A Look Inside Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory’s “Visual History Set”
Finding a balance of history spines and visual read-alouds can be a challenge – yet both are necessary! History “spines” include nonfiction Charlotte Mason-style living books that move chronologically through time. As read-alouds, history spines are a higher reading level. Since parents do the reading, these books contain longer sentences, newer vocabulary, and fewer pictures.
However, as children begin to listen to higher level living books with fewer pictures, they can struggle with accurately picturing the people, places, events, and inventions in history. What did Spanish treasure ships look like? Why does a Rembrandt painting stand the test of time? What did the Mayflower look like? How do Holland’s tulips look in full bloom? What did the Jamestown settlement look like? How did a maple moon light up the sky? What did life on the plains look like for Buffalo Bill?
Children certainly need the aid of pictures to be able to visualize history properly. This is where visual history read-alouds come in!
What makes this Visual History Set special?
This incredible Visual History Set includes 29 picturesque read-alouds matched week-by-week to the history themes in Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory. As you chronologically move through American History, these vibrantly illustrated books march through time right alongside the Economy Package’s history “spine” books.
Four days each week, these carefully-chosen books provide a clear visualization of the people, places, and events students are learning about! Each beautifully illustrated read-aloud helps children better “picture the past” and coincides with the history study, giving children a more complete, fuller view of history.
The Visual History Set works alongside the history spines, and the “Reading About History” plans coordinate with the “Picture the Past” plans. There are also 29 full-color Visual History Bookmarks in this set that were especially created to coincide with the books they match. All bookmarks include daily questions and “Picture Clues” activities specific to their read-aloud book counterpart.
Why did Carrie choose these books and create coordinating bookmarks?
Heart of Dakota author, Carrie Austin, carefully and lovingly chose each book in Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory‘s Visual History Set to make American History come to life visually for you and your children! This set rounds out the history spines by providing a gorgeous visualization of the people, places, and events students are learning about.
Sail to America on the Mayflower, bargain with tulips in Holland, settle in Jamestown with Captain Newport, plant apple trees across the nation with Johnny Appleseed, become a spy during the revolutionary war, build inventions with Benjamin Franklin, and live out on the prairie with Laura Ingalls Wilder!
The Visual History Bookmarks provide excellent means for child after child to better “Picture the Past”! So much more than just 29 placeholders for 29 books, each lovely bookmark was uniquely created specifically for each individual book to emphasize the following skills:
- making historical connections
- practicing listening comprehension skills
- answering guided reading questions
- strengthening vocabulary skills
- using contextual clues to improve understanding
- building critical thinking skills through discussion
- using picture clues to aid comprehension
How does the Visual History Set work in Heart of Dakota?
The Visual History Set of books provides the visual assist necessary for children to “see” history unfold. Long after a visual history book is read, children will be able to close their eyes and picture history in their minds as one accurate, seamless story.
When you open your Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory guide, you will find specific instructions for each Visual History Set book’s lessons in the “Picture the Past” box of plans. Each day, snuggle in with your 6 to 8 year-olds and enjoy reading a visually vibrant, visual history book. Enjoy orally discussing questions that help your young ones make important historical connections.
Strengthen their vocabulary skills with guided reading questions, and help them use contextual clues to further their understanding. Dive deeply into the intricacies of the beautiful illustrations of each book together with the aid of provided picture clues. Build critical thinking skills with the guided oral discussions Carrie provides.
Bring history vividly to life! Give children a view of history that will certainly be remembered as a cherished learning time together for parents and children alike!
Take “a look inside” some of these beautiful resources by clicking the links below!
Discovery of Longitude – Sample
The Scarlet Stockings Spy – Sample
All Aboard – Sample Buffalo Bill – Sample
First Christopher Newport – Sample
Second Christopher Newport and Bookmark Sample
Christopher Newport – Bookmark Front Sample
Christopher Newport – Bookmark Back Sample
