One Dominion

One Dominion – Celebrating Canada – Prepared for a Purpose
Published at Bible League Canada

About the book

One Dominion: Celebrating Canada, Prepared for a Purpose invites readers into an exploratory journey through Canada’s history, highlighting key moments of faith and Christian influence, from the founding of educational institutions and hospitals, to the creation of countless charitable organizations and architectural masterpieces. With inspiring accounts of individuals who founded our country upon the Living Word of God, One Dominion helps readers uncover a deeper understanding of Canada’s foundations and futures, through Scripture and the tests of faith passed by those who have gone before.

In this carefully crafted book, Paul Richardson, President of Bible League Canada, and Bob Beasley, Vice President of International Ministry at Bible League Canada, identify Canada’s purpose and mandate as a nation, as inscribed on the Peace Tower of Parliament Hill: “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.” (Psalm 72:8 KJV) Through stunning photography and enthralling historical accounts, this book is designed to instill confidence and hope in the Christians of Canada and encourage them to steward well the resources, opportunities, and peace with which this country has been blessed. Richardson encourages, “Canadians have much to be thankful for, past, present, and future, and much to steward well, both at home and for the benefit of other countries. This is a great reminder of just that.”

My thoughts

I am pleased to promote the book One Dominion that was published by Bible League Canada this year in honor of Canada’s 150^th birthday.    The book is essentially a coffee table book that reflects on the Christian heritage of Canada of the past, present, and future.   The book covers the purpose and mandate of our nation based on the scripture that was chosen for Canada’s motto – PSALM 72:8 (KJV).

As I mentioned above, I consider it as a coffee table book.   The book is larger than normal (10” x 12”) and could be difficult to handle when reading it.   It is feasible though.  But apart from the size issue that I have noticed, the book is an absolute gem of history for Canadian Christian because it will highlight the Christian heritage we have as a nation.   I have learned quite a bit while flipping through the pages and reading it.   Not only does this book displays stunning photographs but it contains a timeline highlighting some of the main events in this history of Canada.

The chapter that I have found the most interesting was Chapter 4 where I learned quite a lot about the Peace Tower.  From the information I have gleaned in that chapter I have learned that the Peace Tower was built in 1917 following a fire on Parliament Hill and that it contains Scripture verses at the top.   And yes, this make me want to plan a visit to go at the top of the Peace Tower sometime this year because apparently they will close the Centre Block in 2018 for a decade for much needed construction repairs.   I am in awe of the fact that numerous scripture verses are found over the windows and in the stained glass windows.    All three windows – east, south and west – boldly proclaim the Word of God.  Not only these windows are a testimony of our Christian heritage.   At the top of the Peace Tower, a carillon ring 15 minutes each day at noon.  This carillon is composed of 53 bells and the largest of them also has a scripture verse  inscribed in it which was requested by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King.   The scripture of this bell is Luke 2:14 (KJV) “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to men.”     These are some of the things I didn’t know when I opened the book One Dominion and I will never forget the Christian Heritage that is found in the Peace Tower.   I was telling my oldest son, age 16, about it this morning and even he thought that it was cool that these scriptures are found at the top of the tower in the Centre Block on the Canadian Parliament.

I think this book would be a fabulous addition to your personal library for various reasons: it does highlight the Christian Heritage of Canada and it is a great souvenir to possess for the celebration of our country’s 150^th birthday.

One Dominion is available for purchase directly from Bible League Canada for the price of 29.99$.  

Disclaimer: The book has been provided courtesy of Bible League Canada and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Great Books To Study Canadian History

Great Books To Study Canadian History – a guide to studying Canadian History Through Historical Fiction
Written by Bonnie Landry
Published at Excellent Resources

About the book

A perfect compliment to the Canada Series for more practice.

​Great Books to Study Canadian History is a guide to studying Canadian History through historical fiction. The purpose of this book is to fill the gap that exists in not only cataloging the sources for studying Canadian history, but to also whet the appetite for studying history as a springboard to other family studies. The book includes general Canadian History books, chronology of historical literature, timelines, poetry and links to other resources

My Thoughts

I discovered this book before our homeschool conference back in April.   I was curious about it and made a mental note to check it out while at the conference.   I liked what I saw but our budget was already allocated this year for other resources that were needed including some that I purchased at the Excellent Resources table.   A few weeks after the conference, I was given a beautiful book on Canadian history from a friend and I got reminded of the Great Books To Study Canadian History which would nicely complement the reading of the book I had received.   

Well, today I am presenting the new book Great Books to Study Canadian History which has just been released at Excellent Resources this year.   In this book, you will find literature suggested to complement your study of Canada and how to use them in your Canadian history studies.   It didn’t take me long to start reading and discovering this little gem.   Now, before I review this book, let me specify that it doesn’t contain books on Canadian history curriculum.   Instead, it is packed with titles of literature based on the historical eras of Canada.  Before I share my thoughts on the book, let’s check out the table of contents together:

• Chapter One: Studying Canadian History Through Literature
• Chapter Two: How to Read a Book so It Becomes the Curriculum
• Chapter Three: General Books About Canadian History
• Chapter Four: A Chronological List of Historical Literature
• Chapter Five:  Timelines
• Chapter Six:  Poetry and Artists
• Chapter Seven: General Suggestions for Canadian Content in Other Areas
• Chapter Eight: Resources – This chapter gives a list of suppliers and websites where you can find the suggested books included in this book.

I find the book very informative as the author will guide you on how to study Canadian history using literature and guide you in creating a timeline for your studies.   The list of books suggested to read are extensive to say the least.  Every titles mentioned in this product is listed by chronological events through Canadian history.   I quickly saw titles I was familiar with but also realized that other titles could be added to it.   For example,  I couldn’t find the books from Eric Walters that are linked to the history in Canada or the two Canadian based series published from Scholastic.  

The author also mentions the importance of complementing the reading of an historical novel with some research on the subject in an encyclopedia if the child wants to learn more about it.   I totally support this as I do believe on the importance of learning more on a specific subject.  However, she strongly encourage the use of World Book and after checking out the website, I was surprised to discover the price tag attached to it.   As homeschooler, I know the importance of budgeting and being wise with the money we have.  Having an husband who is a contractor makes this an higher importance for us.   Spending that much when you can access Wikipedia for free on the internet doesn’t make sense for me.   She did mentioned the use of online encyclopedia but quickly highlighted the fact that snuggling together around a computer is not an easy thing to do.  However, with the tablets being more and more popular in homeschool families I think it is feasible.   Another option would be to hook-up a computer to your television set and surf the internet on the big screen television.  That’s how we are set up in our living room and the kids can easily do research on the big screen where I can supervise rapidly what they are doing.    Knowing that Wikipedia is recognized as one of the best online encyclopedia on the internet, I choose to use this free resources instead of spending so much on a paper copy of an encyclopedia.

One other thing that the author has done in this product is to highlight the books that were specifically for grade 7 and up.   If you see a * next to a title of the book, it indicates that it is a suggestion for a core study for upper levels of middle and high school.  She also specify the kind of book listed by indicating if it is a fiction (F) or non fiction (NF).  Book keys will also help you to determine is the book is suitable for your kids – Level (1) for early readers, Level (2) for fluent readers, and Level (3) for advanced readers or adults.  This resource is well documented and will guide you in selecting the books that would be perfect for your family.   Finally, if you desire to have a look at the content of this book before deciding to purchase it, a preview is available on the Excellent Resources website.  

Do I think this book is a great tool to own?   Absolutely.   It will guide you in incorporating fabulous books to read while studying Canada.  I would also use a curriculum about Canada alongside with these historical fictions.  This resource is definitively a great reference to have and use in your homeschool.    It will help you identify the historical novels you could read with your kids – no matter the ages they are.  In order to complete it, I would also research other suggestions offered by Canadian homeschoolers on various blogs and Pinterest boards as well.  

Great Books to Study Canadian History is available for purchase directly from Excellent Resources in a Coil-Bound Book for the price of 15$ (Cdn).  Click on the Add to Cart in order to purchase it.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Excellent Resources for sending me the above mentioned title for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Canada Is For Kids

Canada Is For Kids Teaching Kit – Songs and Stories of Canada’s Heritage
2nd Edition (2010)
From Michael Mitchell

While on Facebook one day, I saw this ad for Canada Is For Kids.   Curious about it since I was looking for Canadian products to include in our homeschool, I clicked on it.

I was brought to the site of Michael Mitchell – www.michael-mitchell.ca – and discover and interesting product that could be used in a school and/or homeschool (with a little bit of tweaking).

This product is a full package of teaching resources to help a school to prepare for a Michael Mitchell – Canada Is For Kids school concert.   Mind you, I think this can be used in a homeschool environment as well.   In a family, you could easily teach the songs included on the removable disk you receive to your kids so they can have a taste of songs and stories of our heritage.   Included on this portable storage disk are the vocal and instrumental songs .   Even a group of homeschoolers could get together to prepare a fun concert for fellow homeschoolers!

Also included are more resources like reproducible lyric sheets, the Big Canadian Music Book, a ton of information on O Canada including 4 different recordings (English, French, Bilingual and Instrumental) of our National Anthem, a little cartoon titled Canada in My Pocket, Lecture notes, Games, Coloring Book, Life in Canada and more.

I’m quite excited about this product.   Not only it contains songs I grew up with (well the French ones anyway) but it will permit me to get exposed to English folklore songs that I don’t know.    I find this a wonderful addition when we study the Canadian geography from the east coast to the west coast.    I particularly enjoyed the little cartoon titled Canada In My Pocket which presents all the different types of money we have in a fun and informative way.   It is a cute little song that I think everyone should see it.   Too bad that it didn’t include the looney and tooney (the 1$ and 2$ we have…)!

I find it important that children be introduced to the origins of the national anthem especially for homeschoolers.   My kids go to Awana and before they go in their own groups, they will sing the O Canada as well as the Awana song.    This year, I planned to go through the process of learning the lyrics of the English, French and even the Bilingual version of our national Anthem with the kids.   Not only would it be good for them to know it but it would be great for me too.    I personally know the French version no problem but the English and Bilingual version is not my forte.  So together we will learn the lyrics and know the song by heart.   Even my almost three year old is singing O Canada partially now.    Sweet!

You can listen to music sample directly from Michael Mitchell site!

The Canada Is For Kids Teaching Kit is available directly from Michael Mitchell website for the price of 45$ Canadian.