Florida requirements for homeschooling aren’t super stringent. We’re required to maintain our portfolio of activities with samples of work and to keep book lists — among a few other procedural requirements (like notifying the superintendent’s office). Most fellow homeschool moms I know hang on to their book store and / or library receipts as records of books used.
For the 2019-20 school year, I’m posting them here on the blog linked to our amazon influencer page. I’m also starting a new hashtag so I can find them easily later: #cosmicmontessoribooklist
Star Stuff is an inspiring read about a little boy, Carl Sagan, growing up interested in the universe. Great introductory biography.
Older Than The Stars is a fun rhythmic read that builds up as it tells the story of the universe. It’s fun to read but the message may be hard to grasp for younger kids.
This one is often free on Kindle Unlimited. My kids love reciting the silly poetry with hand motions. I’m hoping to add more of this author’s books this year.
Highly recommended and beautiful book on constellations. Lovely art. Especially good for younger kids.
I discovered You Are Stardust through a Montessori elementary teacher who said he always started off the first Great Lesson with this title. Of all our books this unit, this one full of somewhat abstract diorama art inspires my kids the most. They love hearing how they are made up of stardust (carbon) from the creation of the universe. This fits in beautifully both in the secular creation story point of view as well as a God-centered one (Adam created from the dust of the earth); life is carbon-based. Amazing how that works!
This is one of the reasons why the first Great Lesson leads into chemistry so beautifully. We studied this last year with Mary but we will skip this year and repeat it next year.
https://www.cosmicmontessorischool.com/montessori-homeschooling-week-review-vol-3/
Usborne Big Book of Stars and Planets has great fold out charts. Nice art.
Born With A Bang is the first book of a fantastic series that corresponds to the five Montessori Great Lessons. When you start talking about the Big Bang people tend to draw battle lines, but we don’t have any conflicts between the Big Bang and Genesis. We teach both leaning on modern science as well reflecting on the theological origin story. They coincide well; which makes life easy thank goodness. If you’re struggling with this aspect of the Great Lessons, I highly recommend reading Children of the Universe with unites all the different understandings — even fundamentalist literal creation views in a respectful way.
What’s funny about Born With A Bang though is some people feel this book isn’t secular or scientific enough because it personifies the universe. We read the series with a grain of salt and use it to discuss what we believe. The artwork is stunning and Waseca Biomes cosmic mat bundle is based on it. Worth checking out!
Glow in the Dark Constellations is another highly recommended constellation book. My go to book on teaching stargazing!
A wonderful activity guide meant for 3-6 year olds in Montessori primary classrooms. Lots of simple hands on ideas.
This easy reader series from Montessori Services is wonderful.
Those are the returning favorites. The next few books are new to us this year and are meant for 3rd-5th grade reading levels. The kids will be using them for research this month.
Stars and Planets by Dr Mike Goldsmith (found through Scholastic)
