THE STORY OF WILLIAM TELL (PDF ebook) – Today’s resource is this classic retelling of the amazing true story (or is it a legend?) of the national hero of Switzerland – mountaineer, shepherd and bowman, William Tell. Read the story of how Tell was forced by the cruel governor Gessler, to shoot an apple off his son’s head, and how Tell became instrumental in leading the Swiss people to freedom. Excellent, concisely written historical narrative, just right for read aloud or study assignments.

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Grammar Land: Or Grammar In Fun for the Children of Schoolroom-Shire, by M. L. Nesbitt (PDF ebook) - Back by popular demand — A classic story book that makes learning grammar a delight! “What is Grammar Land? Where is Grammar Land? Have you ever been to Grammar Land? Wait a minute and you shall hear…” In this classic read aloud book, published way back in 1878, author Nesbitt creates an amazing fantasy land not unlike “Alice In Wonderland”, where the citizens are the nine parts of speech (Mr. Proper Noun, Dr. Verb, Little Article, etc.) and all are governed by the stern but wise old Judge Grammar. It’s a fun, fascinating way to learn some of the basic grammar rules all the while carried along by the very memorable characters and a wild adventure to boot. Highly recommended!

Here’s what one of our readers recently posted about this book:

I had downloaded this book and completely forgot about it until 2 days ago. I started reading it aloud to my boys and they were completely into it. My boys are very wiggly and they usually have to have something in their hands to occupy their physical while their mental is focused on what I am reading. They were completely still…following along on the computer screen. It was one of those awesome moments that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. Thank you for finding and sharing something that is so fun and educational at the same time. What a fun way to learn parts of speech. I’ve a feeling this story will stick with them for a while. The resources you list through the week are wonderful.

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My Plant: A Project for Young Naturalists by L. H. Bailey (PDF ebook) – A simple nature-study project, written for younger students, about growing a plant from seed and keeping a four week observation diary of its growth. Gently written, with an example “plant diary” kept by an 8 year old boy over 100 years ago. This is a great activity to start now in anticipation of the coming springtime growing season. Excerpt:

“I dropped a seed into the earth. It grew, and the plant was mine.

“It was a wonderful thing, this plant of mine. I did not know its name, and the plant did not bloom. All I know is that I planted something apparently as lifeless as a grain of sand and that there came forth a green and living thing unlike the seed, unlike the soil in which it stood, unlike the air into which it grew. No one could tell me why it grew, nor how. It had secrets all its own, secrets that baffle the wisest men: and this plant was my friend.”

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LENTEN TREE & ACTIVITIES BOOK (PDF ebook) by Miiko Gibson - Lent, which began last Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) is the 40 days (excluding Sundays) before Easter. For many families, Easter just happens. Don’t let that occur this year. You can make this season VERY memorable and meaningful for your family with this little guide by making a “Lenten Tree” and doing a special activity each day of Lent. Then fill in the fruit on the Lenten Tree Chart and countdown to Easter.

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A Apple Pie by Kate Greenaway (PDF ebook) – First up today is this charming ABC book by renowned British illustrator Kate Greenaway (1846-1910). Greenaway’s books were so popular in the late 1800s that many Edwardian parents dressed their children to match the illustrations in her books. If you aren’t familiar with her works, this is a sweet, simple introduction, and a fine alphabet book for little ones.

Baby’s Own Aesop (PDF ebook) – Next, we have this absolutely superb children’s book illustrated by Walter Crane, depicting dozens of the fables of Aesop in short little rhymes with beautiful full color illustrations. Great!

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DISNEYLAND DREAM (streaming video) – In July 1956, the five-member Barstow family of Wethersfield, Connecticut, won a free trip to newly-opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in a nationwide contest (they actually won the contest promoted in the above ad). This full color 30-minute amateur documentary film tells the fabulous story of their fun-filled, dream-come-true, family travel adventure, filmed both on the road and on the scene at Walt Disney’s “Magic Kingdom” by Robbins Barstow. In December 2008, this delightful film was named to the National Film Registry by the Librarian of Congress. Full of humor and family fun for all ages, this is a wonderful “real life” field trip back into the 1950s, with real people doing real stuff in that far away time. Don’t miss it!

Note: This is a streaming video, hosted on archive.org and not our own servers, so we cannot provide technical support on this. In addition to the streaming video option (just click on the video above to start playing) you can download this to your computer if you wish. Just click here to go to the download page on archive.org. There is a “help” link on this page in the left hand column just above the download links if you need assistance in viewing this video.

INDIAN CHILD LIFE by Charles A. Eastman(PDF ebook) - Great autobiographical story book of the authors’ experiences growing up as a plains Indian in the 1800s, detailing many of the day to day experiences, chores, games and lifestyle of Indian boys and girls during that period. A fast-moving & VERY well written account, full of outdoors lore and interesting details — with some additional stories about Indian children included. Excellent “living history” and sure to be a crowd pleaser for read aloud or history studies!

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Today, we feature two audio readings courtesy of our sister site, HomeschoolRadioShows.com:

MY ESCAPE FROM SLAVERY by Frederick Douglass (MP3 audio / PDF) – Frederick Douglass was an American abolitionist, women’s suffragist, editor, orator, author, statesman and reformer, and is one of the most prominent figures in African American and United States history. In this Audio reading, he shares a story he held back for many years – just how he escaped from his slave masters and gained his freedom. Included is both an MP3 Audio version of the speech, along with a PDF transcription.

PLUS…

CAST DOWN YOUR BUCKET WHERE YOU ARE by Booker T. Washington (MP3 audio / PDF) – An audio reading of one of the most famous and widely circulated speeches that Washington ever gave, on using what you have, where you are, to make a difference in the lives of those around you. Included is both an MP3 Audio version of the speech, along with a PDF transcription.

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Great Resources for President’s Day! (selected links) – Want some really, really neat resources to find out more about George Washington & Abraham Lincoln? How about a free PDF teacher’s guide… timelines… dozens of stories and articles… a virtual tour of Mount Vernon and Washington’s personal papers… poetry by and about Lincoln… and LOTS more? Then check out today’s collection of some of the best links you’ll ever find about these two founding fathers of the US of A.

PLUS

Childhood Stories of Washington & Lincoln (PDF ebook) – A nice collection of short stories about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln when they were boys, digitized by Ann Tatum. Great for read-aloud and discussion!

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