Here is a fully black and white version of the book, with a more mature format for older students. This owl- and mouse-themed book will help students to obtain a thorough (and advanced) understanding of how to use past participles. In 56 pages of definitions and explanations, examples, exercises and assignments, you will learn about past participles and practise using them in your own writing. An answer key for each of the 16 assignments (and four extra review assignments) is included. Exercises and assignments are to be completed in a separate notebook. In this book you will: • Learn to identify and use past participles as parts of main verbs, as adverbs or nouns, as adjectives or complements, and within phrases • Complete 12 exercises and 16 assignments • Hone your skills with 4 extra review assignments at the end of the book • Enjoy pleasant (and whimsical) references to owls, mice and Canadian winters . . . Note: Past participles as verbals can be explained and labeled in different ways. If you are preparing for a test, please make sure that you learn the correct technical terms and types of analysis for that specific test!

Do you have a student who loves bugs, and is ready to read more advanced English? This story will stretch a 9 to 10 year old’s English reading abilities while entertaining them with thoughtful insect stories by the famous creator of ‘Doctor Dolittle’. In thirteen chapters, read about a water beetle who travelled across the ocean on a duck’s foot, a wasp who decided the victory of a battle, and other curious anecdotes. Thomas Stubbins, the Doctor’s young assistant, describes how he and Doctor go about ‘listening’ to insects and learning from their very different lives. Young readers will expand their reading abilities while being introduced to such concepts as ‘intuitive’ knowledge. Hugh Lofting writes with both humour and thoughtfulness as he examines life from a bug’s point-of-view! Following each chapter are three reading comprehension questions to be answered in a separate notebook, in complete sentences. There is also a list of five words from the chapter: the student should copy them into the blank space provided, and learn to spell them. Finish up by colouring a simple insect drawing! (There is one drawing at the end of every chapter.)

Art thou ready to read Shakespeare? But of course! Here you will finde assignments, definitions, explanations, and other sundry ‘stuff’ which will make reading ‘Macbeth’ a zephyr – that is, a breeze! This approach focuses on seeing the big picture, with only the most interesting of extra information included for thine own interest. Read the words of the beloved Bard aloud! Write some of your own! Explore the themes of ‘time’ and ‘opposites’. . . learn about tragedy, witches in Shakespeare’s time, and a bit of Scottish history. . . examine the text one more time, looking for details ‘divine and rare’ . . . memorize a few lines . . . and hark! It is done! Included here are the following: the complete play ‘Macbeth’; seven separate sections each containing assignments and information; a detailed summary of Acts and Scenes, a Brief Biography of Shakespeare and his wife; and more! This book also includes a bonus section about Shakespeare’s witches. This text is well-suited to homeschoolers who do not anticipate putting on the play. It is especially aimed at students who are not that familiar with Shakespeare’s plays, and who will benefit from a light-hearted but meaningful approach to reading them. The sections and assignments are: Hark! Methinks I’ll Read the Play (Read the play aloud and learn about the origins of ‘Macbeth’, and about superstitions surrounding the play and the witches) Hark! What Do I Understand? (Copy out a few speeches. Make a few lists. Translate short sections into modern-day English. Learn more about the many layers of meaning within ‘Macbeth’) Hark! Methinks I Hear A Voice! (Memorize and perform a speech. Learn more about the relationship between thoughts, words and action in ‘Macbeth’; the difference between a castle and a palace.) Hark Methinks I’ll Look Again (Underline selected features within the play. Learn more about tragedy, ‘horror’, and what they may have eaten at the banquet.) Hark! Methinks I’ll Write Mine Own (Choose between a 5 paragraph essay about ‘opposites’ or a report on the topic of ‘time’ within the play. Detailed guidelines are given. Write a short speech from the point of view of a main character of your choice. Learn more about how actors ‘interpret’ a role, and examine one small speech in detail.) Hark! Methinks I’ll Draw Awhile! (Contemplate the possible outward appeareance of characters within the play. Learn more about Scottish clothing for men and women in the 11th century – no kilts yet!) Stay, Good Friend - There’s More! (A Brief Biography of Shakespeare and his Wife; A Detailed Summary of Acts and Scenes, a List of Characters indicating their relationships to one another; Bonus: More About the Witches) Note: Parents should be cautioned that the play contains elements of ‘horror’ that may not be suitable for students younger than 12.

Summarise and Describe! The student will read a piece of descriptive and thoughtful writing by Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), called ‘A Winter Walk’. Several topics for essays are suggested. The student will read and reread the text, taking notes as needed for the chosen subject. Then, they will compose a simple essay (detailed guidelines included). This assignment will take at least one week to complete. Text: A Winter Walk The author writes in the first person, describing a long winter walk through a wooded area with few human inhabitants. He describes what he sees and feels while walking, and also his innermost thoughts and musings about the nature of life, wilderness, and humans’ place within the world. This text is descriptive and pensive. TIP! This may be a good choice for a student who has an interest in philosophy or who enjoys the peaceful side of nature.

Defend your opinion! Read a description of a visit to Athens in the late 19th century (included). Follow detailed guidelines to take notes, organise those notes, and write a five paragraph essay which describes why visiting Athens would be interesting - or boring! Defend your opinion by focussing on one of several suggested themes. (Examples: because Athens’ architecture is linked with Greek mythology, or because Athens is located in a beautiful place, or because famous ancient Greeks lived in Athens, or because most of the monuments are in ruins, etc.) This assignment will take at least one week to complete. Text: A Glance At The Site And Antiquities of Athens The author writes a first-hand account of visiting various ancient sites within Athens, with the intent of recommending the place as a fascinating destination for North American tourists. The author describes the importance of the sites historically, as well as their links to Greek mythology, and refers to the size and atmosphere of the places as well. The text dates from 1873 and is a charming example of the type of laid-back, informed travel that was in vogue in that era. TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in Greek mythology or the ‘Percy Jackson’ series.

Summarize! The student will read a text about iron bridge building. Their essay will be a summary of one aspect of iron bridge building described in the text. The student will read the text, choose a topic (one of eight that are suggested), reread the text and take notes, and prepare a five-paragraph essay on their chosen topic. Detailed instructions are included. Text: Iron Bridges And Their Construction Edward Rowland describes the process of building iron bridges at the end of the 19th century. First he writes about bridge construction in general, referring to important accomplishments in that field from earlier times. He then describes in detail how iron is prepared when it will be used for bridge-building. He ends with a brief description of how an iron bridge is assembled. TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in 19th century literature or the Steampunk movement.

One of the trickiest parts of writing a good essay is composing a beginning and concluding paragraph that are not too similar – but that do communicate more or less the same thing. Here is an opportunity to practise just this skill. This eBook contains 15 paragraphs and 3 main essay bodies about different subjects. They can be used in any order. Each paragraph and essay has its own page, with blank spaces for the student’s work. The Paragraphs Each of the 15 paragraphs could either begin or conclude an essay. The student’s tasks are: - to write a second paragraph for each one that is similar but not identical - to label the original paragraph and their own paragraph indicating which one would be better to begin an essay, and which to conclude one - to identify and write down, concisely and clearly, the topic of the imaginary essay that the paragraph(s) would begin and conclude - to identify and write down the subjects of the three middle paragraphs of the imaginary essay, based on what has been written in the beginning and concluding paragraphs The paragraphs’ topics are as follows: skiing in the wilderness, Scotland, Gautama Buddha, William Shakespeare, Ancient Rome, French fashion, beavers, chocolate, toilets, human writing, water, rock climbing, essay writing, tomato sauce, believable scientific concepts from Star Trek. The Essays The 3 essay ‘bodies’ may be used as follows. The student should: - identify the main topic of the essay - identify the main topic of each individual paragraph within the essay - write both a beginning and concluding paragraph for each essay The essay topics are salt, cats, and exercise.

Art thou ready to read Shakespeare? But of course! Here you will finde instructions, assignments, definitions, explanations, and other sundry ‘stuff’ which will make reading ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ a zephyr – that is, a breeze! This approach focuses on seeing the big picture, with only the most interesting of extra information included for thine own interest. Read the words of the beloved Bard aloud! Write some of your own! Explore the themes of ‘miscommunication’ and ‘a big fuss about nothing’. . . learn about comedy and tragedy, fashion, and Shakespeare’s humour . . . examine the text one more time, looking for details ‘divine and rare’ . . . memorize a few lines . . . and hark! It is done! Included here are the following: the complete play ‘Much Ado About Nothing’; seven separate sections each containing assignments and information; a glossary of Weird Words, a Biography, and Summaries of Acts and Scenes. This text is well-suited to homeschoolers who do not anticipate putting on the play, or doing other activities that involve collaboration with numerous other people. It is especially aimed at students who are not yet familiar with Shakespeare’s plays, and who will benefit from a light-hearted but meaningful approach to reading them; however, I do recommend beginning with ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ or ‘Julius Caesar’ before proceeding to the slightly more challenging ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. The sections and assignments are as follows: Hark! Methinks I’ll Read the Play (read aloud and learn about types of humour in Shakespeare’s plays) Hark! What Do I Understand? (copying, list, translation and learn about terms/roles/society in the 15th century when the play takes place) Hark! Methinks I Hear A Voice! (memorization of a conversation or a song, learn about the songs of Shakespeare’s theatre) Hark Methinks I’ll Look Again (underline certain features, learn about ‘comedy’ and ‘tragedy’, and whether Much Ado is one of these – or both!) Hark! Methinks I’ll Write Mine Own (Choose between a 5 paragraph essay on the theme of ‘misunderstanding’ or a report on the topic of ‘a big fuss about nothing’ within the play. Detailed guidelines are given. Learn about the importance of telling the truth in Shakespeare’s society.) Hark! Methinks I’ll Draw Awhile! (Contemplate the appearance of characters within the play, learn about ‘fashion’ in the play and in Shakespeare’s time and place.) Stay, Good Friend - There’s More! (Glossary of Weird Words, Brief Biography, Summary of Acts and Scenes, List of Characters and their relationships to one another.) Note: Parents should be cautioned that the play contains mature elements that are not appropriate for students younger than 12.

Compare and Contrast! The student will read two short stories about space travel, written in the 1950’s (included). A list of relevant themes for a ‘compare and contrast’ essay is included. The student will choose three themes that they feel are interesting, and write an essay in which they briefly address how those themes are important to each story. Detailed guidelines are given. This assignment will take at least one week to complete. Stories: . . . So They Baked A Cake A bitter, hardened journalist joins an elite space crew for an experimental voyage into deep space, a daring mission to find a planet that humans could colonize. They are travelling at one tenth the speed of light but the journey will still take 42 years one way in Earth time. The protagonist’s pessimism about humanity, and the crew’s growing despair due to the implications of the ultra-fast travel, are both confounded by an unexpectedly happy conclusion to their journey. The Lonely Ones A space crew is on an exploratory mission to find life on another planet – human or alien, they don’t care which. Discouraged by the lifeless landscapes of the planets in the solar system, they finally reach a new planet and land. Faced with an advanced society in which they will be treated as insignificant underlings, they decide to continue their journey further into space, though in a changed frame of mind. Note: The stories contain mild expletives, such as ‘what the hell’, and include mature themes such as references to drinking alcohol. TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in science fiction or futuristic literature.

The rich descriptive language in this gentle fairy-tale by classic children’s author Walter de la Mare is balanced by a simple and unique story. Read a page a day and answer five reading comprehension questions in a notebook of your own (29 pages and 145 questions in total). If your child is ready to read more advanced English, but not old enough for the mature content of classics like Treasure Island, ‘A Penny A Day’ is a good choice. Excerpt: ‘Whenever Griselda had time to herself, which was very seldom, she would climb up by the broken weed-grown steps to the very top of the Castle tower, and sit there looking out over the green cliffs and the vast flat blue of the ocean. When the sea-winds had blown themselves out she would search the beach for driftwood in the thin salt spray blown in on the wind, the only human creature to be seen. And the sea-birds would scream around her while the slow, toppling Atlantic breakers shook the earth with their thunder.’

Research and Reflect! The student will read six short papers about ‘Wit and Humour’ by Joseph Addison (1672 – 1719), in which the author describes different types of humour and offers his opinions about whether these are effective or appropriate. (Please note, these essays are not themselves humorous!) The student may also read two short samples of humorous writing (included) by P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975). Several topics for essays are suggested. The student may choose to write an essay that simply refers to the texts by Addison, or one in which they use what they have learned in the Addison texts to analyze one of the other pieces of writing. For two suggested topics, a small amount of extra research is required. Detailed instructions are included. Texts: Five Short Papers on Wit and Humour Joseph Addison was an Englishman who is perhaps best known for his play, ‘Cato’, which deals with themes such as individual liberty versus government and has been described as ‘almost certainly literary inspiration for the American Revolution’. The play was well-known to the founding fathers - in fact, George Washington arranged that it be performed for the Continental Army while they were encamped at Valley Forge. Today Addison is also remembered as an accomplished essayist. He wrote for various widely-read magazines of his time, and was known for his ‘breezy, conversational style’, and his ‘cheerful and respectful humour’. The short, critical essays included here are: Lampoons, True and False Humour, False Wit, Punning, Etc. and Wit and Judgement (not original order or titles). ‘Damon and Pythias, A Romance’ and ‘Extricating Young Gussie’ (excerpt) Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse was one of the most widely-read humorists of the 20th century. ‘Damon and Pythias, A Romance’ is a simple comic poem. The prose excerpt provided here, from ‘Extricating Young Gussie’ (featuring the well-loved characters of ‘Bertie Wooster’ and his manservant ‘Jeeves’), gives a good idea of the style of his more renowned novels. TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in philosophy or the 17th-18th century.

Do you have a student who loves dogs, and is ready to read more advanced English? This story will stretch a 9 to 10 year old’s English reading abilities while entertaining them with interesting and witty dog stories that are easy to love (no serious drama, deaths or abuse by humans in this book). This is an original animal story by Hugh Lofting, author of the famous Doctor Dolittle books. In twelve chapters, read about Quetch, a dog who set out to seek his fortune. Thomas Stubbins, the Doctor’s young assistant, faithfully writes down the story, which is told in Quetch’s own words. See the world from an intelligent dogs point-of-view! Following each chapter are three reading comprehension questions to be answered in a separate notebook, in complete sentences. There is also a list of five words from the chapter: the student should copy them into the blank space provided, and learn to spell them. Finish up by colouring a simple dog drawing! (There is one drawing at the end of every chapter.)

Here is a delightful, old-fashioned book for young readers. The narrative introduces the reader to many wildflowers by taking them on a little tour of Willow Farm. In a gentle conversational style, Mr. Cooke describes where the flowers grow, gives their names, and draws attention to notable features (petal colours, leaf shape, etc.). He also presents a very manageable handful of scientific terms. Drawings of the flowers – some colour and some black and white – help to entertain and inform as you read. This book is an excellent introduction to botany for young people, being neither too simplistic nor overly detailed. It is suitable for young readers who will benefit from beginning to read longer texts; the format focuses on reading more than writing. The book has been heavily edited for use here. It is now in fourteen short chapters. Following each chapter are four to six very simple reading comprehension questions which need not be answered in full sentences (single words or short phrases will do). At the end there is Vocabulary List, as well as some decorative pages; the student may want to label the flowers and hang the pages on a wall, as a pretty reminder of what they’ve learned. You will learn about wildflowers in general (common to the Northern Hemisphere), and about specific plants as well. Enjoy a pleasant ‘tour’ of an old farm, guided by a teacher whose love of flowers and respect for his readers shines through the pages. Once you’re done, you will very likely be able to recognize a number of common wildflowers the next time you take a walk in a natural area.

‘Snow Treasure’ is a short novel based on true events. A Norwegian freighter arrived in America in 1940 with a cargo of gold bullion worth $9,000,000 (at the time). The story of how the gold was loaded onto the boat, with the help of local children and their sleds, is true. Only the details have been added for embellishment. This book is a part of the regular Grade 5 curriculum in many Canadian schools. It will appeal to anyone living where there is a snowy winter, and is a good introduction to the concepts and events surrounding World War II, without getting into gory detail and without any tragedy. There are three sets of pages included here. The first section contains sheets of questions (four questions per chapter) which the student may answer in a separate notebook. Simply read a chapter, out loud or to oneself, and then answer the questions. Also, for each chapter a definition of one word or term is included to help the student understand the chapter properly. The answer key allows a busy parent to check for correct information in the student’s answers without having to read the book along with them. Note that the answer key does not provide sample full sentences – just the facts. The second section contains the same questions and definitions, organized on a lined page so that the student can answer them right on the page (no need for a notebook). The same answer key applies. The third section contains lined pages for each chapter which the student may use to write a short plot summary of that chapter. The same definitions are also provided. There is no answer key for this section, as individual students will need a teacher’s input to evaluate their success. Note: The book is still protected by copyright, and must be purchased separately.

This reading comprehension course introduces the reader to one of the English language’s most famous novels, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen. For two hundred years, Jane Austen has been revered as a master of character study and story-telling. Her books unfold almost like delicious ‘gossip’, with the most interesting news about the lives of a particular family and its connections presented at a quick pace and in a most engaging style. Each book offers a window into the tantalizing world of balls, visits, families and conversations of late-18th century to early-19th century middle class England. Jane Austen’s novels often contain major plot developments in the form of letters, and Ms. Austen herself was a prolific letter writer – it is a form of communication that is central to the time, place and origins of these beloved novels. In Pride and Prejudice alone, more than 40 letters are quoted or referred to! Information about letter-writing in Jane Austen’s time (Pride and Prejudice was published in 1813), and the author’s own many letters, is included. Here you will use the medium of letter-writing as a way to digest, summarise and sometimes interpret the contents of Pride and Prejudice. Read Austen’s flowing, insightful and captivating prose. Then, following the guidelines (and occasionally doing some extra research), pass along the most interesting ‘news’ to an imaginary Dear Aunt, in letters written in your most elegant and accomplished style! Note: The full novel is available for free download from Canadian Winter Homeschool Materials - please see our shop!

Compare and contrast! Here are two true stories of survival and rescue. With detailed guidelines suggesting how to proceed, the student will read the texts, choose an essay topic from several suggested, take notes, organise those notes, and write an essay. This assignment will take at least one week to complete. Stories: Tracks In The Bush An Australian ranch-worker goes missing, and three Europeans, along with six blacks, trek through the bush to rescue him. The tracking abilities of the blacks consistently astonish the narrator. He also describes the intense natural surroundings and the challenges, on a human level, that are faced by all involved. The Marvellous Ice-Drift of Captain Tyson This early attempt to reach the North Pole failed. The voyage nonetheless left its mark on history when the captain and crew were forced to abandon ship and live on an ice floe for 196 days in the middle of the Arctic winter. German sailors, an American cook, and a group of Inuit faced deadly conditions together. Under the leadership of Captain George E. Tyson, not one person perished. Note: To the best of my understanding the use of the word ‘black’ to refer to the indigenous peoples of Australia is preferable to them to the word ‘Aborigine’. Thus, the original term has been left unaltered in the text. If I am mistaken and have caused offense, please let me know! TIP! This may be a good choice for a student with an interest in outdoor adventures such as hiking, camping or rock-climbing.

Here is the complete, original novel. Download for free to accompany ‘Reading Comprehension: Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë’ from Canadian Winter Homeschool Materials.

Sometimes, a good laugh is all it takes to chase away a bad mood or the Homework Blues! Use your own notebook to make a ‘Journal of Funny Moments’. Choose a ‘Story Beginning’ to help you get started. Without trying too hard, describe a real or imaginary funny moment. Fill a page (or half of a page) with writing, in a simple conversational style. Share the ‘funny moment’ with others and have a good laugh! Cut out and paste images (included - or draw your own!) to decorate and label your notebook and stories. This is a short writing exercise that can work at any time during the school day!

Here is the complete, original novella. Download for free to accompany ‘Reading Comprehension: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson’ from Canadian Winter Homeschool Materials.