2014-2015 Year End Wrap Up...

It's that time of year when I begin looking ahead to the next school.  Oh, I've been planning for some time because that's just my nature.  But as we tie up loose ends from the 2014-2015 school year,  I've been specifically reflecting back on what worked and what didn't.

Regarding our Family Study, something that did work was combining Beautiful Feet and TruthQuest History.  I absolutely LOVE both of these programs for different reasons, but I think they are very complimentary to each other.  We will continue with both of them next year for history as we study the Civil War to Modern Times.

God's Design for Heaven and Earth served it's purpose.   It wasn't our favorite subject, but it certainly wasn't the worst.  I guess I feel pretty neutral about it.  This fall, we'll be using Beautiful Feet's History of Science study.  I may or may not use a set of the God's Design series in the future.

Bible Study Guide for All Ages was another Family Study program that was just OK.  In the beginning, I liked having a bible study resource/spine/plan, but towards the end, it became tedious.  The kids lost interest part way through and this was disheartening.  I think it was too much of the same.  Sadly, it just didn't come alive for us.   This is one of the areas I'm researching for the future.

As I look back, scripture memory, artist study, hymn study, nature study, and handicrafts were off and on.  Each of them happened, but not to the degree I had hoped.  I started strong, but in the end I wasn't intentional in teaching any of these areas.  I actually farmed some of them out, such as art and music.  Riley learned several handicrafts through Keepers of the Faith.  She's been doing independent nature study and scripture memory.  Ruben not so much.  However, I've been looking into loop scheduling and am thinking about trying something different in scheduling these areas next year. I'll keep you posted...

Regarding Independent Study, RileyAnn gained great independence this year and loved having her own schedule and checklist.  This gave her freedom to work at her own pace.  She liked not waiting for me to complete her studies.  On one hand, I'm a little saddened that she no longer needs me...did I really just say that!  On the other hand, it's very exciting to watch her fly.

Riley enjoyed her assigned reads, including Shakespeare and poetry.  She also liked Apologia Swimming Creatures, Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts, and the Beautiful Feet Horse study.  We ended up dropping Latina Christiana and Plutarch part way through.  Both of which, I'm hoping to pick up at a later time.  In addition, we swapped Logic of English for All About Spelling.  Typing and the Book of Centuries did not happen because I didn't make the time to follow through....sigh!

Ruben didn't like his checklist.  He found it confusing, which was alright.  He and I work together anyway, as he has few independent subjects.  I thought The Story Book of Science was great.  Ruben liked Aesop's Fables.  Explode the Code and Logic of English Cursive worked for him.  Daily Grams did not.  Ruben made huge gains with his reading tutor this spring, but he continues to struggle with handwriting and spelling.  I am thinking of trying Language Lessons Through English this fall for his Language Arts.  I'm also thinking he's ready to start All About Spelling. 

As usual, one thing I'm researching for both kiddos is math.  At MACHE, I purchased Simply Charlotte Mason's Business Math.  Riley's been enjoying Life of Fred and wants to continue it.  Ruben's subscription to ST Math runs out at the end of June.  We're still trying to decide if we'll continue with it this fall. 

What worked for you this school year and what didn't?  Feel free to leave a comment below....and ENJOY the SUMMER...it's going way too fast here in WI!

Term Three Review - Including Book List 2014-2015

We wrapped up our third term of the school year a few weeks back.  Here is the list of our history read alouds for this final term of the 2014-2015 year...

Story of the Oregon Trail by R. Conrad Stein
Pioneer Sampler by Barbara Greenwood
Attack in the Rye Grass by Dave & Neta Jackson
Narcissa Whitman: Brave Pioneer by Louis Sabin
Wagons West, Off to Oregon by Catherine Chambers
West by Covered Wagon: Retracing the Pioneer Trails by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
A Frontier Fort on the Oregon Trail by Scott Steedman
The Stout-Hearted Seven, Orphaned on the Oregon Trail by Neta Lohnes Frazier
Children of the Covered Wagon by Mary Jane Carr
A Nineteenth-Century Schoolgirl, The Diary of Caroline Cowles Richards edited by Kerry A. Graves
**The Rainbow Book of American History by Earl Schenck Miers
By the Great Horned Spoon by Sid Fleischman
California Gold Rush by Catherine Chambers
Elizabeth Blackwell, First Woman Doctor by Carol Greene
Mr. Blue Jeans, The Story of Levi Strauss by Maryann N. Weidt
The Story of Gold at Sutter's Mill by R. Conrad Stein
Snowshoe Thompson by Nancy Smiler Levinson
Abraham Lincoln by James Daugherty

** Indicates books I read excerpts from, not the entire book. 

We didn't get quite as far as I'd hoped this term historically.  But this is OK since we will continue to read aloud over summer.  Some additional books that I have planned are...

All Set Sail by Armstrong Sperry
The True Adventures of Daniel Hall by Diane Stanley
a couple books on the Pony Express, which I haven't settled on yet
Go Free or Die by Jeri Ferris
Walking the Road to Freedom by Jeri Ferris
Abe Lincoln Goes to Washington, 1837-1865 by Cheryl Harness

Below are examples of notebooking pages the kids completed throughout our third term history study....

Check out Term One and Term Two book lists with links to reviews.

Term Two Review - Including Book List 2014-2015

It's hard to believe we're two-thirds of the way through our school year!  We took a little time off from our book studies this week.  However, the kids were still busy with enrichment activities including LEGO Club, Knitting Club, Keepers of the Faith, Choir, Art, and Piano Lessons.  They did continue math throughout the break and I had a read aloud going.   Speaking of which, here is our list of Term 2 2014-2015 History Read Alouds...

Abe Lincoln Grows Up by Carl Sandburg
Jed Smith: Trailblazer & Trapper by Frank Latham
The Story of John J. Audubon by Joan Howard - We read the first five chapters and decided to stop and read the following book instead.
The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies
The Seasons Sewn: A Year in Patchwork by Ann Whitford Paul 
The Erie Canal by Peter Spier
The Amazing Impossible Erie Canal by Cheryl Harness
Trail of Apple Blossoms by Irene Hunt
The Story of the Santa Fe Trail by Judy Alter
Along the Santa Fe Trail by Marian Russell & Ginger Wadsworth
Young John Quincy by Cheryl Harness
Andrew Jackson by Clara Ingram Judson
Who Let Muddy Boots Into the White House by Robert Quackenbush
Trail of Tears by Joseph Bruchac
Kit Carson Mountain Man by Margaret Bell
Quit Pulling My Leg: A Story of Davy Crockett by Robert Quackenbush
Susanna of the Alamo by John Jakes
Amistad Rising: A Story of Freedom by Veronica Chambers
Nettie's Trip South by Ann Turner
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Zia by Scott O'Dell
Jessie Benton Fremont: California Pioneer by Marguerite Higgins
Patty Reed's Doll by Rachel K. Laurgaard
Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi

Overall it was a good term.  I did switch a few things up that weren't working from our original 2014-2015 curriculum.   With mixed feelings on my part, Riley dropped Latina Christiana I.  She was struggling with this course and is also using Michael Clay Thompson's Town Level, which includes Caesar's English, a study of Latin stems.  I do want her to have some exposure to Latin, but maybe both programs at one time were too much.  She also dropped Logic of English Essentials and went back to All About Spelling.  And, I'm afraid we've grown lax in our Plutarch study, but I aim to get back at it soon.

I'm still using Bible Study Guide for All Ages, however, I changed the way I'm using it.  It just felt too classroom oriented.  I now simply read the recommended passages, the kids narrate, and we discuss.  Occasionally, they complete map work or an activity, but I'm not requiring all the busy work.

After finishing God's Design for Heaven and Earth, Our Planet Earth first term, we were scheduled for Our Universe second term.  However, rather than read it from start to finish, I chose various sections to study, supplementing with Master Books New Astronomy Book by Danny Faulkner.  The full color photos and more up to date information was pleasing. 

Ruben started a new online math program.  ST Math is currently running a pilot for homeschoolers and he was able to sign on for the second semester.  ST (spatial-temporal) Math is game based instruction designed to boost math comprehension and proficiency through visual learning.  It was created from neuroscience research.  I was sold after watching ST Math's TED talk by creator, Matthew Peterson. 

Ruben has also started cursive writing using Logic of English's Rhythm of Handwriting.  Here again, I'm not using the program as written.  I've modified it to meet Ruben's needs.  We've been working through it slow and steady.  If he can give me 2-3 samples of his best writing of 3-4 different letters per day, I call it good.   After learning some new letters, we build words, writing on the chalk board, using the letters he's learned.  For example, after learning how to write "the swing letters", i, t, u, s, j, p, r, and w, we put the letters together, forming and writing words such as it, sit, pit, us, just, etc.  From this approach, he's starting to take note of cursive when he sees it.  The other day, Ruben read a cursive word on the back of a semi while I was driving on the highway.  It's very exciting to see the kids apply concepts they're learning to every day life.  This is one of the many blessings of homeschooling!!

As mentioned above, we've picked up choir, art and piano lessons the last couple of weeks of second term.  These enrichment activities will continue into third term.  We are blessed to have wonderful, organized, extra curricular homeschool activities in our area. The kids are enjoying it and I look forward to time spent with other like minded moms while we wait for our kiddos :)  It's a win, win!

How's your school year going?  I love comments!  Feel free to leave kind words below...

Term One Review - Including Book List 2014-2015

After having some minor panic attacks from feeling overwhelmed while planning last summer, I decided to cut back on the number of books we read per term.  Instead, I'm working hard on choosing the best of the best.  There really are many great books and a part of me still longs to read them all...ha!  However, I was starting to feel burn out and that's a bad feeling! 

Thankfully, our kids' favorite subject is still history and I want to continue to fuel that passion.  I believe Beautiful Feet, TruthQuest, Veritas Press, and Sonlight can take much of the credit for this.  Their book lists/suggestions haven't let us down.  I will continue to pick and choose from their recommendations.  Here were our 2014-2015 Term 1 read aloud picks... 

The Story of Eli Whitney by Jean Lee Latham
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin by Marguerite Henry
A Head Full of Notions by Andy Russell Bowen
The Year of the Horseless Carriage by Genevieve Foster
The Louisiana Purchase by Gail Sakurai (Cornerstones of Freedom)
Open the Door to Liberty by Anne Rockwell
Diary of an Early American Boy by Eric Sloane
The Lewis & Clark Expedition by Richard L. Neuberger
The Story of Sacajawea, Guide to Lewis and Clark by Della Rowland
The Lewis and Clark Expedition by Peter F. Copeland (Dover Coloring Book)
My Name is York by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk (wonderful picture book about William Clark's slave)
The War of 1812 by Rebecca Stefoff
Old Ironsides: Americans Build a Fighting Ship by David Weitzman
James Madison by Mike Venezia (Getting to Know the U.S. Presidents)
Abigail's Drum by John A. Minahan
Cornstalks and Cannonballs by Barbara Mitchell
The Star Spangled Banner by Peter Spier
By the Dawn's Early Light by Steven Kroll
Samuel F. B. Morse: Artist - Inventor by Jean Lee Latham
Pioneer Plowmaker: A Story About John Deere by David R. Collins
Mill by David Macaulay - (We started this, but will not finish it at this time.  The kids simply were not interested....and that's OK.  Every now and then this happens.  We usually make an honest attempt, but there are so many great books that I don't push through something they are not ready for.)


We are also doing our notebooks a little different this year.  Rather than printing pages of activities, copywork, and coloring pages, I've resorted to composition notebooks.  I do print an occasional page, but for the most part, Riley and Ruben create their own drawings.  Copywork is taken from our reading.  We like the way they're turning out....

 

After finishing our first twelve weeks of the 2014-2015 school year, we are taking a break this week to refresh, give thanks, and reevaluate our curriculum.  Stay tuned for a few changes I am making....

Year 4 & 5 Term 1 Checklists...

This is the final piece of our 2014-2015 curriculum posts. Last week, I gave a complete listing of the resources we will use this school year. This week, I posted our Year 5 Term 1 Schedule and our Year 4 Term 1 Schedule. Today, I will share the weekly checklists for years 4 & 5 to show how each resource is scheduled per day. You will notice that some subjects vary each day. Also, the number indicated before each subject is an estimated amount of time the subject will take. My attempt in creating these was in keeping with Charlotte Mason's method of cultivating the habit of attention with short lessons and varied order of subjects. We do not necessarily study each subject in the order listed.

Riley Year 5 Daily Checklist

Ruben Year 4 Daily Checklist

Year 4, Term 1 Sample Schedule...

Monday, I posted RileyAnn's Term 1 schedule. Today, I'm posting Ruben's schedule. Again, the items in blue are things he will complete on his own. The black items we will complete together. As with each of our children, this schedule has been built to personally meet Ruben's needs. I LOVE this about homeschooling. We teach each child where they are at!! You may notice that Ruben does not have a "Free Reading" list. Due to his dyslexia, we do most subjects together. I pick and choose books according to his reading level, which fluctuates. Rather than trying to anticipate his future reading level, we will choose books weekly wherever he's at.

Drywood Creek Academy Year 4 Term 1 Schedule

2014-2015 Curriculum...

I've hesitated to post this because I don't want anyone to feel pressure.  Disclaimer....We do not do every subject daily and RileyAnn is not reading all the books listed at one time. 

Quite honestly, our first week of school didn't kick off quite as strongly as planned.  Life took over!  But, we will pick up and try again next week :)  So, without further ado, here are our 2014-2015 curriculum choices...

Family Study

Bible Study Guide for All Ages
Scripture Memory
Beautiful Feet Geography
Misc. History books covering approx. 1800-1865 - Lewis & Clark to the Civil War
God's Design for Heaven and Earth
Artist Study
Hymn Study
Folksong Study
Nature Study
Handicrafts
Life Skills


RileyAnn Year 5

Plutarch using North's Translation and Anne White's Study Guides
This Country of Ours by H E Marshall
Lincoln's World by Genevieve Foster
Of Courage Undaunted by James Daugherty
Narcissa Whitman by Jeanette Eaton
The Ocean of Truth by Joyce McPherson
Swimming Creatures of the 5th Day
Hitty Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field
Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The Story of Clara Barton of the Red Cross by Jeanette Nolan
Beautiful Feet History of the Horse
Poetry for Young People Rudyard Kipling & Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Study John Greenleaf Whittier & Paul Dunbar's Poetry
Michael Clay Thompson - Town Level
The Logic of English Essentials
Strayer-Upton Practical Arithmetics
Latina Christiana
Lambs Tales from Shakespeare
Book of Centuries
Typing

Ruben Year 4

The Story Book of Science by Jean Henri Fabre
Misc. reading books
Explode the Code
The Logic of English - Cursive
Daily Grams
Aesop's Fables
Misc. math - skills to include multiple digit addition/subtraction; multiplication tables; continuing time and money

Revolutionary War - Term 3 Book List

Well they say, "better late than never" and that's the way I feel about this book list.  Spring came and went so fast with graduation.  Then  softball, baseball, mixed with haying season here on Drywood Creek and I didn't get to post this. So without further ado, here is our American Revolution family read aloud third term book list....


Meet Felicity - American Girl
If You Lived in Colonial Williamsburg by Barbara Brenner
A Window on Williamsburg by Lewis, Walklet, Ford, & Sheppard
A Williamsburg Household by Joan Anderson
Mary Geddy's Day by Kate Waters
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
**The Story of the Thirteen Colonies by H.A. Guerber
**The Story of the Boston Tea Party by Mary Kay Phelan
**The Boston Massacre by Alice Dickinson 
Boston Tea Party by James Knight
Boston Tea Party by Pamela Duncan Edwards
What's the Big Idea Ben Franklin? by Jean Fritz
The Boston Coffee Party by Doreen Rappaport
A Voice of Her Own: The Story of Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet by Kathryn Lasky
King George's Head was Made of Lead by F.N. Monjo
**The Liberty Tree - The Beginning of the American Revolution by Lucille Recht Penner
Where was Patrick Henry of the 29th of May? by Jean Fritz
Can't You Make Them Behave King George? by Jean Fritz
America's Paul Revere by Esther Forbes
And Then What Happened Paul Revere? by Jean Fritz
Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - illustrated by Paul Galdone
The Battle of Lexington & Concord by Neil Johnson
George the Drummer Boy by Nathaniel Benchley
Sam the Minuteman by Nathaniel Benchley
If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution by Kay Moore
Sam Adams - The Boy Who Became Father of the American Revolution by Fayette Richardson
Trouble at Otter Creek by Wilma Pitchford Hays
America's Ethan Allen by Stewart Holbrook
Guns for General Washington by Seymour Reit
Uncommon Revolutionary - A Story About Thomas Paine by Laura Hamilton Waxman
George Washington by Ingri & Edgar D'Aulaire
Cities of the Revolution: Charles Town by Susan & John Lee
Katie's Trunk by Ann Turner
Thomas Jefferson: A Picture Book Biography by James Cross Giblin
The Hatmaker's Sign: A Story by Benjamin Franklin retold by Candace Fleming
The Story of the Declaration of Independence by Norman Richards
The Story of the Liberty Bell by Natalie Miller
The Story of Monticello by Norman Richards
The 4th of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh
Seventh and Walnut by James Knight
Journey to Monticello by James Knight
George Washington: A Picture Book Biography by James Cross Giblin
Daughter of Liberty: A True Story of the American Revolution by Robert Quackenbush
Silver for General Washington by Enid LaMonte Meadowcroft
Aaron and the Green Mountain Boys by Patricia Lee Gauch
The Revolutionary John Adams by Cheryl Harness
Buttons for General Washington by Peter & Connie Roop
The Winter at Valley Forge by James Knight
Molly Pitcher by Jan Gleiter & Kathleen Thompson
Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? by Jean Fritz
Abigail Adams by Alexandra Wallner
Betsy Ross by Alexandra Wallner
The American Flag by Michael Friedman Publishing
The Secret Soldier: The Story of Deborah Sampson by Ann McGovern
The Story of Bonhomme Richard by Norman Richards
Fourth of July Raid by Wilma Pitchford Hays
The Story of the Surrender at Yorktown by Zachary Kent
Adam & the Golden Cock by Alice Dalgliesh





As you can imagine by this list, Term 3 did not fit easily into a 12 week box.  It carried over into summer and may carry over to fall.  :))  You may notice Term 2 and Term 3 meshing.  Because the topics were so closely related, there was not a clear dividing line.  The books with asterisks (**) indicate books we did not read fully, rather we referenced or read sections from them.  You can view Term 1, Exploration, here and Term 2, Colonial America,  here.
 



 

I would like to continue this time period with the following resources, but not sure how time will permit....


Steven Kellogg's Yankee Doodle by Edward Bangs
The 18 Penny Goose by Sally Walker
Toliver's Secret by Esther Brady or Tree of Freedom by Rebecca Caudill
The Boy Who Loved to Draw: Benjamin West by Barbara Brenner
Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin by Marguerite Henry
Boston Bells by Elizabeth Coatsworth
A More Perfect Union by Betsy & Guilio Maestro
Shh! We're Writing the Constitution by Jena Fritz
If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution by Elizabeth Levy
Dear Benjamin Bannaker by Andrea Pinkney
Molly Bannakay by Alice McGill
What are You Figuring Now? by Jeri Ferris

If we don't get to them this summer, we will start off with them our fall term.   So many books....so little time :))

Colonial America Term 2 Book List...

If you are a regular reader, you know that we LOVE great living books here on Drywood Creek.   A while back I shared this list of books that we read while studying Exploration & Early American History.  Today, I'm going to share our Colonial America book list.  Again, these are family read aloud books.  RileyAnn also has her own reading list that coordinates with each time period.  The books with asterisks (**) indicate books we did not read fully, rather we referenced or read sections from them. 

Stories of the Pilgrims by Margaret B. Pumphrey - We actually read the original version of this book online here.
William Bradford Pilgrim Boy by Bradford Smith (Childhood of Famous Americans)
John Billington, Friend of Squanto by Clyde Robert Bulla
On the Mayflower by Kate Waters
If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 by Ann McGovern
The Story of the Mayflower Compact by Norman Richards
Across the Wide and Dark Sea by Jean Van Leeuwen
Tapenum's Day by Kate Waters
Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims by Clyde Robert Bulla
The Pilgrims of Plimoth by Marcia Sewall
Three Young Pilgrims by Cheryl Harness
Squanto and the Miracle Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas
The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh
Giving Thanksgiving: The 1621 Harvest Feast by Kate Waters
The Pilgrims Brave Settlers of Plymouth by Lynn Groh
Stranded at Plimoth Plantation 1626 by Gary Bowen
**The Story of the Thirteen Colonies by Clifford Lindsey Alderman
Champlain Northwest Voyager by Louise Hall Tharp
The Jews of New Amsterdam by Eva Deutsch Costabel
Sailing to America by James Knight
Tattered Sails by Verla Kay
**Thirteen Colonies series by Dennis Fradin
William's House by Ginger Howard
Finding Providence - The Story of Roger Williams by Avi
Nickommoh! A Thanksgiving Celebration by Jackie French Koller
**Meet the North American Indians - Step Up Books
**The Powhatan People by Kim Covert
**The Pequot Tribe by Alison Lassieur
**The Wampanoag Indians by Bill Lund
If You Lived with the Iroquois by Ellen Levine
**The Iroquois by Rachel A. Koestler-Grack
**Follet Social Studies: Exploring Our State Wisconsin (my old 4th grade textbook)
Little Runner of the Longhouse by Betty Baker
Fur Trappers & Traders by Beatrice Siegel
**Radisson & des Groseilliers: Fur Trappers of the North by Katharine Bailey
**Samuel de Champlain From New France to Cape Cod by Adrianna Morganelli
On the Day Peter Stuyvesant Sailed into Town by Arnold Lobel
**A New True Book: The Cherokee by Emilie U. Lepthien
If You Lived with the Cherokee by Peter & Connie Roop
**The Cherokee Native Basket Weavers by Therese DeAngelis
Pirate Diary The Journal of Jake Carpenter by Richard Platt
Thunder from the Clear Sky by Marcia Sewall
The Story of William Penn by Aliki
Benjamin Franklin by D' Aulaire
Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates
If You Lived in Colonial Times by Ann McGovern
**Cotton Mather by Norma Jean Lutz
The Village by James Knight
The Farm by James Knight
**Settlers on the Eastern Shore 1607-1750 by John Anthony Scott
Homespun Sarah by Verla Kay
Struggle for a Continent: The French * Indian War 1689-1763 by Betsy & Guilio Maestro
Charlie's House by Clyde Robert Bulla
The True Book of Pioneers by Mabel Harmer
If You Lived with the Hopi by Anne Kamma
**Fire Upon the Earth by Norman Langford
The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh
Tomahawks & Trombones by Barbara Michell
Susannah The Pioneer Cow by Miriam E. Mason
Daniel Boone by James Daugherty
Wilderness Wife The Story of Rebecca Boone by Etta DeGering

You may notice this list is longer than the Exploration list.  However, many of these were picture books rather than chapter books.  We did spend 14 weeks on this term and the last three books will spill over into our Term 3 Revolutionary War study.   If you are studying the Thirteen Colonies and enjoy notebooking, you might consider checking out these notebook pages I created. 

Exploration & Early American History Term 1 Book List...

We've just begun the last term of our 2013-2014 school year and I've been looking back, reflecting on the good, bad, and ugly, as I look ahead to next school year.  We all love great living books and history is our favorite subject here so I will continue as usual with what we've been using.   You can read more about that here.  For now, I thought I'd share our entire Term 1 book list with you.  I read these books to our 3rd and 4th grader.  The books with asterisks (**) indicate books we did not read fully, rather we referenced or read sections from them. 

Brendan the Navigator by Jean Fritz
Leif the Lucky by D' Aulaire
The Vikings by Elizabeth Janeway (Landmark)
**America's Providential History by Beliles and McDowell
Marco Polo: Around the World Library by Webster-McGraw Hill
Columbus by D' Aulaire
**The Light and the Glory by Marshall & Manuel
Amerigo Vespucci, Scientist and Sailor by Ronald Syme
Discoverers & Explorers by Edward R. Shaw
Exploring the World: De Soto by Ann Heinrichs
Famous Explorers: Francisco de Coronado by Claude Hurwicz
**America's Story for American Children by Mara Pratt
**The Story of the Thirteen Colonies by H. A. Guerber
Virginia Dare by Augusta Stevenson (Childhood of Famous Americans)
Jamestown: The Beginning by Elizabeth Campbell
Blue Feather's Vision by James E. Knight
Exploring the World: John Smith and the Settlement of Jamestown by Robin Doak
This Dear Bought Land by Jean Lee Latham
With Pen & Sword: Adventures of Captain John Smith by Bradford Smith
A Lion to Guard Us by Clyde Robert Bulla
Pocahontas by D' Aulaire
**American Indian Prayer Guide (Sonlight)
Jamestown: New World Adventure by James E. Knight
Henry Hudson by Ruth Harley
Pocahontas and the Strangers by Clyde Robert Bulla

Making Hasty Pudding....

A couple of weeks ago, we made Hasty Pudding as part of our Colonial History study.  The kids really enjoyed it! 

We ate it for breakfast as a hot cereal topped with our homemade maple syrup.  We also used our ground venison to make sausage patties. I figured the settlers ate wild game so it fit in :)

Here's the recipe we used....

Hasty Pudding

1. In a bowl, combine one cup yellow cornmeal with one cup of cold water.

2. In a heavy saucepan, bring three cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a boil.

3. Carefully stir in cornmeal mixture, making sure it does not lump.

4. Cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring often.

5. Cool slightly.  Serve the pudding warm with a pat of butter on top. Add a little maple syrup or sprinkle with brown sugar.

Makes 6 servings


This post was linked up and featured at Highhill Education.

Starting Second Term 2013-2014....

We wrapped up our first term (12 weeks) a couple of weeks ago.  Then took off for the week of Thanksgiving, which also happened to be deer hunting here in WI.  Yesterday, we started back in, beginning our second term.  Riley Ann finished her final book of Pictures in Cursive.  She's got a good foundation in the art of cursive writing.  She will continue this term writing the first 27 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, by George Washington, in cursive.  This fit right into our history study this year since we are studying exploration, colonization, and the revolutionary war.

I am really LOVING our history study!  I'm using a conglomeration of things as you can see pictured above.  I pull book lists and use commentary from TruthQuest American History for Young Students I.  I use some of the lessons and copywork from Beautiful Feet.  Then I use activities from Time Traveler CD-Roms and History Pockets.  Riley can't wait to include parts of the Portraits of American Girlhood Unit Study when we hit those time periods.  Now this may seem very overwhelming to some and I don't recommend going out to purchase all these different programs just to study history.  I happened to have them on the shelves from years of accumulation.  If I had to settle on one, I would pick the TruthQuest History Guides.

These guides are chuck full of lists of wonderful living books to make your history study come alive!   I like some of the other resources for activity ideas and notebooking pages.  But, you could research and find plenty of things online or by using library books listed under the activity section of the guide. 

I have divided our year into three sections to correlate with our three terms.  The first term, we studied exploration covering everything from what is an explorer, to the life of an explorer, to parts of a ship and navigation tools.  We also covered twenty different explorers starting around the year 1000 AD with Leif Eriksson and ending in the early 1600's with Captain John Smith and the Jamestown settlement.  Below are some photos of the kids completing various activities as well as some sample notebooking pages.....

 Baking Spice Cookies....

Baking Hard Tack....

 Tying Ship Knots...

 Studying the Anatomy of a Ship....

 

Notebooking...

and Painting Shoals....

You can also read about some of the amazing books we read here....

The Vikings

Roanoke

Jamestown

This term, we'll be studying colonial life starting with the Pilgrims and Native Americans through all thirteen colonies, then to a few missionaries and some frontiersmen.  I'll try to post again towards the end.   How's your first term going?