Posted by Cindy on September 24, 2008
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine sent out some freebie units not too long ago from Highlights of Homeschooling and one of them worked perfectly for our Pilgrims unit study. It’s called The Mayflower Unit Study.
This isn’t the typical unit that we do around here, as it’s very language arts led and didn’t required much by way of hands-on projects. Considering the in-depth project-based study we just completed and the very hands-on study I’m planning next, this change of pace was perfect. And, as I’m always saying, it gave the kids a different experience, which I see as a positive thing.
Because the unit was short and simple, the explanation is, too. The unit includes a short story from which all the activities and worksheets can be completed. I gave the kids a notebook with all the reproducibles I expected them to complete and they were responsible for spreading the work out over a week’s time. The only restriction I gave was that the notebooks had to be turned (finished and neat) by Friday.
We read library books about the Pilgrims (their voyage, their beliefs, their reasons for coming to America, their hardships and the Native Americans who helped them) daily to add other perspectives. As usual, Mahayla had an assigned chapter book to read. From the Dear America series, she read A Journey to the New World: The Diary of Remember Patience Whipple, Mayflower, 1620. Because of the amount of writing involved with the regular unit, I gave her a break on doing a project to go along with the book. She was grateful (to say the least), but thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Now we’re on to a very in-depth, hands-on look at the Thirteen Colonies and life in Colonial Times. I look forward to sharing all sorts of pictures and projects with you in a few weeks.
Posted by Cindy on September 6, 2008
Our Native American unit was a tad more independent than most units we’ve done in the past. I’m trying to allow Mahayla to take on the freedom in learning that she desires, while pushing Caleb toward taking more responsibility for his learning.
Each day’s study started out with all of us reading something about Native Americans together – either fiction or nonfiction. Then, we’d try our hand at a game, craft or cooking project that I found in two of the main books I used for ideas -
Finally, they had research and project time. Each of them chose a tribe to research. Their assignment was to create an information board and at least a model of the tribe’s typical home. They were encouraged to complete other models or things to show during their presentations. I was knocked out by their presentations this time around! They “get” it this year. After me holding their hands and giving more than a fair share of suggestions last year, they took the reigns wonderfully this year.
Mahayla studied the Shawnee tribe. She had all sorts of maps, population charts, facts, and such on her backboard (which was made from a diaper box.) She had created games to teach us Shawnee words, typical foods they ate and gave us a Native American quiz. She also prepared some authentic cornbread to share with us and passed around some arrowheads and stone tools we have found on our farms over the years. Her model home site was very detailed, including a woven rug, a fire, a cross section of the chief’s home, a river beside a forest and even a coiled clay pot full of vegetables. If I gave grades, an A+ would have been in order!
Caleb studies the Cherokee tribe. I helped him research on the internet and in a few library books. Together, we talked about what might make a good backboard and model home site. I helped him make copies of maps and such. He looked over big sis’ shoulder several times over the two weeks to get “ideas” for his project. Of course, sis and I had to talk about how he was simply looking up to her as a model for excellent work and she should be proud that he wanted to share her ideas! In time, I’m sure all his ideas will be his own. (He’s only eight!) One of my favorite parts of his presentations was the display of Cherokee foods. He would tie each example to a string and pull it up from behind the display board (in very dramatic fashion, I might add.) By the way, he wasn’t mad in the picture below. He was pretending to be a strong and gruff chief.
Mahayla’s assigned reading for this unit was The Double Life of Pocahontas
. The activity that went along with the book was to write a blog entry sharing her reactions. Finding out the “real” story of Pocahontas (as compared to the Disney version) was very unsettling to her and she gave the book a poor review. Oh well, real life isn’t always as glamorous as the movies, and I suppose that’s the biggest learning experience!
Two of our favorite picture books from the unit were:
Next week, we’re off to a quick study of the Pilgrims before heading to a very in-depth unit on Colonial Life. I love history (now that I’m living it with my children!)
Posted by Cindy on August 26, 2008
In our quest to learn Early American History this year, we began by studying early American explorers. I used a book from Evan-Moor titled Who Discovered America? as the spine for information, notebooking pages and activity ideas. It seems as if this book might no longer be in print, however. When searching Evan-Moor’s site, I found History Pockets: Explorers of North America which looks to be similar - and possibly even better.
Because my main goal was to help the kiddos understand that the famous Christopher Columbus wasn’t the first or only person to “discover” America, we didn’t spend too much time delving into particular explorers. A brief history of how natives were already in the Americas, a look into the Vikings, and short spurts of Columbus, Cabot, Vespucci, Balboa and Magellan were all we covered.
Two of our favorite books from the unit were:
Leif the Lucky
and
Encounter
(this book gives an unusual view of Columbus from the native’s view point)
Even though Mahayla is a voracious reader, I didn’t do a very good job of finding good literature that went along with our units last year. She would find plenty of unrelated books to keep her busy, but I wanted to be sure to assign her at least one book to go along with each history unit this year. Her assigned book for this unit was Morning Girl
. Besides simply reading her assigned book, she will be responsible for at least one project or writing assignment to show her understanding. This book’s assignment was to draw a picture from something she read in the book, and then put herself in the shoes of one of the main characters as she wrote about what was going on in the picture.
Now we’re on to a study of Native Americans. I’ll be sure to post notes from that unit when it’s finished!
Posted by Cindy on November 24, 2007
After perusing Christmas websites, going through my Christmas file folder and searching my computer files for Christmas ideas, I’ve put aside some things that I hope to use this December.
You may be surprised to find this out about me, but when I plan a unit, I very rarely make detailed plans. Yes, I know, this coming from an organizing junkie! 
I usually go through all my resources and jot down things I think would be good activities. Sometimes I’ll organize the activities, sometimes not. For instance - for the astronomy unit we’re working on, I did organize the topics (in the same order they were covered in Exploring Creation Through Astronomy.) But, the extra activities I considered adding to each topic were simply written down under the topic on a piece of paper. When we got to the topic, I would look over my list of activity ideas and we would do the ones that suited our fancy that day.
So, for December, I’ve put together my Christmas basket. I’ve included the books, worksheets, craft ideas, and such that I hope to use at some point during the month. I’ve decided to do a lapbook on the Symbols of Christmas as my main curriculum each day, so all the copies I need are already in the basket, along with a “master list” of the topics the unit covers. Beside each topic, I’ve jotted down the other worksheets, crafts, projects or books that might go along. Each day, I’ll decide which Christmas symbol we’re going to cover and which of the potential activities or projects we’ll also do.
(Learn more about my favorite Christmas books on this post and this post.)
I may or may not get to all the things that are waiting in the basket. In fact, I can honestly say we probably won’t get through everything! But, by the time Christmas break rolls around, we’ll have great memories of Christmas fun with Jesus having been in the center of all the festivities!
One other thing I recently found…..A free inductive Advent Bible study. I spent some time today copying the pages and putting them together in a little notebook. We’ll start the study this coming Monday in order to be finished in plenty of time before Christmas.
