Conquest
Activities:
Blending languages
Medieval Fox and Geese
Possible movies or DVD's:

Documentaries

Castles of War 2001

Ancient Mysteries: Lost Castles of England 1995

Terry Jones: Medieval Lives 2004

Life in Medieval Times 2000

HowStuffWorks:
Castle walls
Brainpop:
Etymology
Feudalism
Snack:
Edible mini Norman Castle from the Activity Book
Lapbook element:
Chapter 16: PDF download
Books for further reading:

Making Viking Ships

2011-01-03T20:24:00.000-05:00

Fun With First Language Lessons

2011-01-03T20:05:00.003-05:00

Two videos for you. The first is our dressed-up version of the prepositions chant, complete with blooper outtakes at the end. The second is one of my 9 year old daughter, who didn't know she was being taped, but she has pulled this stunt before so I got the camera on before we started. I hope you can hear the sound OK on the second one. I'll give you a hint, if you can't understand one of the words, it's probably her saying "monkey."

Telling God's Story Book Winner

2011-01-01T10:23:00.002-05:00

Thanks for everyone who participated! My 6 year old son drew this entry from the hat this morning. Jeanette can email me at aliaheise@hotmail.com to claim her prize!

Jeannette said...

I have two wishes... first off, my husband has THOROUGHLY enjoyed the upper level history books, having finished Middle Ages, he now has NOTHING to read... how sad.

However, looking through the posts, I agree that another set of Story of the World, designed for the logic stage, would be wonderful!

We love Story of the World!