For some of us, being at home is not a big deal—some of us even prefer it. If, however, you and your kids are used to being out and about, being at home can be a difficult thing to manage cheerfully. However you and your family react to the home-based life, a field trip is […]
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Special Exhibitions in Ottawa, 2020
Over the years we have seen some amazing things at special exhibitions, from the Dead Sea Scrolls and one of the earliest copies of the Magna Charta to the inventions of Leonardo da Vinci and paintings by Van Gogh. However, we almost missed several of these special exhibitions because it’s hard to keep track of […]
Picture Books in the Homeschool
Picture books form the foundation of most homeschools. They are fun, build memories, teach a wide variety of concepts, and can fill a child’s mind with so much that is true, good, and beautiful. Recently my homeschooling friends at the Curriculum Choice put together a list of their favorite picture book blog posts. Here are […]
Review: Of Dikes and Windmills by Peter Spier
In the southern Netherlands many years ago, my father commuted to school on a little ferry. He experienced the terrible flood of 1953. Eventually his family moved to one of the modern polders which had just been reclaimed from the sea. His life, like that of many Dutch people, was defined by the sea. In […]
Review: The Girl Who Drew Butterflies by Joyce Sidman
In 17th century Europe, young Maria Merian was fascinated by butterflies. ‘Summer birds’, they were called, and no one really knew where they came from. Raised first in an engraver’s house and then an illustrator’s, Maria learned both the technical details of her craft and how to observe nature. She combined the two to become […]