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Optional materials for students and teachers are available for free HERE, including chapter worksheets and tests; links to online images, articles, and videos; and relevant literature excerpts that expand the lessons chapter by chapter.
King Alfred's English is the only book that covers the history of our language for
students below the college level. Here’s why these younger students would
benefit from such a study:
- English political history, which can be dense and confusing, is made
lean and understandable (and fun!) when presented through the lens of how
English developed over the centuries. This study provides a useful mind-map
of major events to which students can easily pushpin finer facts and details
when they reach them in later high school or college.
- The story of English incorporates the study of language itself, and, as such, becomes a springboard for understanding the curious (and often humorous) functions of grammar and syntax in a way no other study can do.
- The publishing of the English Bible had an unprecedented affect on the
development of English. King Alfred’s English fleshes out this story
along with the Reformation and the men such as Wycliffe and Tyndale who
risked or gave their lives to get the Bible to the common English man and
woman. Tyndale’s work, especially, is examined in some depth including the
influence he had not only on the later King James Bible, but also on the
popular phrases and vocabulary of all those who speak English.
King Alfred's English can be a brief read-through in two or three weeks, or it can be extended to a full semester if all of the supplemental writing and research is assigned. (Suggested assignments are on the Teacher's Page)
My hope is that this mini-course, aimed at seventh grade through high school,
will be a broadening, faith building, and entertaining trek for any student or
homeschooling family.
Did you know--
- The English were NOT the British. In fact, they fought each other...a lot. And still today, if you call an English person British, he might very well correct you even though he knows you probably won't understand.
- You probably don't pronounce the word "when" like your parents. When you say "when" and "win," do these words sound the same? If you're under 40, they probably do. If you're older, you may still pronounce the sound of the "h" and the words sound slightly different.
- The Brothers Grimm compiled German fairy tales, but they were also famous philologists (and what IS a philologist?)
- There’s a law for the way languages change that backs up Intelligent Design.
- For over 300 years the official language of the English court was...French! Seriously.
- There’s a reason we write “knight” but say “nite,” and you won’t believe how they used to pronounce it.
- It was once punishable by death to translate even portions of the Bible into English.
- Recent scholarship has shown that at least 80% of the King James Bible is the translation work of just one man. Who was he?
View the TABLE OF CONTENTS for King Alfred's English
Read Reviews or Purchase:
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Amazon
King Alfred's English
is available for purchase from
the bookstores above as well as other online shops.
Need to order for a group?
If you need 10 or more books,
click here for a discount.
King Alfred's English Student Page
King Alfred's English Teacher Page
RESOURCES LIST: Links to the main
books and articles used in the research and writing of King Alfred's
English
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Book suggestions for high school and beyond
Freely Educate: homeschool resources all for free.
Knowledge Quest's 5 Must-Have, No-Cost Resources for Homeschooling
Math
The Kahn Academy--
All
educators should know about Sal Kahn (really!)--
Click here for
his TED talk. Sal has won awards from Microsoft and Google for what he is doing.
His stated purpose is to educate the world for free!
History
openculture.com -- for free audio books plus much, much more!
KnowledgeQuest.com recommendations as well as Terri Johnson's whole website.
Owl and Mouse free online geography games (I love these)
Science
Principles of Physics (animated demonstrations)
Top 10 quirky science tricks for parties
Video shorts
Video programs
J.J. Abrams(creator of Lost) TED talk on technology & movies
The Paradox of Choice--Why Less Is More
Most Popular TED Talks--What's TED? Find out!
Ministries anyone can do:
Use Replyforall to have an advertiser send money to a charity you select every time you send an email--and it's free to you!
Bead For Life
--beaded jewelry made by women in Uganda from recycled paper. Get a package for
free, sell what you can, & mail it back. Or simply buy online.