Finding Fun Books

When it comes to enjoying reading, what you really need are some fun books. Not that everyone's definition of fun is the same! But, who would want to read a boring book?

I've just relaunched one of my own websites with lots of information on how to find great reading suggestions. I learned a lot during the process of writing, especially about which publisher produces which ranges of books, where to find great reading lists, and how to find stuff on Amazon.com (often-times I've been frustrated to mainly see best sellers, most of which I'm not interested in).

You can find all of the information about best books at my site GreatFunBooks.com. I've not written specifically for homeschoolers this time, though I do mention that homeschoolers really value non-fiction kids books. I think that's one of the myriad reasons that homeschooled kids know so much. I also did pretty extensive research on early readers for the page on best books for kids so, if you have a pre-reader or early reader at home be sure to check that page out.

Do let me know what you think and whether there is other information you'd like to see there.

SmartDraw 2009 Homeschool

Homeschool Buyers Co-op have announced that they are offering SmartDraw 2009 Homeschool for the last time, ending December 31st, 2009, early morning. Discount is 60% and the price is $59. You must have been a member for 3 days to take advantage of this offer.

You can find more information about what SmartDraw does and download a free trial at the SmartDraw site. It looks really powerful and useful for all kinds of graphical creations, including slideshows, timelines, family trees, flowcharts, and mind maps. Documents can be exported in a large variety of formats, including .jpg .pdf and to Excel and PowerPoint.

This offer is for an academic license for non-commercial use. Let me know if you've used this - it looks like a great offer.

Bonnie and Clyde by Paul Schneider

I first heard of Bonnie and Clyde back in the 1960's when I was too young to have any clue who they were and what they did. Their names really stuck with me.

Bonnie is of course the Scottish word for beautiful and the Clyde is the big river which flows out through the city of Glasgow which I grew up practically on the banks of. It took until a couple of weeks ago when I picked up Bonnie and Clyde - the lives behind the legend by Paul Schneider for me to really learn what they were all about.

If you're looking for a cheerful read, this book is not for you. However as an interesting journey into the human condition and America in the 1920's I'd recommend it. I really found myself absorbed by the downhill slippery slope these two people were on. Of course I already knew the ending, but the twists, turns and agonies which led them there were in a way compelling.

I think this book would make a good college-level, or upper high school read. There's plenty of blood, violence and law breaking of course, so bear that in mind. There is even one really bad photo. The author doesn't turn it into a circus act though - I found myself enlightened about their story without much emotional attachment, either good or bad.

It would also be great for a homeschooling parent who just wants a change of pace and to be reminded that life in the 2000's is overall pleasant and safe, at least for most of us in America.

You can see inside Bonnie and Clyde, the lives behind the legend at Amazon.com.

* Green Book Festival Winners

This article has been relocated to Loving Nature's Garden.

Science Learning Links and Stuff

Are your kids in the doldrums with science? Maybe you need a new resource to add to their studies, or something scientific to get your own adult brain around. Bookmarks, like Firefox windows and tabs, have a habit of accumulating on me. Here are a few great picks from my science bookmarks. I've tried to mark the level of interest to make your life easier.

• Simple Machines in an easy to understand format - great for upper elementary and middle school.
  
• Mad Scientist Network - self explanatory!
• Robotics Academy at Carnegie Mellon University.
• Connecting Music to reading, math and science.
• Instructables Science Guide has lots of information and projects suitable for budding engineers and scientists at high school level.
• The nature of waves from the Physics Classroom.
• Science Daily brings you the latest in science research news, or try Scientific Blogging for a daily dose of science.
  
• Eepybird's Diet Coke and Mentos spectaculars would get any little, or big, rocket scientist excited!
• At Building Big you can find a teacher's guide to simple hands-on activities for 5th-8th graders about the science of large structures.
• How Stuff Works is a place for older kids and adults to explore everything from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to what's inside electronics. Cool!
• Hippocampus is a source for free college level material. Their science courses include Biology, Physics and Environmental Science.
• Searching for something different in textbooks? Galore Park is a British publisher who provides books for ages 10-16 yrs. Access their home educators page at the above link and you can take a look at what they have to offer then visit book information and download free samples.
• Some school districts provide a great set of links, if you can just weed them out from among the masses of pages on their website. Here is a collection of science links for PK-6 courtesy of Shawnee Mission School District in Kansas.
• Got a kid who likes to invent? Maybe they'd be interested in the Wham-O Inventor Contest.
• At IKnowThat.com kids can see science videos and do interactive activities. It's colorful and bright and should appeal to elementary aged kids.

I hope you find something useful and enjoyable. Do let me know if you have written about science or know of a great link I should add.

Happy exploring :-)