As I’ve shared in earlier posts, this is my fourth year tutoring in my local CC community. When I first started, I was told to send out a weekly email to the families of my students. Having no idea what that looked like, and being by nature someone who likes to share information, I dutifully sent out a listing, every week, of resources I had used in my own homeschool. I broke down each element of New Grammar and provided links, printables I had found, and book lists. The emails took quite a while to compose, but I figured it was part of my job description and maybe was helping a fellow parent who was new to homeschooling altogether, or just stuck trying to figure out how to juggle math lessons and a colicky newborn.
Imagine my surprise, nearly a year later, when I discovered that I was doing it wrong. The emails, I was told, were just to shine a light on the good things that had happened in class that week and remind parents of upcoming events.
Ooops.
Since the pressure was off, I also gave myself much grace and occasionally shot off a quick, “Great class! Don’t forget your tin whistle next week. Oh, we missed you, X family!” But feedback from many parents in my class was positive, so I (usually) continued to write up my long resource emails. This year, to save myself a bit of work in the future (2022, I’m looking at you!), I’m publishing my resource lists here on the blog. My hope is that others will find it helpful, and that these links will still work when I’m taking my third tour through Cycle 2.
A few quick disclaimers: I have used every resource that I list, but I may not have used it as intended. (For example, you’ll see a note under the Latin heading about a file folder game I printed and slipped into a page protector for reuse as a printable each week.) Also, I am very comfortable editing books that I read to my children on the fly. If you are concerned about the level or content of a book or resource, please peruse in advance.
SCIENCE
Free printable Days of Creation book for younger learners.
Every Star is Different has some really fun ideas for engaging Abecedarians and maybe even Apprentices in learning about creation.
Books
The Creation Story for Children, by Helen Haidle
The Seven Days of Creation: Based on Biblical Texts, by Sarah Mazor
HISTORY
Famous Figures of Medieval Times has many of this cycle’s main historical figures represented, including Charlemagne.
For mature Masters, Khan Academy has a lesson on Charlemagne.
History Matters has a 10-minute documentary on Charlemagne on YouTube.
Also on YouTube, there’s a half-hour animated video biography of Charlemagne.
A coloring page of Charlemagne for younger learners.
An interesting bit of background on Pope Leo III and Charlemagne.
Some biographical information on Pope Leo III.
Books
Son of Charlemagne, by Barbara Willard and Emil Weiss
Charlemagne, a Life from Beginning to End, by Hourly History
The Measley Middle Ages, by Horrible Histories
The Magic Runes, by Emma Leslie
Caedmon’s Song, by Ruth Ashby (worth an interlibrary loan!)
ENGLISH
Idea to make your own parts of speech fishing game.
Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational (one of my favorite source blogs!) has a great parts of speech printable domino game.
Some parts of speech posters to add to your references or display this week.
The parts of speech sticky note game is always a hit here, and engages all levels of learners.
Books
Grammar Tales box set, by Scholastic
The Dragon Grammar Book, by Diana Mae Robinson
The Complete Words are CATegorical set, by Lerner Publishing
MATH
Multiples of 2 foldable paper game.
Skip counting puzzles for Abecedarians.
Scholastic offers dot-to-dots of multiplication problems.
Free printable flashcards from 1-15!
Books
Anno’s Counting Book, and Anno’s Mysterious Multiplying Jar, by Mitsumasa Anno
GEOGRAPHY
A simple map to print and label.
A more advanced map (global presentation) for older learners.
A click and drag map game great for tablets.
Online map games from Sheppard Software that play at various levels. For all Foundations ages.
LATIN
Latin Tutorial on YouTube provides just that for Masters and possibly Journeymen.
I love Half-A-Hundred Acre Woods Latin Match-up Game. I actually use it in page protectors in my kids’ binders, and have them write in the answers. (She also has a Latin Alphabet coloring book my younger kids get a kick out of.)
FINE ARTS
Warm Up Ideas from Practical Pages that are based on Mona Brook’s Drawing With Children.
Renee Erin’s blog gives ideas for week 1 drawing.
YouTube has a full video lesson from Inside the Lines that is tied to week 1.
Another YouTuber, Logan School of Art, has a lesson on the Five Basic Shapes.
If you’d like to see more Cycle 2 resources:
I have an Idea List on Amazon of some of our favorite titles.
My Morning Basket Plans, which bring hymns, poetry, classical music and great art into your Cycle 2 day, are available on my daughter’s Etsy shop, Sewing Seeds Designs.
Wow! Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for this list! I am a new tutor and have shared this with my moms. Thank you!!