Posted by Cindy on March 6, 2009
The Family Foundation of Kentucky is an awesome group of people who keep up with legislation in KY, keep citizens informed on family related issues, encourage us to call our legislators when necessary and generally stand up for the rights of the family (as seen from the Lord’s perspective) in Kentucky.
This week, they held a rally at the capitol to support the “Convenant with KY Families“. We were lucky to be able to attend – considering it a wonderful field trip in the name of government, citizens’ duties and standing up for Christian morality.
Afterward, we stopped by a cemetery located in Frankfort which has a memorial dedicated to the almost 25,000 African American soldiers from Kentucky who died in the Civil War. I’ve got to tell you that our slavery and Civil War unit has grabbed hold of each one of us. It was very moving to stand at the base of this fairly humble memorial, in an even more humble cemetery.
I can’t wait to share some of the other things we’ve been doing during our unit. Quite honestly, it’s been one of the most real and heart-wrenching studies we’ve done to date. At the same time, to see the courage and compassion that so many people expressed throughout the time period has been awesome to think about. I’ll share more soon.
Posted by Cindy on February 25, 2009
Wow. We’re on our last planned history unit of the school year. It feels great to be ahead of schedule! (At least in history, anyway!)
I’ve sketched out the main topics I hope to cover in a unit on slavery and the Civil War. I think we’ll plan to make this mostly a literature and writing unit, with project choices for both parts of the study.
We’re using bits and pieces of the Slavery in North America lapbook from In the Hands of a Child. I guess you could say this is sort of our spine curriculum. All other information will be gleaned from the laundry basket full of books I’ve checked out from the library! I’ve listed some of my favorites in the side bar, but needless to say, I can’t begin to name them all. When I come across some new favorites, I’ll be sure to post them.
The basic concepts of the unit are listed below. After reading about, researching or discussing each topic, I’ll ask the kids to either make a notebooking page, complete a lapbook activity or do a writing assignment that we can put in some sort of notebook at the end of the unit.
Here’s the order in which I hope to cover the topics…
- What is slavery?
- When did slavery begin? How did it begin in America?
- What was is like to be a slave in America?
- Who played major roles in the abolition movement?
- What were major events of the abolition movement?
- What was the Underground Railroad an who were some major figures in helping slaves escape to freedom?
- What was the Civil War?
- For what reasons did the Civil War take place?
- What were several major battles and who were several major figures of the war?
- What was the war like in Kentucky (a divided state)?
- What is the Emancipation Proclamation?
- What was life in America like directly after the war?
- How did life change for former slaves after the war?
- What struggles did former slaves still face after the war and for many years to come?
- Where is slavery still taking place in today’s world?
When I come up with project ideas, I’ll be sure to post them in case they might help you, too.
Posted by Cindy on February 18, 2009
The Kentucky Historical Museum is a gem for KY homeschoolers. This past weekend, they put on a HUGE event to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Since Civil War history is just around the corner for us, of course we decided to go!
Meeting Abe and Mary
Period Dancing
An Awesome Special Museum Exhibit
Becoming Abe and Mary
One of MANY Activities
KY homeschoolers – If you’re ever in Frankfort for other field trips, the museum would make a great addition to your day!
Since we were in Frankfort, we decided to make a quick stop at the cemetery to visit Daniel Boone’s grave since he was part of our Westward Expansion unit study.
And take a look at the view from his grave site!
We love field trips! (Even if they are on a Saturday!)
