9/11 and NYC unit study resources

Submitted by S. Duggan

Here are some resources I have used with my kids to teach a bit about the history of New York City and the tragedy of 9/11/01. I thought some of them might be useful to other homeschooling parents or parents in general. For us adults 9/11 and its upcoming 10th anniversary are times of remember (or trying not to remember too vividly) the tragic events of that day, for most of our children it is history or at best a vague memory. It can be a hard thing to know how to address especially with young children but with it in the news etc. questions are likely to come.

These 4 books are picture book/slightly above picture book level that deal with 9/11 but come at it from a perspective that is not too harsh or direct but will allow you to introduce the topic or answer questions at a level that works for you and your kids. (there are lots of more direct “history” type accounts many with pictures or drawings of more of the event but those are easy to find so I list none of those here) While I have found these to work fine with my kids you should preview them before sharing with your kids as only you know what you and they can handle on a topic like this.
Brave Mole by Lynne Jonell http://www.amazon.com/Bravemole-Lynne-Jonell/dp/0399239626/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251382661&sr=1-1
Fireboat: the Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey http://www.amazon.com/Fireboat-Heroic-Adventures-Harvey-Picture/dp/0142403628/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251382726&sr=1-1
September Roses by Jeanette Winter http://www.amazon.com/September-Roses-Jeanette-Winter/dp/0374367361/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251382816&sr=1-1#
The Little Chapel that Stood by A. B. Curtiss http://www.amazon.com/Little-Chapel-that-Stood/dp/0932529771/ref=pd_sim_b_1#

This is a book written by kids affected directly inNYC by 9/11 and how they coped, my dad who’s birthday is 9/12 gave copies of this book to my kids to have as they learned about that day.
September 12th: We Knew Everything Would be Alright by masterson elementary students http://www.amazon.com/September-12th-Everything-Would-Right/dp/043944246X/ref=pd_sim_b_6#


Here is another fun picture book about a different chapter in the life of the twin towers.
Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Walked-Between-Towers/dp/031236878X/ref=pd_sim_b_8

Nice picture book about the History of Manhattan and it’s growth from wilderness to center of commerce
Building Manhattan by Laura Vila http://www.amazon.com/Building-Manhattan-Laura-Vila/dp/0670062847/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251381399&sr=8-1 (I happened on it at the library, picture book with some short historical notes at the back)

These are all picture books of a true story of a red tail hawk that came and nested in NYC. All would reinforce the idea that NYC used to be home to wildlife not just buildings My friend Cheryl’s husband works in a Manhattan office building that has hawks or something living on the window ledge and a camera set up where you can watch them feed, fly etc.
Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City by Janet Schulman http://www.amazon.com/Pale-Male-Citizen-Hawk-York/dp/0375845585/ref=pd_sim_b_3
or
The Tale of Pale Male by Jeanette Winter http://www.amazon.com/Tale-Pale-Male-True-Story/dp/0152059725/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251381741&sr=1-1
or
City Hawk by Meghan McCarthy http://www.amazon.com/City-Hawk-Story-Pale-Male/dp/141693359X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
(all also in free library system)


These are some fun resources from National Geographic and Smithsonian magazine on the history and growth of NYC
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/09/mannahatta/mannahatta-animation

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/destination-hunter/north-america/united-states/east/new-york/new-york-history-heritage.html

Classes/teacher available for fall 2011

This is from Hannah Robbins, the homeschooled daughter of Cheryl Brubaker.

I am interested in offering some classes starting this summer or fall.

I will be offering Latin, New Testament Greek for Beginners, and beginning recorder lessons. Time and place will be decided depending on who is interested. Interested parents can contact me at hannah.robbins@temple.edu with any questions. CV upon request.

If you need anything else from me, let me know.

Thanks!

Hannah

American History/White House Resource

I picked up a book for school at a Borders closing sale the other day. It is called "Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out" While not a perfect book it has a lot of things going for it and would make a wonderful addition to your school shelf expecially for doing American History. It has numerous pieces of various length, some prose, some poetry, some pure fact, some historic fiction. The pieces are written and illustrated by 110 different authors and illustrators. So right there you can have lots to talk about while looking at the different art styles and writing styles independantly of the story/history itself. It also does a good job of covering the known and unknown people and stories of history as connected to the white house. There is also a wonderful seeming website linke to the book (which quite honestly could be very useful even if you don't have the book).

http://ourwhitehouse.org/intro.html

This site includes lots of teaching tips, links to related sites, info. on civics and how elections work, links to our countries important documents and a wonderful chart with info. on all the presidents.

So take a look and use it as a resouce for teaching about our country.

Learning about Business, Economy etc.

Heard about this website on the radio this morning. It is put together by the Wharton School of Business at the University of Penn and is designed for High Schoolers. Looks like a helpful tool for understanding and teaching about many things of an Economic Nature. I think the glossery tab will be very helpful to me in understanding some of what I hear on the news but only partly understand.

http://kwhs.wharton.upenn.edu/



My family has also been enjoying listening to some of the planet money podcasts, it has been a fun way for the kids to learn some things about money and the economy. I will say that Paul previews them to make sure they are kid friendly, most have been but you may want to do the same thing, especially with younger kdis.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/

Homeschool Conventions 2011 (PA and NJ local)

CHAP: Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania The 25th Annual
Dates: May 13 and 14
Times: 8:00am to 5:00 pm both days
Where: Farm Show Complex Harrisburg, PA
Registration: Early Bird Registration discount ends April 15th
Website for more info: http://convention.chaponline.com/



SEARCH
SEARCH will not be holding a conference this year 2011
Website for more info: http://www.searchofpa.org/Search_of_PA/Home_Page.html


ENOCH: Education Network of Christian Homeschoolers of New Jersey
Dates: June 17 and 18, 2011
Convention info will not be posted until March 15, 2011 so check back to their website then.
Website for more info: http://www.enochnj.org/index.php



North East Homeschool Convention
Dates: June 23-25, 2011
Times: Thurs: 2pm-9pm; Fri: 7:30am – 9pm; Sat 7:30am – 9:30pm
Where: Valley Forge Convention Center, Valley Forge, PA
Registration: Early Bird Registration has begun first deadline is March 1, next is April 1, next is June 1, next is June 19 and then at the door (price goes up $5 from the base with each deadline)
Website for further info: http://www.northeasthomeschoolconvention.com/

Using Tapestry of Grace Questions

Sent by Sarah P. for Sharon:

I am a relatively new Tapestry of Grace (TOG) user. My children are in
5th, 3rd, and 1st grades and we are using the lower and upper grammar
portions of the curriculum. I am wondering how other people cover the
weekly vocabulary words. Do you have your kids write them out? Do you
do all of them? Go over them verbally, etc.? Also, do you do any weekly
discussions with your kids who are reading independently? How do you do
this?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Sharon

More Summer Reading Program Options

Sent in by Kathy M.

1) Summer Bible Reading Program at Berean Christian Stores
http://www.berean.com/brlocations.asp#Anchor-Pennsylvania-3800

Pennsylvania
Lancaster Store
898 Plaza Blvd.
Lancaster, PA 17601 (717) 397-3517
(800) 759-4447 Mon - Sat, 9am - 9pm
Sun, Closed
For More Store Information: Events, Maps & Contacts

New Holland Store
16 South Tower Road
New Holland, PA 17557 (717) 354-5258 Mon - Sat, 9am - 9pm
Sun, Closed
For More Store Information: Events, Maps & Contacts

Souderton Store
773 Route 113
Souderton, PA 18964 (215) 723-4397
(800) 926-5288 Mon - Fri, 10am - 9pm
Sat, 10am - 6pm
Sun, Closed


2) Chick-fil-a
Our Kid's Reading Challenge program works best for Elementary aged children. If a child reads #10 books he is awarded with a FREE Icedream coupon; #20 books a 4 ct. Nugget Kid's Meal coupon. I think ages 10 & under would enjoy this program.

note: while the program is available to all frahchise locations not all may be participating so check with your local store



3) Pizza Hut
Welcome to the BOOK IT! online ordering form. We're glad you have chosen to enroll your homeschool family. Please provide the following information to request FREE BOOK IT! materials for the 2010-11 BOOK IT! Program for grades K-6.
http://www.bookitprogram.com/enrollment/homeschool.asp

Orders are taken on an individual homeschool family basis only. Homeschool group orders are no longer accepted. Each family must submit their own individual request.

Deadline: The 2010 enrollment deadline is June 30, however, we will continue to accept enrollment requests on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Planning on moving? Materials will not ship until September and will not forward, therefore, if you are planning on moving, please wait to enroll until you have your new address.

Click Here to Complete the Homeschool Enrollment Form
http://www.formspring.com/forms/bookitprogram-homeschool_enrollment_form1


4) TD Bank
Summer Reading Program at TD Bank
Looking for a way to make summer reading even more fun for your kids?

It’s easy! Here’s what they need to do:

Read 10 books this summer.

Open the Summer Reading Form from this website. http://www.tdbank.com/summerreading/index.html

Fill in the form with the names of the books they've read.
Print the form. Take the form to your nearest TD Bank location to get $10! One $10 offer per reader.*
(P.S. As far as I know, there is no age limit.) :)


5) Barnes and Noble
Summer Reading Program at Barnes & Noble

Here's How It Works:
1. Kids read any eight books of their choosing.
2. Kids use the Passport to Summer Reading to document the places
visited in each book. A parent/guardian signs the Passport when it's
complete.
3. Kids bring their completed Passport to any B&N store between May 25
and September 7, 2010.
4. We'll give them a coupon for a FREE BOOK, to be chosen from a list of
exceptional paperback titles.
Limit of one (1) form per school-age child (grades 1-6). For more
information visit www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading.