All Things Monkish

The last few weeks of our history studies have had a focus around monks and monasteries.  Fascinating!  Our spine continues to be K12's Human Odyssey, but we have added so much to it.  Here are some oof the resources we have been enjoying thus far:

Learning through history magazine has been a wonderful source of focused history topics for us for a number of years now.  Recently Ben has read about the Venerable Bede and the Lindisfarne Gospels.

 St Francis was covered by Will and Charlie in these beautiful picture books:

Canticle of the Sun


Our current read aloud is The Hidden Treasure of Glaston, a book that I almost passed by because our library doesn't carry a copy, and it is  expensive at Amazon (10.00).  

  Since you don't see it on many book lists, I was hesitant to spend the money.  Luckily I found it for $1.00, like new, at a local home school book sale! Score!  I just have to say, knowing what I know now, I wouldn't hesitate to spend the $10.00 at Amazon.  It is such a well written book, with great mystery and suspense.  Secret passages, fabulous treasure, King Arthur!  Early in the book we are introduced to Henry II, and Thomas a Beckett, so we side-tracked and did a little research on them. We will also be exploring more about the real Glastonbury soon, as well.We all love it so far! 

Ben and Will are both reading Geraldine McCaughrean's retelling of the Canterbury Tales and enjoying it.  Before they started, I read to them the Prologue from a modern adult translation, and we then listened to this short reading of the first 17 lines or so in Middle English.

Currently we are coming to readings about the birth of Islam in our K12 book, and the boys will be reading stories from the Arabian Nights, as well as learning about the crusades before we delve into the world of Kings, Nobles, Knights and Serfs.  

Illumination

Still studying the Middle Ages for history, we took a break from our regular reading and spent the morning on an illuminated manuscripts lesson.  I didn't have anything in particular in mind at the start, but a quick run through the Google and Voila! instant lesson.  

I basically followed the lesson plan at The J. Paul Getty Museum site which looks in depth at an illuminated image entitled Initial A: Two Men before a King and a Man Speaking to a Family

After enjoying the lesson we spent a relaxing time doing some coloring of these beautiful alphabet letters which were a free download.  The letter outline is filled with nicely drawn images of plants, flowers, vegetables and animals whose names begin with that letter. Beautiful art for anyone who enjoys detailed coloring!  We also colored some more traditional caligraphy-style illuminated letters from this free printables site as well.

Here are the results...

by Ben

My effort.  I really enjoyed just sitting around and coloring these pictures.  Quite relaxing.  Must do this more often!

William chose letter "Q"

Will's illuminated initial

Charlie's illuminated initial

History Reading

Finally! 

We have started to dig in to the middle ages books that have been waiting patiently for us in tempting stacks these past couple months.  Gladiators and centurions were exciting and interesting but we certainly have had our fill and are ready to bid them a fond farewell.  

I decided to change things up slightly from our WTM mode of history studies (read from overview, read addition books on topic, move to next topic. Repeat.), and take a bit more of a Charlotte Mason tack.  I will still be using K12's Human Odyssey as an overview, and the boys will each have several books on different topics/people going at once.  I'm not going to worry too much about specific topics from the overview meshing with their independent reading.  It should all just come together for them as a wide-scope timey-wimey ball of history... stuff.  How's that for clear as mud?

This week Ben is reading...

The Voyage of Saint Brendan.  Legend has it Brendan sailed to sea in a leather boat, encountering strange islands and mystical birds and beasts.  Possibly even making the journey to "discover" America before Columbus.  This particular book by John Joseph O'Meara is a translation from a Latin story written about 200 years after Brendan's death. The Latin itself was based upon earlier oral and written accounts from around 100 years after the time Brendan lived.  It doesn't talk much about the details- the salt spray or plunging of the boat in heavy seas- but rather illuminates the rituals of monastic life at the time; how Brendan and his brothers kept feast days, chanted divine office, and took part in long fasts. etc. during their time away. Many times they are aided by talking animals or the appearance of miraculous meals. It is an interesting mix of Celtic paganism and christian spirituality. 

King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table- There are so many versions of Arthur to choose from!  I finally pulled the trigger and chose this one for Ben.  Well written and not too graphic with the Mordred/Morgana/Lancelot/Gwen stories.  

We also all listened to this during trips in the car-

Very gripping, very well done, and very much available at my local library!

Beowulf the Warrior-The original story of Beowulf was written sometime during the 7th or 8th centuries. This particular adaptation/translation appealed to me because Serallier retains a nice rhythm in his writing which is reminiscent of the original.

The Children of Odin-Padraic Colum is a great story teller.  Nice versions of the Northern Myths.

This week Will is reading...

Brendan the Navigator by Jean Fritz.  She does a great job telling the tale of Brendan  with all the fanciful monsters and miracles associated with him, as well as offering some historical insight on what may have actually happened on this voyage.

Of Swords and Sorcerers:The Adventures of King Arthur and His Knights- I have become a big fan of Margaret Hodges.  Her writing never disappoints.  This book contains some of the main tales of Arthur and his knights, including the sword in the stone, Guinevere, the round table and the quest for the Grrrrrrrrrrrailllll.

Beowulf, A Hero's Tale Retold-Will could probably tackle the Serralier book Ben is reading, but this one is soooo lushly illlustrated, it is not to be missed!  But make no mistake, just because this is a picture book does not mean it is written in a simplistic style.  James Rumford presents this tale of bravery and gore using only Anglo-Saxon words still present in our language, making for a tale that recalls the boldness of the original. 

D' Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths-The illustrations in this book are so beautiful! One of my favorite books of myths.

This week Charlie is Reading... 

Saint Patrick by Ann Tompert- A straight-forward telling of Patrick's conversion to Christianity, capture by Celtic pirates, and how he eventually became a priest and a bishop.  The author based her writing on a letter written by Patrick in his old age called "Confession'.  In her notes she also includes legends about Patrick including a story about a stubborn snake who refused to be driven from Ireland-my favorite!

Beowulf-from Favorite Medieval Tales by Mary Pope Osborne.  Also one of our favorite authors.  This version of Beowulf was just right for Charlie.  Suspense and thrills but not too much gore. I read this aloud to him.

Arthur and the Sword-Great stained glass illustrations.  Ben read this one to Charlie. Basic story of Arthur becoming king.

The Kitchen Knight-The only thing better than Margaret Hodges is Margaret Hodges with illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman.  Gorgeous!  The tale of Sir Gareth of Orkney and the Red Knight.  I read this aloud to Charlie and he was so into it!  He could barely stand the pause in the story as I took my time turning the pages!

The Sword in the Tree-Charlie is reading this on his own and enjoying it.  Adventures of a young boy in the time of King Arthur.