Zeezok Publishing

Zeezok Publishing recently sent me a few of their classic composer series to use with our girls. In all honesty, it was a nice little break from our current studies and a little something different for us to help with the winter ‘blahs’ that Mommy was going through in planning.

We received two composer sets {Foster and MacDowell} and each set includes a biography focused on a composer {written in chapter book format}, a coordinating study guide chocked full of notes for the teacher, and a cd-Rom that has music from the composer along with a few printables. The study guides include timelines, maps, comprehension questions and more detailed information on the composer ~ tidbits that are not included in the book itself.

The biographies {$12.95} feature pen and ink drawings throughout the book and are focused toward elementary aged students {Laurianna had no difficulty reading the text, but it was above McKenna’s reading level @ 2nd grade}. The biographies also include snippets of the composer’s music and the companion cd {$7.95} also has printable music.

While the study guides {$4.95} offer much information on the composer’s, they do not have a ‘lesson plan’ format, so you will have to put together your own weekly plan. We found the chapter’s were a little long to do in one sitting {without having someone getting distracted}, so I pre-read Edward MacDowell and His Cabin in the Pines and we would stop at various places in the book to break it up a little bit more.

Overall the study was a great little break for us from our regular routine and our girls were especially interested since they had recently started piano lessons and now feel they may someday be a famous piano player. :)

Zeezok Publishing also offers a variety of other products, including penmanship programs and a series of books on the Civil War.  The composer sets are range in price from $30.90 to $35.80 each. Sets include a companion CD for free {$7.95 value}.