MFW 1850’s-Modern- Weeks #7&8

These past two weeks have not been very exciting. In fact, they seemed like they slogged by, like dragging wheels through molasses.

My camera cord somehow decided to vanish while either I was gone on my trip, or I dropped it somewhere on the trip. Anyhow, that means this post will have pictures added after the fact and I need to work on creating more word pictures.

I left town for almost an entire week, and so we had doubled up on school the week prior, but when I got back, my household was in an uproar. Several things had gotten behind and the minor schoolwork I had left to get done, especially with my high school student, was not done.

 Our view for the morning

The youngest member of the clan chose those weeks to exert a case of extreme stubbornness and pure bullheaded mischief, which has caused no end of trouble. However, I am rejoicing in the little things, as here we are…week #9 and making some headway.

This week we were focusing on the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, read the story of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, read about General Lee, General Grant, and discussed many sides and topics of the “War Between the States” or our Civil War.

I have learned that many people wish to revise history, and maybe not in the way you are thinking, but they seem to either believe that men and women in history are good or evil and no in-between. I think often, they forget that they were human.

That is one thing we concentrated on this week, we were learning about our own obedience and diligence in schoolwork, achieving goals, and facing hard tasks, but also about how people in history were people just like you and me.

We are working on writing, coloring and learning from nature as well. This past week, we learned about Horse Chestnuts as we observed and collected several on a walk. We found this coloring page to use and identified leaves of several other trees with the younger two, as well as a visiting nephew who is in kindergarten.

I have been reading several books on learning styles, and working with them to encourage learning. I believe it is helping!

 (My outfit for the day)

We are working on our science modules as well as math, which often needs to be done, re-done and then see if it can be taught a different way so that they can understand. It is always a challenge to see what the day brings.

Alexander Graham Bell, Across Five Aprils, and On the Banks of Plum Creek were some of of our read alouds for this time period.

We created a breakfast area with stuff set up for easy access to breakfast, which seems to be helping with some concentration.

 We have cereal, oatmeal packets, and oatmeal, brown sugar in containers. The bottom tub is snacks for after school subjects are completed.

Yankee in Atlanta by Jocelyn Green

Reviewed by Martha Artyomenko

Book Description:

When soldier Caitlin McKae woke up in Atlanta after being wounded in
battle, the Georgian doctor who treated her believed Caitlin’s only secret was
that she had been fighting for the Confederacy disguised as a man. In order
to avoid arrest or worse, Caitlin hides her true identity and makes a new life for
herself in Atlanta.

Trained as a teacher, she accepts a job as a governess to the daughter of Noah Becker, a German immigrant lawyer, who enlists with the Rebel army. Then in the spring of 1864, Sherman’s troops edge closer to Atlanta. Though starvation rules, and Sherman rages, she will not run again. In a land shattered by strife and suffering, a Union veteran and a Rebel soldier test the limits of loyalty and discover the courage to survive. Will honor dictate that Caitlin and Noah follow the rules, or love demand that they break them?

My Review:

The third book in this fabulous Civil War era series, Jocelyn Green does not disappoint. As with her others, she takes you behind the lines, so to speak, to give you the feeling that you just experienced the trials that others would have if you were living in that time. 

It is hard to describe how this book touched me without giving too much of the story away, but I will say that I struggled to get to read it because I had my sister take it from me and another friend almost grab it to borrow, all while I was reading it. 

The one thing that I love about Ms. Green’s writing is that she gives you a historical view of the times from a woman’s perspective. You get to see some of the men’s point of view, but the women, and seeing what they contributed during this  very hard time in history is just astounding. 

You can tell this book was inspired by real, first person accounts in the writing, and therefore that makes it a great option to use in your high school level history literature. If you would like more info, check out the author’s website 

heroninesbehindthelines.com

If you are a history buff, check out the whole series. You will not be sorry. 

Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green

Wedded for War

By Jocelyn Green

Reviewed By Martha Artyomenko

If you are studying the Civil War (or The War Between the States, whichever you choose to call it) you have to include these novels in your homeschool adventure.

They are more geared towards high school or adult reading, but Jocelyn Green has multiple resources to go along with these books to increase learning as well as lists of other books to reference and read in your studies.

In Wedded to War, Charlotte Waverly, a wealthy accomplished young woman is serving as a nurse in New York City. Hoops are a thing of the past as well as her jewelry. She has joined the ranks of the servants of the war, a nurse, a part of the sanitary commission in Washington City. Her family, her suitor and the city disapproves of a single woman serving in this capacity. She has one goal in mind, serving her Father in heaven and doing His Will.

There are other secondary characters, including historical ones, such as Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell.

I loved this book! It feels like you are there, amongst the people of the time period, living their journey with them. You are serving the unwashed soldiers, facing the criticism and also understanding the criticism.  This book will help your high school student to understand the history in a new way!

Ms. Green’s website is filled with resources as well, to help you, including other research books to look at and compare.

http://heroinesbehindthelines.com/?page_id=1576

Her second novel, Widow of Gettysburg is also amazing. You will feel like you took a trip back in time to Gettysburg. It is full of many details that can be hard to read or see on a film, but in your mind, this book will make it seem like you were there.

The timeline covers 1861-1863 and is full of historical snippets on each chapter’s page, with real notes from nurses at that time.

These are books you will not want to miss!