Heading to Ocean - Part Two

What do I do next?

After deciding on the areas we would address in our study, I would start selecting appropriate resources from the Reference Resources section of the study. (This list contains numerous books for the various outline sections, including the grade level suggestions, publisher information, etc.)

Choosing Resources 

Here are some suggestions of what I might choose to investigate their questions and interests:

Fish, Shark, and Whale, all from the Eyewitness Books Series, Grades 4–12. Published by Alfred A. Knopf (Subsidiary of Random House).

Let's Investigate Slippery, Splendid Sea Creatures, by Madelyn W. Carlisle, (Let's Investigate Series), Grades 3–7. Published by Barron's Educational Series, Inc.

Don't Blink Now! Capturing the Hidden World of Sea Creatures, by Ann Downer, (New England Aquarium Books), Grades 5–8. Published by Franklin Watts.

How Did We Find Out About Life in the Deep Sea?, by Isaac Asimov, Grades 4–7. Published by Walker & Company.

Strange Eating Habits of Ocean Creatures, by Jean Sibbald, Grades 4–8. Published by Silver Burdett, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Deep-Sea Vents: Living Worlds Without Sun, by John F. Waters, Grades 5 and up. Published by Dutton Children’s Books, Division of Penguin USA.

We will begin reading through these, both together as a family and as the children read and study them on their own.

In addition to reference resources that will help us learn more about sea life, I usually select some classic reading material that we can all enjoy. Looking under Reading Resources, I see that Moby Dick by Herman Melville and The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway would be good choices to read together over the study. During a unit study, the children read plenty of fiction that relates to the topic, and here are some titles that they might like from the list:

Trapped at the Bottom of the Sea, by Frank Peretti, (Cooper Kids Adventure Series), Grades 4–7. Published by Crossway Books, Division of Good News Publications.

Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O'Dell, Grades 3–7. A Dell Yearling Book, published by Dell Publishing Co.

The Lighthouse Mystery, by Gertrude C. Warner, (Boxcar Children Mysteries Series), Grades 2–7. Published by Albert Whitman and Co.

Selecting Activities

Now that we have our reference and reading materials selected, it is time to begin planning some of the hands-on fun from activities included in the Activities sections. I always try to choose some that are "pre-made" (coloring books, models, simple projects that require minimal assembly) as well as some that we do all on our own. From the resources of pre-made activities:

The Ocean Book: Aquarium and Seaside Activities and Ideas for All Ages, by the Center for Marine Conservation Staff, Grades PreK–6. Published by John Wiley & Sons

The Marine Biology Coloring Book, by Thomas Nielsen, Grades 7–12. Published by Harper Collins.

Dover Coloring:

Whales and Dolphins, by John Green

Sharks of the World, by Llyn Hunter

Tropical Fish, by Stefan Bernath

Fishes of the North Atlantic, by Thomas C. Quirk, Jr.

Along with these activities, we would also work on some from the Activities Suggestions section. One of these recommends using fishing to supplement this study. Whether freshwater or saltwater fishing, there is so much that can be learned by spending time out with a fishing pole and a bucket of bait. The successes of different kinds of bait (natural and man-made), the concept of the food chain, the battle to catch a fish, as well as all of the fun to be had while watching life in the water are all part of the fishing experience. The students can track their progress in fishing over the summer by keeping a fishing journal, detailing the variety of places that they try, the types of bait and results, the time of day, and other factors. In the journal, they can also describe their catches, possibly sketching the whole fish as well as the anatomy of the fish if they dissect their catches!

Internet Sites to Complement the Study

We realize that there are good and bad sides of the Internet as there are with any other resource, we have spent the time searching out "safe" sites that would add value to the learning experience, and they've been included in each of our studies. Our internet links are maintained and update continually, so your study never looses it's value!

Having been born and raised in Florida, I have spent much of my life within the sound of the surf and the call of the seagulls, and I find it difficult to function when I stay away too long! In this study, I have tried to share this broad and exciting learning experience with you—the history, the marine life, the explorers, the shipwrecks, the shells, and of course the sights and sounds we experience as we walk along in the sand. I hope this article will help you see a small portion of the learning potential with USAB studies.

Grab a towel, a pail and shovel, throw some sand in the back yard, and come join the quest. As always, enjoy the adventure!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

Be sure to stop by and visit our Facebook and Pinterest pages for more unit study help and inspiration!

Heading to the Ocean - Part One

Remember the first time you "heard" the ocean in a seashell or felt the sand shift from beneath your feet as the surf washed by? The cry of the gull, the steady rhythm of the waves on the shore, the sting of salt on your face—all of these and more remind us of the tranquility you can experience when seeing the ocean. 

As spring quickly approaches, the call to the water becomes louder and more appealing to families everywhere. We think of vacations and heading to the beach, while the children imagine who will collect the most seashells, climb to the top of the lighthouse first, build the biggest sandcastle, and kick the surf the highest!

The ocean was the topic of the very first unit study I attempted because it was just a short walk from our door, and the children were enamored by the beach and the water. They have always been so curious about the things we found or saw on the beach. I had a new baby with severe colic that was soothed by long beach walks, two fascinated and eager students anxious to leave textbooks and busywork behind, and a huge field trip arena at our doorstep—the Atlantic Ocean!

I always try to begin a unit study by asking the children what they'd like to know about the topic at hand, if they haven't already demonstrated specific interests or mentioned questions in our daily conversations. We have already determined that we would investigate sea life, so here are some of the questions that they had about this topic:

1. What is the biggest animal in the ocean?

2. What kinds of animals live in the deepest part of the ocean?

3. How long can a dolphin and whale stay underwater?

4. Where does the great white shark live?

There, that's four questions that we can tackle during this travel through the Oceans Unit Study Adventure!

From this point, I would proceed to the study outline and find the portions that would provide answers to the children's questions as well as stretch their interest into other applicable areas of the topic.

In Heading to the Ocean - Part Two - I'll give some suggestions for resources and activities to get your learning adventure ready to set sail! 

Be sure to visit our Pinterest and Facebook pages this week - you will find more inspiration, activities and Ocean fun waiting for you!

Fantastic Friday is Cooking up Some Fun!

To celebrate the introduction of Bountiful Bread Download N Go  this week, how about some fun additions for  your bread making adventures?

 

We have put together a "Gingerbread Prize Pack" just for you!

A Gingerbread Pan by Nordic Ware ($24.95 value) 

Create charming gingerbread cake or bread with little effort. Add festivity to your holiday with this seasonal baking pan. Heavy cast aluminum bakeware provides superior baking performance. Baked goods rise evenly, cook uniformly, are finely detailed and have delicious golden crusts due to the heavy duty walls of the pan. Our special heat reflective exterior and premium non-stick surface assures perfect stick-free results. Proudly made in the USA by Nordic Ware.

PLUS an adorable storybook to read while it's in the oven!

The Gingerbread Man (Easy-to-ReadFolktales) By Karen Schmidt (Author, Illustrator)

Ages 4 and up.  31 Pages. Published by Scholastic.


Who doesn't love a classic story like this?  Run, Run fast as you can...  and enter the giveway!


Don't forget to stop by our Facebook and Pinterest pages for more delicious learning with Bountiful Bread Download N Go!

More of our Favorite Bread Recipes

We're having fun sharing all these delicious recipes!  Which one is your favorite?

From Elizabeth: Here is a family recipe for bread pudding that goes back to my mom’s mom and her three sisters. They are all gone now, but the “younger” generations still fondly call them the perfect four. They were all born and raised in New Orleans, where folks take their bread pudding very seriously, and this is a simple but delicious recipe! It’s just a lagniappe (Southern Louisiana Cajun for “a little something extra”).

Bread Pudding

Ingredients:

4 cups stale French bread, buttered and cubed

4 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 cups evaporated milk

2 cups whole milk

¼ pound butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup raisins (optional)

Meringue:

4 egg whites, beaten

¼ teaspoon cream of tarter

1 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Place buttered bread in a 9” x 13” baking dish.
2. Beat eggs; add sugar and blend until creamy.
3. Add both milks, butter, and vanilla; pour over bread.
4. Place baking dish in a pan of water; carefully place in oven and bake 1 hour at 350°F. Halfway through the baking, add raisins (if desired), and stir.
5. To prepare meringue, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and sugar until stiff.
6. After an hour of baking, spread meringue on top and return to oven till browned. Makes 6 servings.

 

From Charlotte: A homeschooling mom of 9 in our local support group gave this recipe to me years ago. Her family made multiple loaves every week, filling their home with that irresistible aroma of fresh-baked bread. I was a little intimidated at first. She was an "experienced" mom and I was just a newbie at the time, but I gave it a try and found it to be one of the most consistent and delicious recipes I've ever used. 

"Proofing" the yeast at the very beginning of this process provides some reassurance that things are going the way they should . . . and a teachable moment with the kids. This recipe produces the most delicious bread ever! It's so good that the kids don't seem as rowdy, the dust on the furniture not as thick, and the dirty laundry mound not as high!  

Amish White Bread

Ingredients:

2 cups warm water (about 110°F)

⅔ cup white sugar

1½ tablespoons active dry yeast

1½ teaspoons salt

¼ cup oil

6 cups bread flour

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water and then stir in yeast. Allow to "proof" until yeast resembles a creamy foam layer on top of the water.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast, then mix in flour, one cup at a time.  
3. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well-oiled bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise until double in size (about 1 hour).  
4. Punch dough down, then knead for a few minutes and divide in half. Shape into loaves and place in two well-oiled 9" x 5" loaf pans.
5. Allow to rise for 30 minutes or until dough has risen 1 inch above the top of the pans. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

 

From Karen: A good friend gave me this recipe when I first got married 28 years ago, and I’ve been making it ever since. I’ve become famous for it at every church we’ve ever been to, and it’s the treat most requested by my college students living away from home.

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

2⅔ cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon ginger

½ teaspoon ground cloves

1 cup butter or margarine

1¾ cups sugar

4 eggs

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin

1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Combine dry ingredients and set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar in mixer until fluffy. Add eggs and beat well.
3. Add dry ingredients alternately with pumpkin, beginning and ending with dry. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Divide batter between two greased 9” x 5” loaf pans. Bake in preheated 350°F oven about an hour or until done. Makes two loaves.

Have you shared your favorite bread recipes?  We'd love to hear them!

Bread is for sharing!

We have a couple of recipes that we wanted to share with you . . . after all, what fun is baking bread if you don't get to share with your friends! Here are a couple of USAB team member's favorites:

From Elizabeth: Years ago, I used to grind my wheat and make all the bread we ate. Those days are long gone, but the family still asks for this bread. It’s delicious, and the dough enhancer makes it almost as fluffy as store-bought.

Whole Wheat Bread

Ingredients:

1–2 tablespoons yeast

2¼–2¾ cups warm liquid

1–4 tablespoons honey, molasses, or maple syrup

2 teaspoons salt

¼ cup butter or oil

6–8 cups whole-wheat flour

Homemade Dough Enhancer:

¼ cup gluten

2 tablespoons soy lecithin

1000 milligrams vitamin C powder or granules

Directions:

1. Mix dough enhancer ingredients in small bowl; set aside.
2. Mix yeast with 3 cups flour.
3. Mix water, sweetener, and oil in a mixer bowl; add yeast/flour mixture and stir together to combine.
4. Let sit 10 to 15 minutes until bubbly; add dough enhancer.
5. Turn on mixer and add salt. Add flour, one cup at a time, until the dough pulls off the sides of the bowl.
6. Knead dough, cover with a towel until it doubles in size, and then knead it again.
7. Shape dough and put it in two 9" x 5" loaf pans; set in 150°F oven to rise again. After the dough rises, increase the oven temperature to 350°F and bake for about 35 minutes, until golden brown.

From Cindy: At the Murphy house, we like to use mini loaf pans for this recipe, and you can make up to 3. They make great gifts anytime and also freeze well.

This recipe also makes great muffins. I discovered this when I started making the mini loaves and still had batter left. So now I usually make 2 mini loaves and then muffins with the remaining batter. Also, for the muffins, I use mini chocolate chips instead of regular-size chips.

Sour Cream Banana Bread

Ingredients:

¼ cup butter or margarine, softened

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup sour cream

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

⅛ teaspoon salt

1½ cups mashed banana (approx. 3 medium-size bananas)

½ cup chopped pecans (optional)

½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter (or margarine) and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth and fluffy. Stir in sour cream.
2. Combine dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture.
3. Stir in bananas, nuts, and chocolate chips. Mix just until well blended.
4. Pour into greased and floured loaf pan. Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 55 to 65 minutes or until well browned. Check center for doneness with a toothpick.

From Renita: My mother-in-law, has made these rolls forever. They are a family favorite, we even call them “Grandma Rolls,” but no one has been able to make them taste as good as she does!

Grandma Rolls

Ingredients :

2 cups sugar

2 tablespoons salt

4 cups warm water (about 110°F)

1 cup oil

3 pkgs of yeast

12–13 cups bread flour

Directions:

1. Stir sugar and salt into warm water until dissolved. 
2. Add oil, then yeast.
3. Stir in about 4 cups of flour at a time. Keep adding flour, stirring until the dough is not sticky (use more or less as needed). Start this around 3 p.m., and let it sit, covered, on counter until it is doubled in size.  
4. Roll dough into small balls about the size of a golf ball. Place on a cookie sheet and cover. Let rise until morning. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes. Yield: 3–4 dozen.

Come back tomorrow for a couple more bread recipes. If you have a bread recipe to share, share it with us, we'd love to try it! Leave your favorite in our comments section to share it with your friends.

If you haven't stopped by our Facebook and Pinterest pages yet, you're missing out on some delicious treats!

Kneading a Change?...Bountiful Bread is Here!

Bread. Just the smell of this wonderful food can get the immediate attention of most people! So many fun and memorable childhood events include memories of bread making and baking. From holiday favorites to daily breads, this food item dates way back to biblical times and still plays an important role in our lives. From pizza dough to whole wheat bread, biscuits to soft pretzels, bread is a fun and interesting thing for
kids to study.

At our house, my homemade rolls have always been a favorite addition to any meal. From the time the children were young, they loved watching the process and eating the results! When studying bread, your child will investigate the science of bread—what the steps are to make bread and what happens at each step to create the finished product. They will learn about some of the many types of bread along with their country of origin; geography lessons via the dinner plate are always memorable!


With this study/lapbook, your child will investigate all kinds of things about bread, including the history of bread, types of bread, some of the countries that created unique kinds of bread, and much more. Each day he will explore and investigate, creating and adding more learning components to his Bountiful Bread lapbook—building a wonderful reminder of all that he is learning to be enjoyed for years to come.

Take a Peek Inside this brand NEW unit

This is a great time to catch a breath of some fresh learning (and bread!) in your home.  Our special introductory price will make taste even better - just $5!

Please visit our Pinterest and Facebook pages for more delicious learning, inspiration and activities all week long!





Happy President's Day!

Happy President's Day from all of us at USAB! 

To continue the learning celebration, we have extended our special sale prices on George Washington Download N Go (1 week, K-4) and American Government Unit Study Adventure (4 week, K-12) through today! 

Don't forget to check back tomorrow...you are going to love what we're cooking up for you!

Join the Adventure to Germany--Rosetta Stone Giveaway

Which would you rather have learned geography from:  a dry and boring textbook OR a virtual field trip, full of interesting places, people, science, history, the arts, and much more? Here's your chance to take off on a learning adventure!  

Pack up and get ready to travel to Germany with Amanda Bennett's new Passport Geography series! This one-week unit study was developed to provide your student with a virtual tour of Germany, covering the geography of this nation, as well as some of its history, art, literature, landmarks, and interesting people. 

Get the entire family in on the adventure! Whether you have elementary, high school, or a range of students, there are options to suit your needs . . . and, special introductory prices (through 2/22/12)!

Scout (K - 6)	$5.00$8.95
Explorer (7 - 12)	$5.00$8.95
Combo (K - 12)	$9.00 $12.95

  

To help celebrate the launch of Passport Germany, our friends at Rosetta Stone have generously donated one German Level 1 Homeschool program (valued at $159)!

Rosetta Stone Homeschool features a foreign language curriculum specially designed to provide homeschool students with a rich, fully interactive and engaging language-learning experience, while giving parents the tools and resources needed to manage student progress without extensive planning or supervision.

Rosetta Stone Homeschool is self-paced and designed to make it easy for parents to offer language learning even if they don't understand the language their students are studying. Students are instantly captivated by Rosetta Stone so they stay engaged. Plus, with positive reinforcement and quick results, their language-learning confidence soars!


Be sure to stop by our Facebook page as we highlight tidbits from this amazing study.  Get ready to join us on an unforgettable adventure!

Ways to Liven Up Winter at YOUR House - Part Three

Remember the saying "bloom where you are planted"—perfect for being cooped up inside and looking forward to the coming of spring. The seed catalogs are coming, and I hope you are going to receive some of them. They are wonderful planning tools, bringing a reminder that the cold weather will end soon, and that a whole new season of fun and growing is about to begin.

Start preparing for a fun study of gardening. Let each family member choose a vegetable and flower to grow, and have the children start listing the choices. Bundle everyone up and send them out with a tape measure to choose a site and size for their future garden. As they choose the site, remind them that the amount of sun the garden location receives is important, as well as proximity to a water resource (or a good, long hose!). Once the site and size are determined, have the children draw a plan for the garden, using graph paper to keep the sketch simple and accurate. Don't forget to order the  Gardens Unit Study to get ready for learning fun in the spring!

After sketching the outline of the garden, use seed and garden sites on the Internet to order seed catalogs, read articles about planning the garden, and ask questions of gardening experts. If you don't have or want an outside, in-the-ground garden, consider planting your garden in above-ground containers, such as barrel halves or large buckets that have drain holes.

When the seed-selection process begins, either online or through the seed catalogs, have the children note how many days until each plant produces fruit, as well as the best time to plant that seed for your geographical area. Then, if you have time, plan on starting the seeds inside in a sunny spot in your house. This can be a great learning experience, even with snow on the ground. We've learned so much just through starting seeds in plastic bags with damp paper towels, watching the roots grow and the seedlings develop.

This jump-start on your family's garden will help bring some bright and fun times into the slump of winter. Also, keep an eye out for the small bulb gardens available at your local discount department store this time of year, for forcing bulbs in the midst of winter. This can provide some winter color and excitement as you all wait for the first signs of growth, and then for the flowers themselves!

Blessings,

Amanda B.

Here's Part One and Part Two of Ways to Liven Up Winter at YOUR House.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

What could tell you how much we love you better than a SWEET deal on one of your favorites . . .

Chocolate Challenge Download N Go is just $3 today only!

It's mouth-watering fun for everyone!

Delve into science discoveries, such as learning about how chocolate comes from a bean pod—that makes it a vegetable, right? Develop an understanding of the basics of how chocolate is made and where it comes from. Learn about rainforests and the ancient Maya and Aztec uses of chocolate. Research the amazing stories of some of the world's foremost chocolatiers!

Love, Chocolate and Learning - what could be better than that?

Blessings,

Amanda B.

PS - Tell your friends and share the love!  This sweet deal is only good today.

Happy Birthday, George Washington!

Awaken the curiosity, fun, and adventure in your homeschool . . .  

Learn from (and all about) "the greatest character of the age"--George Washington!

As you study this famous American, get ready for a wonderful learning adventure about a great soldier and President. Your child will investigate who Washington was and how he spent his childhood trying to learn about all that he could as he grew up in the mountains and valleys of Virginia.  

Each day your child will explore and investigate, creating and adding more learning components to his George Washington lapbook; building a wonderful reminder of all that he is learning to be enjoyed for years to come.  

There's so much to discover about this great American hero! Now is the time to let the learning sparks fly with a week-long celebration of George Washington.

Take a  peek inside this study.
  

Regularly:  $7.95

On Sale This Week*:  $4

AND

  

Civics class--what boring and dull memories this brings to my mind!  

We know that we need to teach our children the basics of American government, but how can we study it so that we all stay interested and experience lasting learning?

The American Government Unit Study Adventure is the solution! The people and events in the history of American government tell a tale that brings the basics of our government to life.
Who exactly were the Founding Fathers, and why are they still such hot topics of debate?
Did you know that George Washington was against political parties? Wait until you learn about the Electoral College and the real reason for its creation!

Yes, there are many fascinating things to learn in addition to the basics of our Constitution and the structure of our government. Given this precious gift of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" as American citizens, the next generation of citizens needs to learn the importance of what it means to be an American, what part the government plays in their daily lives, and how they can make a difference.

Come on along as we learn the story of our government--visiting the halls of lawmakers and justice, and much more. From voting to obeying laws, from governments during biblical times to governments today, join us in our exploration!

 

Regularly: $10.95
On Sale This Week*: $5

Blessings,

Amanda B.



P.S. Stay tuned for exciting news in the weeks ahead . . . we're very close to announcing a new product line which will be a great companion with the studies we're focusing on this week. More details coming soon!

The Chasing Mona Lisa Mom - Tricia Goyer

Today we are pleased to welcome our special guest, Tricia Goyer!

As a homeschooling mom I never struggled with figuring out what I wanted my kids to learn. The problem came with knowing where to stop. After sitting down one year to figure out my high schooler’s schedule, I came up with fourteen subjects. Fourteen! Uh, I had to trim that down a little bit.

I have the same problem when I look at Amanda's unit studies: Horses, Gardens, Space, oh my! I want to do it all.

As a historical writer I’ve often had the same problem. It’s easy to dig into research, but it’s hard to know when to stop and write the book. Thankfully, for my new novel Chasing Mona Lisa, I had a co-writer to help with the process. Mike Yorkey (former editor of Focus on the Family magazine) is a WWII history buff. He also lived in Switzerland with his wife Nicole, who is Swiss.

What I love about historical fiction is feeling as if I’m living history. With fiction you don’t just learn facts and dates. Readers get to experience thoughts and emotions similar to those of the people who lived during that time.

I’ve also discovered that by having my teens read a novel, it’s like adding another “subject” to my own homeschooling classroom, while my kids think they’re just in for a fun read!

Here are a few things we discovered about the France of August 1944 while we were researching Chasing Mona Lisa:

• The Nazis bought up tons of art as well as confiscated magnificent pieces from Jewish families.
• The Parisians rose up and fought the Nazis in the days leading up to the Liberation.
• Paris was liberated without much warfare or bloodshed.
• The Louvre curators hid the Mona Lisa and other famous pieces in their collection during the war.
• The Mona Lisa was moved around like a pea in a shell game and was hung in a girl’s bedroom during the war.
• Allen Dulles, an American, ran a spy network in Switzerland. The OSS was the precursor to the CIA.
• There were skimming and “Swiss bank accounts” among the Nazis. (I bet you’re not surprised!)

Mike and I learned much more in the process, and I've enjoyed sharing it with my teens. Chasing Mona Lisa is a book you can read with your teenagers as you study France with your whole family!

--Tricia Goyer

Tricia is the author of more than 30 books and has published over 500 articles for national publications such as Focus on the Family, Today’s Christian Woman and HomeLife Magazine.

She won the Historical Novel of the Year award in both 2005 and 2006 from American Christian Fiction Writers, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. 

To find out more about Chasing Mona Lisa go to Tricia's website.

A Special Invitation From Amanda

Please join me, Tricia, and Mike on Monday evening (2/13/12), to hear even more about Chasing Mona Lisa, Passport France, and how you can use both to spark a new excitement about learning for your teens. This will be an evening of fun, prizes, intrigue, and learning in a live, video chat event you won't want to miss! 

Mark your calendars for 
February 13, 
7 - 8:30 p.m. (CST). 
RSVP for this event now!

With the release of Chasing Mona Lisa, Tricia and Mike have provided an excellent companion novel for Passport France Explorer!

In Monday's live, video chat event we'll be exploring the learning opportunities found in pairing historical fiction and unit studies. In particular, Tricia and Mike will be sharing their first-hand observations and research about France, revealing the fascinating true story behind their new book, Chasing Mona Lisa, while I'll be sharing how to use novels, such as Chasing Mona Lisa, to enrich unit study learning.

We will be offering a fantastic array of prizes, from children's books and unit studies to handbags, jewlery, and decorative items . . . all with a French flair; so don't miss this chance to embrace the joie de vivre!

Bon voyage!

Amanda B.