Category Archives: teacher resourses

History, Fireworks, Food, and Family Fun – A 4th of July Unit Study and Resource List

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4th-of-JulyThe 4th of July, America’s birthday, is a fantastic opportunity for family fun, fireworks, food, and summer school learning!  I’ve found some great cross curricular and multi level resources to share as we celebrate,  explore, create, learn, review, and play through a unit study.

American Revolution Timeline starting with The Stamp Act (1765) and ending with The Treaty of Paris (1783)  http://www.ducksters.com/history/revolutionarywartimeline.php

Early America Resources – Documents, Photos, Biographies, and Videos https://www.varsitytutors.com/earlyamerica

Tour Revolutionary War Battlefields                                  http://johnsmilitaryhistory.com/revvirtual.html

‘Revolutionary War’ Famous Paintings                                                    http://www.reenactmag.com/7-paintings-define-revolutionary-war/

Museum of the American Revolution – Impressive collection of objects, works of art, manuscripts, and printed works!                                                       http://www.amrevmuseum.org/collection

Interactive version of John Trumbull’s famous painting “The Declaration of Independence” http://www.quiz-tree.com/Declaration-of-Independence-Trumbull.html

Guns of the Revolutionary War                                                            http://www.reenactmag.com/important-guns-revolutionary-war/

History/Geography/Math Game Printable  – “Find the Lost Redcoat”             https://www.education.com/activity/article/The_lost_redcoat/

banner_2465Liberty’s Kids is an entertaining and a favorite video resource for homeschooling families to introduce the events and people of the American Revolution.  Here’s the link to the viewers guide for all 40 episodes.  http://www.tv.com/shows/libertys-kids/episodes/

And, the link to the Liberty’s Kids Youtube channel and playlist.  All the episodes are available to view.   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5pJi9mLIy38m2e_u3sboKQ

Schoolhouse Rock 4th of July Cartoon  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmSVnP-oDRs

4th of July Vocabulary List and Word Puzzles                                                   https://myvocabulary.com/word-game-puzzles/july-4th-vocabulary/

July 4th Writing Prompts                                                                                                    https://writeshop.com/july-4th-writing-activities/

Patriotic Writing Paper Printables                                       http://www.busybeekidsprintables.com/Patriotic-Stationery.html

Calligraphy Resources                                                                  https://www.franw.com/2015/08/calligraphy-resources.html

Patriotic Quotes                                                                   https://www.countryliving.com/life/g1841/patriotic-quotes/

How to Speak Like a Colonist                                                     http://mrscagle.weebly.com/uploads/2/1/0/6/21062918/talk_like_a_colonist.pdf

Devotions, Quotes, Prayers, and Bible verses for Independence Day  http://www.graspinggod.com/4th-of-july.html

Learn about manufacturing the American Flag history and videos  https://annin.com/

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“Why do we celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks?”  According to Slate, that answer is , “Because John Adams wanted us to.”  Link here for the full article.  http://www.slate.com/articles/life/explainer/2012/07/history_of_fireworks_in_america_why_do_we_celebrate_fourth_of_july_with_fireworks_.html

“Boom Pow Whizz” is an awesome article explaining the history of fireworks with a couple of suggested art and language arts activities.   https://antiquitynow.org/2013/07/03/boom-pow-whizzz-the-history-of-fireworks/

Fireworks and Flags Math Activities  http://www.yummymath.com/2016/4th-of-july/

Learn about the chemistry of fireworks and use the handy chart of to identify what chemical compounds are used to produce different colors  http://www.scifun.org/CHEMWEEK/fireworks/Fireworks2017.htm

And here’s more firework chemistry including a highlighted periodic table http://sciencenotes.org/firework-colors-chemistry/

And to find out more about the elements that make the firework colors  http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table

What’s inside a firework and step by step explanation of what happens when lit  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fireworks/anat_nf.html

How It’s Made – Fireworks  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hatDxw8-GRM

How It’s Made – Sparklers  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LJ-lAANCw8

Steve Spangler’s – 4th of July Science  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZp7VTYJvQw

Homemade Fireworks Instructions (advanced and probably dangerous!)                  https://www.thoughtco.com/homemade-fireworks-projects-607331


fun_4th_july_independence_day_bbq_party_invitation-re61b9e961f6d43d6adf021d8dd488c0d_zk9yi_324BBQ and Grilling Safety Guide with kids    https://www.ultramodern.com/how-to-grill-with-kids/

Kids Grilling Recipes and Tips  http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/easy-grilling-recipes.html

How Charcoal is Made Video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pFLbB00ZJo

My family’s favorite 4th of July treat is this yummy and easy layered dessert using store bought angel food cake – cut into cubes, blueberries, sliced strawberries, and whipped cream.

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Fun Learning Activities                                                                             http://www.franw.com/2013/06/4th-of-july-americas-independence-day.html

4th of July themed Bible games and activities  http://www.christianitycove.com/?s=4th+of+july

4th of July Party Games  http://www.rd.com/advice/parenting/4th-of-july-10-fun-party-games/

4th of July themed Interactive Games  http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/july4/games.htm

Patriotic Music for Kids  http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/various-artists/album/americas-favorite-patriotic-songs-for-kids

And don’t forget to check with your local library!  We found these …

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And we don’t have to stop this study here!  “The Pennsylvania State House bell was rung to summon the people of Philadelphia to gather for the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776.  Though the bell wouldn’t be called the Liberty Bell  until years later, the bell’s message of liberty certainly rang that day.”

The Liberty Bell –  Learning Resource List  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/07/08/the-liberty-bell/

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betty jo

Bridges

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Has your family taken a bit of time to learn about bridges?  We did and it was an awesome, multi level, and cross curricular study!  With the Brooklyn Bridge opening May 24, 1883 , and the Golden Gate Bridge opening May 27, 1964, May is a great time to learn about bridges.  However, if bridges in May doesn’t work for you, the third Saturday in October is “Bridge Day” and “Historic Bridges” is one of the themes for the month of November! Of course, you don’t need a special day to learn about bridges and can add a study as your calendar allows.   Below are the links to the online resources we used.  And, remember to check with your local library for bridge books and movies.

Bridge Building Video – Learn some of the important differences between arch, suspension and cable-stayed bridges

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos/engineering/bridgebuilding.html

Bridge Facts –

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/engineering/bridges.html

Photo Gallery of Bridges Around the World

http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/bridge-pictures.htm#page=0

Virtual Tour of the Golden Gate Bridge –

http://goldengatebridge.org/photos/bridgewalk.php

I didn’t give the boys any instructions, but just gave them the supplies from the following projects, and told them to build!  We tested them with weights (stacking cans of food), and with our remote control cars.

How to Make a Strong Paper Bridge –  http://www.ehow.com/how_6321787_make-strong-paper-bridge.html

Build a Bridge Challenge with Recyclables And Materials from Around the House –  http://inspirationlaboratories.com/science-at-home-strength-of-materials/

Spaghetti Bridge Engineering Project –  https://www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_spagetti_bridge/wpi_spag_act_joy.xml

Build It Big – Bridge Challenge Interactive, Photo Gallery, Forces Lab, Meet the Engineers  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/index.html

Bridge Quotes and Idioms Explained –  http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/bridge

And for family reading, we picked up a copy of  Bridge to Terabithia, and the movie, too.  We think it’s interesting to compare books to their movies.

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Bridge to Terabithia Lit Guide, Summary, and Quiz –  http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/terabithia/

And if you’re learning about bridges this October, don’t forget to include the bridge from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow!
http://gutenberg.org/ebooks/41

Field trips were fun and easy with this study.   We took an up-close look at a few bridges in our area.

images     th  1f8114af468c53fafe2f61083402bf4d  Greenway Bridge2

I hope you enjoy the bridges study as much as we did!  Oh, by the way, the pretty stone bridge crossing the lake in the above photo was a construction project my husband worked on years ago.

betty jo

 

 

Agriculture, Brains, Shakespeare, Wildlife, Pi, Butterflies, Sleep, and St. Patrick

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According to Special Days in March, 2018 , the week beginning March 11 is overly full of learning potential!  In fact, this week has so many “daily specials” that it’s proving difficult to narrow our learning topics down.   Regardless of what direction we go with this week’s learning, I have some terrific resources available.

Agriculture-cloud“Ag Week” begins March 11 with another agriculture learning opportunity, “Ag Day” coming next week on the 20th.

Dozens of Lesson Plans for K-12 Teachers –  http://www.agclassroom.org/teacher/index.htm

Kid Zone, Virtual Tours, and Ag Facts for Students –  http://www.agclassroom.org/student/index.htm

Brain Awareness Week“Brain Awareness Week” begins March 12th

Learning Resources and Activities –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/03/16/brain-awareness-week-2/

 

Shakespeare Week also begins March 12th!  These resources were originally gathered up for his birthday in April but will work for this week too!   https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/04/23/happy-birthday-william-shakespeare/

 

wildlifeweek_225.jpg__225x1000_q85And, March 12 is the beginning of “National Wildlife Week”

K-12 Resources for “teaching about various aspects of the wilderness around them” –  http://sciencenetlinks.com/collections/national-wildlife-week/

Pi_Day_by_maralahMarch 14 is “Pi Day“

Pi Resources for Activities, Music, and Articles –  http://www.teachpi.org/

Printable Pi Lessons and Activities                                                       https://www.yummymath.com/2019/get-ready-for-pi-day/?fbclid=IwAR23wjT0m1r936hkHa2-OSmomW-SmbhjYvMUXprWIEwv6kRaTFtqMiRYizA

 

The 14th is also “Learn About Butterflies Day”.   Butterfly research project, activities, ideas, and resources!                                                                                 http://www.franw.com/2014/06/butterflies.html

 

 Friday, March 16 – World Sleep Day

“This sleep education program has been released in conjunction with World Sleep Day and aims to teach students why sleep deserves its place alongside diet and exercise as one of the pillars of good health.” –  http://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/childrens/world-sleep-day.html

 

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Saint Patrick’s Day is March 17

Learning Resources and Activities –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/03/15/learning-resources-for-st-patricks-day/

I’d love to hear about how you’re using Special Days  this week!  Leave a comment and share your plans.

betty jo

 

 

January Resources for Teachers

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january_clipartThere’s oodles of learning opportunities from January’s calendar!  Below is a collection of free online educational resources for some cool January studies.

BIG List of January’s Holidays, Observances, Themes, Famous Birthdays, and Historic Event Anniversaries  –   https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/12/29/special-days-in-january-2016/

Learning Resources for January  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2016/01/03/special-days-in-january-learning-resource-list/

Discover January with Themed Activities and Resources  –  http://www.franw.com/2014/01/january.html

January Prayer Calendar for Children  –  http://cherigamble.com/2015/12/30/january-2016-prayer-calendar-for-children/

January Science Calendar  –  http://thehomeschoolscientist.com/january-science-calendar-2016/

Daily Learning Links  –  http://www.se7en.org.za/se7ens-january

January Bulletin Boards, Lesson Plans, Writing Prompts, and Theme Units  –  http://www.theteacherscorner.net/monthly-resources/january.php

January Themed Arts and Crafts Lessons  –  http://kinderart.com/seasons/jan.shtml

January Themed Printable Worksheets  –  http://www.apples4theteacher.com/

January Themed Printables, Activities, and Crafts  –  http://activityvillage.co.uk/

January/Winter Themed Math Activities  –  http://www.yummymath.com/

Winter Themed Math Activities  –  http://www.mathwire.com/archives/seasonal2.html

January and Winter Themed Vocabulary Lists  –  https://myvocabulary.com/

Winter Themed Interactive Games  –  http://www.primarygames.com/seasons/winter/games.htm

16 Things to do in January –  http://diyhomeschooler.com/16-things-to-do-in-january-2016/

Snow Week Learning Resources, Recipes, and Activities  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/07/snow-week/

Penguins –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/01/20/penguins/

Healthy Diet  –  26 Lessons and Tests  –  http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/food_health/education_resources/eatsmart/lessons/

Exercise  –  Homeschool Mom Approved YouTube Exercise Videos  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/10/get-up-and-move-a-break-time-playlist/

Winter Activities and Resources  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/15/but-its-cold-out-there/

Happy January Learning!

betty jo

 

 

 

New Year’s Resources

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happy-new_-year-12-31-10Though my family is still on winter break from usual homeschooling lessons, I’ve been planning and  collecting ideas and links for a New Year’s study to start next week.  Below is what I’ve found.  I hope you find the resources helpful for your New Years lessons, too!

Looking Back at 2015 and Looking Ahead to 2016 Printable – (This is what my family is using for our yearly traditional time capsule.  Each of us will fill one out and place in a bottle to be packed away with our Christmas decorations.  We’ll find them next December when we get the decorations back out.)  http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com/2014/12/free-family-new-years-resolution-printable.html

Top News Stories of 2015 (parents of younger kids should view privately before sharing with the kids because there’s quite a few bad news stories) http://abcnews.go.com/US/year-review-13-biggest-news-stories-2015/story?id=35852690

Find out the “Most Searched, Most Watched” (again, parents should view first) of 2015  http://www.ourlittleearth.com/2015/12/most-searched-most-watched-this-year/

“New Year” Bible Verses –  http://www.openbible.info/topics/new_year

Bible Based New Year’s Crafts and Activities –  http://www.christianitycove.com/?s=new+years

New Year’s Interactive Games –  http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/new_years/games.htm

New Year’s Games – Fun for families, friends, and co-ops –  http://www.howdoesshe.com/15-fun-new-years-eve-activities-for-kids-or-adults/

“Lucky” Foods and Recipes for New Year’s –  http://www.rd.com/food/fun/7-lucky-new-years-foods/

New Year’s Activities and Printables (lots of printables!) –  http://activityvillage.co.uk/new-year

How to say “Happy New Year” in other languages – http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0923039.html

New Year Traditions from Around the World – http://www.123newyear.com/newyear-traditions/

New Year’s History Articles and Videos – http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years

Movie Clips and New Year’s Music from the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-2k7hKvaW0

Happy New Year Songs Playlist – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIAVVo9m5AI

Times Square Ball History – http://www.timessquarenyc.org/events/new-years-eve/about-the-new-years-eve-ball/history-of-the-new-years-eve-ball/index.aspx#.VobXKFJecx0

Times Square STEM Activity – http://jdaniel4smom.com/2015/12/new-years-ball-drop-stem-challenge.html

Times Square Math Challenge –  http://www.yummymath.com/2015/the-times-square-ball/

Be on the lookout for more January resources and lesson ideas coming soon!

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betty jo