Classical Writing Primer Resource Page Autumn

Primer–Autumn Resources & Literature

Primer–Autumn Required Resources

In addition to the Primer-Autumn Student Workbook, you will need:

Primer–Autumn Teaching Helps booklet (purchase from Lulu)

These booklet has instructions and information for the nature study and picture study lessons, tips on teaching the spelling and grammar lessons, and an answer key for the exercises that warrant it.

Primer–Autumn Picture Study PDF (free download)

This PDF includes images of the paintings from each week’s picture study. Each picture is copyrighted, as per the person or museum who owns it. We cannot offer them as a printed book, but if you want the pictures in print, the copyright allows for you to print and bind them into a little volume so long as it is for personal and educational purposes.

The Aesop for Children, illustrated by Milo Winter

The narration selections all come from this book, so you will need it for all twelve weeks. Purchase a hard copy of the book with the link above or read and print online here.

Resources for Copywork in Primer-Autumn

These are a few of the books from which copywork selections are drawn:

Resources for Artists and Paintings in Primer-Autumn

Winslow Homer at the National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art has a nice slideshow of Homer’s work, with a timeline and artist bio. There is also commentary on several of the paintings we use in Primer-Autumn.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir at Olga’s Gallery
Pierre-Auguste Renoir at WebMuseum

Picture Study Books For Optional Enrichment

The series Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists by Mike Venezia is helpful for introducing children to artists. This series is available at many libraries, or you can buy the books through the links above.

Resources for Nature Study Topics in Primer–Autumn

Finding Direction without a Compass

Includes using stars and shadows to find direction, as well as directions for making your own compass.

How to Tell Directions without a Compass (video)

This short, entertaining video has great ideas for how to find direction if you ever get lost in the woods.

What Tree Is It? http://www.oplin.org/tree/

Identify trees by leaf, fruit, or name.

Leaf Tree I.D. Key http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/leaf/Treekey/tkframe.htm

An interactive easy-to-use dichotomous key to identify leaves. Has great pictures and explanations of leaf identification vocabulary.

e-Nature Field Guide to Mammals

This is a very nice interactive field guide with pictures and a good deal of information on each animal.

Nature Study Resources for Primer–Autumn Optional Enrichment

Leaf Rubbing

Scroll down for crayon directions also.

Press Leaves Between Wax Paper

You can also do this with laminator.

Why Do Leaves Change Color?

This is a really nice, simple site. Where do leaf colors come from? How do leaves change color? Why do leaves fall?

Autumn Leaf Color

Includes some simple science experiments and wonderful explanations.

Handbook of Nature Study Blog

This is a blog with fabulous ideas for using Anna Comstock's Handbook of Nature Study. You will enjoy perusing the whole site–it's jam-packed with gorgeous pictures and wonderful nature study lessons. Highly recommended.

Nature Study Books and Gear for Primer–Autumn Optional Enrichment

A compass is a tool every student should learn to use. These are a couple of economical but good models.

Field guides are very nice to have for your nature walks, since it is a little impractical to take your computer. The National Audubon Society versions are a nice size and hold up very well. They also have nice photographs and are easy to use. For the tree field guides, make sure you get the correct region–East or West.

Thornton Burgess’ classic books teach a great deal about animal habits and characteristics in a delightful story form. There are many more wonderful books in the series, and they make wonderful readers for elementary students.

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