THEME-FOCUSED MAGAZINES FOR CHILDREN
Cobblestone Publishing, Inc. One of the most useful resources I had while teaching students was a magazine series published by Cobblestone Publishing, Inc. Cobblestone: The History Magazine for Young People was a favorite periodical in my classroom. These unique magazines focused on one topic per issue which meant my students could concentrate on one subject and studying it in depth. This taught them the excitement and pride in exploring one topic rather than reading one short article and moving on to another one. Each of my students claimed their magazine and squirreled it away for future reading enjoyment. The sturdy covers and heavier paper made them favorites of all the teachers in my school because they could be used for many years.
Cobblestone: American History is designed for grades 4-9 students. It has won the Parents' Choice Hall of Fame Award, the EDPRESS Golden Lamp Honor Award, and the George Washington Honor Medal for Excellence (the Freedoms Foundation.) Museum personnel, historians, historical photographs, site suggestions, resource lists, contests, and children's input are all part of each issue.
Odyssey is the science magazine for grades 4-9. It includes articles written by scientists, interviews, color photographs, charts, and activities. Students are encouraged to send in letters, drawings, and pen pal requests.
Calliope: World History for Young People is equally good. Your 5th-10th grader may have been hunting for a periodical that focuses on his interest in world history. The articles are presented chronologically so that the reader can move through a time period logically. Maps, timelines, recipes, resource books and films, and reader feedback round out this series.
Faces: The Magazine About People is another fine magazine that is developed with the help of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. This magazine is designed for students in grade 4-9. Archeologists and anthropologists write about their personal experiences with different cultures. Legends, illustrations, recipes, resource help, writing and art contests, and reader contributions are included in every issue.
Every issue that has ever been published can be ordered. This makes it possible to have a very complete library in history, science, and culture. As if that weren't enough, it is also possible to purchase Theme Packs and Mini Theme Packs. These would be great for those times when your whole support group or another family wants to get together with your family for a unit study program. Allow yourself plenty of time to prepare for what will surely be one of the most enjoyable and educational moments in your own family's history!
Forty-two packs are now available as Theme Packs. Unit studies to choose from include Colonial Life, Animals, Civil War, Flight, Touring the United States, Art History, Black History, US Government, Notable Women in American History, and Ancient Civilizations. Each set has one teacher's guide (may be ordered separately, too) and nine issues.
There are seven Mini Theme Packs which come with a teacher's guide (again, may be ordered separately) and five issues. Topics include Archaeology, the Solar System, Space, and World War II.
As if all this were not enough, Cobblestone also has plays, books, and subject-specific resource books to enhance the homeschool library. And, as of January 15th, a study guide for all of the back issues (January 1980 to December 1994) will be out on diskettes for IBM compatibles and Macs. What will they think of next?
I highly recommend Cobblestone Publishing, Inc. as an excellent source for high quality materials that focus on your children's education and your needs as a teacher. Their staff is friendly and works hard to please their customers.