Experience History Through Music series {review}

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Toss out the history textbook and get ready to jig, sing, and learn about the life of pioneers as they moved west! Diana Waring has created a trio of books and CDs that speaks right into the heart of life as a pioneer and westward expansion.

Experience History Through Music contains 3 book/CD sets:

America 1750-1890:The Heart of a New Nation

Westward Ho!: The Heart of the Old West

Musical Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder

ALL CAN BE FOUND HERE- Website: http://dianawaring.com

Our review for Diana’s books and CDs was perfectly timed. We were heading west! Off to Texas.

We used these on the road. Traveling music much like Pa singing to Laura and the Ingalls family. Here is a listen to the high quality clear music on the CDs. I believe John Standefer was one of the main musicians that Diana used.

Each book had a different focus for the westward expansion time. I would read the introduction pages. It was easy to read aloud to the family or for a late elementary aged reader to read. Then we would listen to a song. Back and forth as we went listening and reading about why that song meant something to settlers.

Westward Ho! – Heart of the Old West I am amazed at the gumption of the pioneers. Some songs like Boll Weevil were just songs I knew and could sing but didn’t understand the meaning behind them. Did you know that he Boll Weevil is a pest that almost destroyed the cotton industry in Texas?! It is a problem to this day. hmmm Love it when I get to learn along side the kiddos.

All three books and CDs were easy to use and incorporate into our homeschooling day. Each title contains one book and one CD. History married to song. Like it did years ago to keep the spirits of the pioneers up you will find the music and history uplifting. Pages full of historical pictures. Songs full of music that just makes you want to get up and move. Kinetic, audio, and visual learning of history!

Diana Waring singing history to passers by!

Musical Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder

We are Laura Ingalls Wilder fans… like slightly obsessively so. The girls and I have a plan to one day go to the yearly celebrations of her life in DeSmet and or visit the several historical sites that highlight Laura and her family’s life. Written by William Anderson, noted Laura Ingalls Wilder biographer, the book also includes beautiful photos by internationally known Little House photographer, Leslie A. Kelly. Even with our love of the Ingalls family in full bloom Diana’s book and songs taught us more. The addition of hearing the songs Pa and the family used to sing throughout the series has given another level to the whole set of Little House books.

America – Heart of a New Nation

This was a delightful journey through the basic songs and reasons to be a patriot. The book covered the time from the French and Indian War to the first transcontinental railroad. This time period can be rather graphic but Diana handled it with a delicate truthful hand. I had no problem with my whole family listening in to the music and book. (ages 6-16)

Experience History Through Music is a grand series in my opinion. The simple but poignant history stories coupled with songs helps memory processing. You can make each song a short sweet lesson for your short attention span kids. I found that the songs and stories lead to rabbit trials with the kids. Suddenly we were prepping for the library and trying to find cotton to make an apron like Ma. I give two thumbs up to this series, Experience History Through Music including America-Heart of a New Nation, Westwards Ho! The heart of the Old West, and Musical Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Diana Waring created a delightful trio of books and CDs to kindle a fire for learning about westward expansion and how brave souls settled the old west and made it home.

Age Range: All Ages

Format: Soft backed books with CDs

Prices:

America – Heart of a New Nation – $18.99

Westward Ho! – Heart of the Old West – $18.99

Musical Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder – $18.99

During July, the entire bundle is on sale for $50.00