Hey everyone, I could use some suggestions for Canadian History for Year 1. I took out the potential books I had had listed from the library, and didn't like them at all. Is Canada really THAT devoid of good History Books for young children?
I'd like to find something good about the Native Canadians, and a couple of good biographies. And I really want something historical, not just literary. (I have a few good suggestions in the literature selections)
What I looked at:
Canada's Natives Long Ago by Donna Ward - just TOO textbookish - it just seemed dull, and had vocabulary drills etc in it.
Laura: A Childhood Tale of Laura Secord - I thought this was a biography of Laura Secord writen for children... but it is a fictional story from her childhood. Might have been a nice fictional addition, but not what I have in mind at all!
Christopher Columbus by Schaefer - This is a little biography, but is written at a beginner reader level...
"Sir Alexander Mackenzie" from the Discovering Canada series - Is marginally ok, but is the busy style of boxes and little blurbs all over the page... to distracting.
Is there nothing out there like the AO selections for US and World History??? with Beautiful pictures, factual information, written in an engaging style, at a proper level?
Please send suggestions!!!
I have one! I don't know much about Canadian History, but I have a book called The Kid's Book of Canada's Railway: And How the CPR was Built.
ReplyDeleteI can't put it into context as I'm ignorant of Canada's bigger historical picture, but I thought it was interesting and informative. It might be a place to start.
Thanks for the suggestion. That would be in the 1880's, so might be useful for a different year. I'll check it out!
ReplyDeleteWrite you own book.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate,
ReplyDeleteThat would be a possibility if I had a clue about Canadian History. (It is still a possibility I guess.)
There is a book called "Who Killed Canadian History?" that I just read, that explains a lot to me, on why Canadians really just don't know our history.
Here is a summary of what I remember about learning Canadian History in School....
Elementary (gr 1-6) - remember doing a unit on the Eskimo (now called Inuit) and Indians (now Natives). A bit about the Hudson's Bay company, fur traders, and voyageurs. Something about the British and French fighting in battles. No timeline to any of this, so all floating in time.
Jr. High (7-9) - Don't remember any Canadian History at all.
High School (10-12) - 20th Century Canadian History (mainly the Japanese "internment", and the FLQ crisis, and the Canada Act. - all in Grade 10.) The rest of High School was European History.
I have Canadian famous names that float around... some I can place in time (mainly from my research the last couple of years) - some I still can't. As an adult I learned about the Famous 5 and the "People" case, the Halifax Explosion, and a few other things.
I do wish I could find better resources, but maybe there just aren't any, at least for this age group.
At this point, I certainly don't feel competent to write one. But I suppose anything is possible with determination and hard work.
I'm an American, married to a Canadian, living in Pennsylvania and my husband has the same educational experience as yours. I'd love to incorporate more Canadian history into our schooling but know almost nothing. The Dickie book I've heard recommended is selling for $60, http://www.amazon.ca/My-first-history-Canada-Dickie/dp/096810231X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303327670&sr=8-1
ReplyDeletewhich just seems to much to pay. Have you found it anywhere cheaper?
I also found this list:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.freewebs.com/canadianhomeschool/nicolas%20%20list%20draft%20sept%2023%202006.htm
and have just joined the CM yahoo Canada list. Hope to find help there!
Oh gosh, I borrowed Story of Canada and Great Canadian Lives from the library, and was given My First History of Canada....
ReplyDeleteIt seems I managed to find an expensive book again. I wouldn't pay the price amazon is showing for any of those books... so I may have to hunt for another, cheaper, Canadian History that is good.
I haven't looked at this book yet, but it is much better priced.
http://www.amazon.ca/Kids-Canadian-History-Carlotta-Hacker/dp/1550748688/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
Also the books from Barbara Greenwood have been pretty good, and check out the links to the Canadian minutes on my Canadian History Plan post.
And thank you for the link, I have the list of Canadian History Literature... At the moment I'm looking for biographies.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Have you read much of the Discovering Canada series? I just browsed through "The Fur Traders" by Robert Livesey. It's not perfect, but does a decent job at mixing stories about different people with some facts about the Fur Trade. He has several others in the series that might be interesting. I'm also at the stage of checking out what my library has. I don't know if there is a great spine, but with all the different series, hopefully we can piece together a complete history.
ReplyDeletei don't know if this is too late, or not. i remember reading in the 70s (I'm 70) a book called "Susannah of the Mounties" about a young girl sent to live with her uncle who'se a Mountie while her parents are away. there is a follow up called "Susannah of the Yukon".
ReplyDeletei suspect these are out of print here in the UK but you may be more lucky where you are in Canada.
good luck