Name: ICHE Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-06-05T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-06-07T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Bourbonnais, IL

Tagged: living books; science; history

This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 1 month ago by wearejenandkev.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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April 10, 2010 at 5:37 pm
wearejenandkev
Participant
I am taking my boys to Branson, MO for a week. They are 8, 6, and 2. I am trying to find some living books to compliment our trip. There are lots of caves. Do you have any ideas for living books about caves and bats? Also, there is a trout fish hatchery and dam. So, any ideas for books about freshwater fish or trout? Also, we will go to Silver Dollar City. There are lots of blacksmiths, basket makers, glass blowers, etc. Do you have any living book ideas for that? I have requested some books from my library, but I usually like the book ideas from this forum better!! Thanks for the help!
Jennifer
April 10, 2010 at 6:11 pm
missceegee
Participant
It’s probably not the right kind of bat, but we love the book Stellaluna. I can’t think of any others off the top of my head, sorry.
Have a FABULOUS trip. It sounds wonderful! If you get a chance to watch glass blowing, it is fascinating. We went to the Corning Museum in NY a few years ago and it was great.
Blessings,
Christie
April 10, 2010 at 9:22 pm
wearejenandkev
Participant
Thanks, Christie! I put a hold on Stellaluna at the library. I have heard of that book, but I don’t think we have read it. Thanks for the idea!
I am looking forward to seeing the glass blowing!! I might be more interested than they are!
Jennifer
April 10, 2010 at 10:17 pm
MeadowLark
Member
ummm.. thisis gonna cost a “wee bit” not a whole lot. I am not an paid to say this… but I bought a long time ago a unit from Hands of A Child that really would be a perfect fit for your adventure before or after the trip. I think it was a “Bats” unit or it might have been Caves. Check out their website. I really enjoy using a lot of their materials in our everyday lifestyle.
MeadowLark
April 10, 2010 at 10:37 pm
nerakr
Participant
Although these are not specifically about the Branson area, they do cover the pioneer type stuff you may be seeing. Try looking for the Historic Communities series by Bobbie Kalman, especially Home Crafts. I think she also has a book called Blacksmiths. It’s either in the Historic Communities or Pioneer Life series.
April 12, 2010 at 12:23 pm
wearejenandkev
Participant
Thanks everyone! I got online and reserved several titles! I found lots and lots of the books by Bobbie Kalman at my library! I have never even heard of that author! Thanks for the idea! Also, I checked out the Hands of A Child. The Cave unit is a little too old for my kids, but the Bat unit looks good! I might check that out for when we get home. We are leaving in a few days, so it probably won’t happen beforehand! Thanks!
Jennifer
April 12, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Bookworm
Participant
I have no books to recommend really, but what a great opportunity! I LOVE the Branson area. One of my fondest childhood memories is when my grandparents took my sister and me to southern Missouri. We visited Silver Dollar City, plenty of caves, then went on into northern Arkansas too. We had a fabulous time, Silver Dollar City is incredible! I was kind of nerdy even then and preferred the live crafts and stuff to the rides.
I can date myself by confessing that when we were in Springfield, I clearly remember driving around and around one afternoon because my grandpa KNEW he’d seen a sign for gasoline–at $.49 a gallon. We spent all afternoon looking for that one elusive gas station! LOL
Michelle D
April 13, 2010 at 5:11 pm
wearejenandkev
Participant
Michelle,
Thanks for sharing your great memories! It so funny the things we remember from our childhood! I am hoping to create some great memories for my kids, also!
Jennifer