Aventuras animales con Burgess

One of my favorite authors to introduce children to the wonders of nature study is Thornton W. Burgess. In this ongoing Charlotte Mason inspired class, we will use "The Burgess Animal Book for Children" by Thornton W. Burgess to explore the world of animals. While some animals appear in multiple chapters, the chapters mostly stand alone. Learners are welcome to join the class at any time.

Each class will follow a similar schedule: 
1. I will welcome students and introduce the day's topic.
2. I will share my screen to show a photograph of one (or more) animal(s) mentioned in the day's chapter. Learners will observe the animal and draw the animal in their nature journals. While students are drawing, I will read a chapter from "The Burgess Animal Book." I will pause throughout the chapter to ask different learners to narrate*. 
3. After we finish the chapter, I will invite all learners to share the picture that they drew.
4. I will share interesting facts about the animals(s) we read about and additional pictures. I will also share the classification of the animals (Example: The Grizzly Bear is in the Order Carnivora). 
5. If there is time at the end of class, I will invite learners to share other things they have observed in nature recently. 
6. AFTER CLASS, I will upload a printable copywork page to our class page. Each copywork page will include a quote from the week's chapter.

*What is narration? 
Narration is something we do each day (perhaps even without realizing it!). Narration is telling back what you heard. Children often come in from outdoors and narrate their adventures and what insects or other creatures they have just seen. In our classes, learners will tell what they remember from the story. When needed, I will model narration for learners. 

Is this class right for my child? 
The recommended age for this class is 6-9 years old. "The Burgess Animal Book for Children" is recommended reading for some 2nd grade curriculums. Some 1st grade learners may not be ready for a longer story (about 10-15 minutes). This class is designed for learners that are ready to draw a picture, listen to a story, and participate in a group lesson. You can view the book at Project Gutenberg at https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2441/2441-h/2441-h.htm.

If you have any questions or do not see a class time that fits your schedule, please contact me. I look forward to seeing you in class! 


2024-2025 SCHEDULE (This is the tentative schedule. I sometimes need to adjust the schedule. I will update this schedule if needed throughout the year.)
Week of August 20: Chapter 1 - Jenny Wren Gives Peter Rabbit an Idea (Eastern Cottontail Rabbit)
Week of August 27: Chapter 2 - Peter and Jumper Go To School (Marsh Rabbit, Northern/Varying/Snowshoe Hare)
Week of September 3: Chapter 3 - More of Peter's Long-Legged Cousins (Antelope Jackrabbit, Arctic Hare, Black-tailed Jackrabbit)
Week of September 10: Chapter 4 - Chatterer and Happy Jack Join (Eastern Gray Squirrel)
Week of September 17: NO CLASS (Tentative)
Week of September 24: Chapter 5 - The Squirrels of the Trees
Week of October 1: Chapter 6 - Striped Chipmunk and His Cousins
Week of October 8: Chapter 7 - Johnny Chuck Joins the Class
Week of October 15: Chapter 8 - Whistler and Yap Yap
Week of October 22: Chapter 9 - Two Queer Little Haymakers
Week of October 29: Chapter 10 - Prickly Porky and Grubby Gopher
Week of November 5: Chapter 11 - A Fellow with a Thousand Spears
Week of November 12: Chapter 12 - A Lumberman and Engineer
Week of November 19: Chapter 13 - A Worker and a Robber
Week of November 26: Chapter 14 - A Trader and A Handsome Fellow
Week of December 3: Chapter 15 - Two Unlike Little Cousins
Week of December 10: Chapter 16 - Danny's Northern Cousins and Nimbleheels
Week of December 17: Chapter 17 - Three Little Redcoats and Some Others
Week of December 24: NO CLASS
Week of December 31: NO CLASS
Week of January 7: Chapter 18 - Mice with Pockets, and Others
Week of January 14: Chapter 19 - Teeny Weeny and His Cousin
Week of January 21: Chapter 20 - Four Busy Little Miners
Week of January 28: Chapter 21 - Flitter the Bat and His Family
Week of February 4: Chapter 22 - An Independent Family
Week of February 11: Chapter 23 - Digger and His Cousin Glutton
Week of February 18: Chapter 24 - Shadow and His Family
Week of February 25: Chapter 25 - Two Famous Swimmers
Week of March 4: Chapter 26 - Spite the Marten and Pekan the Fisher
Week of March 11: Chapter 27 - Reddy Fox Joins the School
Week of March 18: Chapter 28 - Man Coyote and Howler the Wolf
Week of March 25: Chapter 29 - Howler and His Cousin Tufty
Week of April 1: Chapter 30 - Some Big and Little Cat Cousins
Week of April 8: Chapter 31 - Bobby Coon Arrives
Week of April 15: Chapter 32 - Buster Bear Nearly Breaks Up School
Week of April 22: NO CLASS
Week of April 29: Chapter 33 - Buster Bear's Big Cousins
Week of May 6: Chapter 34 - Unc' Billy and Old Mrs. Possum
Week of May 13: Chapter 35 - Lightfoot, Blacktail and Forkhorn
Week of May 20: Chapter 36 - Bugler, Flathorns and Wanderhoof
Week of May 27: Chapter 37 - Thunderfoot, Fleetfoot and Longcoat
Week of June 3: Chapter 38 - Two Wonderful Mountain Climbers
Week of June 10: Chapter 39 - Piggy and Hardshell
Week of June 17: Chapter 40 - The Mammals of the Sea