Migi’s Curriculum and Book List, 2007-2008

For our 8-year old (3rd to 4th grade)

Basic Curriculum:

  • English:
    • The Writer’s Jungle
    • Stories with a View
    • English for the Thoughtful Child

Math:

  • The Best of Times by Greg Tang (multiplication)
  • Anno’s Mysterious Multiplying Jar (multiplication)
  • Amanda Bean’s Amazing Dream by Cindy Neuschwander
  • The Best of Times by Greg Tang
  • Spaghetti and Meatballs for All by Marilyn Burns
  • The Grapes of Math by Greg Tang
  • Measuring Penny by Loreen Leedy
  • One Odd Day by Doris Fisher and Dani Sneed
  • Bunny Money by Rosemary Wells

History:

The Bill of Rights (civics, 18th century)
The History of NASCAR (A.R. Schaefer)
Various saint books
COFAs:
Kingfisher History Encyclopedia

Literature:
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson (I didn’t like this that much; children don’t need suggestions to fear the dark)
Star of Fear, Star of Hope (Nazi occupation, France, Vichy, Jewish people)
Magic Hoofbeats: Horse Tales from Many Lands retold by Josepha Sherman
Mother Teresa by Demi (religion)
Zlateh the Goat by Isaac Bashevis Singer (Jewish people, Poland, Hannukah)
Angelo by David Macaulay (Rome, Italy, pigeons, churches, art)
Fluffy, Scourge of the Sea by Teresa Bateman (rhyme)
If by Rudyard Kipling, with pictures by Charles R. Smith, Jr. (manhood, boyhood, courage, confidence, patience, integrity, poetry)
St. Jerome and the Lion by Margaret Hodges (religion)
Joan of Arc: Heroine of France by Ann Tompert (religion, history: 15th century)
St. Patrick’s Day Shillelagh by Janet Nolan (history: 19th century, potato famine)
Lullaby of the Virgin of Guadalupe by Kelly Stuart (religion, Juan Diego, music)
Chester Cricket’s Pigeon Ride by George Selden (pigeons)
Young Mary of Nazareth by Marianna Mayer (religion, history, Mary)
Brother Wolf, Sister Sparrow: Stories About Saints and Animals by Eric A. Kimmel (saints, religion)
Curious George Rides a Bike by H. A. Rey
Curious George at the Aquarium by H. A. Rey
The Storm Book by Charlotte Zolotow
The Acorn Tree by Valenti Angelo (birds)
When the Wind Stops (seasons, climate)
Redwall
The Pink Motel by Carol Ryrie Brink
The Man Who Lost His Head by Claire Huchet Bishop

Liturgical Year

Advent/Christmas

  • Santa’s Favorite Story
  • What Star i s This?
  • The Last Straw
  • Can We Help You, St. Nicholas?
  • Song of the Camels
  • The Clown of God
  • Room for a Little One
  • Jingle the Christmas Clown
  • The Legend of the Poinsettia
  • Christmas Lullaby
  • B is for Bethlehem
  • The Little Drummer Boy
  • Mother Hubbard’s Christmas
  • Angels, Angels Everywhere

Science/Nature:
Owl moon by Jane Yolen
Will It Blow by Elizabeth Rusch (volcanoes)

English
Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster by Debra Frasier

Music
Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss

Picture Books
Little Bird, Biddle Bird
The Little Wing Giver by Jacques Taravant and Peter Sis
Apple Batter

Other:
Creating Clever Castles and Cars (from Boxes and Other Stuff)


2008-2009
English: Vocabu-Lit Raven

Curious George by H.A.Ray
McDUff moves IN by Rosemary Wells
McDUff comes Home by Rosemary Wells
FU-DOG by Rumer Godden
Flip and Flop by Dawn Apperley
Perceval by John Perkins
Looking-for-something by Ann Nolan Clark
A picture book of Lewis and Clark by David A. Adler
Lewis and Clark A prairie dog for the president by Shirly Raye Redmond
Peter and the Pigeons by Charlotte Zolotow – pigeons, nature, friendship – 3 stars
Mary of Mile 18 – dogs, friendship, pets – 3 stars
Homer Price by Robert McCloskey
Snorri and the Strangers by Nathaniel Benchley
Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques
The Bellmaker by Brian Jacques
Taggerung by Brian Jacques
The Long Patrol by Brian Jacques
Pearls of Lutra by Brian Jacques

Centerburg Tales by Robert McCloskey
The Great Brain Reforms by John D. Fitzgerald
The Return of the Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald
Rufus M. by Eleanor Estes
The Great Brain Does It Again by John D. Fitzgerald
The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald
Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary
The Great Brain is Back by John D. Fitzgerald
The Legend of Luke by Brian Jacques
Saint Francis and the Christmas Donkey
Joan of Arc by Shana Corey
Boschetto’s Dream: John Bosco’s Childhood
Ramona and Her Father
Ramona Forever
Ramona’s World
Ramona Quimby, Age 8
Bridge to Terabithia: The Official Movie Companion
Car and Driver Buyer’s Guide
September Island
The Crow and Mrs. Gaddy
Mr. Mysterious and Company
Mrs. Gaddy and the Fast-Growing Vine
Moonbear’s Dream
The Earth and I
The Flower Fairie
Heart of a Tiger
The Birth of a Whale
The Merry Marcos
Duel in the High Hils
A Salmon for Simon
The Tale of a Donkey
The Little Fir Tree
Toad by the Road
By the Sword
Snow Moon
Little Cat Baby
Grandmother’s Pigeon
Gren Eggs and Ham and Other Servings of Dr. Seuss (audio)
Will It Blow? Become a Volcano Detective at Mount St. Helens
Maya and Miguel: Papi Joins the Band
Henry and the Clubhouse
What a Blast! The Explosive Escapades of Ethan Flask and Professor von Offel
Mr. Brown can Moo! Can You?
There’s a Wocket in My Pocket!
Marlfox
Mariel of Redwall
Outcast of Redwall
Magnus at the Fire
The Magic Toolbox starring Fred and Lulu
McDuff’s Wild Romp
Perceval: King Arthur’s Knight of the Holy Grail
A Picture Book of John Hancock
Piggies in a Polka
A Picture Book of Lewis and Clark
Taggerung

Field Trips:
London, Lourdes, Paris (March 2008)
MarsQuest Program – Planetarium

Movies
Batman and Robin (1949)
The Agony and the Ecstasy
Annie