Black History Month

I am preparing to return to the classroom at Resurrection school, and for Black History Month I am going to use this lovely little book I got recently for our grandkids--telling them the stories and learning some of the words from the pictures in Latin! 

 

A sad episode of Brazilian History

 A good friend posted this poem written by the unjustly treated Brazilian Emperor Dom Pedro II.

Dr. John Pepino's class online

We started in May and just arrived at the Middle Ages-- it has been wonderful! Every Thursday evening I am a student all over again.

 

Cinco de Mayo, Dr. Pepino's Lecture

Dr. John Pepino gave a lecture about the history behind Cinco de Mayo... it was fascinating and a lot of fun!  He went as back as Clovis and Charlemagne, and showed very intricate European royal family trees. He mentioned Brazil and Brazilian monarchs. He had many images of Emperor Maximilian, including of his execution. And, to finalize, he did explain how Cinco de Mayo, not a holiday in Mexico, has become a convenient holiday in the USA between Easter and Memorial Day. He and I, both knowledgeable of what it is to live away from one's own culture, easily undertand what is to enjoy an opportunity to celebrate one's heritage in the USA.

Black History month

Pro life leader

I didn't know about her. Beautiful poster for February.

DOCUMENTARY: THE ORIGINAL IMAGE OF DIVINE MERCY

Crusades

History Workbook, update

While I was in Brazil, Number Seven was assigned a chapter of the History text All Ye Lands--and I printed the "beta" version of the workbook I am currently working on for her to complete. I always add drawing exercises--because I've encountered positive responses to them even from reluctant artists, and especially from my own daughter. These are two of her quick drawings from that chapter--the growth of the Church. I just love them. I'm now in the Asian chapters, and soon will be done!

From Number Six's Blog

I love her blog and this post was worth copying!

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

A Cool Thing from History Class

So in history class (which is taught by the author of our history book) we are learning about the First World War. We talked about Emperor Karl von Habsburg-Lotharingen, who is actually now a blessed on his way to sainthood! He was the ruler of the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary--emperor of Austria, king of Hungary. He was the successor of Franz Josef, because the man who was supposed to be before him in line to the throne, his uncle Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated with his wife in Serbia. Due to an unequal marriage, Franz Ferdinand's children were excluded from the imperial line.
Karl von Habsburg-Lotharingen was the eagerest of the warring monarchs to begin peace negotiations All through the First World War. He accepted Pope Benedict XV's Seven Points for peace, while the other rulers rejected it.
Anyway, on to my point. Karl, while still archduke, was married to Zita, princess of Parma-Bourbon. The really cool thing is that we have footage of the royal wedding. So cool!
So you can pick him out in the video, here's a picture of him:

Look for him and Princess Zita--they come on screen toward the end of the clip.
Oh, and you can also find Emperor Franz Josef:



The video is around three and a half minutes long. I highly recommend watching it. I think it's so amazing that we can see footage from a wedding that took place more than one hundred years ago!

Sneak Peak!

Progress on my latest project, the new workbook for All Ye Lands by the Catholic Textbook Project!

Catholic Textbook Project Blog

Go to CTP Blog here for a great post to celebrate today's historical feast day!

Back to work for me

I am definitely thrilled to be back on board with the folks at Catholic Textbook Project, working on the workbook for All Ye Lands, which was the only one of their published textbooks for which I hadn't written a workbook yet.

I've always loved this specific volume, what with all of the Geography and introduction to World History... I couldn't love my job any better!

New American History Textbook

The Catholic Textbook Project just published its new volume--in ebook format for now--on American History!

Growing up in Brazil, even loving History my studies fell short, very short, on the rich History of this country. I can't wait to read this volume. Number Four is equally excited, and we and we will read it together! The beauty about the Catholic Textbook Project volumes, among other great qualities, is that they read like a continuing story as opposed to a broken-into pieces narrative that seems unconnected, like most textbooks do.

Workbook Covers

Just today I first saw the covers of second and third workbooks I wrote for them! The publishers at Catholic Textbook Project are writing the next volume, a High School American History. I love these books, and workbooks or not, I highly recommend them!

Three new Picture Books

I continue to browse through new library picture books... it seems the good ones are becoming rarer, or it may be that my filters have become more selective. So many unpleasant twists in kids' books, be it revisionist history or politically correct-ness. Or both.

In any event here are three new and wonderful picture books I was able to gather from various recent visits to the library. I included their covers and also my own favorite page of each one. Enjoy!

George : George Washington, our founding father  by Frank Keating ; paintings by Mike Wimmer. New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2012.

This is a gorgeous, gorgeous book. Vignettes of Washington's life are juxtaposed with some of his words of wisdom, done in beautiful period calligraphy. A treasure of a book, and the text doesn't shy away from Washington's faith in God.

Minette's feast : the delicious story of Julia Child and her cat  by Susanna Reich ; illustrated by Amy Bates. New York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2012.

The illustrations in this book are the sort of wonderful children's book illustrations I haven't seen in a while! Dynamic, sweet, full of interesting details and, of course, adorable! I confess I knew nothing of Julia Child's life, not even the very obvious fact that she was six foot two inches tall. I couldn't put it down, this story of a hard-working, intelligent and talented woman who was also a kind pet owner! The story is told from the perspective of her cat and the title reminds one of a certain famous Scandinavian film revolving around food as well!

Hanging off Jefferson's nose : growing up on Mount Rushmore by Tina Nichols Coury, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport. New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012.

A book about a hard-working young man, the son of Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum. The book focuses on Lincoln Borglum's early life of work and discipline, and then the huge responsibility he undertook when his father died with the project incomplete. The story tells of the love the working men had for him, and of the respect he showed the local native Americans. The illustrations are excellent, rich in details and history. Winner in my book!

Article on History Books

... read it here!

As always, I reiterate how honored I am to work with them in this project.

History Workbook Sample pages!

I just noticed the Catholic History Textbook Project has included sample pages of my workbook on their page.
Here is the link.

As I have said in my last post, I am working on the very last chapter of Light of the Nations, part 2. Below is the proof of the pudding.

History studies

I lead a History study group on Tuesdays, and we just finished All Ye Lands' chapter on Japan.

We closed the chapter with several students' presentations: we heard about the Japanese poems called haikus, about Commodore Perry and the opening of the Tokyo Bay ports after centuries of isolationism, about the Nagasaki Martyrs who gave their lives for Jesus Christ and whose blood was the seed of Christianity in Japan, about the exquisite and curious art of Bonsai (miniature trees), about the life of a Samurai, and about the great Saint Francis Xavier, called the second great Apostle of Christ after St. Paul! Also, we were honored with Mrs. S.'s presence, she assisted her boys in their Japanese food report and we all got to have some homemade Sushi! They also brought Japanese newspaper, money and Kimonos! Thank you S. family!

I think sometimes of my role with this large classroom of kids from 4th to 8th grade and doubt the fruitfulness of my definitely imperfect work. This is the only Catholic Textbook Project volume I have not written the workbook for (I am finishing the last chapter of Light of Nations Part 2!) so I have had to come up with some different ideas for students' work and activities. Assigning different topics for students to present, in their choice of manner, has worked well. I have also written simple skits that the students presented in class. If the students have learned and the class has been successful is is because the book is wonderful, and the students are equally wonderful! Although I have a licenciature degree in Art from my Brazilian college, which is somewhat equivalent to an education degree, I have never sought to be a classroom teacher. But leading a group of homeschool students whose education has been home-centered and home supported has been very enjoyable.

History skit

I have been writing mini skits as assignments for All Ye Lands History at TC... here's yesterday's Robin Hood: