Read and Reflect! This assignment will take at least one week to complete. The student will read a thoughtful and informative piece of writing by Henry David Thoreau on the subject of ‘Wild Apples’, in which various themes are addressed, including history, myth, literature, philosophy and first-hand observations and reflections by the author. Several topics for essays are suggested. The student will treat the Thoreau text as a source for research purposes, and write an essay to show that they have familiarized themselves with the contents of the source, and have also thought about the contents. About The Text Thoreau is known for his unique and pensive style of writing. He spent considerable time in the wilderness and shared his reflections about nature and its relationship to mankind in his works. Here Thoreau ponders upon a marvelous fruit that has been important to humans since ancient times. He organises his musings according to the following themes: the History of the Apple Tree; the Wild Apple; the Crab-Apple; How the Wild Apple Grows; The Fruit and its Flavour; Their Beauty; the Naming of Them; the Last Gleaning; the ‘Frozen-Thawed’ Apple. Younger students often delve into season-related schoolwork in autumn – here is a text that will allow older students to do the same, and perhaps encourage appreciation of our natural surroundings, a gift at any age!

In this Canadian classic, you will read about an Ojibwa brother and sister, 11-year old Sajo and 14-year-old Shapian, and their adorable pet beavers, Chilawee and Chikanee. One spring day, Sajo’s father rescues two baby beavers from an otter attack and brings them home to their village. After one of the beavers must be traded for food, Sajo and Shapian set off to see if they can buy him back. Travelling by canoe and by train, they face various challenges on their trip to the City. They employ skills they have learned from their Ojibwa elders, and are also helped by a Missionary, American tourists, and an Irish policeman. Written in the style of old-fashioned classics like ‘Heidi’, this original tale by the renowned British-Canadian conservationist known as ‘Grey Owl’ is both informative and touching. Rich and reportedly accurate descriptions of the Eastern Canadian wilderness provide the backdrop to a story of caring people who triumph in their efforts to reunite two baby beavers with their family and finally return them to the wilderness. Illustrations by the author and a glossary of Ojibwa terms are of further interest. The book is divided into 23 chapters. Write your own definitions, answer reading comprehension questions, and research 22 topics (ranging from how otters and beavers hunt and eat, to how elevators and steamboats work). For each of these activities, you may go into great detail, or just scratch the surface – the material is adaptable to different students. Enjoy a trip into the past with a sincere story-teller and lovable characters! Research topics: Jacques Cartier, Ojibwa tea, beaver dams and lodges, how otters hunt, feeding human food to wildlife, Ojibwa/European trade, what beavers eat in the wild, what instinct is, the Hudson’s Bay Company, birch bark canoes, what ‘portage’ means, forest fires, steamboats, who are the Ojibwa, Native American spiritual beliefs, animals in zoos versus in the wild, travelling by train in Canada (in the past), how elevators work, the importance of saying thank you, what bannock is, autumn around the world, how dangerous wolves really are. Bonus! This title includes a set of Canadian Wilderness themed notebooking pages.

Sometimes, a good laugh is all it takes to chase away a bad mood or the Homework Blues! Use your own notebook to make a ‘Journal of Funny Moments’. Choose a ‘Story Beginning’ to help you get started. Without trying too hard, describe a real or imaginary funny moment. Fill a page (or half of a page) with writing, in a simple conversational style. Share the ‘funny moment’ with others and have a good laugh! Cut out and paste images (included - or draw your own!) to decorate and label your notebook and stories. This is a short writing exercise that can work at any time during the school day!

This is a guide for 90 days of handwriting practise. Four sets of pages indicate which letters or letter combinations are to be practised each day (instructions and samples included). For each day, four different words are also listed – these are to be used (one each) in individual sentences composed by the student. This type of daily practise strengthens the student’s hand, reinforces the memorization of how letters are formed both alone and when joined with one another, and provides an opportunity to practise basic sentence-writing with the simple guideline of a prescribed word. Also included: A blank page of dotted lines for practise (print as many as you need) Tips and Instructions Samples of individual upper and lower case letters, and of letter combinations (how they join together in cursive script) Note: These exercises are suitable for students who already know how to write cursive letters. They are not suited to a rank beginner, who will find them too tiring.

These drawing and colouring exercises will engage the right side of your brain, and help you to improve your ability to write neat block letters. The results may amaze you! In this book are 20 pages of carefully-designed drawing and colouring exercises, each followed by a set of 5 two-letter block letters samples. Complete the drawing in the space provided, then practise your block letters in a separate notebook. (More detailed instructions for making the most of these simple exercises are included.) All pages are in black and gray and are easily printable. Certificate of completion included! Improve your printing in an enjoyable manner with drawing and colouring!

Engage the right side of your brain with simple drawing and colouring exercises, before practising your penmanship. The results may amaze you! Here are 20 pages of carefully-designed drawing and colouring exercises, each followed by a set of 5 two-letter penmanship samples. Do the drawing in the space provided, then practise your penmanship in a separate notebook. (More detailed instructions for making the most of these simple exercises are included.) All pages are in black and gray and are easily printable. Certificate of completion included! These exercises are sure to help, whether your handwriting is barely legible or you are looking to perfect your abilities!

This collection contains 27 stories and poems on the theme of ‘Winter’ (including one or two selections suitable for Christmas and New Year), and a handful of ‘Winter’ colouring pages from Medieval woodcuts. Following each selection is a Topic of Discussion: a question which requires the student to think about one element of the text they just read, to form an opinion about it, and to express and defend that opinion. Younger students will benefit from the effort spent reading (either in their head or out loud) and then speaking with a parent/teacher or in a classroom setting about the Topic of Discussion, in a free style. Older students can benefit from using the Topic of Discussion as a starting point for a written assignment. I recommend that the older student state clearly what their point of view is, and defend it in one or two paragraphs. This will be good practise in defending an argument, a skill which becomes useful for essay-writing assignments in upper grades. The exercise of writing clearly and stating a coherent defense will prove a worthy challenge, even for pieces of writing which have simpler themes. Note: These selections are suitable for students in elementary or middle school, but are not presented in any specific order. Different texts may be better suited to older or younger students: a parent or teacher should always preview each individual piece of writing to make sure it is appropriate for a specific age group.

This collection contains 27 stories and poems on the theme of ‘Autumn’ (including some selections suitable for Thanksgiving and Hallowe’en), and a handful of ‘Trees’ colouring pages from Medieval woodcuts. Following each selection is a ‘Topic of Discussion’: a question which requires the student to think about one element of the text they just read, to form an opinion about it, and to express and defend that opinion. Younger students will benefit from the effort spent reading (either in their head or out loud) and then speaking with a parent/teacher or in a classroom setting about the Topic of Discussion, in a free style. Older students can benefit from using the Topic of Discussion as a starting point for a written assignment. I recommend that the older student state clearly what their point of view is, and defend it in one or two paragraphs. This will be good practise in defending an argument, a skill which becomes useful for essay-writing assignments in upper grades. The exercise of writing clearly and stating a coherent defense will prove a worthy challenge, even for pieces of writing which have simpler themes. Note: These selections are suitable for students in elementary or middle school, but are not presented in any specific order. Different texts may be better suited to older or younger students. A parent or teacher should always preview each individual piece of writing to make sure it is appropriate for a specific age group.

‘Gramma said when you come on something good, first thing to do is share it with whoever you can find; that way, the good spreads out where no telling it will go. Which is right.’ Little Tree narrates his own story, the tale of a unique upbringing in the near-wilderness in the 1930’s with his Cherokee grandparents as loving teachers. ‘The Education of Little Tree’ by Forrest Carter is a book that many readers turn to again and again. It is suitable for students age 11 and up who are ready to read about a time and lifestyle that differ from their own, and are able to take an interest in larger, challenging themes of life (the passage of time, spiritual beliefs, the natural world, money and government affairs, history, etc.) This resource contains reading comprehension sheets to go with the novel. (Still protected by copyright, the book must be purchased or borrowed separately.) For each chapter there are three short assignments: to summarize a lesson learned from the chapter to examine the language used in the chapter to explain how a suggested ‘main theme’ is relevant to the chapter. WARNING: The story does not paint a flattering picture of the Christian religion, and students who are Christian should be prepared; parents should read the book first, to be sure that their student is ready for this material. It also contains swear words and references to drinking alcohol, among other mature themes. The novel is presented as an autobiography, but it is a work of fiction.

Here are six pieces of writing about Chinese Dragons, and six different writing assignments to go with them! Themes include: Dramatic Dragons, Foolish Dragons, Dragons in Mythical Tales, Dragons and the Seasons, and Dragons & Treasure! Writing assignments vary – from writing a clear summary to letting your imagination run wild, from describing dragon treasure to trying to imagine how a dragon could ‘fit in’ with your own cultural traditions. A traditional Chinese paper cutting of a dragon is included to be used as decoration on the student’s notebook. Stories are taken from anthologies of Chinese folktales. Literature & Composition collections are suitable for students who are ready to read and study different types of literature in small quantities. For example, instead of an entire novel or scholarly work, a small sample of each (which can stand on its own) will be presented. This way, the intermediate student has an opportunity to stretch their reading abilities without being discouraged. Each book contains six different writing samples which share a common theme. The writing assignments vary in length and are intended to inspire the student to try writing in different forms and styles.

Imagine that you have stumbled upon an old, leather-bound book in the dusty corner of a library. You crack open the cover and discover a real piece of history: a well-loved text that has been forgotten for many years. It is both a history book, and a historical artifact. ‘A Short History of the World’ begins with a description of the very beginnings of life on our planet, and continues by describing pivotal moments and important people all the way up to the twentieth century. It includes information about various cultures, in addition to predictable topics such as ancient Greece, etc. It is written in many short chapters which contain plenty of intriguing ‘look-what-I-found-in-the-back-of-the-natural-history-museum’-type black-and-white photos. The history of the world is a big topic, easily overwhelming to any reader; here H. G. Wells (1866-1946) tells a story that is easy to understand, entertaining, and memorable. Use this book as an introduction to world history that offers older students a good look at the big picture, as well as interesting and important details. You will be exposed to ways of thinking and writing that are now called ‘old-fashioned’, but were the foundation upon which modern scientific and anthropological studies were built. The assignments that follow each chapter will help you to learn to think critically, to examine facts, to identify ‘concepts’ and ‘opinions’, and to do some research. You will read about history and hone your observational and philosophical skills as well. Learn about history by reading a piece of history! Contents: The complete original text ‘A Short History of the World’ by H.G. Wells; a reading comprehension sheet following each of the 67 short chapters asking the student to identify from that chapter: a concept or opinion a fact that is certain a doubtful fact (which must be briefly researched) an important date and relevant event and an outdated word or phrase Appendix One contains larger version of each of the maps in the book. Appendix Two contains possible essay topics and extra assignments.

‘Snow Treasure’ is a short novel based on true events. A Norwegian freighter arrived in America in 1940 with a cargo of gold bullion worth $9,000,000 (at the time). The story of how the gold was loaded onto the boat, with the help of local children and their sleds, is true. Only the details have been added for embellishment. This book is a part of the regular Grade 5 curriculum in many Canadian schools. It will appeal to anyone living where there is a snowy winter, and is a good introduction to the concepts and events surrounding World War II, without getting into gory detail and without any tragedy. There are three sets of pages included here. The first section contains sheets of questions (four questions per chapter) which the student may answer in a separate notebook. Simply read a chapter, out loud or to oneself, and then answer the questions. Also, for each chapter a definition of one word or term is included to help the student understand the chapter properly. The answer key allows a busy parent to check for correct information in the student’s answers without having to read the book along with them. Note that the answer key does not provide sample full sentences – just the facts. The second section contains the same questions and definitions, organized on a lined page so that the student can answer them right on the page (no need for a notebook). The same answer key applies. The third section contains lined pages for each chapter which the student may use to write a short plot summary of that chapter. The same definitions are also provided. There is no answer key for this section, as individual students will need a teacher’s input to evaluate their success. Note: The book is still protected by copyright, and must be purchased separately.

Hello! This file contains small samples of each of the following resources to give you an idea of what kind of books we publish! Feel free to try them with your students. English Language: Drawing for Better Penmanship Reading Comprehension: A Penny A Day Reading Comprehension: Insect Languages with Doctor Dolittle Reading Comprehension: Snow Treasure Reading Comprehension: The Player King Reading Comprehension: Sherlock Holmes Sundry Snippets (Middle School Reading and Writing) English Grammar: Adjectival, Adverbial and Noun Clauses English Grammar: Perfectly Appropriate Prepositions Reading Comprehension: Pride and Prejudice At The Movies Essay Writing and Long-Answer Response: OMG Essay Writing: Narrow Escapes French Language: Beginner’s French with Noisette the Cat Introduction to French Verbs with Noisette the Cat French Phrases with Noisette the Cat Intermediate French Mini-lesson: Apples Intermediate French Dictées: Bien Se Nourir Advanced French Reading Comprehension: Arsène Lupin No. 4 Advanced French Reading, Writing and Dictées: Les Chats Advanced French Reading & Writing: Childéric, Roi des Francs

Here is a delightful, old-fashioned book for young readers. The narrative introduces the reader to many wildflowers by taking them on a little tour of Willow Farm. In a gentle conversational style, Mr. Cooke describes where the flowers grow, gives their names, and draws attention to notable features (petal colours, leaf shape, etc.). He also presents a very manageable handful of scientific terms. Drawings of the flowers – some colour and some black and white – help to entertain and inform as you read. This book is an excellent introduction to botany for young people, being neither too simplistic nor overly detailed. It is suitable for young readers who will benefit from beginning to read longer texts; the format focuses on reading more than writing. The book has been heavily edited for use here. It is now in fourteen short chapters. Following each chapter are four to six very simple reading comprehension questions which need not be answered in full sentences (single words or short phrases will do). At the end there is Vocabulary List, as well as some decorative pages; the student may want to label the flowers and hang the pages on a wall, as a pretty reminder of what they’ve learned. You will learn about wildflowers in general (common to the Northern Hemisphere), and about specific plants as well. Enjoy a pleasant ‘tour’ of an old farm, guided by a teacher whose love of flowers and respect for his readers shines through the pages. Once you’re done, you will very likely be able to recognize a number of common wildflowers the next time you take a walk in a natural area.

The rich descriptive language in this gentle fairy-tale by classic children’s author Walter de la Mare is balanced by a simple and unique story. Read a page a day and answer five reading comprehension questions in a notebook of your own (29 pages and 145 questions in total). If your child is ready to read more advanced English, but not old enough for the mature content of classics like Treasure Island, ‘A Penny A Day’ is a good choice. Excerpt: ‘Whenever Griselda had time to herself, which was very seldom, she would climb up by the broken weed-grown steps to the very top of the Castle tower, and sit there looking out over the green cliffs and the vast flat blue of the ocean. When the sea-winds had blown themselves out she would search the beach for driftwood in the thin salt spray blown in on the wind, the only human creature to be seen. And the sea-birds would scream around her while the slow, toppling Atlantic breakers shook the earth with their thunder.’

This reading comprehension course introduces the reader to one of the English language’s most famous novels, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen. For two hundred years, Jane Austen has been revered as a master of character study and story-telling. Her books unfold almost like delicious ‘gossip’, with the most interesting news about the lives of a particular family and its connections presented at a quick pace and in a most engaging style. Each book offers a window into the tantalizing world of balls, visits, families and conversations of late-18th century to early-19th century middle class England. Jane Austen’s novels often contain major plot developments in the form of letters, and Ms. Austen herself was a prolific letter writer – it is a form of communication that is central to the time, place and origins of these beloved novels. In Pride and Prejudice alone, more than 40 letters are quoted or referred to! Information about letter-writing in Jane Austen’s time (Pride and Prejudice was published in 1813), and the author’s own many letters, is included. Here you will use the medium of letter-writing as a way to digest, summarise and sometimes interpret the contents of Pride and Prejudice. Read Austen’s flowing, insightful and captivating prose. Then, following the guidelines (and occasionally doing some extra research), pass along the most interesting ‘news’ to an imaginary Dear Aunt, in letters written in your most elegant and accomplished style! Note: The full novel is available for free download from Canadian Winter Homeschool Materials - please see our shop!

Research and Reflect! The student will read six short papers about ‘Wit and Humour’ by Joseph Addison (1672 – 1719), in which the author describes different types of humour and offers his opinions about whether these are effective or appropriate. (Please note, these essays are not themselves humorous!) The student may also read two short samples of humorous writing (included) by P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975). Several topics for essays are suggested. The student may choose to write an essay that simply refers to the texts by Addison, or one in which they use what they have learned in the Addison texts to analyze one of the other pieces of writing. For two suggested topics, a small amount of extra research is required. Detailed instructions are included. Texts: Five Short Papers on Wit and Humour Joseph Addison was an Englishman who is perhaps best known for his play, ‘Cato’, which deals with themes such as individual liberty versus government and has been described as ‘almost certainly literary inspiration for the American Revolution’. The play was well-known to the founding fathers - in fact, George Washington arranged that it be performed for the Continental Army while they were encamped at Valley Forge. Today Addison is also remembered as an accomplished essayist. He wrote for various widely-read magazines of his time, and was known for his ‘breezy, conversational style’, and his ‘cheerful and respectful humour’. The short, critical essays included here are: Lampoons, True and False Humour, False Wit, Punning, Etc. and Wit and Judgement (not original order or titles). ‘Damon and Pythias, A Romance’ and ‘Extricating Young Gussie’ (excerpt) Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse was one of the most widely-read humorists of the 20th century. ‘Damon and Pythias, A Romance’ is a simple comic poem. The prose excerpt provided here, from ‘Extricating Young Gussie’ (featuring the well-loved characters of ‘Bertie Wooster’ and his manservant ‘Jeeves’), gives a good idea of the style of his more renowned novels. TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in philosophy or the 17th-18th century.

Compare and contrast! Here are two true stories of survival and rescue. With detailed guidelines suggesting how to proceed, the student will read the texts, choose an essay topic from several suggested, take notes, organise those notes, and write an essay. This assignment will take at least one week to complete. Stories: Tracks In The Bush An Australian ranch-worker goes missing, and three Europeans, along with six blacks, trek through the bush to rescue him. The tracking abilities of the blacks consistently astonish the narrator. He also describes the intense natural surroundings and the challenges, on a human level, that are faced by all involved. The Marvellous Ice-Drift of Captain Tyson This early attempt to reach the North Pole failed. The voyage nonetheless left its mark on history when the captain and crew were forced to abandon ship and live on an ice floe for 196 days in the middle of the Arctic winter. German sailors, an American cook, and a group of Inuit faced deadly conditions together. Under the leadership of Captain George E. Tyson, not one person perished. Note: To the best of my understanding the use of the word ‘black’ to refer to the indigenous peoples of Australia is preferable to them to the word ‘Aborigine’. Thus, the original term has been left unaltered in the text. If I am mistaken and have caused offense, please let me know! TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in outdoor adventures such as hiking, camping or rock-climbing.

Summarize! The student will read a text about iron bridge building. Their essay will be a summary of one aspect of iron bridge building described in the text. The student will read the text, choose a topic (one of eight that are suggested), reread the text and take notes, and prepare a five-paragraph essay on their chosen topic. Detailed instructions are included. Text: Iron Bridges And Their Construction Edward Rowland describes the process of building iron bridges at the end of the 19th century. First he writes about bridge construction in general, referring to important accomplishments in that field from earlier times. He then describes in detail how iron is prepared when it will be used for bridge-building. He ends with a brief description of how an iron bridge is assembled. TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in 19th century literature or the Steampunk movement.

Summarize and Describe! Here are three first-hand descriptions of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, from ancient to modern times. With detailed guidelines suggesting how to proceed, the student will read the texts, choose an essay topic from several suggested, take notes, organise those notes, and write an essay. This assignment will take at least one week to complete. Texts: Letters of Pliny Pliny was born in 62 CE. He witnessed an eruption of the famous Mount Vesuvius, which he describes here in two detailed letters to a friend. Buried Cities: Pompeii, Olympia, Mycena, by Jennie Hall Written in 1922 by a History and English teacher, this text describes Mount Vesuvius first-hand according to various different sources, from ancient times to the early twentieth century. Mount Vesuvius, by Edwin J. Houston Written in 1907 by a professor, this text offers interesting information both about Mount Vesuvius’ eruptions and the cities and people affected by them. TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in Roman history, or geology.