I love Exploring Ohio Canals! For my family, reading this book was a fun experience and gave us new ways to have adventures while learning the history of canal life. We live in a canal town and see it every day, but we didn’t know much about it until reading this book. We also made many of the recipes listed in the book and they were really good and a lot of fun as it was before mixers existed! I recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about the history of Ohio with canal life and to any family to find new adventures in our own backyard. ~Lee M., High School Teacher and Mother of 3
“Exploring Ohio Canals,” by Sarah Harper is a well-structured curriculum book that offers a thorough understanding of Ohio’s canal system. The content is not only informative but also highly accessible, making it suitable for both educators and students. The book beautifully captures the historical significance of the canals in the region. Harper provides cross-curricular content from Social Studies to ELA to Music and Arts.
What sets this curriculum apart is the inclusion of the companion book, “Silver Ribbon Skinny,” by Marilyn W. Seguin. This creative piece of historical fiction brings the canal era to life through captivating storytelling. It provides a human perspective, making history relatable and engaging for students of all ages. The combination of a curriculum guide and a compelling narrative is a brilliant approach to learning, fostering a deeper understanding and connection to the subject matter.
Together, these two books offer a holistic and immersive learning experience that is both educational and enjoyable. Whether you’re a teacher looking to inspire your students or a homeschool parent looking to delve into Ohio’s canal history, “Exploring Ohio Canals” and “Silver Ribbon Skinny” make for a perfect tandem. I highly recommend this curriculum book and its companion for anyone interested in Ohio’s rich history and the importance of its canal system in shaping the state’s identity.
~ Clint Rhodes, Curriculum Director
After reading Exploring Ohio Canals and Silver Ribbon Skinny, my husband and I took one of the trips suggested in EOC. As empty-nesters, who love history, but have some mobility issues, we broke the suggested 1-day trip into two days, so I didn’t have to do too much walking in one day. We had a ball! It was so great to have everything all laid out for us. We camped at Silver Springs -Stow and did everything but the section out of Boston Mills on the first day and the longest hike the second morning. While EOC is geared towards kids, we learned a great deal and there was plenty of information and suggested ideas to engage us as history and travel loving adults. ~Valerie H., Retired Homeschool Mom and Active Globetrotter