"George Washington Carver" by John Perry is part of the series - Christian Encounters Series. It details the life of this famous American inventor, musician, humanitarian and artist. The picture painted by the author of Carver's life is detailed and he weaves the lives of the people who influenced Carver into the story, as well. This is a thorough biography that begins with his birth as a slave and ends with his death, when he left his entire estate, valued at $60,000, to his foundation.
I read this book out loud to my children who are ten and six years of age. We found that it was interesting and sparked many questions about history, science and personal character. The information was not at all dry and was cohesively delivered in such a way as to make the reader think. After each morning's readings we explored some aspect of this book. Topics that we covered were soybeans, crop roations, peanut butter, the Tuskegee Institute, and segregation. I am encouraged with this first sample from the Christian Encounters Series and am delighted that history is being written in such a way that kids are eager to learn more and discuss what they have read. This is not dry text book history and I look forward to reading more titles in this series.
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Unit Study
This study is provided by Hammock Tracks and is not a part of the review. I hope it enriches your inspection of Carver.
Helpful Links:
Here are some of the links that we found helpful as we explored topics that were sparked in the reading of "George Washington Carver."
Crossword Puzzles and Slideshow
George Washington Carver Coloring and Activity Book from the United States Department of Agriculture
Crop Rotation
PDF - Demonstrates How a Peanut Plant Grows
History of Soybeans and Their Uses
Memory Work:
This was George Washington's favorite poem and we are adding it to our memory work.
EQUIPMENT
Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You've all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes
And a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say, "I can."
Look them over, the wise and great
They take their food from a common plate,
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes.
The world considers them brave and smart,
But you've all they had when they made their start.
You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great if you only will.
You're well equipped for what fight you choose,
You have legs and arms and a brain to use,
And the man who has risen great deeds to do
Began his life with no more than you.
You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go,
How much you will study the truth to know.
God has equipped you for life, but He
Lets you decide what you want to be.
Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for yourself, my lad.
You were born with all that the great have had,
With your equipment they all began,
Get hold of yourself and say: "I can."
--Edgar A. Guest
Savannah McQueen is the author of Hammock Tracks which includes Savannah's Savory Bites - dedicated to recipes and cooking with simple ingredients, Hammock Track Tales - a photographic journal of our life on the hammock, and Hammock Home School - includes editorials, book reviews, and educational link posts. You can follow Savannah on Twitter and Facebook.
