Along the History Trail~first stop
Lesson Plans:
In the History Block
American Kids in History: Colonial Days is the primary resource for crafts and hands-on activities for the first four weeks of this theme. The second four weeks will use American Kids in History: Revolutionary War Days. If you choose, one book could be stretched over the entire eight weeks.
Little Ones
~Children will listen to If You Lived in Colonial Times pages 6-21 (not necessarily all in one sitting).
~Choose 2 or 3 activities from American Kids in History: Colonial Days "Spring" section. These could be spread throughout the week or completed in one co-op day.
~Read What's the Big idea Ben Franklin? to the children and keyboard as the children dictate a narration. Place the narration in a Book of Centuries*.
~Read aloud to the children A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin and listen to oral narrations.
Middle Ones
~Children will read If You Lived in Colonial Times pages 6-21 (not necessarily all in one sitting). Alternatively, they can listen when it's read aloud to the younger children.
~Choose 2 or 3 activities from American Kids in History: Colonial Days "Spring" section. These could be spread throughout the week or completed in one co-op day.
~Children will read What's the Big idea Ben Franklin? and Mom will keyboard as the children dictate a narration. Place the narrations in a Book of Centuries*.
Big Kids
~These children will listen in to If You Lived in Colonial Times pages 6-21 or they might read it aloud to younger siblings.
~Children will read From Colonies to Country chapters 1 through 5 and narrate for their books of Centuries. AND/OR
~If you are using From Sea to Shining Sea, you might consider reading through the first four chapters now (or in the few weeks before the term officially begins). The period we're studying isn't addressed until Chapter 5 and we'll read one chapter a week for chapters 5-11, beginning next week. AND/OR
~George Washington's World pages 1-41 and narrate for their Books of Centuries.
~The Teaching Company Early American History
In the Geography Block
Note: There are two books planned per week for weeks 1-6. There's only one book planned for the seventh week and the eighth week is for catching up!
Little Ones
~On a printed map of the thirteen colonies in 1775, children will label the colonies, using a list of the states spelled correctly: New Hampshire, Connecticut,Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland,Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina
~Read the large print rhymes in F is for First State to the child.
~Color the Delaware quarter found here and read about its symbols.
~Read the large print rhymes in K is for Keystone to the child.
~Color the Pennsylvania quarter found here and read about its symbols.
Middle Ones
~On a printed map of the thirteen colonies in 1775, children will label the colonies, using a list of the states spelled correctly: New Hampshire, Connecticut,Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland,Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina.
~Read the large print rhymes in F is for First State to the child. Have the child choose two or three areas of interest to research more completely by reading the fine print sidebars. Then, have him make a four square like the one pictured here.
~Do the activities for the Delaware quarter found here.
~Read the large print rhymes in K is for Keystone to the child.Have the child choose two or three areas of interest to research more completely by reading the fine print sidebars. Then, have him make a four square like the one pictured here.
~Do the activities for the Pennsylvania quarter found here.
Big Kids
~The child can read all of F is for First State and K is for Keystone to himself. For each state, draw a detailed map. Choose one historical topic of interest for each state and research it further. Write a well organized essay on that one topic.
*From the time they are very little, I teach my children to keep notebooks, journaling what they have learned in history. These notebooks become the Book of Centuries. At least once a week, I keyboard their oral narrations for them to illustrate and place in the notebook. The notebook is organized chronologically, in order to facilitate the child physically placing an event into the proper time period. Simply inset a tab divider for each century into the notebook. The child files narrations, maps, and other drawings behind the tab. the organization will help them develop a concept of time. (pg 92 Real learning)
In the Language Arts Block
Family read aloud: (Mom reads or listen on audio): Ben and Me
Little Ones
Reading practice for the youngest: Read the Beginner's Bible with your child. Read one story a day. After reading, the child may dictate the story for you to print. she can illustrate. these pages should be saved in a notebook and used frequently for reading practice. In the beginning, the parent will probably be reading the stories in the book to the child. Over time, the child will read it aloud for the parent. when you reach the end of the book, begin again. The second time, the child will be reading most of the stories without help.
Reading practice for advanced beginners: the child should read What's the Big idea Ben Franklin after hearing it read aloud. if this is too challenging, have him practice reading from a clean, printed copy of his own narration of the story. The child will also read A Picture Book of Benjamin Franklin. If this is too challenging, have him practice reading from a clean, printed copy of his own narration of the story
Copywork and studied dictation for those who are able:
Benjamin Franklin was a scientist, an inventor, and a patriot.
On Monday, have the child read and carefully copy a model of the above passage written in the preferred print or script. Tuesday, copy again. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, take dictation and correct.
Additional reading if desired: Benjamin Franklin
Middle Ones
Readers:
Benjamin Franklin
What's the Big idea Ben Franklin
Family read aloud: (Mom reads or listen on audio): Ben and Me
Copywork and Studied dictation:
According to the child's ability, have him copy one or two of the following, taken from George Washington's Rules of Civility. Be sure to discuss the meaning of each rule:
Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present.
In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming voice, nor drum with your fingers or feet.
On Monday, have the child read and carefully copy a model of the above passage written in the preferred print or script. Tuesday, copy again. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, take dictation and correct.
Additional Reading if desired:
Benjamin Franklin: Young Printer
The Courage of Sarah Noble
Big Kids
Reader: Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia. child will write or dictate a narration when complete.
Family read aloud: (Mom reads or listen on audio): Ben and Me
Copywork and Studied dictation:
According to the child's ability, have him copy one or two of the following, taken from George Washington's Rules of Civility. Be sure to discuss the meaning of each rule:
Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present.
In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming voice, nor drum with your fingers or feet.
On Monday, have the child read and carefully copy a model of the above passage written in the preferred print or script. Tuesday, copy again. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, take dictation and correct.
These big kids will also use US History Based writing lessons.
Additional Reading if desired (certainly not all in the first week!):
Becky Landers: Frontier Warrior
My Brother Sam is Dead (warning: language)
Science:
Read widely from the September Science book basket (on the lefthand sidebar) or work your way through the Ben Franklin Book of Easy and Incredible Experiments
Poetry (Pick and Choose)
R is for Rhyme
Memorize "Benjamin Franklin" by Rosemary and Stephen Benet. Favorite Poems Old and New page 424.
Fine Arts (Pick and Choose)
Music:
M is for Melody
Read John Phillips Sousa aloud to your child and listen to I Love a Parade
Art:
M is for Masterpiece
Read brief biography of Gilbert Stuart
Picture Study: George Washington (Vaughan portrait)
Serendipi-Tea Time
Colonial Cornbread or Colonial Cornbread
Maple Cream (page 19 of American Kids in History: Colonial Days)
Tea
Comments