Category Archives: Social Studies

Reading and Learning While Little

Recently I have been part of a few discussions about how hard it is to find non-fiction books for young readers. I can say here in the NerdFamily house it has always been a challenge. With our oldest we struggle with a child who can read quite well for his age but at the same time the non-fiction books at that level contain such advanced data that it is hard for him to really comprehend the information. With NerdPie she wants to learn real information but is still really developing her reading ability. Then we have our 4 year old. He can’t read but he loves to be read to. I want to encourage him to understand what I am reading so I don’t want books that are to hard. With all of these kids it would be a shame to lose this sponge like time.

At my local library I have found a few different series that we have used. Typically what happens is that I find 1 in a series, like it, and then request every other book they put out. So in order to help others, in a way I wish someone would have helped me, here are a few series that I have found. I am not going to really talk about math because I have already posted a bit about some good options here and here.
History:
Time for Kids Series (they have great history and science)
Science:

Our Galaxy and Beyond Series

Let’s Read and Find Out! Series

So there are just a few. What do you use with your early elementary school kids?

Frugal Homeschooler: Election Resources

Since we are right in the middle of the Presidential election it is the prefect time to introduce your kids the the election process.

NARA has the Electoral College site. It has teacher resource, electoral calculator, and more. The teachers resources seem to have great things for kids of all ages.

VA Joe’s has an issues calculator that helps you figure out which candidate matches up your views best.

Pocantico Hills
has a presentation for kids on the President.

Lastly, don’t count out Wikipedia. They have a pretty complete piece on the electoral college that even includes a map with the votes broken out.