A Review: The History of the Medieval World

As a regular poster on the Well-Trained Mind message boards I was excited when Susan Wise Bauer herself offered a preview online copy of her latest book, The History of the Medieval World, to posters in exchange for a review. Excitedly I rushed off my e-mail to Peace Hill Press with a please, thank you, yes, I'd love a copy.

It arrived and my first words were "Whoa!" or maybe "Wow!" All 741 pages of the proof copy. I discovered a few things in a short period of time.

1. I have a really hard time reading any book online. As a budding (would-be, going to be, hopeful) novelist I even print off my copy to read. As much as I love technology I will be one of the last people to order a Kindle.

2. This time period is fascinating! We are currently studying the Middle Ages and there are many things about this time period I a) never learned, b) have forgotten, or c) wasn't paying attention during that class period. My best guess would be "a".

I should preface my review by stating I received this proof copy free in exchange for a review, good or bad. I should also state that while we have homeschooled for 6 years now this is only our second year using a classical method. Our history programs prior to last year have not included world history. Unfortunately, I can't go back and change that.

I will also state I did not finish reading this book in its entirety. I focused on the areas where we were at in our school studies and then returned to the front of the book, but have not read as far as I would have liked.

If you could rate books on their density this would be a medicine ball not a basketball. The way this book is formatted is great. You can pick a chapter and read from that. I found it most helpful as we finished our study of Charlemagne. I would read about him and then turn to the logic stage materials we are using in class with a greater depth of understanding.

My only concern about this book is the short period of time it covers. According to the table of contents the chapters start at year 312 and the book ends at year 1129. In comparison Story of the World vol. 2 covers a much larger time period.

After delving into this material I can understand why. My only real memory of this time period from high school is people conquering, killing, and moving. This book covers not only the Western Civilization but the Eastern Hemisphere as well. It is a true world history book.

My concern for this comes from those that might be planning a four-year history rotation for the rhetoric level. Although this book is quite readable I can see where some students might struggle to read this book and then continue in another history text all in one year. I have not searched to see if there is an answer to this issue, but I'm sure there is a viable solution.

If you can only order one book on this period of time, I'd recommend this one. It would be a wonderful resource for self-education, rhetoric level studies, or even as reference book. I plan to order a print copy for myself.

The History of the Medieval World is available at Amazon or from the Peace Hill Press store. For a limited time if you order from PHP you can request an autographed copy.

School Expenses 2010-2011

I will keep this as a running total of what I've spent for school. Most of the purchases are for the 2010-2011 school year, a few are for finishing this year. I did not include the cost of items I already own.

for 2009/2010 school year:
LOF pre-algebra 29.00
Coat of Arms (dover book) 4.95
That Crumpled Paper was Due Last Week 11.00
Philosophy for Kids 20.00
Brain Quest workbook 5.00
Origami Calendar 2.40 (love clearance!)
Igniting Your Writing (currclick) 10.00
SWB's A Plan for teaching writing for middle school (MP3) 3.99
SWB's A Plan for teaching writing for elementary school (MP3) 3.99
" A Plan for Teaching writing for high school (MP3) 3.99
" Literary Analysis 3.99
Writing with Ease 19.77
Megawords Book 1 (teacher/student) 20.77
WWE book 3 - 23.07

Latin:
Latin Alive Teacher book - own
Latin Alive student book - 16.00
Latin Alive! book 1 DVDs & CDs - 94.26 (thank you, CAP! Amazing facebook discount saved 28.00)
Latin Fairy Tales - 10.17
Quot Animalia - 2.00

English:
Teach Terrific Grammar (6-8) - 14.96
Megawords 2 & 3 - 31.85


Earth Science:
Earth Science (Tarbuck 11th ed) - used 10.00
2nd copy of Earth Science book - paperbackswap. (PBS) 1 credit (changed mind on Textbook)
Switched to:
The Good Earth: Introduction to Earth Science - 1 PBS credit
" " second copy - Amazon - 6.52
Earthquakes, Volcanoes, & Tsunamis - 11.66
Weather Projects for Young Scientists - 11.66
You and the Environment - 4H project book, free download
Earth Encyclopedia - 9.99

Bible:
Dallas School New Testament study (x2) - 9.95

History:
Spielvogel's Human Odyssey (TE used) 13.00
Spielvogel's Human Odyssey (student) - already own
George Washington's World - 11.38
History and Technology 7 book series 35.00


Japanese language:
Irasshai Teacher Material - 18.99
Irasshai textbook - 29.99
Irasshai workbook x 2 - 18.99 x 2

Asian Studies:
Japanese designs (Dover coloring book) - 4.95
Great Wall of China book (PBS) - 1 credit
The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks - 1 credit
Korea - An Illustrated History - 6.48
Japan - An Illustrated History (used) - 5.74
The Importance of Living (used) - 7.95
Tales of Japan - 10.10
The Samurai's Tale - (free amazon 4/3)
Japan Culture Smart - 9.95
Urashima and the Kingdom Beneath the Sea - 9.95
Life of Pi
Chinese Brush Painting - both for 11.19 (B&N w/discount)
Asian World 600-1500 - (used) 6.86
Teacher's guide to Asian World - 19.95
The Story of Ancient China - 14.95
Ch'l-lin Purse - 6.95
Marco Polo for Kids - 11.53
Exploration into Japan - 4.34
Sign of the Chrysanthemum - 3.77
Ancient Japan - TCR download from CurrClick - 10.00
Art supplies - 12.40

Literature:
Alice's Adventure in Wonderland
Tom Sawyer - both books 7.82
Mark Twain short Stories - 2.50
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (may not use until 8th) - 1.50
Figuratively Speaking - 12.23
Journey to the Centre of the Earth - 5.17

Misc:
Uncle Josh's Outline Map book - 16.86
Planbook software - 30.00
Paper Planner & book rings - 8.00
Far East Scrapbook paper - 17.88
Once Upon a Time scapbook paper - 13.07
Paper and report covers - 11.98
More report covers (I use these in binding) - 4.36
Photo boxes (for organizing supplies) - 6.68

My Self-Education:
Classical Rhetoric with Aristotle - 13.95 (used)
Sophie's World - 4.00
Animal Farm - 2.00

Items to use Later:
Renaissance & Reformation (Miller) - 10.00
Story of Mathematics - 4.10
Shakespeare biography - 2.49
Michelangelo book - 4.30
Antique classic books - 20.00







Total spent to date: 888.13 - 30.10 (book trade-in) = 858.03 + 3 PBS credits

2010-2011 School Year purchases

I've always tried to be frugal in our homeschooling. Next fall will start our seventh year of homeschooling. Some years we've had a tiny budget, some years I've been able to spend more. My spending tends to be done over a period of time in shorter amounts. Then at least twice during the months of March and April I do a few larger orders.

I started keeping track of expenses in November. This includes items for next year (2010-2011) and any items I need to finish out this remaining year.

The current total is listed in the sidebar, a detailed list is also available as a separate post. A few items for next year I already own as I have either been using them for my own self-education. I also invested in a membership in Amazon prime last year. That has been one of the best things for us as I can purchase less expensive items as needed and not worry about the shipping fees. For our family the 79.00 fee has been worth it.

Because our expenses are usually spread out over the year I don't have an exact dollar figure for what I spent last year. It was in the $700 - $1000 ball park. That's where I'd like to keep it, at least for middle school. Part of that budget includes materials for my own self-education, I consider myself a student in our school.

By listing these items I'm hoping to not only see how much I actually spend, but that you can see that homeschooling doesn't need to cost a fortune. Happy research and happy shopping.

Asian Studies? How LCC of You

I recently posted a rough draft of our schedule for next year. It includes Asian Studies for history, geography, and lit. If you also notice we follow the Latin-Centered Curriculum as our educational model. If you are confused because you never read the page about Asian Studies in LCC, don't be, it's not there.

Z is currently fascinated with the Japanese language, stemming from his interests in Pokemon, Yu-gi-oh, and Naruto. He has asked numerous times to learn the Japanese language. Not wanting to waste an educational opportunity I have worked Japanese into our schedule for next year. What about Greek? We started Greek last year and after our experience I had already opted to keep the Greek fun and perhaps work it in at the high school level. We'll discuss Latin in a moment.

Because we entered the classical model of education at the fifth grade level Z missed some of the richness that classical provides at early elementary level. One of those was world history. Our previous curriculum focused on US History and took a more social studies approach to history. We missed many of the rich history of the Asian culture. Last year we focused mainly on Greek and Roman history, this year we are studying the Middle Ages. Next year my goal was to hit the Renaissance/Reformation period and Moderns in 8th. So going back to Asian studies to hit what we missed in previous year seems very in medias res of me.

My current plan is to use a history text as a spine touching only on the chapter on Asian history. We will then take a deeper look at the East Asian countries of Japan, Korea, and China. We'll also finish our three year world geography tour on the Asian continent. We'll also add in art with Japanese calligraphy, origami, possibly silk painting, or wood block printing.

I've very excited and have already picked resources for many of these areas. Pssst - many of these items were already sitting on my bookshelves.

Latin will still be our main language. Latin, math, and composition will still be our core subjects. Following an LCC will actually give us the time needed to pursue Z's current passion. So perhaps it is very LCC of us to take the time to explore Asia.

My Percy Jackson Review

I give the movie a solid B. There were good parts and bad parts. The casting was good. Logan Lerman does a great job as Percy, Uma Thurman is awesome as Medusa.

Camp Half blood is different than I imagined. Some of the dialogue is bad and it seems like the script couldn't decide if it were designed for kids or teens. They introduced aspects of the series is some not so subtle ways like the dyslexia and ADHD angle. They missed some of the subtlety of the book and the genuine emotion of the story seemed forced.

The effects were decent and they changed the story line, but it held up all right, not excellent, but all right.

They sort of combined Ares and Hades, Ares is not in the movie at all, neither is Clarisse.

I've read all the books twice and some of the events have co-mingled in my mind and I've forgotten everything that only took place in "The Lightning Thief". I'll have to go back and re-read it now.

All in all I give it a B because of the solid casting and the setting of the foundation of what will hopefully be the remaining books becoming movies.

Also when you go do not leave when the credits start. There is a great scene part way through the credits.

Percy Jackson Movie Day

I think I am more excited than Z. Today we are taking a field trip to see Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief. I have my camp half-blood shirt all ready, money stashed in my wallet, and gas in my car. Yippee!!

I'll post a review afterward. I've read a few early reviews and I plan to view the movie as a separate entity from the books. Z and I read the series last year, I read them twice.

For now I must consume more coffee and get ready.

Beginning Literature Analysis

After some reflection, contemplation, frustration, and commiseration from certain other homeschooling families I decided to follow the wisdom of someone who was kind enough to share their latest venture into writing. Going back to familiar stories to teach literature elements.

I immediately cried Eureka! at her lightbulb moment and ran through the house and grabbed one of the Z's favorite childrens stories, The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear. It is a most excellent story to help develop a basic lit analysis.

I hurriedly created a lit analysis form, available here. The form was created by referring to the book Critical Conditioning by Kathryn Stout. Critical Conditioning is an excellent reference source for homeschoolers.

So today we discussed the elements on the form, then we read the book. Then we went back and filled in the form. I was impressed with Z's focused attention (a good thing in 12 year olds), his observations of the plot, and how easily he grasped the plot elements.

Tomorrow we are doing a paragraph with Z being able to chose from a few different topic sentences. If you have read the book, these should be familar to you.
1. The Bear never existed.
2. The narrator was looking out for the mouse
3. The narrator was a bully.
4. The mouse allowed his fear to win.

or Z's addition
5. The narrator was a jerk and only wanted the strawberry.

I feel quite blessed to be able to bounce ideas, frustrations off others that are homeschooling. I am also thankful that those that are further ahead of us on the road are willing to be transparent so we can learn from them.