February Sale - Limited Supply
50 Copies available, first come first served
Regularly $129 Just $29 + we pay the postage


The HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com Resource Vault CD:
Over 175 Classic Homeschool Resources!


It may look like a plain, ordinary CD in a simple paper sleeve - but this limited edition Bonus
contains the biggest collection of classic resources we've ever put together -
an amazing archive of over 175 of the best resources we have featured during the first year of Homeschool Freebie Of The Day!

Fair Warning:
We've had dozens of requests to make this archive collection available again, and so have decided to make a Limited Edition of
50 copies of this Resource Vault CD available again at this drastically reduced price.
First come, first served.
This page will be taken down when our supply is exhausted.
If you want a copy, be sure to place your order now!

So... What all is on it?

Scroll down to see what all we've included in this amazing Resource Vault CD.
Our apologies that this page is so HUGE, but that just goes to show you how many great resources we have been able to include
on this new HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay Resource CD.

If you came in late... or have  been wanting a one-stop, permanent library of some of our best resources over the past year... this is it.
If you already have some of these, don't ask us to substitute other stuff or discount your purchase. We do not have the time or manpower to honor any special requests.

Here's what all is on this CD:

The Hiawatha Primer (PDF ebook)
A classic reading and nature studies primer from that uses the 1855 epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow based on the legends of the Ojibway Indians as its subject. It’s a delightful reading primer for grades 2-3, covering a variety of topics, handwriting instruction, reading lessons, and some lovely illustrations. A great introduction to this classic work for younger students.

The Mary Frances Cookbook
Adventures Among the Kitchen People
Delightful storybook / cookbook that has been the favorite of many young readers for generations. An absolutely delightful classic!


Learning About Time: A Selection of Readings and Problems about Telling Time (PDF ebook)
A neat little collection of excerpts from some classic school books on the subject of “Time” and how people have told time through the ages! The concept of “time” and the many ways it has been tracked and told through history is fascinating for young learners. In this ebook, you’ll find two interesting historical stories plus a section of math problems based on telling time would be great practice for younger students!

Number Stories of Long Ago by David Eugene Smith (PDF ebook)
“The history of mathematics is in no small part the history of civilization,” the author points out in his introduction to this classic book that tells the story of man’s early attempts to count, write numerals, and do mathematical computations. But instead of being a “ho hum” dry, boring “history” of numbers, this is a GREAT “Living Book” of stories set in different historical eras (ancient China & Egypt, among others), showing how different mathematical concepts were developed and became a part of civilization. It is wonderful blend of history, economics, and mathematics that will really be enjoyed by upper elementary and high school students who are curious about the origins of the civilization we take for granted today.   An extra bonus in this book: Each chapter ends with several discussion and math questions based on the concepts presented in the story. Not only that, but the last two chapters of the book are a treasure trove of great mathematical word problems, puzzles and questions, which will intrigue students and parents alike. A great find! Don’t miss it!

Little Wanderers by Margaret Warner Morley (PDF ebook)
In this great book from the early 1900s, we learn how plants propogate and “travel” by scattering their seeds in a multitude of ways: Some are wind borne, some travel by animals, and others travel in even more ingenious ways. Great illustrations and a concise, easily-read text make this a great “read aloud” for younger students.


Seed Babies by Margaret Warner Morley (PDF ebook)
Have your children ever asked you how plants grow from tiny seeds? Or how a bird hatches from an egg? If so, you’ll love today’s resource. This is another classic “living book” by the author of “Little Wanderers”, which we featured a few weeks ago. This is a wonderful, fanciful read-aloud science book written in 1896. Two little children, Jack and Ko, discover some beans they threw to the ground have begun to sprout. And not only that, but they TALK to the children too, telling them the function of seeds and how they grow and develop into maturity. We meet different kinds of beans, peas, peanuts, nuts, and even venture into the animal kingdom and learn about coccoons, fish eggs, tadpoles, and bird eggs. Great fun and very informative!

The Bee People by Margaret Warner Morley (PDF ebook)
A delightful 1899 “Living Book” about bees, written by the author of “Little Travelers” and “Seed Babies”, volumes which we have featured here in the past. Wonderfully easy to read and highly inviting to young readers, the chapters read almost like a storybook, and include Bees & Flowers, How a Bee Sees & Flies, Honeybees, How and Why Bees make Honey & Honeycombs, Queen Bees, Bee Facts & Fancies, and much more. Includes Questions for Review at the end of the book. This is a great nature study book your kids will love.


Grammar Land: Or Grammar In Fun for the Children of Schoolroom-Shire, by M. L. Nesbitt (PDF ebook)
“What is Grammar Land? Where is Grammar Land? Have you ever been to Grammar Land? Wait a minute and you shall hear…” In this classic read aloud book, published way back in 1878, author Nesbitt creates an amazing fantasy land not unlike “Alice In Wonderland”, where the citizens are the nine parts of speech (Mr. Proper Noun, Dr. Verb, Little Article, etc.) and all are governed by the stern but wise old Judge Grammar. It’s a fun, fascinating way to learn some of the basic grammar rules all the while carried along by the very memorable characters and a wild adventure to boot. Highly recommended!

John James Audubon - The Bird Artist
Delightful short biography of this sensitive and beloved nature artist, accompanied by several full color plates of his famous paintings.


Everyday Arithmetic (PDF ebook)
This is a CLASSIC early 20th century math text for middle grades that very effectively applies arithmetic to everyday activities such as shopping, cooking, telling time, building projects, household concerns, sports activities, camping, and much more. It is full of interesting interesting word problems and neat illustrations - plus some great math exercises and quizzes. Definitely a “living book” as far as math texts go, and worth your checking out! Originally written for grades 5 - 6, but the material could be used for other middle grades as well.


Hero Tales from American History by Henry Cabot Lodge & Theodore Roosevelt (PDF ebook)
A fine collection of essays on heroes from the pages of American history, as collected and told by none other than Teddy Roosevelt & Henry Cabot Lodge! Some of these are familiar ground for most of us, but several of these heroic deeds, once read and treasured by earlier generations, are now almost entirely lost. Includes essays on Daniel Boone, Lincoln, Washington, the Alamo, Revolutionary War battles, Civil War heroes, and many more. Great for students who really enjoy history and adventure! Excerpt from the introduction: “It is a good thing for all Americans, and it is an especially good thing for young Americans, to remember the men who have given their lives in war and peace to the service of their fellow-countrymen, and to keep in mind the feats of daring and personal prowess done in time past by some of the many champions of the nation in the various crises of her history. Thrift, industry, obedience to law, and intellectual cultivation are essential qualities in the makeup of any successful people; but no people can be really great unless they possess also the heroic virtues which are as needful in time of peace as in time of war, and as important in civil as in military life….”
 

Paper Sloyd (PDF ebook)

Okay, I know what you’re thinking: What in the world is “sloyd”? Well, the name Sloyd or Slöjd originally meant handy or skillful, and refers to the making of crafts - especially woodworking. Educational Sloyd’s purpose was formative in that it was thought that the benefits of woodworking in general education built the character of the child, encouraging moral behavior, greater intelligence, and industriousness. Sloyd had a noted impact on the early development of manual training, manual arts, industrial education and technical education.

“Paper Sloyd”, a fascinating early 1900s guidebook for primary grade teachers, takes this concept and applies it to paper folding and crafting projects for primary grade students. The result is a delightful collection of paper projects designed to develop mechanical and design skills, along with all of the above. While I’m not so sure these really encourage moral behavior, they ARE a lot of fun and will intrigue younger students for hours on end. Check it out!

Birthday Parties Made Easy: Tips & Strategies to Make Kids Birthday Parties Fun & Easy for Everyone (even you!) (PDF ebook)
Birthdays are always fun and games, especially for the children involved. But more often than not, that’s not the story when it comes to the parents of those children. Children’s birthday parties are usually a LOT more work than fun for parents. Can kid’s birthday parties be made fun for everyone? With a little bit of thought, they can. Today’s freebie is this great guide to putting together fun and stress-free birthday parties for your kids. Lots of great ideas for making that next party fun and memorable for everyone!

“If I Could Do It Over Again…” Thoughts and Advice from Homeschool Families (PDF ebook)
We recently surveyed over 800 homeschooling families about what has worked well and not-so-well for them in their homeschooling activities. We got some remarkable answers from this survey. One of the most intriguing questions we asked was this: “If you could do it over again, what would you change about how you have homeschooled in the past?” We got some great responses to this question, with some tips and suggestions that are well worth considering by both newbie and veteran homeschoolers alike. This ebook is an edited collection of the best of these.

Now, as you go through this, here is a caveat for you: There obviously isn’t an ultimate “right way” to homeschool that fits everyone, and we’re not saying there is. Tthis is reflected in the responses you will find in this collection — in fact, some of the thoughts expressed here are directly contradicted by other moms. However, a few very definite patterns quickly emerge as you read through these. So our suggestion to you is this: Do any of these speak to you in your situation? Are there some hard-learned truths here that you can learn from? Can you apply some of these lessons to your own homeschooling? Glean and learn, friends… there are some true golden nuggets just for you here, if you are willing to find them!

George Washington’s Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation (PDF ebook)
These rules of good behavior were copied by young George Washington when he was a 12 year old schoolboy. They are quite fun (some are VERY funny), interesting and rewarding to read even today. Some of these rules seem quite picky and silly in this day and time, but the spirit behind these rules demonstrates a respect for others and humility in one’s own behavior, both of which are often sorely lacking today. Several of these are very good advice to take to heart for boys (and grownups) today. We’ve retained Washington’s original spellings in this edition, which can be used as a copybook or just to show your kids that even the father of our country was a little kid once too.
 

Aunt Mary’s Primer, Adorned with 120 Pretty Pictures (PDF ebook)
This early childhood reading primer, published in 1851, introduces youngest students to the ABCs and simple words, then goes on to offer a “First Lesson on the Senses,” “First Lesson in Writing”, “A First Lesson in Numbers”, a sweet poem about mothers, and then dozens of old-time illustrations of objects for the child to identify. A very nice example of an early American reading primer, with some good usable material even for today.
 

Everyday Life in the Colonies by Gertrude Stone and M. Grace Fickett (PDF ebook)
Here’s a classic “living book” for young readers about what it was like to be a young person living in colonial America. Each chapter is actually a separate story, which deal with ordinary activities such as candlemaking, letter writing, schoolwork, telling time, keeping the Puritan Sabbath and Indian encounters. The first chapter is an excellent story of the Puritan celebration of the Christmas season, don’t miss it.
 

Childhood Stories of George Washington & Abraham Lincoln (PDF ebook)
Compiler Ann Tatum says of this great little collection: “Real books have always been the foundation of history “class” in our homeschool and sometimes I am surprised how much myu girls remember about people and places. Recently I discovered a collection of short, biographical stories written in the early 20th Century of these famous Americans, and my daughters and I have been learning about these great men all over again. Included in this ebook are: Two stories, “The Boyhood of George Washingon” and “The Boyhood of Abraham Lincoln”, great for read aloud and narration. Two pages of quotes from these two great presidents, in large print, just right for small hands to copy. A 3 page list of additional books about President Washington, President Lincoln and their families, in case these stories whet the appetites of your children and cause them to hunger for more quality biographies. And finally, two report forms for your children to collect information about presidents and put together a “presidents Noteook”.
 

The Kewpie Primer illustrated by Rose O’Neill (PDF ebook)
Here’s another classic illustrated reading primer, this time featuring the roly-poly Kewpie dolls, made famous by illustrator Rose O’Neill in the early 1900s. In this beautifully illustrated primer, short stories of O’Neill’s Kewpies are used to provide many early reading activities, word puzzles, songs and reviews. The illustrations alone are great for coloring and will keep little ones fascinated for a long time.


FREE COLLEGE (PDF ebook)
A great guide written by a college financial aid professional, giving inside tips and information on how to dig up grants and financial aid programs for your specific selected schools.
 

English As She Wuz Wrote by Anonymous (PDF ebook)
Today’s resource is this delightful collection of examples of mangled English, originally published back in the 1880s! Subtitled “Curious Ways the English language may be made to convey ideas… or obscure them”, this is a very funny collection of examples of how language is often bent, twisted, and turned upside down in old newspapers, signs, and even tombstone epitaphs. Even though these examples are over 120 years old, they are still very funny today… and a reminder that there has always been poor use of language in every generation! This is a great teaching tool that will remind your kids the importance of using language properly… and the unintended (and often hilarious) consequences that result when you don’t!
 


Allergy Detective (PDF ebook)
Is someone in your family suffering right now from a chronic health problem that just won’t seem to go away? Are you frustrated and beside yourself trying to figure out what to do to bring them back to health? Are you sick and tired of doctor visits, prescriptions, vitamins, sick days? You may not have thought about this before, but it is possible that something your family is eating is causing these ailments. It could very well be that the culprit to your worst health problem is right in your pantry. If that is the case, this manual can show you a simple method of finding out exactly “who” the culprit is.
 


Finding Time To Do It All: Homeschool Moms Share their Time Management Woes and Solutions (PDF ebook)
In today’s resource, we went right to the source and surveyed over 400 homeschool moms to discover what Time Management concerns, secrets and suggestions they might offer if they could share their experiences with other families. The “real life” insights, frustrations, tips, and ideas that they share here address the unique time management issues that homeschool families face. Discover what Time Management solutions have worked for others, and apply them to your own household!
 
 


77 Time Saving Tips for Busy Parents and Families (PDF ebook)
A great collection of simple, practical to-the-point time-saving tips that you can put to use instantly, covering not only general principles of managing your time, but also specific household, kitchen, business, computer, shopping, and family ideas that can save you time and energy.

97 Motivators to Help You Get Things Done : Simple Strategies and techniques to Get You Moving And Accomplish Your Homeschooling Goals (PDF ebook)
Sometimes we all need a little push in life. Whether we’re itching to pursue the dreams we’ve held in our heart since childhood or we simply need the willingness to tackle the day in and day out chores, lessons and teaching that makes up a home and homeschool, we can often find ourselves mired in a rut of inertia and feel like it’s the most difficult task to rise out of it. This little manual is packed full of helpful “kick starters” designed to give you the boost you need!

Calming the Chaotic Life: How to Get Your Time Under Control (PDF ebook)
You’ve heard it said that time is one of your most precious commodities – and it is oh, so true. Time is the one thing you get a limited amount of, and when that amount is exhausted, you can’t get it back. You can’t go back to relive a moment in time, and you cannot jump forward in time. All you have is right now, and if you are not using the time you have to live your best, most effective life, you probably feel stressed and unbalanced. Perhaps you consistently carry a heavy workload (homeschooling, homemaking, volunteering, business, church, etc. ) and want to find ways to become more efficient so you can get more done in less time. Maybe you feel stressed to the max each day and want to find ways to do less and enjoy more. Or maybe you simply yearn for a more peaceful existence instead of rushing madly from one activity to the next until you fall into bed exhausted every night. Whatever your situation, this manual will serve as an insightful tool you can use on your journey to greater peace and productivity.

The HOMESCHOOL MOM’S T.I.M.S.E. STRATEGY! (PDF ebook)
Are you the poster child for “busyness”, the one who is never able to get household and homeschool projects done (the perpetual starter syndrome)? Or even worse, are you the one who has decided to throw the towel because you simply “do not have time”? In this manual, you’ll discover a simple five step time management system to become more productive and achieve your goals.
 


Tested Time Management Tips for Your KIDS (PDF ebook)
Do your kids have problems managing their time well? Are they having trouble getting all their schoolwork and household chores done? Have you got more than a little whining and complaining going on? Hmmm… Who doesn’t? Here is the collected advice from dozens of homeschooling moms for helping YOUR KIDS learn to manage their time… dozens of motivational thoughts and practical ideas and suggestions that will help your kids (regardless of their age) be more responsible and accomplish more with the time they have been given.


The Complete Guide to Homeschooling (PDF ebook) by Isabel Allen
Today’s freebie is this excellent “newbie” guide for folks who may be looking at homeschooling but are unsure how to get started or don’t know what to do first. This 37 page guide is a great starter resource for families who need a “road map” for getting their kids home where they belong!

Rainy Day Activities for Kids (PDF ebook)
For those inclement weather days, today’s freebie shows you how to create your own “rainy day crafts box” and stock it with some easy and fun craft projects your children are sure to enjoy!
 

You Are… - A Puzzle Book for Children Ages 8 to 80 (PDF ebook)
“You are… even cleverer than your dear mother, father and teacher think… You are even cleverer than YOU think you are. I am going to show you just how clever you are. Come on…” So begins this excellent, fun and funny puzzle book written and illustrated in a semi “Dr. Suess-ish” style by Emory Gondor. This charming book has all sorts of cartoony, visual puzzles, mazes and problems meant to make the reader THINK. Delightful stuff, your kids will love this!


Family Haircuts & How to Give Them, 1950s style! (PDF ebook)
What a fun find! In the midst of a humongous 522 page 1950s era barber college textbook (which mainly focused on how to pass a state barber exam), we ran across THIS wonderful chapter detailing men’s haircut styles, with detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to give the perfect haircut! So, we excerpted the whole section and put it in this stand-alone ebook on hair cutting technique, 1950s style! If you like the men in your family to look clean-cut and snappy, check it out! A great guide for frugal moms who want to cut their family’s hair!
 

How Ben Franklin Learned: Four Short Stories for Young Readers by Edward Eggleston (PDF ebook)
Few people ever knew so many things as did Benjamin Franklin. Men said, “How did he ever learn so many things?” For he had been a poor boy who had to work for a living. He could not go to school at all after he was ten years old. Here are four neat stories of young Benjamin Franklin, which may just motivate your own kids to “learn to learn” for themselves. Included are the stories of how young Franklin taught himself, how an ant helped him find out things for himself, his experiments with electricity and the kite, and the story of paying too much for a penny whistle.


Our All-Time Favorite Homeschool Activities EVER! (PDF ebook)
This little collection is a true treasure chest of ideas and inspiration for your homeschool. We asked experienced homeschooling parents to share their most successful teaching activities that they considered highlights of their homeschooling. They responded with all sorts of wonderful tips, suggestions, and activities you may want to incorporate into your own homeschool too! Just take your time and read through every one of these ideas and suggestions with a pencil and notebook at hand. It’s not a huge compendium… just 15 pages… but it is chock full of “real life” experiences that other homeschooling parents wanted to share, to help YOU have the best homeschool possible. Dig in… you’re sure to strike gold!

Flower Children: The Little Cousins of Field and Garden (PDF ebook)
A delightful vintage picture book depicting many different varieties of flowers as small children, with accompanying rhymes. It’s a charming and most memorable way to learn the names and some of the characteristics of flowers.
 


Carpentry For Boys by J. S. Zerbe (PDF ebook)
Classic introductory book on carpentry written for boys in 1914 — but great for anyone interested in learning more about woodworking. This heavily illustrated guide covers tools and how to use (and care for) them; how to design projects; types of woods; how to learn from your mistakes, and much more. Very well done! From the introduction: “Carpentry is the oldest of the arts, and it has been said that the knowledge necessary to make a good carpenter fits one for almost any trade or occupation requiring the use of tools. The hatchet, the saw, and the plane are the three primal implements of the carpenter. The value is in knowing how to use them…. This book to teach boys the primary requirements—not to generalize—but to show how to prepare and how to do the work; what tools and materials to use; and in what manner the tools used may be made most serviceable, and used most advantageously.”

Cool Science Experiments mini-guides!


Grow Your Own Crystals! (PDF ebook)
In this little ebook, you’ll find all sorts of fascinating activities and experiments for making your own crystals:
The classic Magic Salt Crystal Garden
Cool Cave Stalagtites
Creeping Crystals
Creeping Crystal Paint
Salt Crystal Cubes
and, of course, Rock Candy!
 

Mouth Experiments! (PDF ebook)
Ewww! Science experiments — in your own mouth? Yep! In this great little ebook you’ll not only have loads of fun, but you’ll also pick up some biology and chemistry savvy as well. Included are activities/experiments such as:
Making a Tongue Map
Rock Breath
Stuffy Smellers
Hot and Cold Tastes
Disappearing Gum
Fireworks in your Mouth… and much more!
Great fun - and educational too!
 

Incredible Bubbles! (PDF ebook)
In this little collection of bubble experiments and activities you’ll learn how to make the BEST bubble-making solution ever… how to make Giant Man-Eating Bubbles, Bubble Paintings, and more fun stuff.

SLIMY EXPERIMENTS! (PDF ebook)
How to make your own slimy, fun “science toys”, including recipes for Guck, Goop & Oobleck. Great fun & fascinating chemistry “lessons” too! Enjoy!

ROCKETS & FLYING MACHINES! (PDF ebook)
Straight from NASA, here are some great flying contraptions you can make at home - and learn the principles of flight while you’re at it! Young experimenters will learn how to create a matchstick rocket, wooden helicopter, flying tube, finger boomerangs, hot air balloons, a rocket car, and a straw rocket.

Even More Fun Science Experiments mini-guides:


Make a “way cool” OCEAN IN A BOTTLE


Make a nifty CARTESIAN DIVER TOY


and finally, build the BEST TORNADO SIMULATOR EVER!

Birdwatching for Beginners: A Guide for Homeschoolers (PDF ebook)
Today’s freebie is this excellent starter guide on birdwatching… How to get started, what resources and equipment you need, where to find birds and how to identify them, how to keep records of your sightings, “etiquette” for watchers, how to attract birds to your own back yard, and much more! An educational and fun hobby that is perfect for these glorious summer days!
 

Pen Pals as a Hobby by Bonnie Jennings (PDF ebook)
Today’s resource is this very interesting new ebook written by a lady who once had 160 pen pals at the same time!
Learn the ins and outs of “pen palling”, how to find pen pals, write interesting letters, stay organized, and much more.
Note: This is an excellent ebook, but be aware that it was written for a general audience, and not specifically for homeschooled students. Therefore, there is little mention of parental supervision of correspondence or of any safety concerns. We think that a little common sense and parental involvement in this hobby would be sufficient in most cases, and most of this could be directed toward other homeschooled pen pals. Still, be aware that the “safety” aspect of this hobby is NOT covered in this ebook.
 

EARNING AND LEARNING: 101 Ways for Your Young People to Earn an Income (PDF ebook)
Lots of young people would like to earn their own money, but aren’t sure how to go about it. You’ll get all sorts of creative ideas and inspiration in this unique “idea book” — a collection of profiles of kids with their own businesses, business, service and product ideas, common sense tips, and suggestions for young entrepreneurs, from pre-teen to young adult.

Candy Math (PDF ebook)
This little guide is SO much fun! It shows you how you can make basic, “hands on” math lessons a true delight for your little ones by using inexpensive candy (or even breakfast cereal) as math manipulatives to teach primary age children almost any basic math concept. There is a natural attraction and fascination for children in playing with (and learning from) candy. Just the novelty of candy being part of a lesson (not to mention eating it at the end of the lesson) is enough to hold the attention of most children.The examples in this short ebook will give you almost two dozen creative learning games, lesson plans and activities, with examples to get you started teaching: SKIP COUNTING * ODD AND EVEN * GROUPING * GREATER THAN, LESS THAN, EQUAL TO * MEASUREMENT * ADDITION * SUBTRACTION * MULTIPLICATION * DIVISION * FRACTIONS * GRAPHS * ESTIMATING * MAKING SETS … and more!
 

204 TRIANGLE PUZZLES TO TEACH GEOMETRY (PDF ebook)
With just five simple cutout triangles, you can introduce younger students to the abstract language of arithmetic known as geometry. Here are 204 vintage puzzles and brain-twisters that are just as fun and intriguing for kids today as they were a hundred years ago! Can you solve them?
 

Coughs, Earaches & Sore Throats: Natural Remedies that Work! (PDF ebooklet)
Here in this little guide are some simple natural home remedies for three of the most common childhood complaints. Put away the medications and give these a try!


Mazes; and How To Thread Them, by Henry Ernest Dudeney (PDF ebook)
A brief but truly fascinating study of mazes by historian and mathematician Dudeney. He examines actual physical mazes that were built throughout ancient and medieval history… how they worked and how they can be solved. Examples and illustrations of most of the mazes mentioned in the text are included. This is just fascinating — blending history, math, and of course - maze puzzles! Highly recommended!

The Underground Railroad: A RECORD OF FACTS, AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE, LETTERS, &C., Narrating the Hardships, Hair-breadth Escapes and Death Struggles of the Slaves in their efforts of Freedom, as Related by Themselves and, Others, or Witnessed by the Author - William Still (PDF ebook)
Today’s resource is this huge (800+ pages) collection of eyewitness accounts and stories of the “Underground Railroad” by which many slaves in pre-Civil War years escaped from their owners in the south and journeyed to the northern states. The compiler, William Still, was the son of escaped slaves and was connected with the Anti-Slavery Office in Philidelphia, and Chairman of the Acting Vigilent Committee of the Philadelphia Branch of the Underground Rail Road. These are amazing, vivid “living history” stories told by the people who were there. Some are quite stark and brutal, as befits the subject - so parents may want to preview any individual accounts before reading these to young listeners. Many, many outstanding stories in here!
 
 
 
 
 

The House You Live In (PDF ebook)
This classic text is a great introduction to human anatomy (”the house you live in”), originally prepared back in 1904 for use in primary grades in New York schools. I really like the engaging way the lessons are given. The teacher very simply reviews the subject of the lesson (such as the heart, bones, muscles, etc.), then asks the students simple discussion questions that help them understand how the body works. Included are both the questions for your students and the answers you want them to grasp, so it is easy to lead discussion in the direction you want it to go. No advance preparation is needed by the teacher, although I can see using this with an anatomy coloring book or some more recent color illustrations. It is the Q&A lessons that are so extremely well done, we think you’ll really, really enjoy using this lesson guide with your younger children (Grades 1-3).

The Healthy Family Guide to Herbs and Herbal Remedies (PDF ebook)
A straight-forward, concise, 56 page guidebook written just for you, the person who is sick and tired of their family being over-medicated. You can take control and start a journey toward natural herbal remedies. After all, natural remedies served the human race very well before we became so smart! In The Healthy Family Guide to Herbs and Herbal Remedies you can learn:
Popular herbs and their uses.
How to treat a sore throat.
How to prepare a blood purifier.
What to take for arthritis.
How to stop flatulence.
A gentle remedy for diarrhea.
What to use in place of ephedrine.
How to make your own toothpaste.
A way to remove bruises in 24 hours.
Another quick treatment for insect bites.
How to stop hot flashes.
An effective treatment for psoriasis
A natural remedy for sinusitis
Plus dozens of other herbal home remedies!
 


Herbs for Health and Happiness (PDF ebook)
Have you always wished you knew more about the properties of herbs? Have you wanted a herb garden, but didn’t know where to start or what to grow? Would you like to understand the wisdom of herbs? In today’s resource, you will discover:
* Which herbs are said to help fight acne, eczema, depression and many other diseases and conditions
* Which herbs can help you to sleep, and which will keep you awake
* How to grow your own herbs, either indoors or in the garden
* How to harvest, dry and store your herbs
* How to use herbs in the kitchen
* Learn about the medicinal properties of 63 different herbs and how you can use them

THE FIRST SPELLING BOOK (PDF ebook)
As wonderful spelling lesson book, originally published for primary grade students in the Philipines. As such, it has a fascinating agricultural / Philipino slant with delightful illustrations, so there is some cultural learning going on along with the spelling lessons. Each of the lessons in this book has instructions for the teacher at the bottom of each page to help you in presenting the lesson. Lessons are meant for the second through fourth grades, and there is lots of variety in the presentations. Lots of fun, one of our favorite vintage spellers ever.
 


The HOMESCHOOL SPEED WRITING METHOD (PDF ebook)
Discover the super-fast technique that can help slow, reluctant Writers quickly create REPORTS, ESSAYS, ARTICLES & MORE … And Never Get Writer’s Block Again!
Warning: This manual is different than anything else you’ll find about teaching your kids (or yourself) how to write. we must tell you this right up front. You won’t find anything about this writing technique in any of your writing curriculum or textbooks… yet it is one of the most productive, “real world” techniques to change writing from a “drudgery” to an exhilarating, fun experience. This method shows you how to defeat the “writing blocks” that sabotage your writing, and how to get your thoughts and words out of your head and down on paper, so you can shape them into what you want them to be.“Write Like Crazy” is not only the title of this manual, it’s also the MOST important step you can take in learning to “speed write”. Much of the advice in this manual is contrary to what you will find in other writing guides. It may startle you and shake your notions of how to teach writing. You may not like it at all. But this is a practical, proven, “real world” method of breaking through “writer’s block”. If you have a student who cannot/will not write, or is very resistant to writing, you may be surprised how well these techniques will work.

Find out how to Change writing from a “drudgery” to “exhilarating”
How to Turn Reluctant Writers into Productive Writers
Learn why your brain often sabotages your writing before you even start
Discover How writing in short “bursts” multiplies your output
Find out How to “Get in the Writing Zone”
How to Get Past the Grammar “stumbling block”
Easy, Fun Practice Exercises to develop your speed-writing skills
Unique Tips to break “Writer’s Block” once and for all
The techniques and exercises offered in this breakthrough manual work best for older students, from early teens to adults.
 

Don’t Forget the Poetry by Amy Ringger (PDF ebook)
This brief but activity-filled unit study on poetry will get you excited about studying poetry with your kids this coming year. This little gem was written to put the tools in your hands to immediately be able to bring poetry to life for your children!
* Learn how poetry opens the door to improving your grammar and spelling skills.
* See examples of poems in different forms that her family has written (that you can emulate) to show you that anyone can write poetry.
* Learn how to s-t-r-e-t-c-h your kids’ own imagination and writing skills by creating their own poems.
* Follow Amy’s helpful tips and instructions for compiling your own book of poetry favorites using blank books.
* Also included: Amy’s own “gold nugget” resource guide to favorite family-friendly poets and poetry books, to ensure you get started with some wonderful poetry your kids will love. This short little guide will help you put together a concise, “hands on” unit study that — accompanied by a trip to your local library — will give you all you need to conduct an entertaining, educational and memorable study of poetry. It does NOT require a lot of preparation on your part to implement. You can read through it and map out your study plan in about an hour.

The Cambridge Book of Poetry for Children, compiled by Kenneth Grahame (PDF ebook)
 An excellent collection of classic rhymes and poems for children, edited and compiled by Kenneth Grahame. Sections include rhymes for the very youngest children, historical and narrative poems, and classics for older students. Excellent source of classic children’s poetry from the early 20th century.
 


Home Geography for Young Students (PDF ebook)
A great classic course in geography and how it relates to your child’s home, neighborhood and location. Originally published in 1907 for use in primary grades, this classic book uses a neat question & answer format with reviews for each lesson. Though you may find some of the illustrations dated, the teaching method and much of the information is still viable for today’s learners. Just pick and choose some of the later chapters as needed. This is a complete introductory geography course appropriate for grades 1-3, extremely well done.

Our Favorite Gardening Activities (PDF ebook)
We surveyed over 300 families (homeschoolers, homesteaders, city folk and gardeners) and asked them to share their suggestions for successfully integrating gardening into homeschooling and making “growing things” a part of their family life. This is a compilation of many of their best answers. This is real-life advice, and there are LOTS of great ideas and insights in these pages. Read, glean, and utilize what fits you best!

Making It Grow: How to Keep Gardening Positive & Fun for your Kids (PDF)
What is the worst “turn off” for kids as far as gardening is concerned? This Green Thumb Family report is filled with advice, tips and words of wisdom from other homeschool parents. A great way to avoid garden “burnout” and keep your family gardening time positive and fun. Excerpt: “Gardening is not about ‘doing school’. For boys, it’s about getting your hands in the dirt, playing with worms, eating produce straight off the plant. Gardening is a life skill that will provide years of enjoyment and stress reduction if you don’t make it about the grade.”

The Stars and Their Stories by Alice Mary Matlock Griffith (PDF ebook)
This excellent astronomy book from 1918 introduces us to the major stars and constellations in the night sky with star charts & illustrations, but the real meat of it is when it then goes on to share the legends of how those heavenly bodies were named. Lots of great history, stories, poetry, and folk tales are included in this fascinating volume. Yep, you can find a LOT better star charts and photos in more recent books and all over the web, but these classic stories and historical articles are a real treat for imaginative students who have a sense of wonder when they look up at the night sky. Enjoy!
 

Be A Stargazer: Beginner’s Guide to Astronomy (PDF ebook)
Here’s the description of this well done vintage primer course on the science of Astronomy: “From our small world we have gazed upon the cosmic ocean for thousands of years. Ancient astronomers observed points of light that appeared to move among the stars. They called these objects planets, meaning wanderers, and named them after Roman deities - Jupiter, king of the gods; Mars, the god of war; Mercury, messenger of the gods; Venus, the god of love and beauty, and Saturn, father of Jupiter and god of agriculture. The stargazers also observed comets with sparkling tails, and meteors or shooting stars apparently falling from the sky. Since the invention of the telescope, three more planets have been discovered in our solar system. The science of astronomy is ever expanding. Be A Stargazer will provide you with an understanding of astronomy and the universe around us. From our closest neighbors, the moon, sun and planets to the distant reaches of the universe, the stars and constellations, Be A Stargazer is your guide. The course begins with a basic understanding of light and color. In the first three chapters you will learn the important role these forces play in astronomy and an understanding of the universe. Exciting experiments will help you in your learning. Next we examine the instruments used in astronomy and you will learn how to build a simple spectroscope from low cost materials. Then it’s on to our sun, moon and planets, where you will learn there distance from us and amazing facts about each of these bodies, and then beyond to study the meteoroids, asteroids and comets and ending up at the stars and constellations with star maps for observing the night sky.” This is a good basic course to guide your studies, and  would be even better coupled with modern astronomy books, videos and computer programs. The basics are all here in this well done classic text.
 

37 Ways to Prepare for College (PDF ebook)
A great year-by-year roadmap of “to do” items and goals that can easily be accomplished during a student’s high school years to make their transition to college much easier and cheaper. It also shows you how to start earning college credit while still doing high school work, how to beef up your “resume”, how to get ready for the college entrance tests, how to find financial aid, and much much more. While this was written for a general audience instead of specifically for homeschoolers, the advice presented here is invaluable for ALL students planning to attend college and can be especially useful for creative homeschoolers who are working toward that goal. Great practical advice!

Speed Learning Spanish Course (PDF ebook)
This is a concise 12 lesson introduction to Spanish that can easily be used in your homeschool to help familiarize your family with the Spanish language. While I wouldn’t say you will be speaking and understanding Spanish fluently in 12 days, you CAN have a grasp of the basics of the language and learn an incredible amount about it. Here are some of the topics covered in this 12 part course:
Easy-to-apply memorization tips and tricks to remember Spanish words better.
How each of the letters in the Spanish alphabet is called, how each one of them is pronounced, and some examples for practice.
Sounds not present or are very minimal in the English language but are common in Spanish.
Creative techniques to recall various Spanish words.
A 4-day training session to easily tackle the most complicated topics in Spanish.
How to form and structure different kinds of basic Spanish phrases and sentences.
The first step in learning a new language.
How to pronounce different Spanish words correctly.
Easy and simple ways of creating grammatical and sensible Spanish sentences.
Basic greetings and everyday expressions in Spanish.
How to identify formal and familiar situations in order to use the appropriate expressions.
The difference between describing with Spanish and English adjectives.
Spanish adjective classifications according to common descriptions they provide.
The importance of studying individual word forms before constructing sentences.
The easiest way to identify the gender of Spanish nouns.
Numbers, days, months, time, etc. in Spanish.
List of Spanish prepositions and example phrases.
How Spanish nouns form their plural counterparts.
How regular Spanish verbs form past, present and future tenses.
What the irregular verbs are and how they form their tenses.
How to create the present progressive form (I am eating, you are singing, etc.) in Spanish.
2 ways of forming the future tense of Spanish verbs.
Why the subject of the sentence is optional and usually omitted in Spanish.
The truth that verb alone is already a complete sentence in Spanish.
What conjugation is and how it is done in Spanish.
What the 3 groups of Spanish verbs are.
How to form Spanish interrogative statements.
How to form Spanish imperative statements.
Understanding airport, road, train, market and other signs written in Spanish.
What to say when ordering food, shopping, hiring public vehicles, checking in at hotels, and in other usual situations using the Spanish language. PDF ebook, 76 pages


Being A Good Friend - Principles to Grow By by Miiko Gibson (PDF ebook)
We all understand the perils of ungodly friendships. Help your young daughter build a strong godly foundation now when she is still open and teacheable! Being A Good Friend: Some Principles to Grow By, is a wonderful, gentle book for pre-teen girls written by Miiko Gibson. It will introduce your daughters to important and godly principles of friendship. You and your daughter can read and discuss the book and fill in the journal at home. This book also lends itself to mother-daughter classes, where mothers can take turns raising questions or answering questions from the girls. Relevant Scripture references are interwoven throughout the book to support these principles and discussion questions are provided for each chapter at the end of the book. Delightfully illustrated with vintage artwork, this ebook is a joy to look at and a treasure to share with your growing daughters.

Stitchery For Girls - A Five Year Course (PDF ebook)
This classic curriculum was originally written in 1911 as a five year course in hand sewing and stitchery for girls in rural schools and for home instruction. Obviously, there’s no electric sewing machines mentioned here at all… but all the basic instructions, exercises and learning projects in this book are still a great way to teach hand sewing step-by-step today. We know it is pretty much a lost art, but there is some great instruction here! Lots of good advice to the teacher on how to instill good habits into their students as they progress through these projects over the years. Check it out and learn to sew… exactly the same way great-grandma did back when she went to school!

Hand Sewing Lessons (PDF ebook)
This vintage course, originally published in 1905, is a great THREE YEAR course in hand sewing basics designed for home or school instruction. This is quite different than the sewing resource offered above. Lots of helpful instructions for the teacher, with many projects and ideas for teaching. Check it out if you are interested in teaching this largely neglected but eminently practical skill.
 


Citizen Bird (PDF ebook)
This is a wonderful storybook from 1897 that tells the story of different types of birds in the United States, and how each species’ habits, character and behavior are unique. Their story is told in the setting of a farmhouse owned by an ornithologist (bird scientist) whose young niece and nephew come to visit him throughout the year. Their adventures and observations of the birds around them make this a fascinating and fun course in ornithology for old and young alike. This ebook is heavily illustrated with 111 wonderful drawings by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, detailing many species of birds, and illustrating the differences between them. Highly recommended for anyone who want to know more about our feathered friends. PDF ebook, 312 pages, illustrated


FRONT PORCH ATTITUDE - Lessons Learned from a Lifetime by Chris Sutton (PDF ebook)
Here’s some GREAT reading just for YOU over this holiday weekend. We enjoyed this so little ebook of stories so much, we purchased the rights to it… just so we could include it here. You’ll love these warm and wise stories of life in the slow lane, which will remind you of the fleeting treasures we often take for granted. Just read and enjoy!
 


How To Stop Teen Impulse Spending (PDF ebook)
Help your Teens Get a Grip on Managing Their Money with these Proven Effective Strategies. It’s scary, the amount of money teenagers spend nowadays - on food, clothing, movies, games and entertainment. Living in the 21st century, there seems to be an ever increasing number of items teenagers can splurge on, at the expense of their parents. Even if you’ve tried to instill a sense of the value of money in your kids as they grow up, they can still fall into the trap of “blowing” their money and not thinking ahead when they get into their teen years. (Ask me how we know! ) In this report, you’ll hear some typical teenagers speak about the issues and problems they face in an unrestrained manner. Note: The teens interviewed in this manual are not homeschooled kids, so you may have to glean a little here and there. However, there are many insights to be picked up on how to educate and solve the problem of unnecessary spending in teens. You’ll learn some key insights into teen spending habits, some of which you do not know even existed. And you’ll learn how to help your teens guard against the temptations to overspend and be better stewards of their finances. PDF ebook, 18 pages

When Mother Lets Us Cut Out Pictures, by Ida E. Boyd (PDF ebook)
Well, I have a feeling it may be politically incorrect in this day and age to suggest that children get out the scissors and start cutting away, so forgive us today if scissor-work (with pointed scissors, yet!) is off limits in your family. Nevertheless, this wonderful gem from way back in 1918 deserves to be re-discovered, and some folks are really going to have fun with it. Written and “illustrated” (with cut out pictures, naturally) by Ida Boyd, a teacher of art at the Brooklyn School for Teachers, this crafty little guide offers all sorts of great advice for teaching your kids to use scissors and provides a multitude of fun and educational cut-out projects. Projects include cut-outs such as flowers, dishes, people, houses, fences, toys, whirli-gigs, Christmas scenes, and all sorts of everyday items that kids can pretend play with after cutting them out. What a great way to kindle the imagination, develop artistic and motor skills, and just have fun.
 

Autumn Studies: Primary Lessons in Nature, Literature & Art by Anna E. McGovern (PDF ebook)
Give your children an appreciation of the wonders of nature during this Fall season with this classic 1905 compilation of lessons on nature, incorporating literature and art. “The aim of this study”, says the author in the preface, “is twofold: First, to cultivate the higher nature of the child and lead him toward his Creator; and secondly to develop his intellectual powers and lead him to acquire a knowledge of his physical environment.”

This vintage text includes lots of neat little lessons on plants, trees, insects, birds and the Fall season, right up to Thanksgiving, with Q&A lessons, poems & other readings that make this a real treasure-chest of goodies that can easily be gleaned and incorporated into your own homeschooling this Fall. Check it out!

SPRING NATURE STUDY (PDF ebook)
In this vintage lesson guide for primary age students, you’ll find poems and short stories about Spring, studies on seed germination, soil, rocks, earthworms, flowers, birds, Easter lessons, outdoor activities and much more. If you want to stir your child’s imagination and give them a sense of wonder about this change of seasons, don’t miss this. Tons of great ideas and lessons in this lovely, gentle compilation!
 

In the Days of the Guild by L. Lamprey (PDF ebook)
A great historical storybook, set in 13th Century Europe, telling the stories of different boys and girls who came to learn and master different trades through apprenticeship to different craftsmen and merchant guilds. These stories run the gamut of many of the main crafts and industries of the Medieval period, including scribes, wool merchants, stained glass artisans, goldsmith, potter, goose girl, perfumer, musician, and many more. Lots of excellent illustrations with some color plates too. A wonderful “living history” book that really brings the times to life through the stories of these young people finding their “calling” in life, 13th Century style.

The Homeschooler’s Public Speaking Survival Guide (PDF)
Sooner or Later, you’re going to be called on to Speak in Public… Here’s how to Survive the Experience!
There are hundreds of books on public speaking, but few really give you much practical help when you are nervously trying to put together your first real speech. This ebook aims to do what other books have not by giving direct “how-to” information when you are preparing to stand before an audience and speak. You’ll learn how to prepare your message, overcome “stage fright”, and tailor your comments to your audience so your first speech will be a great one, and you’ll become better with each succeeding speech. Whether your speech is short or long, the same rules apply. Aristotle said “a speaker needs three qualities – good sense, good character, and goodwill toward his hearers.” Thus, public speaking is also about developing speakers, and ultimately, decent human beings who can communicate skillfully. If that’s what you want for your older students, then you’ll want to have this ebook on hand when the time is right. PDF ebook, 65 pages

Getting Yourself Organized: A Collection of Easy and Simple Strategies to Getting (and Staying) Organized (PDF ebook)
Today’s freebie is this great collection of articles on organizing your household — from decluttering to re-organizing your schedule to getting the kids organized and more. Lots of great tips and ideas in these that you can use in your household today!


15 Ways to Save Money (PDF ebook)
Are you looking for ways to stretch your household budget and save some of your hard earned cash? “Yes you can… but you need to train yourself to be a disciplined buyer and learn to become an intelligent saver,” says the intro to today’s resource. In this ebook you’ll discover dozens of tips and advice on saving money on groceries, insurance, furniture, clothing, vacations, credit cards and other household expenses. Some great ideas here for just about anyone — glean what you can and start saving in YOUR household today!
 

POCO A POCO: A Direct Method for Learning Spanish (PDF ebook)
Neat beginner’s Spanish language primer in which you learn the language “poco a poco” (little by little) - by reading basic lessons written entirely in Spanish. Presented in both question & answer, and conversational format, each day’s lesson are presented orally by the teacher, and build on the previous day’s lesson and words learned. Great curriculum! Includes a complete vocabulary & grammatical guide.

The POCO A POCO Teacher's Guide is also included on the CD!

The Boston Tea Party by Josephine Pollard & H. W. McVikar (PDF ebook)
A wonderful old time picture book telling the story of the Boston Tea Party, which occurred in December of 1773, exactly 235 years ago! Yes, it is an old OLD book, originally published in 1812, but don’t let that fool you. This is a hugely enjoyable historical romp back to the events surrounding that milestone event in colonial America. Beautiful, witty illustrations and text in verse make this an absolutely delightful picture book your kids will truly enjoy - and learn a lot of history from, too!


LEARNING TO THINK by Jacob Abbott (PDF ebook)
Very well done question & answer book written by Jacob Abbott way back in 1856. Learning to Think is a classic participatory read-aloud lesson book which asks simple deductive questions based on accompanying illustrations of animals, people and scenes familiar to young children. This helps young students to reflect on what they observe and develop reasoning powers. Check it out and you’ll quickly see how it worked. Many of these lessons would still be quite applicable today, though some deal with items that would not be recognized by modern children. Still, this would be great for cuddling up on the couch and reading / discussing many of these chapters with little ones. Lots of fun stuff here. For approximately grades K-3.
 

The Book of Hand Shadows to Throw on the Wall (PDF ebook)
Let your kids enjoy making their own hand shadow creations during the  fall and winter evenings. Here’s a delightful gallery of shadow pictures for kids (and limber adults) to try their hand at, from way back in 1858.


FINGER PLAYS for Nursery & Kindergarten by Emilie Poulson (PDF ebook)
A lovely little “early learning” collection of songs and rhymes - all meant to be taught to little ones ages 2 to 5, and acted out with little hands and fingers. Although this was originally published in the 1890s, the subject is timeless and just as engaging for little ones of today. This book is also filled with charming, expressive illustrations (many of which would be great for coloring) and dozens of fun learning games & activities!


Homeschool for the Holidays (PDF ebook)
We surveyed over 800 homeschool families and asked them to share their favorite holiday activities and ideas to help YOU have the best holiday season ever! This collection of favorite holiday activities plus tips and suggestions for balancing homeschool & family during the hectic holiday season is some of the very best “real life” advice on the subject you’ll find anywhere!
 

Pilgrim Stories, Book I: From Old Homes to New (PDF ebook)
An absolutely delightful three part serialization of “Pilgrim Stories”, originally published in 1910. This is a wonderful “read aloud” resource that you can share with the kids  to make Thanksgiving not only a family celebration, but a learning time as well.  In Part One, we meet the Pilgrims and learn why they were forced to leave their homes in search of a place they could freely worship… a journey which had many false starts, and which eventually led to a hazardous journey across the ocean in hopes of reaching the “New World” and a place they could make their own.


Pilgrim Stories II: The Wild Land & Thanksgiving (PDF ebook)
In Part Two of our “Pilgrim Stories” collection, the Pilgrims at long last arrive in the “New World”, only to find it a truly “wild land” filled with incredible danger and hardships. Providentially, they are befriended just when they need it most, and the very first Thanksgiving is celebrated.

Pilgrim Stories III: Little Pilgrims & The Red Men (PDF ebook)
The conclusion to this absolutely delightful three part serialization of the story of the Pilgrims - perfect for “read aloud” and sharing with the kids over the next couple of weeks! In Part Three, we learn how children from the Pilgrim settlements fared with their encounters with their Native American neighbors - this includes some outstanding stories of danger, adventure & friendship!

Also included in Part Three: A short but helpful “Teacher’s Guide” to learning more about the Pilgrims’ life and times through play-acting and other fun activites. Great stuff!

An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott (PDF ebook)
In this delightful short story, the author of “Little Women” tells this classic tale that re-captures the celebration of Thanksgiving as it was
observed in the early 1820s in rural New England. It is a tale full of family, fun, humor, long-lost traditions, and the smells and tastes of a Thanksgiving day “way back when”.

Mary of Plymouth: A Story of the Pilgrim Settlement by James Otis (PDF ebook)
“My name is Mary, and I am setting down all these things about our people here in this new world, hoping some day to send my dear friend, Hannah, who lives in Scrooby, England, what may really come to be a story… even though the writer of it is only sixteen years old, having lived in Plymouth since the day our company landed from the Mayflower in 1620, more than eleven years ago…” So begins this excellent book about the pilgrims and the colony of Plymouth, as told through the eyes of a young pilgrim girl named Mary. This classic “living book”, written by James Otis and originally published in 1910, is full of history, fascinating details about the daily lives of the pilgrims, along with plenty of action and adventure. Profusely illustrated and highly recommended! Another great story to share with your kids during your Thanksgiving celebrations!

Classic Thanksgiving Recipes: Over 200 Traditional Thanksgiving Dishes (PDF ebook)
Yummy  cookbook collection of recipes covering all the courses of a traditional holiday meal! If it’s Thanksgiving-y, you’ll probably find it in this collection! Sorry, the original editor did not include an index to this book, but you’ll get lots of great ideas for goodies by browsing these pages and printing out the ones you want to try. Save some dark meat for me!

“The First Christmas in New England: A Story of Life in the Colonies” by Stone & Frickett (PDF ebook)
Today’s resource is this excellent short story of the first Christmas in New England, in the year 1620. If you’ve been curious as to how the early Pilgrims celebrated Christmas, read this - you may be surprised at what you discover!

Surviving the Holiday Season: TIPS FOR MANAGING STRESS SUCCESSFULLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS (PDF ebook)
Are you feeling a bit “stressed out” over the upcoming holiday season? Everybody experiences events and times in their lives that cause different types of stress. No one is immune to this intense feeling. But, when the holiday season pops up, so does the level of stress that many experience. In this special report, we’ve got 16 helpful tips to help you cope with holiday season-related stress


The Children’s Book of Christmas Stories (PDF ebook)
From the introduction: “Many librarians have felt the need and expressed the desire for a select collection of children’s Christmas stories in one volume. This books claims to be just that and nothing more. Each of the stories has already won the approval of thousands of children, and each is fraught with the true Christmas spirit.” This classic collection edited by Asa Don Dickinson and Ada M. Skinner includes 20 classic holiday stories, legends and fables from the 1800s and 1900s especially chosen for reading aloud. The whole family will enjoy many of these.
 

The Christmas of 1776: A Young Maiden’s Story by Anne Hollingsworth Wharton (PDF ebook)
The delightful short story of a young girl’s Christmas experiences during the tumultuous time of the American Revolution, taken from the book “A Last Century Maiden” by Anne Hollingsworth Wharton. Lots of fascinating history and details of old-time holiday celebrations make this story a great read-aloud for the whole family!

Classic Christmas Cookies & Classic Christmas Candy and Fudge (PDF ebooks)
You, yum! Two tantalizing and delicious Christmas treats cookbooks for you — both chock full of tempting recipes to make all sorts of yummy holiday goodies for your family. There may even be a few in these your kids can try making themselves. Don’t overdo it… but enjoy!


Home-Made Toys for Girls and Boys by A. Neely Hall (PDF ebook)
See what kind of homemade toys kids from previous generations played with, and learn how you can make them too - includes wooden toys, cardboard toys, mechanical and electric toys, and all sorts of unique, fun and sometimes weird contraptions. Some of these projects are quite simple, others require some real skill with tools and parental supervision… but all can set the imagination whirring, and are great examples of creating fun “stuff” from things lying around the house. Great for kids (and parents) who love tinkering, inventing and building.

Emergency Prep for YOUR Family: A Planning Guide for Your Family When Disaster Strikes (PDF ebook)
Emergencies can happen at any place, at any time. Does your family know what to do in the event of a natural or man-made disaster? This simple, concise guide offers practical advice for putting together an emergency plan of action for your family during times of crisis.

Given the events of the past week with Hurricane Ike cutting a 1600 mile long, 200 mile wide path of damage from the Gulf through the Ohio Valley, we should all keep in mind that an emergency situation can develop anytime, anywhere. Are You truly prepared? How would a full-blown emergency situation in YOUR community affect YOUR family? Now’s the time to think that through. Download, print out, read, talk about, and keep this handy “just in case”.
 
 


The Beginner’s Guide to Coin Collecting AND The Beginner’s Guide to Stamp Collecting (PDF ebooks)
Today, we have not one, but TWO fine hobby guides for kids who would like to get started either in the hobbies of stamp collecting and coin collecting. Both offer excellent advice and tips for newbies on topics such as: How to start collecting, where to acquire and trade, how to organize and display your collections, and how to get the most enjoyment from them. Both of these time-honored hobbies are an excellent way to learn more about history and culture, and provide a great educational opportunity for homeschoolers. If your kids are interested at all in these fields, be sure to check these guides out!

60 Easy Recipes for Body & Bath (PDF ebook)
Want to save some money or make a bit of extra money this fall? Thinking about some “homemade” gifts you might be able to give this Christmas? Or do you just want to pamper yourself a bit? In this exclusive “cookbook” of pampering products, expert soap and fragrance maker Maria Vowell shares 60+ of her proven customer favorite recipes for soaps, lotions, bath salts, lip balms, scrubs, facials, and other delightful products you can make as gifts, to sell, or just to use for your family! Her simple, straightforward recipes and instructions make these products a breeze to make.


From BOYS to MEN: A TEENAGERS’ WORK AND INFLUENCE (PDF ebook)
This excellent essay on the changing roles boys & teenagers have as they grow into adulthood written in the late 1800s and published Anonymously. Though some of the specific references in this text are now dated, the truths contained in this ebook are wonderfully vital and true and well worth sharing with growing boys even today. Excellent reading for thoughtful (and not-so-thoughtful) young folks!

Excerpt:
“Boys and men are great cowards. There is hardly any accusation that a man or boy resents so much as to be called a coward. Still I venture to make the accusation, and will try and make good my words. I do not mean that you are cowards in the sense of being afraid to attempt any act of daring. You have pluck enough to tackle a fellow half as big again as yourself, pluck enough to endure pain without a word, pluck enough to risk your life to save another, but too often you have not pluck enough to say no, or to brave a laugh. That is what I mean by saying that men and boys are cowards. You will let the worst fellow of the lot be the leader and give the tone to conversation because you have not the pluck to say boldly that it is wrong, and that you will not join in it. This want of moral courage makes a lad give up little by little his hold on what is right….”
 


Say Fellas (PDF ebook)
We love this book for boys! These are 50 WONDERFUL inspirational talks especially for boys, originally published in the early 1900s in the weekly Sunday School Times. These aren’t wishy washy, “blah” sermonettes at all… but are hearty, stirring stories that will grab boys’ attention and teach a lesson that they can relate to. Smith writes striking stories out of his own experience such as the time on a campout when a boy was drowned and finally revived (illustrating the Resurrection Lesson), or of his first (and last) deer hunt. These short stories are extremely well written and would be great for reading aloud as character building devotionals. Scripture references are included with each story. Highly recommended! PDF ebook, 66 pages


Little Hands Folded In Prayer (PDF ebook)
A beautiful little collection of prayers especially for children, originally published in the 1880s. Simple and easily remembered, these would be wonderful for devotional use and memorization. Prayers for morning, evening, mealtime and special occasions.
 


LEARN TO PLAY CHESS (PDF ebook)
Chess is a wonderful board game, invented thousands of years ago. Throughout its long history, it has been considered to be the ‘king’ of board games. Nowadays, it stills attracts people from all over the world, regardless of their age. Chess is not only fun, but it also improves analytical thinking, creativeness and judgment. This concise course is a complete illustrated introduction to all the rules, strategies and tactics of playing chess. If you want your kids to learn to think analytically as well has have great competitive fun, chess is your game.

What the Bible Has to Say About Manners: A Study Guide (PDF ebook)
Does God think manners are important? Do our manners affect our relationships with others? Do our manners reveal anything about our character? Do our manners affect how others view us? What kind of manners are important anyway? Is there something bigger and more important about manners that we need to be aware of? This concise, simple study guide will help you lead your Boys and Girls into a deeper understanding of the true importance and meaning of “good manners”.

Stops; Or How To Punctuate by Paul Allardyce (PDF ebook)
A fine, concise guide to proper punctuation, originally published in 1895 but just as applicable today as ever. From the introduction: “Punctuation is a device for marking out the arrangement of a writer’s ideas. Reading is thereby made easier than it otherwise would be. A writer’s ideas are expressed by a number of words arranged in groups, the words in one group being more closely connected with one another than they are with those in the next group. An example will show this grouping in its simplest form: He never convinces the reason, or fills the imagination, or touches the heart. To understand what is written, the reader must group the words together in the way intended by the writer; and in doing this he can receive assistance in various ways. Partly by the inflection of the words; partly by their arrangement; partly also by punctuation….” Excellent reference to have on hand any time you have a punctuation question!

Stories to Tell to Children (& How to Tell Them) by Sarah Cone Bryant (PDF ebook)
This classic collection of stories to be told to children includes some great introductory chapters on “Suggestions for Storytellers” and “How to Teach English Using Stories”, and then offers up dozens of classic stories for children, including fairy tales, true life stories, poems, folk tales, fables and much more. Great material here that will entertain and enthrall young listeners!

The Absurd ABC by Walter Crane (PDF ebook)
Today’s resource is this delightfully illustrated ABC book, created by the 19th century illustrator, Walter Crane, who illustrated many early picture books for children. Beautifully crafted, with fun nonsense rhymes for each letter.

Classic Poems to Memorize (PDF ebook)
Originally titled “Required Poems for Third and Fourth Grades”, this wonderful collection of poems was meant to be a “one stop” guide for teachers in the early 1900s to provide all the poems that their elementary students were required to read and occasionally memorize. Now, most school teachers of today can’t even quote more than a couple poems from memory, so we have definitely lost a good deal of our ability to appreciate these poetic gems over time. More’s the pity.

Here are over 100 time-honored, beloved verses & poems, organized by Author (including the works of Stevenson, Longfellow, Wordsworth, Kingley, Shakespeare and others )for your children to read, listen to and remember. Have them memorize a few of these and you just may encourage an appreciation of poetry they will retain their whole lives.
 


The Nest in the Honeysuckles (PDF ebook)
Today’s resource is this wonderful collection of classic Character Building “Read Aloud” Stories for Children. This is great for devotional reading, and includes many delightful old-time illustrations. Originally published by the American Sunday School Union way back in 1855! Check it out!

The Pearl Box, 100 Beautiful Stories for Young People, by A Pastor (PDF ebook)
Today we have for you a classic old time children’s book from the turn of the century, featuring many (but not, I think, 100) short moral stories, poems and sayings for and about young people. Definitely old-fashioned, dealing with not only manners and behavior, but also death and dying, this quite interesting collection includes some great read alouds for family devotions and sharing. A few nice old timey illustrations, too!

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, illustrations by William Nicholson (PDF ebook)
The classic children’s story by Margery Williams, with all the original illustrations included. What can I say about this bittersweet, lovely little tale? It was one of our family’s favorite bedtime stories when our kids were little. If you’ve never shared this with your kids before, then you are in for a huge treat. Just don’t forget the tissues!
 

Helping Your Child Learn Science (PDF ebook)
Every day is filled with opportunities to learn science—without expensive chemistry sets or books. Parents don’t need degrees in chemistry or physics to help their children learn science. All that is needed is a willingness to observe and learn with them, and, above all, to make an effort and take the time to nurture their natural curiosity. This booklet provides parents of children ages 3 through 10 with information, tools and activities they can use in the home and community to help their child develop an interest in the sciences and learn about the world around them. This is a VERY nice beginning guide to science and scientific inquiry, with very good advice for parents, and loads of illustrations and activities for primary grades
 

Helping Your Child Become a Reader (PDF ebook)
Here’s a neat little guide  offering pointers on how to build the language skills of young children, and includes a list of typical language accomplishments for different age groups, suggestions for books, and resources for children with reading problems or learning disabilities. Several “hands on” activities for little ones are also presented.
 


Chapters from BIBLE BATTLES by Lettice Bell & Jessica Erskine (PDF ebook)
Check out these chapters from our new book “Bible Battles” (yes, a real physical paper and ink book), retelling the stories of Joshua, Gideon and Saul and the wars and exploits described in the Old Testament. These are exciting, faithfully told stories that really bring the scriptural accounts of these battles to life for young readers. This new book also has a neat interactive tool to get your kids into the scriptures themselves (take a look at the PDF, you’ll see what we mean).

Goops, and How to Be Them (PDF ebook)
This classic children’s book by Gelett Burgess (1866-1951) is subtitled “A manual of manners for polite infants inculcating many juvenile virtues both by precept and example” but what it really is, is a HOOT. It is a collection of funny poems and limericks about weird little cartoon “goops”, child-like creatures whose manners are atrocious. This is a much beloved classic that generations of children have loved and laughed at - and in the process learned something about their own manners. The illustrations make great “coloring pages” if you want to print them out. Check it out and share it with your kids. They’ll love the Goops too!

The Brownies Primer by Palmer Cox (PDF ebook)
One of the most popular children’s illustrators in the late 1800s was Palmer Cox, who created the amazing “Brownies” for the pages of ST. NICHOLAS magazine in the 1870s, and later a whole series of Brownies books. Cox drew incredibly intricate pictures of his playful Brownies, often with hundreds of brownies on every page. Amazingly, each brownie character was unique and possessed its own personality. If your kids have never seen these before, they are in for a real treat. They are a little like “Where’s Waldo?” in that you can just about make a game of every full page illustration, trying to spot your favorite brownies.

The Brownies Primer is a fine beginning reader primer using many delightful illustrations from various Cox books. Use it for reading, for coloring, or just for plain fun, exploring these amazing pictures.


When Mother Lets Us Cook:
A book of simple receipts for little folk, with important cooking rules in rhyme, together with handy lists of the materials and utensils needed for the preparation of each dish (PDF ebook) - This delightful children’s cookbook from 1908 includes simple old fashioned recipes for meals, snacks, candy and more, memorable cooking tips in the form of rhymes, and lovely old fashioned illustrations. While you might not want to try all these recipes (people ate quite differently 100 years ago than they do now), there are still loads of recipes worth checking out here.

The Fun of Cooking: A Story for Boys and Girls (PDF ebook)
This classic 1915 storybook / cookbook by Caroline French Benton follows the Blair family throughout the year as they enjoy the holidays, camping, and other activities together - and also prepare some delicious meals and snacks along the way. A great cookbook and “how to” guide for kids AND adults, this has some great recipes for old-fashioned candy, outdoor cooking, tea-time, meals, snacks, and holiday treats. Great illustrations and a fun storyline that teaches as well as entertains makes this a great home ec learning resource you’ll refer to again and again.

English Fairy Tales retold by Flora Annie Steel, illustrated by Arthur Rackham (PDF ebook)
Great volume of classic English fairy tales, well told in all their bluster and thunder by Flora Annie Steel, and accompanied by appropriately weird and magical illustrations by well known children’s book illustrator Arthur Rackham. These are not wishy washy Disney-fied versions, but are rollicking fun (and often danger-filled) renditions of such classic stories as: St. George of Merrie England, Jack the Giant Killer, Jack & the Beanstalk, The Three Bears, Tattercoats, Lazy Jack, Dick Whittington & His Cat, and many more. Good reading and great art!
 


Kids’ Fun Recipes (PDF ebook)
Here’s a neat collection of 120 great “fun” recipes especially for children. Many can be prepared by younger hands with a bit of supervision from mom, but all make fun treats and dishes the whole family will enjoy!


A Little Cook Book For A Little Girl (PDF ebook)
“Once upon a time there was a little girl named Margaret, and she wanted to cook, so she went into the kitchen and tried and tried, but she could not understand the cook-books, and she made dreadful messes, and spoiled her frocks and burned her fingers till she just had to cry…” So begins this delightful storybook/cookbook from 1905, which provides simple instructions for cooking several different dishes for breakfast, lunch and supper. While you may not want to try all these dishes (”creamed cod” comes to mind), there are still many interesting old-timey recipes in here worthy of a taste test. I definitely want to try “Steak and Bananas”. If you find something especially yummy in here, do let us know!

What to Draw & How to Draw it by E. G. Lutz (PDF ebook)
Wonderful “how to” drawing book originally published in 1913, which shows young artists, step-by-step, how to create all sorts of characters, animals, buildings & other fanciful cartoons & designs. It is a delight, and many of you will have to pry your kids away from this one.

Our Children In Heaven by James Maple, revised by Jim Erskine (PDF ebook)
 Originally published in 1890, this completely forgotten little book by Dr. James Maple has truly been lost for decades. (There is a different book with the same title available other places online, but in our opinion this volume is far superior.) Its pages contain a well-spring of comfort for all who have lost loved ones, little or old, to death. When we discovered it on the dusty shelf of an antique shop (the owner did not even know he had it), we knew that we had to make it available to hurting families again. It is our hope that you will find these messages a sweet balm for aching hearts.
 


The Mother Goose Coloring Book, Part One (PDF ebook)
A neat collection of vintage illustrated Mother Goose rhymes, taken from various books from the late 1800s & early 1900s. Great for coloring and for re-visiting these classic childhood rhymes.


The Jolly Book of Playcraft (PDF ebook)
This delightful, extremely creative book offers all sorts of vintage fun stuff and projects for kids of all ages. Gather up some boxes, buttons and some household odds and ends, and you’ll have the makings of dozens of classic homemade games to play, fun activities, and toys to make. Great, low-tech, imagination building stuff! From the Introduction: “Do you believe that there’s a Pot of Gold at the end of every rainbow? I do. I know there is, because, once upon a time, I found more than a pot of gold, I think. It was something quite as wonderful in its way as Aladdin’s Lamp! That, you know, seemed worthless until Aladdin found out its secret magic. It was just so with my treasure. At first sight, it seemed simply an ordinary cardboard box — but I found out that if I did certain things to it, I could turn it into almost any sort of plaything that I wished. As for games, there are no end to those that you can make with cardboard boxes! You shall hear all about the magic, for, I dare say, you would be glad to know how to change an ordinary cardboard box into a game. It is perfectly simple. You need only follow directions…”


Fun with Tangrams!
The tangram (literally “seven boards of skill”) is a dissection puzzle consisting of seven flat shapes, called tans, which are put together to form more complex shapes and patterns. The objective of the puzzle is to form a specific shape (given only in outline or silhouette) using all seven pieces, which may not overlap. The origins of the tangram is shrouded in history, but this puzzle have been popular for centuries in China and the far east, and was introduced to the west in the 1800s to widespread popularity. (Early fans of tangrams included Lewis Carroll and the Emperor Napoleon!) These are great puzzles for children, which can help build observational skills and imagination. This resource features:
1) A short PDF booklet introducing the tangram and offering several templates for figure creation and practice… 2) A link to a site where you can find an excellent pattern to make your own set of tangrams out of cardstock or paper; and… 3) A link to an online version of tangrams that can be played on the computer.

Gilbert LIGHT EXPERIMENTS FOR BOYS (PDF ebook)
Classic 1909 book of way cool experiments and science lessons about light, and how it works. Literally tons of neat activities and projects that will keep young scientists busy for weeks! From the introduction: “The things that are most common are often the ones that people know the least about. This is true of light. Few boys have ever taken the trouble to get the essential facts about this subject. But you can realize how important it is when you realize that without the sun - our main source of light - there would be no life at all….”
 
 
 

How to Play the Piano By Ear
(Teacher's Guide included)

Let's face it, learning to read music and play piano at the same time is tough! The problem with learning to play the piano by notation is that practice can quickly become a drudgery practicing all the "mechanics". On the other hand, even though some "play by ear only" books will tell you can do fine without an understanding of music, their method usually means you can only go so far and then you must start learning notation from scratch.

The Secret to Playing the Piano By Ear * Simple Melodies Strategies * Scales Mastery
Chording Success * Harmony Domination * Minor Scales Tactics
Polyphony Formula * Intervals Breakthrough * Reading Music & Memorization

Each section is written in easily-understood language, and includes dozens of examples, simple songs for practice, follow up tips, exercises, and more. The emphasis in this course is "hands on" practical instruction and motivation. You don't get bogged down in long-winded theory or academic mumbo-jumbo.

A companion Teacher's Guide to How to Play the Piano By Ear: A Simple Home Study Course is included with this PDF format manual.
 
 

The Little Folks Handy Book
Classic Craft & Paper projects for Children
by Lina & Adelia B. Beard
 

Bird Houses Boys Can Build
by Albert F. Siepert
This classic "how to" construction guide from 1916 gives detailed plans for building a wide variety of birdhouses, along with great information on attracting & feeding birds, placement of bird houses, feeding shelters during winter months, building bird baths and more.

"How to Teach Phonics: The First Four Years"
This concise 1916 manual for one-room schoolteachers gets right down to the nuts & bolts of
how to teach phonics to children through their first four years of school. (Yes, it really is a four year curriculum in just 54 pages!) Short and sweet, with charts, examples, step-by-step lessons, lots of suggestions and tips along the way. This is how great-grandma learned her phonics... and it worked for her! Why not check it out and see if you can glean some ideas from this old-time teacher's guide!

"Cat Head Biscuits & Garlic Fried Chicken"
Carolina Mountain Cooking with Pearlie & Jewel

What are "Cat Head Biscuits"? They are biscuits that are so light and fluffy and big that they are as big as a cat's head.
Just imagine sitting down to a big ol' plate of Garlic Fried Chicken, Pork Loin And Gravy, Creamy Chicken And Biscuits, or a delicious Barbecued Chuck Roast. How about home baked breads like Whipping Cream Biscuits, Molasses Oatmeal Bread, real Southern Cornbread, or a big plate of fresh, hot Cat Head Biscuits?

This classic cookbook include 180 hand picked, family tried and tested,  real southern recipes. Wonderful stuff!
Along with these wonderful real home cooked recipes it also contains humorous and entertaining glimpses
into life growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of  North Carolina.
 

Far Above Rubies SAMPLE UNIT
by Lynda Coats

A Complete Unit Study from this excellent Jr. High / High School curriculum for Christian girls. Also in this 78 page sampler are the curriculum guidelines for parents and students; The philosophy behind the curriculum; How it can be used with students with different learning styles and Essential materials needed for the curriculum

Blessed Is The Man SAMPLE UNIT
by Lynda & Lauren Coats

A Complete Unit Study from this wonderful Christian High School Curriclum for Boys. Also in this 84 page sampler are the curriculum guidelines for parents and students; The philosophy behind the curriculum; How it can be used with students with different learning styles and Essential materials needed for the curriculum
 

The Junior Classics Library (PDF ebooks)
Published in 1907, the multi-volume Junior Classics Library was meant to give young readers a “taste” of just about every classic legend, story and tale that a well-read young person should be familiar with. Today and tomorrow, we’ll have all six of the currently available volumes of this wonderful collection in PDF format for your reading or “read aloud” pleasure. There are over 1200 pages of classic “living stories” in this six ebook library.

“Fairy Tales and Wonder Stories” (Tales of the American Indians, Tales of India, Tales of the Norseland, France, Spain, Poland, Russia, China & Japan, Fairy Tales and Aesop’s Fables)

“Heroes and Heroines of Chivalry” (Tales of King Arthur, Tales of the Mabignonion, Tales of Early English, French, Italian and Spanish Chronicles, excerpts from Robin Hood & Don Quixote)

“Old Fashioned Stories” (Many excerpts from classic “living books” such as Hans Brinker, Little Women, Dickens, Hawthorne, great short stories, and Alice in Wonderland)

“Stories That Never Grow Old” (Stories from the Arabian Nights, Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver’s Travels, Shakespeare, Pilgrim’s Progress, Ivanhoe, and more)

“Animal and Nature Stories” (Dozens of classic short stories about dogs, cats, horses, pets and wild animal adventures)

“True Stories of Courage and Heroism” (Tales of real life heroes & heroines throughout history, including tales of ancient history, early settlers & pioneers, the old west, the Napoleonic wars, firefighters and more)
 

AUDIO RESOURCES:


Too Dear For The Whistle: A Story of Benjamin Franklin (MP3 Audio)
A neat little audio story program for you about one of the most interesting figures in early American history, Benjamin Franklin. In fact, this is one of Franklin’s favorite stories that he told on himself, because it concerns an incident that happened when he was just 7 years old that he never forgot… and which became a lesson he remembered his whole life through. The lessons Franklin learned that day are even more applicable to our young folk today. (Have YOU ever paid too dear for your “whistle”? Thought so. Me too.)
In this Audio, you’ll first hear the story of the whistle as presented in the classic biography of Franklin written for young readers by James Baldwin, and then you’ll hear, in Franklin’s own words, the lessons he learned that day. Great stuff!

You Are There: July 4th, 1776 (mp3 audio)

In this great half hour audio dramatization, we journey back to the hot, sweltering summer of 1776 in Philadelphia, where representatives from each of the thirteen original colonies have gathered as the Continental Congress to take a common stand and change the course of history. “You Are There” was a classic radio series that dramatized pivotal historic events as if real reporters had been on the scene, recording the proceedings and interviewing the participants - as we hear in this recreation of this fateful day as the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence!

Pinocchio (half hour mp3 audio)
A delightful audio version of Collodi’s classic story, “Pinocchio”, starring none other than Mel Blanc (voice of Bugs Bunny and countless other cartoon characters). This is a fast, fun and highly entertaining version of the story, as originally broadcast on the program “Family Theatre” back in 1951. Wonderful stuff!

Also included is a selection of Pinocchio coloring pages to color while listening to the story!
 

Mr. President Gets Fit (mp3 audio)
A great episode of the program, “Mr. President”, which dramatized little known but fascinating stories of those great men as dramatized on old time radio. Frankly, most kids don’t know much more about these past Presidents other than their name, approximate dates, and one or two general facts about their presidency. To most young people today (and us older folks too!), they are just a bunch of funny looking, musty, bewhiskered, hopelessly outdated “old dead guys”. But listening to these classic programs breathes a little life back into this part of our American history and heritage. In this episode, we find that this “Mr. President” is an avid hiker and fitness enthusiast — and one day he realizes that most everyone else around him in the government is woefully out of shape. So begins his crusade to promote physical fitness… a program that continues to this very day. Who was this “Mr. President”? Listen to the story and pay attention to the clues and see if you can guess before his identity is revealed at the end of the program.
30 minute mp3 audio
 

The Story of the White House, narrated by Boris Karloff (mp3 audio)
Here’s a short (only 5 minutes long) but truly fascinating audio giving us some of the intriguing history of the White House, as narrated by the one and only Boris Karloff! A wonderful short history lesson for all ages.


You Are There: Columbus Discovers America (mp3 audio, 30 minutes)
“In fourteen-hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue…” and in honor of this great explorer, we celebrate Columbus Day here in North America. This is the first of two great audio programs about Columbus for you to listen to and learn from. In “Columbus Discovers America”, the events of that journey are recreated as radio reporters onboard the Santa Maria interview the Captain and crew, and give you a first-hand look at the voyage in this classic episode of “You Are There” first broadcast on October 17, 1948. Lots of great history here. Enjoy!
 


Admiral of the Ocean Sea! (mp3 audio, 30 minutes)
 This is a story of vision and hope and what can be accomplished when a person persues a dream. It refers to Christopher Columbus and his voyage that discovered America but it is really so much more. It is more about the spirit in which Christopher Columbus pursued life. He looked at life through a different looking glass, with a vision full of opportunity and promise. What can we learn from him and those who came before and after him? Find out in this wonderful audio program!


The Path of Praise (mp3 audio)
This is our favorite annual Thanksgiving program from over at our sister site, HomeschoolRadioShows.com, one that will give your family a much deeper appreciation of our Thanksgiving holiday. “The Path of Praise” is a great “history” of the celebration of Thanksgiving, very poetic and stirring… In it you will hear a warm moment from the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving celebration… learn the reason behind General George Washington’s original Thanksgiving proclamation… and discover Abraham Lincoln’s reason for finally declaring Thanksgiving a national holiday. There’s also some wonderful music on this program too, which is probably our all-time favorite Thanksgiving-themed radio show. This program was first broadcast on “Cavalcade of America” on November 20, 1951.
 

Hans Christian Andersen’s Christmas (mp3 audio)
In this excellent holiday episode of the classic radio series “Father Knows Best”, father Anderson reads the kids the story of fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen’s Christmas. This is a delightful, heartwarming story. Give it a listen… your family will really enjoy this! Length: 30 minutes

Father Knows Best: Stranded in a Snowstorm (mp3 audio)
One of our favorite Christmas time audios, courtesy of our sister site, Homeschool Radio Shows.com. In this delightful, heartwarming episode of the radio program, “Father Knows Best”, the Anderson family is tired of the hustle and bustle and commercialism of the holiday season. Dad decides to get their Christmas tree the old fashioned way - drive out into the country and cut one down. However, a sudden snowstorm forces them to seek shelter in an old country store, where they find a very different Christmas eve awaits.
 

The Story of Silent Night (MP3 Audio)
In this well-done 9 minute narrative, learn how the beloved hymn, “Silent Night” was written.
 

Adventures Beyond the Sky (mp3 audio)
A great children’s story record that takes us on a journey through the solar system and beyond, with lots of fascinating facts (and a few fanciful conjectures) about the universe around us. You can use the oddities of what people’s vision of what space would be like (such as having to “cut slices of water” in zero gravity, and water in canals on Mars) to discuss what we have discovered today. This very entertaining and educational 17 minute MP3 audio story is today’s great audio resource.
 

Adventures in Research! (mp3 audio)
Tune in these four great episodes of the classic radio program, Adventures in Research and discover some fascinating history and great stories that will make science and history come to life for your kids! Each of these is a hand picked, crowd-pleasing favorite previously featured on our Homeschool Radio Shows site, and runs approximately 13 minutes.

A Piece of Silk - the story of the very first parachute and the dream of flying

I Scream You Scream We All Scream - the amazing history of ice cream

Michael, Save Your Breath - great history of the discovery of glass

The Blizzard of 1888 - fascinating story of the Great Blizzard that paralyzed New York
 

Frontier Fighters: The Story of Buffalo Bill Cody (mp3 audio + PDF study guide)
Excellent episode of the classic series “Frontier Fighters”, spotlighting the amazing story of Buffalo Bill Cody, following his career from a 14-year-old Pony Express Rider to becoming a legendary guide, Indian fighter and buffalo hunter. This is a classic old time western story, full of action and adventure! Included with this audio is a PDF study guide that you can use to make the audio into a history lesson too.
 

One of the 28th (MP3 audio)
Here’s a rare and wonderful find for your listening pleasure — a great dramatization of master story-teller G. A. Henty’s classic book of pirates and the War of 1812, “One of the 28th”. Follow the adventures of young Ralph Conway as he becomes the captive of “King of the Sea” Captain Kelly, aboard the deadly pirate ship “Belle Marie”. This is actually a self-contained dramatization of the first half of Henty’s book. In the full text, young Conway goes on to participate in the War of 1812 and the Battle of Waterloo, but here we have his pirate story — and a fun one it is, full of history and excitement!
 

More Goops And How Not To Be Them, by Gellett Burgess (PDF ebook & MP3 audio)
Okay, for all you “Goops” fans out there, here is the sequel to the original book featured elsewhere on this CD, along with a very well done mp3 audiobook reading of the same! Just in case you missed it last time, “More Goops” is a collection of funny poems and limericks about weird little cartoon “goops”, child-like creatures whose manners are atrocious. This is a much beloved classic that generations of children have loved and laughed at - and in the process learned something about their own manners. The illustrations make great “coloring pages” if you want to print them out. Check it out and listen with your kids. They’ll love the Goops too!


Speeches of Abraham Lincoln (MP3 Audios)
First is Lincoln’s “Farewell Speech”, given in Springfield, IL before he left Illinois for his inauguration as President in Washington DC. This fine performance by Raymond Massey runs about 5 minutes. Next are a couple of great readings of Lincoln's most famous speech, "The Gettysburg Address" as memorized by some fellow homeschooled students. Enjoy!

The Story of Abraham Lincoln’s Mother (mp3 audio & PDF)
Here’s a great dramatic “living history” audio biography of a wonderful pioneer mother, Nancy Hanks, whose second child grew up to become the 16th President of the United States. Hers was a difficult and harsh life, but her gentle spirit and loving heart for her family shine through in this biography. After listening to this great half hour dramatization, use the accompanying “Listening Guide” to spur follow-up discussion and study.
 


Listen My Children (MP3 audio & PDF listening guide)
A great half hour audio story about Paul Revere’s life and influence, including the events of that fateful night, as originally dramatized on the radio program “Cavalcade of America”, in December, 1952. PDF "Listening Guide" is included!


Paul Revere’s Ride (MP3 audio)
Next, we have a SECOND classic audio about Paul Revere,,, a great dramatic reading of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s classic poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride” as performed by Frederic March. (That’s Longfellow above.) This is an excellent dramatic reading of this classic American poem from the radio program "Anthology", and runs about 10 minutes.
 


Harriet Tubman & the Railway to Freedom (MP3 audio)
A classic old time radio dramatization of the story of Harriet Tubman and her work with the “underground railroad” during slave years. This excellent half hour audio program was originally broadcast on the radio series “Destination Freedom” way back on July 4, 1948. (Note: The sound quality on this program is quite good, but still not as clear as modern broadcasts.)






There are even a few more resources included on this CD, but you'll just have to
peruse the contents and find them for yourself.
Suffice to say, this is an awesome resource package!

Again, the normal retail price for this special Resource Vault CD is $129...
but during this February Sale, you can order your copy today for just $29, postage paid.

Fair Warning:
We have only 50 copies of this Resource Vault CD available, it is first come first served.
This page will be taken down when our supply is exhausted.

Click the"Buy Now" button below to Order now!

Thanks, The Erskine Family

PS. This CD contains over 175 of our best past homeschool resources at a huge savings. Because so many folks have asked us to offer this again, we have decided to make a limited run of 50 copies available at this drastically discounted price. Once these are sold out,  this page comes down and the next time this is available (IF it is available) the price will be significantly higher. First come, first served. If you want it, get it now.
 




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