Usborne Books Consultant – We Love These Books

AMERICAN HISTORY YEAR 1
This is a comprehensive study of American history from pre-Columbus through the start of the Civil War. Content of each chapter is based on the 15 major components of culture: families, agriculture, media, military, government, religion, education, discoveries, industry, communication, leaders, light/energy, art, sports, and transportation. Each lesson incorporates a narrative carefully designed to engage the students emotionally and academically. Theme art, time lines, maps and charts illustrate each lesson to “pull the student’s mind” into the text and clarify content. This course has been called “real history” because it ties the fifteen major cultural components to real people, places and principles which distinguish America. It is not revisionist history. The vocabulary level is applicable for students from eighth through twelfth grade. The content is designed to raise students’ aspirations for noble and honorable lifestyles of the American Dream. Essential academic elements are aligned with standards normally expected for grades eight through high school, either for essential elements or for state exit exams. Some states require graduating students to know about the Founding Fathers and important national documents; this course covers these topics in chapters 3-6. *(Teachers who omit some sections in order to accommodate state or local school circumstances will need to avoid assigning applicable portions of chapter quizzes and tests.) *America’s Founding Fathers, Events and Documents is a stand-alone unit study of 15 pertinent topics extrapolated from chapters. 1-6 of the People, Places and Principles of America, and is suitable as an adjunct to other history, government or civics courses and more.

AMERICAN HISTORY YEAR 2
This is a comprehensive study of American history from the Civil War to 2012. Content of each chapter is based on the 15 major components of culture: families, agriculture, media, military, government, religion, education, discoveries, industry, communication, leaders, light/energy, art, sports, and transportation. Each lesson incorporates a narrative carefully designed to engage the students emotionally and academically. Theme art, time lines, maps and charts illustrate each lesson to “pull the student’s mind” into the text and clarify content. This course has been called “real history” because it ties the fifteen major cultural components to real people, places and principles which distinguish America. It is not revisionist history. The vocabulary level is applicable for students from eighth through twelfth grade. The content is designed to raise students’ aspirations for noble and honorable lifestyles of the American Dream. Essential academic elements are aligned with standards normally expected for high school. This course is designed for one high school transcript credit. Suggested for grades 8-9.

Logic of English™ Foundations teaches children age 4-7 to read real books without guessing or memorizing sight words while developing their writing, spelling, and language skills.

In Foundations students gain phonemic awareness, learn to read and write the 74 basic phonograms, and increase reading fluency through structured but playful activities. The innovative Rhythm of Handwriting™ method aids students in developing fluid handwriting. Step by step, students grow as readers, moving from phrases to sentences to paragraphs to books.

Using evidence-based reading instruction methods, Foundations combines multi-sensory learning with the latest in linguistic research to provide students the best possible foundation for education: strong reading and writing skills.

The Classical Historian teaches students to think independently, make decisions, read, write, and speak effectively, AND learn history. The Classical Historian uses a Five Step Method:

1. Students Learn the Tools of the HIstorian. 2. Students are Challenged with Open-Ended Questions. 3. Students Research in a Variety of Secondary and Primary Sources. 4. Students Engage in a Socratic Discussion. 5. Students Write an Analytical Essay. This text includes a 32 week parent/teacher guide, DVD curriculum, Take a Stand! textbook, Lessons for the Young Economist, Declaration Statemanship, A Patriot’s History of the US, and The Patriot’s History Reader.

Online course utilizing this curriculum also available.

ALEKS is a complete math program. It allows your child to master individual skills and quizzes them to confirm mastery. If it is a new skill, the child can ask for an explanation. The explanations are easy to understand. It also tests them periodically. There is also a quick tables section where they drill and practice math facts with games. The parents receive emails weekly to show the child’s progress. No grading or worrying your child is missing skills! Customer support is great.

The Bible is a collection of sixty-six books in two parts—the Old and New Testaments. Our God’s Great Covenant series dedicates two student editions to the Old Testament and two to the New Testament (the fourth book is in production). In this series, we focus on teaching younger children the overarching story of the Bible, which features God bringing a people into redemptive relationship with Himself by means of a grand covenant. We also show how this great covenant is realized by means of many promises and their fulfillment. We teach the Bible chronologically, presenting students with an ongoing stream of stories that make up the larger story of God’s redemption of people. Chapters in the books feature key facts, a story, Scripture to read, passages to memorize, and meditations on the character of God.

There are 4 volumes, each written for a third to sixth grade level.

Volume 1:  Old Testament I

Volume 2:  Old Testament 2

Volume 3:  New Testament 1

Volume 4:  New Testament 2