​

Our Journey Westward

  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • Bible & Character
    • Living Math
    • Language Arts
    • Science & Nature
    • History & Geography
    • Fine Arts
    • Brain Training
    • Holidays
    • Healthy Homeschool
    • Preschool
    • Elementary
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Curriculum & Schedules
  • Homeschool Speaker
  • My Account
  • 0 items$0.00

French and Indian War Unit Study

by Cindy Leave a Comment

This French and Indian War unit study allows your homeschool or classroom students to have some freedom and independence in learning.

My 6th grader just finished a mini French and Indian War unit study that was a great pit stop in our regular history studies. I just love the slow and steady pace we're taking to go through the Story of the World curriculum this time around. I used to follow pretty strict 4-year cycles in history, but with this 3rd child of mine, I'm confident that moving at a slower pace and savoring certain events is as good a way to learn as any. As we read through the Story of the World and something strikes our fancy, we take some time to dig deeper. Sometimes through extra reading or a documentary. Other times through mini unit studies. The mini unit studies give Eli a chance to practice ... Read More

Last Updated: March 31, 2019 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, History & Geography, Middle School, Unit Studies Tagged With: hands-on, multiple ages, project-based learning, research-based learning

Your Kids Will Love This Quick Viking Unit Study

by Cindy 10 Comments

Enjoy a quick viking unit study through living literature and project-based learning. #homeschool #unitstudy #vikings

Eli and I have certainly enjoyed a meandering pace through Story of the World for history. Because we're never rushed to move on to the next chapter, it provides plenty of time for rabbit trails when he shows special interest in a topic. One of those special interests this year was the Vikings. We had so much fun taking a quick unit study break to focus more deeply on Viking history! Viking Unit Study I think it was likely the strength with which Vikings are portrayed that may have first caught my son's attention. Or, the story his brother told about Viking funerals and burning boats. Either way, Eli was very motivated to learn more. And, I was happy to oblige. That reminds me: Don't be ... Read More

Last Updated: January 22, 2019 Filed Under: Elementary, History & Geography, Middle School, Unit Studies Tagged With: delight-directed, living books, living literature, project-based learning, research-based learning, student-led, vikings

Nature Study: Fossil Walk and Follow Up Fun

by Cindy 1 Comment

(This post contains links to my products.) Boy, I hope your neck of the woods contains as many fossils as mine.  In Central KY, we can find fossils hidden just about everywhere - and that makes our rock walks so much fun!  We get to be scientists (petrologists, paleontologists, archaeologists or rockhounds - you decide) and detectives, which are pretty motivating titles for my children! Since we've been studying rocks for many years now, we're getting better at identifying rock types without the help of a field guide.  Fossils, however, are not as easy for us to identify.  That means a fossil hunt is followed by a research-based identification session on the internet when we get home.  ... Read More

Last Updated: February 20, 2016 Filed Under: Elementary, Middle School, Nature Study, Science & Nature Tagged With: creative nature study, earth science, homeschool science, multi-age learning, nature walk, project-based learning, research-based learning, technology project

Homeschool Geography For All Seasons

by Cindy 3 Comments

(This post contains affiliate links.) I'm a fan of research-based learning. This is learning that requires action from my children - not just pulling up rote facts or answering simple questions.  In research-based learning, my children must dig deeper to determine answers.  It forces independence and competence in knowing how to learn. While it's not difficult to design research-based assignments, it can end up near the bottom of my long homeschooling to-do list.  I am so, so happy to introduce you to a new-to-me book that supplies ready-to-go, research-based geography lessons! Geography for All Seasons by Brenda McGee is one of the books I requested as a brand ambassador for ... Read More

Last Updated: March 22, 2016 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling, History & Geography, Middle School Tagged With: independent learning, project-based learning, research-based learning, seasonal activities, U.S.geography, world geography

13 Colonies Travel Brochure

by Cindy 4 Comments

An Easy 13 Colonies Travel Brochure Project In an effort to share more of our project-based learning, I thought I'd highlight Caleb's latest middle school research & writing assignment.  As part of a Colonial History unit study, Caleb and I read a two great books about the 13 colonies. Afterward, I asked him to choose his favorite of the 13 colonies.  His assignment was this: Using legal-sized paper, create a travel brochure of the colony of your choice.  The travel brochure can be written from the perspective of then or now, however, the main focus must be on historical information.  The brochure should: include thorough information about the colony:  its founder(s), ... Read More

Last Updated: March 15, 2016 Filed Under: Elementary, History & Geography, Language Arts, Middle School, Unit Studies Tagged With: Colonial Life, creative writing, early american history, project-based learning, research-based learning, thirteen colonies

Project-Based Learning

by Cindy 16 Comments

In my last post, I focused on how I prepare unit studies in our homeschool.  I wrote very briefly about using projects at the end of the unit for evaluation.  In this post, I’d like to explain further why I believe project-based learning is important and how to incorporate projects into your unit studies (or into any type of schooling style.) Just what is project-based learning? Quite simply, it’s a learning method in which your children dive into a subject and complete a project to show what they know.  Projects can really be anything! play/skit/speech/storytelling story/report/book report/article/newsletter mobile/diorama/model experiment/demonstration ... Read More

Last Updated: April 21, 2016 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, High School, History & Geography, Middle School, Science & Nature, Unit Studies Tagged With: differentiation, gifted homeschooling, hands-on, learning disabilities, multi-age learning, project-based learning, research-based learning

World Geography Projects

by Cindy 3 Comments

One of the end-of-the-year writing projects I gave the kids was to research any country of interest around the world and create a report and presentation. I only gave a few parameters for the world geography projects and reports: The report needed to include nice-sized paragraphs, correct grammar/punctuation/spelling, and be more than simple facts.  In other words, I wanted them to infuse a little opinion into the information, too. They had to include at least the following topics, but could include others if desired: where in the world (maps), a brief history, current day culture such as food, clothing, homes, etc., things that are native to the country such as animals and crops, ... Read More

Last Updated: March 21, 2016 Filed Under: Bible & Character, Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, History & Geography, Middle School, Unit Studies Tagged With: differentiation, gifted homeschooling, interest-based learning, missions, multi-age learning, project-based learning, research-based learning

US Geography Resources

by Cindy 5 Comments

We had a great time studying United States geography!  One of the coolest projects during the study included research, some technology skills, writing and a bit of art. US Geography We took some time to learn about famous national landmarks during the unit.  As a final project, I gave the kids a list of several landmarks from which they had to choose eight to research.  They created informational postcards to highlight what they learned.  You can see the front of each postcard shows a picture and the name of the landmark.  On the back, they had to write a paragraph of interesting information for each. National Landmark Accordion Postcards (This post contains affiliate ... Read More

Last Updated: September 17, 2017 Filed Under: Creative Homeschooling, Elementary, History & Geography, Middle School, Unit Studies Tagged With: American landmarks, Around the USA, differentiation, interest-based learning, multi-age learning, project-based learning, research-based learning, USA

NaturExplorers Science Curriculum

NaturExplorers guides are perfect for the 1st-8th grade homeschool, co-op or classroom. This highly adaptable curriculum series uses nature study as the starting point for science lessons that reach into every other subject and meet all learning styles.

Popular Posts and Series


 photo widget300_zps64ea557d.jpg
 photo CMWidget_zpsd7fc8669.jpg
 photo livinglitwidget_zps657f0460.jpg

 photo 3b118073-e528-40c6-b009-8be2ccfc0a74_zps79607282.jpg
 photo NatureStudySneezePageWidget_zps3dc3947e.jpg


 photo ArtistStudyWidget_zps6df6beae.jpg
 photo Untitled_zps78916d12.jpg
 photo Unitstudywidget_zps852cf098.jpg
 photo PBLwidget_zps5a4c210f.jpg

 photo valueswidget_zpscf5135ed.jpg
 photo USA300widget_zpsb2606835.jpg



 photo SeasonsandHolidaysWidget_zpscc545744.jpg

Categories

Charlotte Mason How-To

 photo 2235a4d3-bec7-488d-89f5-e2dcd32a42db_zpsb2ec2b26.jpg

Most Recent Pins

 photo WhatsPinteresting_zps8b7f9748.jpg

Trusted Curriculum

All About Spelling



  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy and Blog Terms of Service
  • Affiliations & Disclosure Policy
  • Reviews and Advertisements
  • eShop Terms & Conditions
  • Affiliates

Copyright 2006 -© 2019 · Our Journey Westward · All Rights Reserved

MENU
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • Bible & Character
    • Living Math
    • Language Arts
    • Science & Nature
    • History & Geography
    • Fine Arts
    • Brain Training
    • Holidays
    • Healthy Homeschool
    • Preschool
    • Elementary
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Curriculum & Schedules
  • Homeschool Speaker
  • My Account
  • 0 items$0.00