Classical Writing Primer Resource Page Winter

Primer–Winter Resources

Primer–Winter Required Resources

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

Primer–Winter Teaching Helps (purchase from Lulu)

This 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–Winter Picture Study PDF (free download)

This PDF contains images of the paintings used in each week’s picture study.

Fifty Famous Stories Retold, by James Baldwin

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-Winter

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

Resources for Artists and Paintings in Primer-Winter

Van Gogh Gallery

This website has a huge amount of information on Vincent Van Gogh's life and work, with many images of his work. You will find commentary on several of the paintings we study in Primer—Winter.

Vincent VanGogh at Olga’s Gallery
Vincent Van Gogh at WebMuseum
Jean-Françios Millet 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 this book through the link above.

Resources for Nature Study Topics in Primer–Winter

Astro-Viewer

AstroViewer is an interactive sky map that helps you to find your way in the night sky quickly and easily. Just set your location and time and start exploring the starry sky, find planets and constellations, and much more.

Moon Phases

This is a simple picture of the phases of the moon. This is perfect for teaching your student to recognize and draw the phases of the moon.

Explanation of the Phases of the Moon

Very helpful site explaining the phases of the moon and how to recognize them.

Farmer's Almanac Full Moon Names

This details the different names and meanings of the full moons that the Native Americans used. Names used in Europe and by the early American settlers are also included.

Ursa Major and the Big Dipper

This site has illustrations and star charts as well as myths about Ursa Major and the Big Dipper from several different cultures.

Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Polaris

Great picture and instructions of how to find the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Polaris in the night sky, with interesting information on how these star pictures were used in the Underground Railroad during the Civil War.

Big Dipper, Polaris, and Cassiopeia

Scroll down to see an illustration of how to find Cassiopeia using the Big Dipper and Polaris. There is also an interesting explanation of how to find direction using the stars.

Orion, Taurus, and the Pleiades

Good explanation of how to find Orion, Taurus, and the Pleiades in the winter sky.

E-Nature Bird Field Guide

Free interactive field guideto search for specific bird types, and get help in identifying birds. You can also limit your search to your local region. Bird calls and songs are included with most entries. There are so many great features on this site, so spend some time exploring it!

Nature Study Resources for Primer–Winter Optional Enrichment

Bird Beaks

Shows why different birds need different beak types.

Bird Feathers

Lots of good information on the structure and purposes of different feather types.

Learn Bird Songs

Great site with lots of information and tips on how to learn bird songs, plus many bird song recordings.

Bird Nest Game

Fun game site from the Friends of the National Zoo.

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 for Primer–Winter Optional Enrichment

This is a wonderful book with lovely illustrations and clear explanations. A very handy star wheel for finding constellations by time of year and time of night is included.

The D’Aulaire’s version of the Greek myths give the Greek tales of how the constellations came to be and how they got their names. This is a great read aloud with exquisite pictures. The stories are told at a child’s level, explaining carefully the origin of the world according to the Greeks.

Field guides are very nice to have for your nature walks, since it is a little impractical to take your computer. Roger Tory Peterson's guides are among the best.

Thornton Burgess’ classic books teach a great deal about animal habits and characteristics in a delightful story form. If you can possibly find an old hardback version with the bird illustration color plates from a used bookseller, it is a treasure!