Welcome Back, YA'LL!!
Sage Harbor had a much needed break from the usual school activities. But, as is expected, learning NEVER ends. Especially when you're having fun.
This summer our homeschoolers had the wonderful opportunity to meet and greet several international friends from S. Africa, the Philippines, Mexico, Japan and various neighbors of Texas! This event was held at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Many have now become my children's pen pals.(Below this post I will share a few of my favorite photos from this event!) For more information on what that event means to us, please visit HERE.
Okay. So, what's on the menu for the 2014-2015 school year?
Well, this year I wanted to be consistent with the Unit Study approach to homeschooling. Last year we had a plethora of resources to work with. It's easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing what you want to utilize. So, right about the time year 1 came to a close, I began cleaning up my virtual pin board and gearing up for the new resources I discover.
This year's literature choice to convert into unit study form is Simone Arnold Liebster's Facing The Lion. This book is an autobiography of a 12 year old girl's struggle to remain firm with her conscience rather than give in to Nazi propaganda and persecution.
How can I break this book down into Unit Study form?
Easy:
Facing the Lion Unit Study
Facing the Lion will help my children examine crucial issues facing them as they enter into adolescence. *"They will explore questions of right and wrong behavior, social justice, the meaning of life, and reconciling the existence of good and evil in the world. Confronting these issues requires higher order skills in critical and creative thinking, problem solving, self-reflection, and expression."
Social Studies: This unit will help them grasp the impact of 20th century world events on the Nazi Occupation of Europe. They will explore actions of people and institutions, compare and contrast past experiences with the present and, the potential future. They will examine our own identity as Jehovah's people and what influences our choice to be so.
Language Arts: While reading FTL, my children will use the four modes of language, and will become more advanced in listening (lets hope, right?!) speaking, reading and writing. We will continue our training in proper grammar and conversation etiquette. We will utilize the Theocratic Ministry School book on many of the topics we encounter, such as public speaking and tact. (Obvious, but unmentionables include: Spelling, Journal Writing and Self Expression)
Writing: Core Values Journal - The children will understand what a core value is and use their CV journal to asses and analyze scenes from FTL. (Definition of Core Value: A principle that guides [our] internal conduct as well as [our] relationship with the external world) Core values are usually summarized in a mission statement. So, for the first CV entry, the children will create their mission statement as young persons as they begin to set standards as they enter preadolescent years.
Spelling/Vocab: For each chapter, the children will write down unfamiliar words using their Vocabulary notebooks. They will research the meaning of the word and it's proper use. At the end of each chapter there will be a test on up to 20 words (and their definitions)
**Below are non-related FTL subjects, but will be included in our lessons**
Geography: Along with finding the GPS coordinates of the mentioned cities, countries and/or territories in FTL, the children will also learn the 50 states. My only concern is that each child be able to name and locate all of the states, their shape and their capitals.
Mathematics: For the most part, my children will focus on enhancing their basic knowledge of math. As we partake in the reading of FTL, we will "ad-lib" on any (if any) opportunities that arise to integrate math in our discussions. Basics include, but are not limited to; multiplication of single and double digit numbers, division, time telling, money counting (counting back change), budget setting, checkbook balancing, fractions and percentages.
Science: Most science discussion/experiments will be saved for use of the Awake! magazine article Was It Designed? Here is just one example of the many articles my children will utilize as their science lessons. Of course these articles can be broken down into activities, like this.
Health and Safety: The constant maturing of my children will enable them to explore different facets of taking care of their own personal cleanliness and care. With each experience that we encounter as a family unit (be it from within our home, or experienced outside of our home), we will integrate them as a Health and Safety lesson. For example: dental, hair and body care, nutrition (Whole Foods/Plant Base Diets), medicines we use or want to stay away from, disease prevention, and overall common sense safety.
*Quote taken directly from this content.
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