This book contains the complete story ‘Les Gouttes Qui Tombent’ by Maurice Leblanc. The text is divided into 14 small sections, each followed by five reading comprehension questions and a blank list for vocabulary, to be filled in by the student (instructions included). The lists are multicoloured for variety. This is one of many tales by Leblanc featuring the same protagonist, a gentleman-thief by the name of Arsène Lupin, here disguised as ‘Jim Barnett’. He is remarkable for his ability to glean a fortune from wealthy (and usually greedy and unpleasant) people through the clever manipulation of events which are already in motion when he arrives on the scene. His success depends on his intelligence and his prowess as a thief and master of disguise, which allow him to avoid violence or guilt of crime in his adventures. Adding to the fun, he consistently outwits whatever official inspector (here, inspector ‘Béchoux’) he is supposedly helping. The story is narrated in the passé simple, making it an excellent tool for practising this French verb tense. All advanced French students will benefit from reading Leblanc’s well-written prose!

Who better to show the usefulness of a well-asked question - and the importance of a clear and concise answer - than Sherlock Holmes? In ‘A Scandal In Bohemia’, Holmes finds himself assisting none other than the king of Bohemia! The problem seems trivial until the lady involved, one ‘Irene Adler’, proves to possess unexpected cleverness and charm. Could the great Sherlock Holmes find himself outwitted - by a woman? For young readers who are ready for their first Sherlock Holmes mystery (but who would rather not read about murders or ghosts), this story will surely entertain! Contents: • The full, original tale of ‘A Scandal In Bohemia’, divided into ten short sections Following each section: o Five questions to be answered separately in a student’s notebook o Vocabulary, in alphabetical order, with definitions or synonyms (making the word comprehensible in the story’s context), from the chapter just read o A ‘looking up close’ page, exploring one main theme of the section just read, such as cabinet photographs, what a bijou villa is, a Victorian wedding, what iodoform and nitrate of silver are, etc. (with pictures) Directions: • Read one section of the book at a time. Use the vocabulary list to help with understanding the story (and practise looking things up in alphabetical order). Answer the questions in a separate notebook. Read the ‘looking up close’ page for fun. Enjoy a good, old-fashioned, Sherlock Holmes mystery! Bonus! Includes a set of notebooking pages that can be used to answer questions, write out vocabulary, or in any other way you see fit!

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.

This book contains the complete story ‘Le Hasard Fait des Miracles’ by Maurice Leblanc. The text is divided into 16 small sections, each followed by five reading comprehension questions and a blank list for vocabulary, to be filled in by the student (instructions included). The lists are multicoloured for variety. This is one of many tales by Leblanc featuring the same protagonist, a gentleman-thief by the name of Arsène Lupin, here disguised as ‘Jim Barnett’. He is remarkable for his ability to glean a fortune from wealthy (and usually greedy and unpleasant) people through the clever manipulation of events which are already in motion when he arrives on the scene. His success depends on his intelligence and his prowess as a thief and master of disguise, which allow him to avoid violence or guilt of crime in his adventures. Adding to the fun, he consistently outwits whatever official inspector (here, inspector ‘Béchoux’) he is supposedly helping. The story is narrated in the passé simple, making it an excellent tool for practising this French verb tense. All advanced French students will benefit from reading Leblanc’s well-written prose!

What are the fundamental qualities that students of Chinese martial arts are expected to cultivate? Patience, Discipline, Courage, Confidence & Compassion! Like the points on a circle, there is no ‘first’ or ‘last’, no ‘more important’ or ‘less important’ when it comes to these powerful human qualities. They are all equally special and can be cultivated simultaneously, every day. Take a hint from Kung Fu Panda (which is of course based on thousands of years of experience and wisdom accumulated by Chinese martial artists and health experts) and develop these admirable and constructive qualities in your daily life! Contents 2 versions of a ‘self-awareness’ sheet, which may be printed multiple times and filled in, to note how you have shown or will show all five of the qualities in your daily life 5 ‘self-awareness’ sheets focusing on one quality only ‘summarise and explain’ sheets for each of the Furious Five characters, to fill in with your own summary of events in the animated film shorts ‘Secrets of the Furious Five’ labels for each quality which may be cut out and glued to a separate page or notebook, if you would rather make your notes elsewhere (or to use as you see fit) a full-page poster for each quality, to serve as a friendly reminder

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.

This book contains the complete story ‘Gants Blancs . . . Guêtres Blanches . . .’ by Maurice Leblanc. The story is divided into 15 small sections, each of which is followed by five reading comprehension questions and a blank list for vocabulary (instructions included). The lists are multicoloured for variety. It is one of many featuring the same protagonist, a gentleman-thief by the name of Arsène Lupin, here disguised as ‘Jim Barnett’. He is remarkable for his ability to glean a fortune from wealthy (and usually greedy and unpleasant) people through the clever manipulation of events which are already in motion when he arrives on the scene. His success depends on his intelligence and his prowess as a thief and master of disguise, which allow him to avoid violence or guilt of crime in his adventures. Adding to the fun, he consistently outwits whatever official inspector (here, inspector ‘Béchoux’) he is supposedly helping. The story is narrated in the passé simple, making it an excellent tool for practising this French verb tense. All advanced French students will benefit from reading Leblanc’s well-written prose!

Jane Eyre is a young woman whose experiences are coloured by strong personal opinions and a keen sense of observation. She expresses herself with clarity and conviction, while speaking to others and within her narration. Jane is guided by her highest ideals. When faced with challenges and choices, she honestly acknowledges her struggles. She is a strong and interesting heroine, and readers may be surprised by the timeless quality of her simple, yet engrossing story. This Reading Comprehension course invites you to read Charlotte Bronte’s masterpiece one chapter at a time, then form your own opinions and note your own observations. Through a combination of written assignments and discussions, you will take a close and thoughtful look at the novel and also refine your own understanding of the terms ‘opinion’ and ‘observation’. Not only your pen, but also your mind and heart will be sharpened through this process, as you hone your ability to communicate ideas concisely and clearly! Contents: Instructions Definitions and Guidelines Reading Comprehension and Discussion Questions (for each chapter) Bonus Assignments Note: this resource includes assignments only. The book may be purchased or borrowed separately. (It is also available to read for free in a separate file from Canadian Winter Homeschool Materials).

This is a guide for 90 days of handwriting practise. Four sets of pages indicate which letters or letter combinations are to be practised each day (instructions and samples included). For each day, four different words are also listed – these are to be used (one each) in individual sentences composed by the student. This type of daily practise strengthens the student’s hand, reinforces the memorization of how letters are formed both alone and when joined with one another, and provides an opportunity to practise basic sentence-writing with the simple guideline of a prescribed word. Also included: A blank page of dotted lines for practise (print as many as you need) Tips and Instructions Samples of individual upper and lower case letters, and of letter combinations (how they join together in cursive script) Note: These exercises are suitable for students who already know how to write cursive letters. They are not suited to a rank beginner, who will find them too tiring.

Here are six pieces of writing about Irish Fairies, and six different writing assignments to go with them! Themes include: an authentic Irish fairy-tale, different kinds of fairies (not all friendly), a first-hand account of seeing leprechauns, official research about fairies, and a fairy poem! Writing assignments vary – from writing a story with specific requirements, to telling a tale with a unique accent, from summarizing scholarly research to writing a poem. An image of a Celtic knot is included (use it for advanced colouring, or print it in green) to be used as decoration on the student’s notebook. Stories are taken from official Fairy books by W.B. Yeats and Thomas Keightley. Literature & Composition collections are suitable for students who are ready to read and study different types of literature in small quantities. For example, instead of an entire novel or scholarly work, a small sample of each (which can stand on its own) will be presented. This way, the intermediate student has an opportunity to stretch their reading abilities without being discouraged. Each book contains six different writing samples that share a common theme. The writing assignments vary in length and are intended to inspire the student to try writing in different forms and styles.

Who better to show the usefulness of a well-asked question - and the importance of a clear and concise answer - than Sherlock Holmes? Join Holmes and Watson as they take to the fresh air of Devonshire in search of a horse thief – and likely murderer! When the prized racehorse known as Silver Blaze disappears only days before a race, Holmes presumes that the mystery will solve itself. After all, who could hide a horse for long? The murder of its trainer, however, requires serious attention. This story is suitable for young readers who are ready for a classic murder mystery! (There is a small amount of ‘gory’ detail.) Contents: • The full, original tale of ‘The Adventure of Silver Blaze’, divided into ten short sections Following each section: o Five questions to be answered separately in a student’s notebook o Vocabulary, in alphabetical order, with definitions or synonyms (making the word comprehensible in the story’s context), from the chapter just read o A ‘looking up close’ page, exploring one main theme of the section just read, such as Dartmoor, horseshoes, 19th century farms, walking sticks, etc. (with pictures) Directions: • Read one section of the book at a time. Use the vocabulary list to help with understanding the story (and practise looking things up in alphabetical order). Answer the questions in a separate notebook. Read the ‘looking up close’ page for fun. Enjoy a good, old-fashioned, Sherlock Holmes mystery! Bonus! Includes a set of notebooking pages that can be used to answer questions, write out vocabulary, or in any other way you see fit!

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

Learning to relax and replenish is a vital life skill! And learning to observe can help anyone, at any age, to improve your ability to complete tasks well. It will also help you to enjoy life, since much of what we experience amounts to many small moments all in a row! Every activity in this book offers a way to remember how to enjoy simple pleasures. Print the whole book, or just choose sections that interest you. Rather than trying to resist the slow and simple side of the warmest season, let yourself be encouraged to slow down, observe tiny details and make the most of a Simple Summer! Subjects: Water, Laugh!, Draw a Plant or Tree, The Sky, The Wind, Pet Rock, Decorate A Small Space, Garden In A Box, Simple Exercise, Clean Mind and Heart, Mini-Campfire, Tiny World, Travel At Home, Do Nothing On Purpose, Slow Down, Enjoy Your Food, Bird-watching, A Simple Poem

Here is a fully black and white version of the book, with a more mature format for older students. What is a participle? What is a gerund? It’s time to find out! Read about George, Nancy and a gaggle of Canada Geese while learning to identify and use important elements of English grammar. In 37 pages of definitions and explanations, examples, exercises and assignments, you will learn more about these verbals than you ever thought possible! (Answer key included.) In this book you will: • Identify present participles and gerunds in a variety of sentence structures • Use present participles as adjectives and adverbs in your own writing • Use gerunds as subjects, direct objects, etc. in your own writing • Read about Nancy, George and the always adorable Canada goose . . .

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. This version of the book is in colour - a few cheery images here and there might just help the information to stick! If you prefer, a black and white version of the same text is also available. 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!

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!

What is a participle? What is a gerund? It’s time to find out! Read about George, Nancy and a gaggle of Canada Geese while learning to identify and use important elements of English grammar. In 37 pages of definitions and explanations, examples, exercises and assignments (many of which must be completed in a separate notebook or on looseleaf), you will learn more about these verbals than you ever thought possible! Full answer key included. In this book you will: • Identify present participles and gerunds in a variety of sentence structures • Use present participles as adjectives and adverbs in your own writing • Use gerunds as subjects, direct objects, etc. in your own writing • Read about Nancy, George and the always adorable Canada goose . . .

Here is a fully black and white version of the book, with a more mature format for older students. This humorous book will give any student a thorough understanding of the three main types of subordinate clauses: adjectival, adverbial and noun clauses. In 35 pages of definitions and explanations, examples, exercises and assignments, you will learn about and practise using these clauses in your own writing. Also included is a 16 page answer key. (Exercises and assignments are to be completed in a separate notebook.) In this book you will: • Learn about main clauses and subordinate clauses • Learn to identify and write your own adjectival, adverbial and noun clauses • Complete 31 exercises and 20 assignments • Hone your skills with extra review exercises and assignments at the end of the book • Enjoy whimsical (and ridiculous) references to moose . . . In each section: • Adjectival Clauses: Learn to identify relative pronouns; know when to use ‘who’ and ‘whom’; determine whether the relative pronoun acts as a subject or direct object within the clause; learn when to use ‘which’ and ‘that’; learn when to use ‘who’ or ‘which/that’; learn about possessive adjectival clauses; understand the difference between a question and an adjectival clause; learn about relative pronouns preceded by prepositions • Adverbial Clauses: Learn about subordinating conjunctions; understand the difference between an adjectival and adverbial clause; learn to identify and use clauses of time, place, manner, condition, concession, and cause; learn to differentiate between clauses of various types; learn to identify sentences containing different types of clauses • Noun Clauses: learn to identify and use noun clauses; learn about noun clauses that behave as direct objects or complements; learn about noun clauses that behave as subjects; noun clauses in reported speech • Extra Review: combine all your new knowledge and skills in several exercises and assignments • Answer Key: contains answers for all exercises. Answers to assignments will be unique to each individual. Knowing how sentences can be constructed is an invaluable tool for any student or writer. Improve your English Grammar, and learn how to protect your wool socks from an intrepid moose, all in one book!