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UK Mum
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| Posted: Aug 27 2007 at 10:49am | IP Logged
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Would anyone be willing to share with me how best they search for topic resources?
For example, we are about to begin a topic on trees...we have some great content picture books, but i need story picture books & a novel...hmmm...then also, how do i find suitable music & art? are there any websites where i can search by topic? I have the poetry sorted out 
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MaryM
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I know there are many sites that do have theme lists included, unfortanately none are really would be very extensive, all inclusive topic list like what I think you are looking for. There was a great thread awhile back on trees with lots of great ideas.
What I do when I'm searching for topic resources beyond the content books is to start with library searches using "topic juvenile fiction" in the search. We have a very extensive library system so there is a lot there. If I have even one book title I'll also search that on amazon then hit the find similar books option. That often yields results.
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Mary M. in Denver
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Meredith
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I was also going to suggest *googling* your topic. The more specific you can be the better. When you search for a *unit* make sure you put in "unit study on trees" or "Trees Unit Study", HTH!!
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Meredith
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UK Mum
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| Posted: Aug 29 2007 at 3:45pm | IP Logged
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Mary, that is a great thread, thankyou. I ordered a couple of the books recommended there 
Meredith, the thing i am really sruggling with, is matching art & music with the themes...seem to have it sorted for our tree unit, now though!
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MaryM
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UK Mum wrote:
| ... the thing i am really sruggling with, is matching art & music with the themes...seem to have it sorted for our tree unit, now though! |
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When you say you want to include art and music are you looking for:
art that depicts your theme or art/craft ideas that you can do to go along with the theme?
same question for music...
In general I think it is going to be easier to find the art links, music might be much trickier. But those are the kind of fun connections I love to make. Seriously, I think one of the best ways to find ideas is to post it to the forums here - ask for specific help. Some of us just love to get creative and will help you do the leg work and brainstorming.
So for art, since you read the mentioned thread you probably saw the recommendation for the books Sky Tree (art book about trees) and Look What I Did With a Leaf (art/craft projects). I would also look for art depictions of Adam & Eve(with tree of knowledge of good and evil)- like here or agony in the garden.
-Compare how different artists depicted trees in nature (impressionists vs. Renaissance, etc.)
-Leaf and bark rubbings
Music (and I am just pulling out any connections I can )
-Here We go 'Round the Mulberry Bush
-O Christmas Tree
-Maple Leaf Rag - Scott Joplin
-Found these folk songs about trees
-Study wood instruments - how they are made, what kinds of wood used
-Take sticks and tap tunes on different tree trunks - compare sounds
-Sitting under trees with eyes closed, listen to the wind thruogh the leaves
And I'm assuming you aren't looking for rock or contemporary songs but there is always, Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree (Tony Orlando), The Trees (Rush)
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Mary M. in Denver
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Kelly
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Besides googling, I like to go to Amazon.com book section and browse for topic-related books. If you have, say, one good kids book on trees and type in that title, it will usually have "other people who bought this book also bought..." which can send you on a fruitful rabbit trail. A lot of the books have reviews-both publisher and otherwise-which helps cull thru the offerings.
I'm sure you already do it, but combing the catalogs for titles is also helpful. I typically have three or four REALLY GOOD hsing catalogs that I keep on hand for "research". Speaking of such things reminds me to mention the website/catalog for Tobin's Lab. I'm pretty sure I saw a bunch of tree-related material there when I was getting ready for Bird Camp.
Of course, the BEST resource is the input provided by this gang!
Kelly in FL
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Kelly
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Oops, UK Mum, I forgot to mention a great musical recording for your tree study: Respighi's "Pines of Rome". It's lovely. You could also tie in Vivaldi's "Four Seasons"---tho it's not specifically tree-themed, the Spring part certainly does invoke the image of trees budding and flowers blooming.
Kelly in FL
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UK Mum
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| Posted: Sept 05 2007 at 11:59am | IP Logged
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appologies, i did actually reply a couple of days ago, but it appears to have gone astray
Kelly...thankyou for the music suggestions...they are great! I have also gone for Sebelius..'the trees'
Mary, wow! thankyou for all your ideas! i love the suggestion of the tree of knowledge of good & evil for art study...i hadnt thought of that, you have so many great ideas. I am very much looking forward to recieving 'sky tree' i am expecting it to arrive tomorrow.
thankyou again
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ami*
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| Posted: Sept 05 2007 at 1:06pm | IP Logged
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I know you asked how and not what, but I had to share!
We have some free units at Homeschool Share that may interest you...in the very least, I would check the books out! :)
Miss Twiggley's Tree Unit
Leaves (multi-book theme unit includes Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf and Leaf Man)
Meeting Trees Unit
Miss Hickory Unit
Goodness...just posting that makes me WANT to do a TREE unit! 
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UK Mum
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thanks..im off to check them out.....
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nicole-amdg
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Got this idea about Emily Carr's tree paintings a while ago, which I loved, and would be great for picture study and art activity...
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Jennifer
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I like to gather materials well before I even think about a certain unit. For example, I like to check out Crafts 'n Things and Pack-O-Fun magazines from our library. I put a sticky note on anything that looks like something we might be able to use.....someday. Then I photocopy and place in a file folder (similar to Dawn's file system). I also pick up activity/idea books from garage sales and do the same thing. I make up a notecard with the book or CD name and the page number and tuck into the appropriate monthly file folder. My September file folder holds lots of info on apples, including crafts, books, orchards, recipes, music, artwork, etc.
I also search my library system by using the subject heading and typing in the word/s I'm interested in and then refining the search by CD's, DVDs, juvenile literature, non-fiction. I find a ton of stuff this way. Don't forget these forums, they help immensely.
Jennifer
Camp Homeschool
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Topic: How to search for topic resources?
