Practical Homeschooling Magazine Reader Awards
First Place in Geography, 2011
Second Place in History, 2011
Third Place in Literature, 2011
Published by Beautiful Feet Books this guide presents a literature approach to the study of California history using the best books available on the story of the Golden State. From discovery and exploration to settlement and statehood, California's history is alive with the stories of intrepid Spanish, Portuguese, English and Russian seafarers and explorers in addition to American pioneers like Kit Carson, John C. Fremont, and Jedediah Strong Smith. California has its very own Robinson Crusoe in the true story of a young California Indian woman who survived alone on the Channel Island of San Nicholas for 18 years. California's story is additionally enlivened by such notable events as the Gold Rush, the Pony Express and the Transcontinental Railroad. All of these stories will become familiar to you and your student as you learn them through this engaging and enjoyable "living books" approach. The study also includes a poem on the history of California suitable for memorization. Study notes are designed to lead the student chronologically through the literature with comprehension questions, topics for discussion , vocabulary, map work, literary elements, and suggestions for a student notebook. 64 Lessons. A full answer key is also included in this guide.
Resources Necessary to this Study:
Cruise of the Arctic Star by Scott O'Dell
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Zia by Scott O'Dell
Patty Reed's Doll by Rachel Laurgaard
By the Great Horn Spoon! By Sid Fleischman
Riders of the Pony Express by Ralph Moody
Jessie Benton Fremont: California Pioneer by Marguerite Higgins
Blue Willow by Doris Gates
California History Time Line by Rea Berg
Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi
Columbus by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire
Intermediate Composition Notebook
About the Author: Rea is a homeschooling mother of six whose determination to teach history using quality literature rather than standard textbooks inspired her to research what was available to accomplish that purpose. The result has been a series of History Through Literature study guides all designed to acquaint the reader with the best children's literature available on the subject. Rea holds a Masters Degree in Children's Literature from The Center for the Study of Children's Literature, Simmons College in Boston.
