Enhanced – review video
"Bookshelf & Beyond"
with
Curriculum Consultants

Gina Burmeier & Amber Garcia
"Summer is a wonderful time to try some electives you have been wanting to implement during the school year but just didn’t quite get the time to fit it in your busy schedule."
"Photography"
T

ry photography! You never know when a skill like this will resonate with one of your children. You never know… they might even use it in their career or enjoy it as a hobby.

Guide to Photography by National Geographic Kids is a great resource for people of all ages. Start with the basics like how your camera works and how to use it, then progress into aperture, focus, composition, and more! Find an assignment for extra practice at the end of each section. Created with the help of National Geographic photographers, this guide is packed full of tips and tricks for aspiring photographers. This resource is also smartphone-camera friendly.

Nature Photography by Ammonite Press is a wonderful option for blossoming nature photographers. This adventurous assignment book includes 52 animal-themed photography projects. All projects involve animals and nature, so it’s a great opportunity to get out and explore the world. While many of the projects could be completed around the neighborhood, several of them require a more wildlife approach. Projects include a description of the featured technique to capture, tips on how to achieve the desired look, demonstration pictures, and field notes on how to find the subject to photograph for the project. There is also an icon code listed for each project, showing which skills are most used in the picture-taking process. Although this is beginner friendly, the user should already own and know how to operate a DSLR camera. Recommended equipment includes tripod, light reflector, and a macro or zoom lens.

Cameras and books on photography
"Bookshelf & Beyond"
with Curriculum Consultants
Gina Burmeier & Amber Garcia
Two young kids playing in their room
"Summer is a wonderful time to try some electives you have been wanting to implement during the school year but just didn’t quite get the time to fit it in your busy schedule."
"Photography"
T

ry photography! You never know when a skill like this will resonate with one of your children. You never know… they might even use it in their career or enjoy it as a hobby.

Guide to Photography by National Geographic Kids is a great resource for people of all ages. Start with the basics like how your camera works and how to use it, then progress into aperture, focus, composition, and more! Find an assignment for extra practice at the end of each section. Created with the help of National Geographic photographers, this guide is packed full of tips and tricks for aspiring photographers. This resource is also smartphone-camera friendly.

Nature Photography by Ammonite Press is a wonderful option for blossoming nature photographers. This adventurous assignment book includes 52 animal-themed photography projects. All projects involve animals and nature, so it’s a great opportunity to get out and explore the world. While many of the projects could be completed around the neighborhood, several of them require a more wildlife approach. Projects include a description of the featured technique to capture, tips on how to achieve the desired look, demonstration pictures, and field notes on how to find the subject to photograph for the project. There is also an icon code listed for each project, showing which skills are most used in the picture-taking process. Although this is beginner friendly, the user should already own and know how to operate a DSLR camera. Recommended equipment includes tripod, light reflector, and a macro or zoom lens.

Cameras and books on photography
Starting with the beginner basics, Understanding Photography by No Starch Press is a simple guidebook for high schoolers providing a great introduction to photography. New photographers can quickly grasp the topics covered with the easy-to-read instructions and helpful demonstration pictures. Although this book doesn’t cover an extensive amount of information on individual topics, it gives a broad overview of many of the fundamental basics—including light exposure, choosing cameras and lenses, lighting techniques, shooting techniques, cleaning tips, photography equipment, and more!

Photo Basics by National Geographic is another great guidebook for any amateur photographer. This illustrated instruction guide gives an overview of the basics and fundamentals of photography. Starting at the very beginning, this resource gives examples of different types of cameras, lenses, focal lengths, camera settings, and equipment commonly used by photographers. The book then dives a bit deeper into photo composition, lighting, mood, shutter speed, and much more. Although having a digital camera with interchangeable lenses would help learners apply the lessons to the full extent, even a smartphone photographer could apply many of these concepts to their work.

"Survival Skills"
Some skills are timeless, whether for survival or to develop positive character traits like patience. Starting a fire with good old-fashioned friction is one of these skills. This Campfire Bow Drill Kit by Channel Craft contains a bow (18 x 2 x 2), fireboard, bearing block, spindle rod and kindling—just add YOU and some vigorous kinetic energy!

Camper’s Knot Tying Game by Channel Craft is a neat little game introducing players to 44 different knots, then tests them on tying these as quickly and accurately as possible to win points. Each playing card in the deck features a different knot, its name and use, and a point value. As soon as a knot card is turned over, players race to be the first to tie the knot and then toss it in the center of the player’s circle. If the knot is tied correctly, the player wins the card. If two players tie (no pun intended), then the card is replaced in the deck to be used later. The game includes knot cards, a rule card, two lengths of nylon cord and two small wooden “posts” which is enough for two players. Several additional cards explain the importance of knots, the strengths of different knots and the parts of a rope. Although knot-tying books abound, the competition, speed, and variety of knots in this game will definitely promote memorization of the knots for practical use!

Clip on Compass by Toysmith®
Clip on Compass by Toysmith® is made from safe, durable materials to equip kids for a hard day of exploring. Directions are identified in high contrast colors and north is marked in red. The yellow and black compass is 2 1/2″ square; with the clip and mesh lanyard, it is 6 1/2″ long.

Whether an outdoor enthusiast or armchair adventurer, Ultimate Survival Guide for Kids by Firefly Books is filled with practical and fascinating information for outdoor survival. I confess my interest piqued when I read the disclaimer: “You should NEVER put yourself in dangerous situations to test whether this advice really works.” Subject matter is divided into 4 sections: Animal Dangers, Natural Dangers, Human Hazards, and Basic Survival Skills. Each topic is covered in a two-page spread and provides brief background information and steps to survival. Topically, children will learn what to do if bitten by a snake; how to escape a bear; how to survive an earthquake and hurricane; how to escape from a car in water; how to escape a sinking ship; using a Swiss Army knife; knot making, first aid, and much more! Glossary and index are included.

Campfire Bow Drill Kit, Knot Tying Game and Ultimate Survival Guide for Kids book
"Home Economics"
We spend a good amount of time in the kitchen. Why not include your children in the meal planning and cooking process? Kids Cooking Tasty Recipes by Klutz® Press is a kid-friendly cookbook featuring delicious recipes young chefs will want to cook and eat! Abundant, colorful illustrations, supply and ingredient lists, and step-by-step instructions guarantee success in the kitchen. This cookbook has an enclosed spiral-bound structure and includes a child-sized whisk.

American Girl® Garden to Table by Simon & Schuster is a lovely recipe book full of ideas for tasty foods, treats, and snacks that incorporate fresh garden vegetables and produce. Many of the recipes also include a full-page picture of the completed dish. Pair this cookbook with the American Girl® Cookies also by Simon & Schuster for delicious and creative cookie and bar recipes. The front of the book includes a list of tools needed for recipes in the book, as well as a list of baking tips. Each featured treat includes a list of ingredients and cooking instructions with a full-page picture of the completed product of many of them. The book is separated into the following sections: Classic Cookie Galore, Sugar Cookie-Tastic, Special & Seasonal Cookies, and Brownies & Bars. Due to oven and electric mixer use, most of these recipes require adult supervision for all or part of the baking process. Forty-seven different recipes are featured.

How to Be a Person: 65 Hugely Useful, Super-Important Skills to Learn before You’re Grown Up by Storey Books teaches young people how to contribute to their household now and be on their own in the future. Children will enjoy the author’s kid-friendly writing style and the simple illustrations. Topics include caring for someone who is sick, falling asleep, being a good guest/host, wrapping a gift, how to apologize, filling out forms, loading the dishwasher, cleaning a bathroom, using a plunger, making scrambled eggs, doing laundry, sewing a button, managing money, building a fire, and more!

Cookbooks and books on life skills for kids
Life Skills for Kids by Waterbrook Publishing is a resource for YOU! Incorporate life-skill training into everyday life so you don’t have to make room for yet another activity. Feeling as though she was not “life-trained” when she was a child and wanting to prepare her own children for their futures, Christine Fields decided to write this book to help all parents with this important task. There are fourteen chapters, each focusing on a different skill. Topics covered include responsibility, people skills, home skills, life navigation, time organization, space organization, maintaining and fixing things around the house, managing money, healthy grooming habits, using your brain, forming good spiritual habits, making decisions, creativity, and finding joy in everyday life. The personable, down-to-earth tone of the book makes it an enjoyable read for parents who want some useful ideas and knowledgeable help.

Learn how to manage money with the Budget Game by Learning Advantage™. This board game stresses the importance of home ownership, insurance, and investments. You set a time limit for the game, start playing, and then when the time goes out, whoever has the most money and assets with the least debt wins! If anyone runs out of money, they must drop out of the game. Spin the wheel to move along the board and experience dental bills, groceries, collecting interest of saving certificates, repairs for appliances, renting, buying clothing, and that’s just the beginning. This game exposes the realities of economics and the value of being financially independent.

"Foreign Language Games"
Flash cards and games offer a fun way to review something you’ve studied during the school year or to learn something new!

I love it when flash cards use real photos! It is so clear what they are representing.

English-Spanish First Words Flash Cards by Scholastic® Teaching Resources are two-sided, with English on one side and Spanish on the other. The Spanish nouns show the article with the noun. This is helpful later when you are making agreement (gender/number) with nouns and adjectives. They are bright, sturdy, and colorful. An idea card will get you started with simple activities. Includes 54 vocabulary cards.

A fun game to play is Espanol Bananagrams® by Bananagrams®, Inc. Played with the same rules as the original Bananagrams®, it features frequently used letters from the Spanish alphabet including letters with accent marks and tiles. Includes 144 letter tiles, zip-up storage bag, and instructions. A French version is also available. Playing time is approximately 30 minutes and is for 1-8 players.

Various language learning games and puzzles
Learn 75 new words with Language Learning Blocks™ from Dixon Ticonderoga® for French or Spanish. Sturdy, firm foam blocks measure 1.5”. Fun colors and a cool texture make them attractive to young language learners. Each side of the blocks have a sticker with an image and a word in French or Spanish. When you flip a block to the opposite side, you see the same image and the word in English. Since there’s no help with pronunciation, do a quick online search if you are not certain how to say a word correctly. Also, you see just the noun, not the article to show masculine or feminine. Create a game by making a silly story after rolling 3 blocks! Sort them by color and group the words however you want.

Are your kids fascinated with sign language? 101 Easy Signs for Nonverbal Communication American Sign Language for Kids by Ingram Publishing gives a simple and effective guide to introduce you and your child to ASL. The author learned ASL as a child and has taught in a variety of settings. Several pages at the beginning introduce how to use the book to teach children, find an ASL community, deaf community etiquette, and more. The actual signs are taught per page, with detailed descriptions on how to make the sign, memory tips, and other signing tips, etc. There is also a sketch of a student making the sign, which I find very helpful. The book indicates that this volume is geared toward nonverbal children ages 3–6, though it would be a good resource for any age.

American Sign Language Alphabet Puzzle by Hachette/Chronicle is a 500-piece puzzle that features the letters of the alphabet in ASL, along with each of the printed letters. A neat puzzle project for those who study or use ASL. Completed puzzle is 20”x 20”. Made from 90% recycled paper and non-toxic inks.

"Science"
Oh, the smell of rain, fresh dirt, and summer! Doesn’t it make you want to get outside and start growing things?

Square Foot Gardening with Kids by Hachette Book Group is a great, easy way to have a garden with your kids. Start with building a simple box to house the garden with wood strips to divide your garden into 9 squares. Add your special soil blend that’s full of plant nutrients. There are no weed seeds in it, so it keeps pulling weeds very minimal. (And the soil stays loose, so pulling those occasional weeds out is something a child can handle.) Then, your kids can decide what to plant in each square. The book is full of information and talks about tons of different things you can plant, how many of each plant can be supported in a square foot, tips and tricks for making the small space work for growing almost anything, and how to care for and protect your garden. After seeing this book, I can’t wait to go out and get a square foot garden started with my kids!

Nancy B’s Science Club® Garbage to Gardens Compost Kit & Decomposition Book by Educational Insights® does it again as she teaches young scientists about recycling and composting. This kit only has two items in it: a composter and a journal. The rest will come from you. Use potting soil to fill your composter and choose items to decompose. Watch what happens! The sides of the composter have magnified circles, so you can see the decomposition up close. Through 8 different activities, children learn about creatures that help with decomposition, find out what things decompose the best, discover the difference between dirt and soil, what makes healthy soil, and more. Observe and record your data as you learn about microorganisms and compostables.

Warning: you will get your hands dirty!
Gardening kits and games for kids
Have you ever forgotten the name of a wonderful plant, or wondered where you put something in the garden last year? Gardener’s Logbook by Peter Pauper Press helps children keep a record of their planting history. Each page shows plant name, details, date planted, germination date, location, fertilizer, weeds, water needs, and date bloomed/harvested. There’s even room for some additional notes. A few pages in the back have tips and tricks and zone information. Dotted grid journaling pages in the back round it out nicely. The cover is gorgeous and the inside is practical and helpful!

Every helper needs their own tools. Little Moppet™ Bucket and Trowel Kit by Family Games America FGA, Inc© is a little gardening accessories kit that includes miniature lookalikes of real gardening tools. Included is a metal bucket in assorted colors with a handle (5.5” tall and 6” rim in diameter), a small hand trowel with a metal spade and wooden handle, and a pair of small-handed gardening gloves. Even 4-year-olds can enjoy the use of these tools, whether planting flowers, gardening, or just playing in the dirt. Made with wood from managed forests and non-toxic paint.

Outdoor and nature books and games
"Outdoor Fun And Exercise"
There’s nothing quite like the fun of being able to play outdoors with friends and family. Liven up some traditional games played years ago with these new ones!

Creating a unique game of freeze tag, Vikings of the Northern Lights by Starlux Games® uses glow-in-the-dark-pieces to bring an exciting element to the already popular children’s game. First, players will spread glowing crystal gems across the playing field. Vikings try to speedily collect the crystals, while ice dragons tag and freeze Vikings to protect the crystals. Tagged Vikings can only be released from their frozen state by being tagged with the rod of winter. If the Vikings can collect all of the gems and put them in the rod, they win; however, if the ice dragons freeze all of the Vikings first, the dragons win. Crystal pieces require batteries (included). Light life is approximately 6-10 hours. Play could last 15-60 minutes for 4 to 10 players. A paper inside each kit includes a link and redemption code to access a free copy of the advanced game version.

Another Starlux Games® is Capture the Flag REDUX®. Great for playing a game of capture the flag after dark, it features a glowing orb for each team and glowing ground markers to mark off team territory and jails. On the count of three, players begin the challenge of venturing into enemy territory to capture their team flag (glowing orb) and bring it back to their own side while also protecting their own orb. Each set includes 5 territory lights, 8 jail markers, 8 team bracelets, and 2 glowing orbs (flags). All pieces require batteries. The batteries are included. Light life is approximately 6-10 hours. Play could last 30-60 minutes for 4 to 20 players. A paper inside each kit includes a link and redemption code to access free game variation downloads, digital instructions, and downloadable party invites.

Combine some pogo stick technology with a bit of a skateboard design and you get the ©Flybar Pogo Trick Board. The trick boards allow children to practice their balancing skills while also strengthening their leg and core muscles. More than just jumping around, kids can learn tricks and maneuvers to perform with these boards. It’s perfect for young tweens who want to go outside and do more than just ride a bike or scooter. Each set includes the board to stand on, the ball to insert and inflate, a ball pump, two inflating needles, and an instruction manual. The boards have a sandpaper texture like a skateboard to help the feet grip the board. Shoes should always be worn when in use. The weight limit is 160 lbs. Use it on smooth, dry, obstacle-free surfaces. Comes in a variety of colors.

Encourage your young nature lovers to get outside and track, explore, discover, and create. Exploring Nature by Ingram Publishing is filled with 50 hands-on, educational outdoor activities like crafting bird feeders out of fruit, pressing flowers, and creating sundials. They’ll get their hands dirty and their imaginations revving while staying active outside. Exploring Nature Journal is a companion to Exploring Nature. Young naturalists will get all the guidance they need to study and record their experiences of the natural world. From developing observational skills to sketching and using all the senses, this nature journal encourages curious minds to think creatively and scientifically about the world around them. Complete with activity prompts and journaling ideas, this book is a must-have to make every outdoor adventure an opportunity for discovery.

If you are new at foraging, The Skillful Forager by Penguin Random House teaches beginners about how to get started in foraging. This book starts off with a section on how to prepare for foraging, tools that might be helpful, tips on where to find plants, and more. The middle of the book lists many different plant species with information on finding, identifying, harvesting, preparing, and preserving edible plants, fruits, herbs, and mushrooms. There is a picture given with each species to help the reader properly identify the plant. Pictures of the harvesting or preparing process may also be included where helpful. Warnings to be aware of are distinctly listed. The end of the book gives some additional tips on preparing and flavoring ingredients, wild plant recipes, and tips on preservation.

We hope you find some resources here that resonate with your family as you enjoy your summer together.
Gina & Amber
Gina Burmeier headshot
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ina Burmeier and her husband homeschooled their three kids using many Charlotte Mason and classical programs. Realizing all three kids were very different, taking an eclectic approach gave them a great opportunity to meet all their children’s needs. For years, they traveled together as a family to homeschool conventions representing Rainbow Resource Center. She has thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with many homeschoolers over the years. With all three kids now college graduates, she is a consultant in the office at Rainbow and continues to enjoy helping homeschoolers with curriculum questions. She is very passionate about researching curriculum and learning styles as she helps other homeschoolers find the best fit for their children.

Amber Garcia headshot
A

mber Garcia studied Elementary Education and music at Bible college. There she met her husband and began the journey of ministry and family. Giving their four children a Christian education became the focus and they purposed making that happen by putting them in a Christian school where they were teaching some years and homeschooling other years. Now Amber is a homeschool consultant at Rainbow Resource Center helping other homeschoolers with curriculum questions. Amber loves finding the key to help each student learn in their own way.