Life Bible Booklets

I just learned about this amazing resource, Life Bible Booklets.

This website has printable Bible booklets from early readers to completely independent readers. All booklets (besides the early reader level) have a worksheet that goes along with it as well. What an amazing resource!

Proof The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading Actually Works

In June, after we had finished our school year, I had my kids take the DORA reading assessment (purchased through Seton Testing and administered online through Let's Go Learn).

We took summer off from school. We started back in August, and I began using The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading with my 4th grade struggling (dyslexic) reader. We finished the book in 10 weeks. It wasn't always easy. We both wanted to pull our hair out sometimes. It was 10 weeks of intense work. However, it worked. Here's proof.

The DORA Reading Assessment tested her high frequency words, word recognition, phonics, spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension. Here are her results:

Let's take a moment and praise God right now!!!! Her high frequency word score stayed the same, but that doesn't surprise me, or concern me, because TOPGTR is a phonics program, not a sight word program. As you can see her overall word recognition jumped significantly. However, the main score I wanted on this test was that phonics score...what the book is all about. She went from a high second grade level to a mid 4th level (aka right where she should be) in 10 weeks. She did not score a 4.83, which doesn't surprise me either, because the last 2 sections of TOPGTR are the multi-syllable sections, and she struggled most with those. However, that's okay. I know what to continue to work on. Besides, that is expected to be mastered by the end of her 4th grade year. We have time. She's never had a problem with vocabulary and comprehension, but those increased slightly anyway.

The author of TOPGTR specifically states in the book not to worry about spelling while focusing on getting the child reading. So, we didn't. Her spelling still increased slightly, but this is obviously something we will now need to put more intensive work in.

It is said that at the end of TOPGTR students are left reading at a 4th grade level. Well, here's proof.

Note: Below is an affiliate link. I get a portion of the sale price via Amazon credit if you purchase through my link (which I'd greatly appreciate). However, I purchased this book on my own, and this post and my previous review are all true to my own opinions and experience.

The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading Review

I found this book over summer accidentally through a google search. It intrigued me, so I bought it used on Amazon. This is my review of the book/program.

I used this book with my 9 year old struggling reader. We got through the entire book (231 lessons) in 10 weeks. This book would likely take 2 years to get through with a young student/new reader. Used as a remedial program you can work through as slow or as fast as you need.

Pros:

• Reasonably priced (especially if you use it over and over)
• Teaches phonics systematically
• There is no grade level, therefore older kids do not feel like they are "behind"
• Scripted (tells you exactly what to say and do)
• Doesn't require any prep work (open and go)
• Non-consumable

Cons:

• May be boring or overwhelming with both parent and student text on one page and no pictures 
• Doesn't go in depth into how to apply phonics rules when reading outside of this book
• A few times I found that sounds were taught differently than we say them (this is a dialect issue I'm sure-we are from California/Arizona)
• The "rules" associated with some words/phonograms aren't always explicitly explained-for example, it may say something like, "These words come from the French language so they have this sound..." and basically the student needs to memorize those words have that sound versus being able to apply the rule

Bottom Line: I recommend this book. I HIGHLY recommend this book to be used as a remedial phonics program for older/struggling kids. I think it can definitely work with younger kids, but may not be every young kids cup of tea. My 9 year old did not always love the lessons, and would sometimes get frustrated. However, she feels very accomplished and reading is now easier for her, which ultimately makes us both happy. It was extremely easy to use on my (the teacher's) end.

If you'd like to purchase this book yourself, I'd appreciate it if you'd use my affiliate link (which gives me a portion of the purchase price in Amazon credit). Thank you!

Early 19th Century Family Life and Culture

Read about Pioneer life. Read more about life in the 19th century.



Read about Pioneer hygeine.

Learn about Pioneer children's experiences in this PowerPoint.


Do this Pioneer life word search.

Do one of these Pioneer crafts.

Older elementary students can do this Pioneer life research project.

Watch this video:

In the 19th century children learned to read using McGuffey readers. You can download the 6 McGuffey readers, the McGuffey primer, and the McGuffey spelling book here. Practice reading this week from the readers!

The Industrial Revolution

• Read about the Industrial Revolution and do the accompanying worksheets (middle-high school students).

• Follow the links on this page to research the Industrial Revolution.

• Research the major inventions of the Industrial Revolution using this worksheet.

• Do this vocabulary cut and paste worksheet.

• Enjoy viewing this PowerPoint showing fashion styles during the Industrial Revolution.

• Read about the Rhode Island System of Labor. Can you imagine your entire family working at these factories? Read more about child labor during the Industrial Revolution.

• Read about the Lowell System. If you are a girl, would you want to work and live in a Lowell factory?

• Read about Samuel Morse. Then practice using Morse code. When you think you're ready, practice on this Morse Code Machine (totally fun, even had me hooked).

• Listen to the Erie Canal song:

Manifest Destiny, Native Americans, and the Mexican War

Note: There is a lot covered in this lesson. You could easily spread it out over 2 (or more) weeks.

Manifest Destiny-

Students read a small explanation of Manifest Destiny, analyze a picture and answer questions in this worksheet.

Middle school students can do this week long Manifest Destiny project.

You can use the word wall cards to practice vocabulary related to Manifest Destiny.


A  Westward Push-

View this PowerPoint on westward expansion.


Do this Oregon Trail webquest.

Read more about the Oregon Trail.

Identify parts of a covered wagon with this worksheet. Investigate reasons why the pioneers traveled west with this worksheet. Read and answer questions about the Oregon Trail in this reading passage and worksheet.

5th-10th grade students can do this Oregon Trail journal project.

Write about the Oregon Trail on this notebooking page.

Check out these Primary Sources from the Library of Congress.

Texas and the Alamo-

Read about the Battle of the Alamo.

Read this packet and do the worksheets. You may even want to try the sugar cube alamo project!


The California Gold Rush and the Forty-Niners-

Read about the Gold Rush.

Complete this Gold Rush activity pack and play the game.

Explore routes to California in this map activity.

Decorate this 49er.

Write about the Gold Rush on this notebooking page.

Native Americans-

Read about the Indian Removal Act.

Read about the Trail of Tears.

View these Native American photos.

The Mexican War-

Read about the Mexican-American war.

View this Mexican-American war PowerPoint.

Extras:

Watch the movie Seven Alone (Note: It's a bit shaky on this website, but free. You can also rent it on amazon but that costs).

Sing The Ballad of Davy Crockett:

Sing Oh My Darlin' Clementine:

Review events with this westward expansion timeline card set.

The Jacksonians and the Whigs

A New Political Era-

Watch a video and read about Jacksonian Democracy.


Watch a video and read about the Whig Party. Younger kids may read here.

The Five Civilized Nations-


Read about the five civilized tribes.

John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)-

Read about John Quincy Adams.

Write about John Quincy Adams on this notebooking page.

Andrew Jackson (1829-1837)-

Read about Andrew Jackson.

Write about Andrew Jackson on this notebooking page.

Middle school students can view this PowerPoint and complete the accompanying worksheet.

Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)-

Read about Martin Van Buren.

Write about Martin Van Buren on this notebooking page.

William Henry Harrison (1841)-

Read about William Henry Harrison.

Write about William Henry Harrison on this notebooking page.

John Tyler (1841-1845)-

Read about John Tyler.

Write about John Tyler, Jr. on this notebooking page.

James Polk (1845-1849)-

Read about James Polk.

Write about James Polk on this notebooking page.

EXTRAS:

View media of William Henry Harrison.

Have you ever been in a fight with a friend? What does the Bible say about friends? Read and discuss Proverbs 6:3, 17:9, 17:17, and 18:24.