American Boy's Handy Book

SKU
026930
ISBN
9780486431383
Grade 5-AD
Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.
Our Price
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Description

If you were to hear me extol the virtues of this book to someone, the phrase that you would most likely hear would be, "You can't find books like this anymore!" And it is information that you are unlikely to learn even in Boy Scouts. Flipping randomly through the pages, I find things like: War Kites, How to Stock a Fresh-Water Aquarium, How To Make Puppets and Puppet Show, Practical Taxidermy for Boys, Traps and Trapping, and my personal favorite, Home-Made Hunting Apparatus (whip bow looking the coolest of these). It's contains the high-interest activities that an adult remembers doing in their childhood, and parents wish that their kids would get out-of-doors to try out. Also, it is handily divided into Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter activities, so they never have an excuse to stay inside and watch TV.

Of course, a 19th century book is going to have some outdated information and materials: it's hard to find a barrel stave these days. It also has 1800's regard for safety; were safety glasses even available back then? Since you're experimenting with whip bows and working with sharp glass for war kites I'm guessing you'll want some basic protection. This book also assumes a good deal of room for some activities: it is hard to build and sail a raft without some space.

But the shortcomings are few, with the outdated terms easily deciphered, old materials fairly substitutable, and a pair of work gloves and eye protection being all that most projects require in the way of safety. All in all, any boy who has some space and maybe a little parental guidance will have a blast all through the year with this book. It should give electronics a run for their money, and help kids remember that the outdoors is fun for any adventurous boy. As the author says in the preface: "Let boys make their own kites and bows and arrows; they will find double pleasure in them, and value them accordingly, to say nothing of the education involved in the successful construction of their home-made playthings." ~ Mark

Details
More Information
Product Format:Softcover Book
Brand:Dover Publications
Grades:5-AD
ISBN:9780486431383
Length in Inches:8.25
Width in Inches:5.25
Height in Inches:1
Weight in Pounds:0.95
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