Easy to Read Versions of Classics

 I’m planning to teach American and British Literature the next two years.  This crew has several kids with learning differences.  I’m filling out my library with easy to read versions of the classics with these publishers: Longman Classics, Classics Illustrated, Great Illustrated Classics, and Classic Starts.

I haunt book sales.  I’m always looking for a different publisher of easy to read classics.  These types of books allow every student to finally finish a book and be part of the discussion.  I also scour Thriftbooks and the like for copies under $7, too.  I lend out my copies; many don’t return, lost in the struggle of family life.  So, I don’t want to overpay.  My husband, Rob, helps with class.  He wants to read these versions, too.

Easter Break!

 Easter is the perfect time to create loads of art projects celebrating Holy Week and Easter.  Pull out all the stops: Crayon Resist for Bible Stories, He is Risen (agamograph), Passion Tryptych, and Catholic Icing’s Mary Crafts.  With any theme you have, look at Blick Lesson Plans for techniques, such as a Narrative Bead Collage.  You could use religious beads and symbols instead.  Block’s Fresco Panel can be adapted for kids, similarly to the Michael Angelo Art Project: Fresco.  Many families take a break to honor the Triduum and Easter holiday.  Stack some art projects and call it a clinic for your portfolio.  May you have a blessed Holy Week and Easter.

Algebra 1: Do conversion problems!

 As a Chemistry teacher, I want kids to understand how to convert units.  My husband, Rob, is teaching Algebra I.  While our textbook doesn’t include unit conversions, we added this as a unit.  The teens have all done conversions earlier in math.  This is one of those topics which don’t stick.  Practice, practice, practice!  Here, here, and here are worksheets.  Want to learn more yourself?  There is a free webinar from AACT, Triple the Tricks: 3 Easy Ways to Master Metric Conversions!

Middle School Workbooks

Workbooks do have a place in the curriculum, especially is grades five through eight.  Kiddos that age like a routine and autonomy.  Let me share my favorites.

1. The Catholic Textbook Project has the best history textbooks I’ve seen in a long time. The series starts at fourth grade and runs through high school.  The curriculum includes textbooks, workbooks, and test and quizzes—all excellent.  I assigned reading, workbook pages, and quizzes.  The workbook helps kids hone in on facts.

2. Another great series is Sadlier’s Vocabulary Workshop.  This series is valuable through high school.  It can make a difference on the SAT.  Paul ran through the sixth grade edition in fifth grade.  I assigned exercises from the workshop book twice a week, as part of English.

3. Evan-Moor Daily Geography is a terrific supplement for History.  Paul did a week’s worth of Geography on Mondays.  This workbook would make a good summer review, too.

4. Two more English workbooks are Easy Grammar and Editor in Chief.  I’ve used Easy Grammar with younger kiddos to help them with the basics.  However, older teens can benefit if they haven’t had much in the way of grammar.

Lab Reports

Several kids in the Co-op Composition class also take Biology.  I carve out time in Composition to work on lab reports. If your kids write a report for one subject, make that assignment their writing practice for the week.  Younger kiddos can hand-write their reports and practice their cursive hand-writing.  Yes, it’s fine to combine assignments!  

 Right now the teens are working on a mega Microscope Slide Lab Report.  Here are the lab report rubric and How to Write a Lab Report.  I review  the rubric and guide before each formal lab report.  Below is a decent example of a lab report, which has been revised. My students type the subsections in bold with colons to make grading easier.  They use the third person with either present or past tense throughout the report.  Take a look!

Simple Math and Food Gifts!

 I like to make vanilla extract.  It occurred to be that there is a little math.  I have a bunch of glass bottles: I bought 50 vanilla beans and 1.75 L of vodka.  How many bottles can I make if I use eight ounce bottles and between 6-8 vanilla beans?  I can make seven, eight ounce bottles with seven vanilla beans in each.  How much does each bottle cost?  I spent about $1 each on the bottles, $32.99 on the vodka, and $37.99 for the vanilla beans.  Each bottle costs $11.29.  (I didn’t factor in the cost of the labels, which I’ve used now for years.)

This is the sort of practical math your teen can do when she makes food gifts.  How many dry beans does she need to make a dozen bean soup gifts?  What is the price per gift including the mason jars, beans, spice mix, and tiny hot sauce bottles?  Let her do some research and compare prices and recipes before she makes batches of granola to bag for presents. Here are 75 food gifts with recipes.  Here are mason jar gift ideas.  Which recipes are the most cost effective?  Which will delight your extended family?  Which can be done ahead of time?

 Let her write up the lesson, take pix, and add it to her portfolio.  School doesn’t need to be boring.  Budgeting, planning, and shopping are important aspects of her education.  

Home Economics: Clothing

 4-H has an extensive Clothing Project, with an impressive list of topics.  If you want to learn how to sew along with your family, try  Sewing for Beginners or Clothing and Textiles, Beginning Sewing Skills. There are photos and images.  Look at the Clothing and Textile Overview.  Here is a project guide and here is a leader guide to give you topic ideas.  I love the idea of modifying second hand clothes with Frugal Fashion.  Here is an advanced project, The Economics of Clothing Purchases.  

There are loads of free sewing patterns: Mood Fabric’s Rosalie Shirt Dress (many free patterns), Craft Gossip’s Easy Pillowcase Dress, Joann’s Reversible Triangle Tote (upload any patterns you like to Drive—Joann’s is out of business), and this sock elephant.  Sewing is so fun and practical!  Make sewing another elective!