Hello! Does anyone else find it hard to teach an American curriculum in an international classroom, especially when it comes to Social Studies? My students are still really young, and they have alm…
Cokie Roberts' new children's book tells the stories of women who contributed to the success of the American Revolution — women like Martha Washington and Abigail Adams. She tells NPR's Steve Inskeep, "These were very, very politically passionate women. ... They were utterly devoted to the patriot cause."
Well, I'm a little behind in my posting of units, but I'm just about caught up! After our Halloween unit, we jumped right into inventors and...
These interactive notebook graphic organizers will help students organize information about ancient China! Interactive notebooks are an effective tool in the classroom. Not only can they assist students in keeping their work organized, but they are also an easy-to-access resource for reference thro...
The first two and a half weeks of school have been awesome! I absolutely love my class-they are the sweetest kiddos! They are making it so e...
These three activities use Semantic feature analysis (SFA). Students use a grid to help students see how topics are related to one another.
Creating timelines helps both me and the children to create a mental picture of historical events. We have a large timeline on the wall above the kitchen table. There are sections for Chinese, Viking, Scythian, Celtic and Greek History as these are the cultures we have studied with our history co-op. There is also a section for random events where we add dates from any book we are reading. Sometimes we add figures to go with the dates. Here are some free printables I created to use in our history lessons. Ancient Greek Timeline Figures Ancient China Timeline Figures Free Blank Timelines To see more of our history activities please visit my history page.
This blog post was updated November 2019 Join my Newsletter Here This week, we read one of my FAVORITE Thanksgiving books, Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano. I LOVED how this anchor retell chart came out!!! We talked about each part one at a time and the kids went back to their desks to draw the ... Read More about Thanksgiving Fun
Black history books for kids to teach them about several leaders and events.
More and more children will be reading stories about the legacy of residential schools and reconciliation in the classroom this year.
Children follow along the incredible life story of Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery to rescue hundreds of other enslaved people.
This wonderful world is built up of so many different beliefs and cultures. Some, we were even uncertain existed until recent times. Tribes live on and are strong in the cultures of various countries. Rich diversity and teachings stem from the ages...
In 2004 my in-laws took our family to London for Spring break. It was an amazing trip despite my chagrin at finding books in t...
\"A stunning combination of fluent prose and exquisitely wrought illustrations\" (School Library Journal). \"An inventive twist on the classic tale\" (Publishers Weekly).This Egyptian spin on the classic Cinderella tale was initially recorded in the first century by a Roman historian and is retold here by folklorist Shirley Climo.Poor Rhodopis! She has nothing--no mother or father, and no friends. She is a slave, from the far-off country of Greece. Only the beautiful rose-red slippers her master gives her can make Rhodopis smile.So when a falcon swoops down and snatches one of the slippers away, Rhodopis is heartbroken. For how is she to know that the slipper will land in the lap of the great Pharaoh himself? And who would ever guess that the Pharaoh has promised to find the slipper's owner and make her queen of all Egypt?Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
Its not an easy topic to teach. It's such a dark, sad time, and I really struggled to find sources appropriate for elementary students. I realized that
In this illustrated worksheet, children reflect on whether different workers sell goods or offer services.
Provides educators with resources and recommendations for using picture books with upper elementary and middle school students.
The list of inventions that are credited to the ancient Chinese is long and note-worthy. Several great series of picture books dramatize these moments of invention and are great books for inspiring your young inventors and artists. Books on Chinese Inventions by Ying Chang Compestine Chinese-American author Ying Chang Compestine has written a series of books about Chinese inventions. Each book features the Kang family: Mama, Papa, and three boys, Ting, Pan, and Kùai. Kids will love seeing how the antics of the three boys fits with these inventions. The Story of Chopsticks (2001) imagines the circumstances surrounding the invention of chopsticks. The three Kang brothers, Ting, Pan, and Kùai, are all hungry, growing boys. Kùai, the youngest, is frustrated by having to wait for food to cool down until it was safe to eat with your fingers. A few twigs later, he invents the first chopsticks! But when the boys bring their new invention to a wedding feast, they find themselves at odds with the elders. The Story of Noodles (2002) Though it seems unlikely that noodles were invented because, "'We wanted a food that is easier to clean up after food fights,'" kids will enjoy this story of how an accident with dumplings leads to the possible invention of noodles, which had originated in China by the first century. The Author's Note explains some of the history and customs of noodles and includes a recipe for Long-Life Noodles. The Story of Kites (2003) In this story, the poor Kang brothers are tired of constantly having to scare the birds away from their rice crop. First, they decide to try making their own wings, with predictably disastrous consequences, but eventually their designs lead them to the first kites. Kite-flying has been documented in China more than twenty-four hundred years ago. The book ends with an Author's Note and directions on how to make and fly your own kites. The Story of Paper (2003) The Kang boys are not doing well in school and are blaming the bugs and insects that distract them as they are practicing their writing in the dirt. After much experimentation, they hit upon paper. The Author's Note includes a detailed description of the oldest paper and its introduction to the Chinese emperor, as well as directions for making homemade "garden" paper. Books on Chinese Inventions by Virginia Walton Pilegard The Warlord's Puzzle (2000). An artist brings a beautiful blue tile before the Warlord, but it drops, breaking into seven pieces. When no one can put the tile back together, the Warlord agrees to hold a contest. This accident becomes the invention of the tangrams, so named for their connection to the Tang dynasty. The Warlord's Beads (2001). The peasant and his young son now live in the warlord's palace, but the father has been tasked with counting the warlord's vast treasure. Worried that they keep losing count spurs his son, Chuan, to invent the first abacus. The Author's Note describes the first documented use of the abacus in 14th century China and includes directions for making your own abacus. The Warlord's Fish (2002). The artist and his young apprentice, Chuan, are kidnapped by a group of traders and taken out across the wilds and into the vast desert (along the Silk Route and through the Takla Makan, though the names are not used). When a sandstorm blocks the sun and clouds block the stars, Chuan convinces the artist to use his south-pointing fish to help them find their way to the oasis. The Author's Note explains that the Chinese invented a south-pointing compass made of a magnetic spoon by the third century BC(E) and includes directions for making your own floating compass. The Warlord's Puppeteers (2003). Chuan tries to help a group of traveling puppeteers, after a bandit raid seizes their puppets. This book focuses on introducing children to the concepts of proportion and includes directions for making your own sock puppets. The Warlord's Kites (2004). Chuan and his friend Jing Jing are concerned about the approach of an enemy army and conceive of the idea of using flutes attached to kites to frighten them off. In this story, Jing Jing takes a starring role as the inventor and quick-thinker. Directions are include for handmade kites. The Warlord's Messengers: a mathematical adventure (2005). Young Chuan and Jing Jing are concerned when an invitation arrives for the warlord, but he will not receive the message in time. The friends brainstorm a faster way to travel and invent a wind-driven carriage. These "sailing carriages" were mentioned in Chinese literature 1500 years ago. The book ends with directions for creating a wind sock (another Chinese invention). The Warlord's Alarm (2006). This story seems to take place immediately following The Warlord's Messengers. Chuan and Jing Jing are accompanying the warlord on his trip to visit the emperor, but in order for the warlord to arrive exactly when the gates of the city open, they need to figure out a way to keep track of time during the night, when a sundial is useless. The invent a water clock, and the Author's Note describes some of the complicated water clocks used by the Chinese. There are also directions to make your own dripping water clock. The Emperor's Army: a mathematical adventure (2010). A bit of a departure from the rest of the series, this book tells the story of a father and son in court of Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang who are forced into hiding by the emperors proclamation against books and scholars. This leads them to discover the building of the emperor's famed terracotta warriors, and the Author's Note includes information about their eventual re-discovery.
I think we're really starting to find our groove! I think we're beyond the testing phase, I think they've figured me out and I'm now able to work on figuring out their individual needs and I KNOW they are a whole bunch of sweethearts. I'm even willing to ignore the fact that one little one asked me if T.V's were invented when I was little. In his defense, I had just whipped out the record player and watched their eyes turn as big as saucers when they saw the MASSIVELY huge record {that they kept referring to as a CD} with "Free to Be You and Me" on the cover... Anybody remember this oldie!? A little recap of our week... Daily 5 is going wonderfully. We're up to 13 minutes with Read to Self and we're up to 15 minutes for Word Work. We've opened up our book nooks... Cozy places around our room to do Read to Self ...and the kids are loving making words with pipe cleaners and clay! I'm absolutely amazed at how quickly they picked up on how to use IPICK when shopping for books to place in their independent reading bookshelves. Such BIG kids! Are you familiar with the FOSS kits for teaching science? I hear mixed reviews - but I'm somebody who LOVES them! Right now we're hot and heavy into solids/liquids and we played around on the FOSS website this week on our Mimio... Click on the picture to head over to the games section of the FOSS website! We've launched our writer's workshop and the kiddos are working hard to build their writing muscles! This is always tricky at the beginning of the year - but I'm usually amazed at how quickly they build their stamina! One way that I encourage quiet writing time {or "hot pencil" time as we refer to it} is by hanging a large wooden pencil onto the middle of our white board to serve as a visual reminder. Ours looks something like this: I can't remember where I got mine - but if you click on the picture it will take you to the website for this pencil! I also play "quiet thinking music". A favorite CD of our is: LOVE!!!! In math we're hot and heavy into math Workplaces. We've created our own picture problems, graphed, counted money, sorted bugs, created numbers sentences using ten frames...you name it, we've done it. A class favorite this week was a Bridges Math game "Which Numeral Will Win 1-4" In Social Studies we've been learning about families. Our focus this week was exploring the past, present and future. A great book that is part of our curriculum: It explores this little guy's life when he was "younger"{past}, now that he's a bit older {present} and what he wants to be when he grows up {future}. We worked on these today too... Click {HERE} to pick up your own! Crazy to think that's just a snippet of our week...we moved mountains!!!!!! And the winner of the trimmer/cutter giveaway through MyBinding.com is... a Rafflecopter giveaway Congrats, Debbie - I'll be emailing you shortly!!!!! Happy weekend all! It's a whole lotta football for this family. One boy Saturday the other Sunday!
Summary of Lesson Plan: In this lesson, students learn about inventions and technological changes that led to the industrial revolution. After conducting a Think/Pair/Share, they complete a source analysis of an image, discuss jobs of the past and investigate how a piece of technology has made a positive/negative impact on our society today. Australian Curriculum […]
During the 1700s AD, the first modern factories opened. At first these were spinning factories to make thread for clothing, blankets, and sheets. Because most adults were busy working on farms, factory owners hired mostly children […]
Practice telling time with an analog clock using this great practice sheet.
to go with my worksheet on New York, I have prepared some games to work on the subject. You'll find a map, and two word searches to find information about this fabulous city - ESL worksheets
Hi teachers! I wanted to stop by today with some ideas for teaching our students how to be leaders! Each day we hope that we teach our students how to […]
This free collection of resources is designed to accompany the reading of You Should Meet Katherine Johnson
This Our Freedoms Worksheet is a great way for students to learn the rights of every United States citizen. By matching the pictures with the words, they can better understand each freedom. This is a great resource for any teacher looking to educate their students on their rights as citizens. Our Freedoms Worksheet
Every Tuesday, I've been joining up with the fabulous ladies of iHomeschool Network to offer up 10 lists of Top 10. This week we are focusing on our Top 10 favorite Read Alouds. When given that topic, my head nearly exploded! How in the world would I ever pick just 10?! I'm sort of known as the "Closet Librarian." Books are my best friends, especially great children's books. So, I'm taking the liberty of narrowing my topic to my Top 10 American History Read Alouds for Young Learners...phew...that was a mouthful. (If you are a list purist and insist on knowing my Top 10 Favorite Read Alouds of all the time periods and genres, you can check out my list of favorite fictional chapter books. But, I'm warning you, there are more than 10!) (This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.) I have chosen living literature quality books...books that are not necessarily non-fiction but which are based upon an actual event or era in history...because so much can be learned about the life and times of a people group or event in history from a well-written story. Although most historical fiction is written for older students, even early learners (Pre-K through 3rd graders) can learn valuable historical lessons simply by snuggling on the couch with an age-appropriate historical fiction. The first 10 books are picture books to be read aloud by mom or dad, while the last 10 are early reader chapter books to be enjoyed by emergent readers (or crazy thirty-something moms, like me, that just can't get enough of great children's books!) Many of these authors have written other wonderful historical fictions. So if you find one that you like, be sure to check out their other titles. Here's my Top 10 American History Read Alouds in chronological order... Top 10 Picture Books 1. Samuel Eaton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy by Kate Waters 2. The Hatmaker's Sign retold by Candace Fleming 3. The Ox-Cart Man by Donald Fleming 4. Apples to Oregon by Deborah Hopkinson & Nancy Carpenter 5. Nine For California by Sonia Levitin 6. The Promise Quilt by Candice F. Ransom 7. Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell 8. Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming 9. The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco 10. The Bicycle Man by Allen Say Top 10 Emergent Readers 1. Good Hunting, Blue Sky by Peggy Parish 2. Finding Providence: The Story of Roger Williams by Avi 3. Buttons for General Washington by Peter and Connie Roop 4. Sam the Minuteman by Nathaniel Benchley 5. George Washington and the General's Dog by Frank Murphey 6. The Josefina Story Quilt by Eleanor Goerr 7. Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express by Eleanor Goerr 8. Abe Lincoln's Hat by Martha Brenner 9. Clara and the Bookwagon by Nancy Smiler Levinson 10. Eat My Dust! Henry Ford's First Race by Monica Kulling If you are looking for more American History titles for early learners, check out these GREAT American History authors: Ingri and Edgar d'Aulaire David A. Adler Steven Kellogg Alice Dalgliesh For more great book suggestions, be sure to head to iHomeschool Network and check out the Massive Guide to Homeschool Reading Lists! Set your homeschool day on autopilot! Thank you! Your task cards will be sent to your inbox shortly. Set your homeschool day on autopilot! No more nagging your kids to do their work. Grab my free Task Cards today. Yes, send me the Task Cards!
Learn about jobs and what it was like to grow up in the Indus Valley with this BBC Bitesize year 5/6 history guide.
On Sunday in my Pre-K/K Sunday School class, we were learning about the parable that Jesus told about the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21. This is a great Bible Worksheets "Needs Versus Wants" Worksheets & Object Lesson for Children
In honor of Constitution Day, we read the book We The Kids. This book puts the preamble in kid langauge so they can more easily understand it. Then the childern drew pictures to illustrate each part of the preamble.
