We're currently continuing a US History unit on Westward Expansion.
I'm linking plans for a couple of lessons we've finished. I've started uploading the lessons to Zoho. I think it allows the lessons to be downloaded for editing if a person would like as well as copy/paste or read directly as one could when I've posted on this blog.
Wagon Train Travel in General
This plan includes the experience of travel in a wagon and cardinal directions (a Core Knowledge objective).
Santa Fe Trail
For these lessons I focused on the rich cultural influences in the area (Native American, Spanish, and then those of the Americans traveling on the Santa Fe Trail).
I'll be posting lessons for the Oregon Trail (and Gold Rush, Buffalo Bill, Alamo, etc.) as we work through them in the coming days.
It occurred to me that these westward lessons could combine with many of the Core Knowledge science objectives on habitats/biomes. For example, The Wilderness Road lessons could be used with forests, (with a stretch) the Ohio River Valley with underground (or river if you added a habitat lesson to CK objectives), the wagon train lessons with prairies, the Santa Fe Trail lessons with deserts, and the Oregon trail or California with Oceans (or mountains for one and oceans the other if you wanted to add a mountain habitat lesson). Rain Forests wouldn't work of course! I tend to do science and history in alternating units so we didn't do this but I think it might work well.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Prairie Dog Lessons
We're working through a biome/habitat science unit right now.
I decided to cover prairie dogs in those lessons. However, prairie dogs could be covered in many history topics such as Lewis and Clark, Westward Expansion, and even the Dust Storms era so I decided to link the prairie dog lessons as an individual unit here.
I decided to cover prairie dogs in those lessons. However, prairie dogs could be covered in many history topics such as Lewis and Clark, Westward Expansion, and even the Dust Storms era so I decided to link the prairie dog lessons as an individual unit here.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Ohio River Valley Pioneers and Johnny Appleseed
Lesson--Ohio River Valley Pioneers with Flatboat Travel
We used our salt dough maps from the Wilderness Road lessons to talk about how people settled the Ohio River valley area and flatboat travel by pioneers down the Ohio.
We read Unit 8 of American Pioneers and Patriots including the introduction to that unit. The introduction gives context for Native American reaction to the settlers and is really important to begin in my opinion.
Activities
We made a flatboat today using the activity in this link (scroll down to the make a flatboat PDF at the bottom).
The next day we visited a local pioneer village from this time period. Here is a sort of clickable tour. There may be nice virtual options online; I didn't look much since we have local options.
Lessons--Johnny Appleseed and Art (texture in art)
This lesson set took multiple days here. I'm sure the time used could vary.
There are lots of apple related crafts and activities here.
Day 1
I read The American Story The Lord's Been Good to Me and we talked about the legends or tall tales that surround Johnny Appleseed (a Core Knowledge Objective). We also watched this silly song. Most of the library books I previewed incorporated plenty of Appleseed legend and could be used for this lesson. There are lots of online video or audio stories (some linked later) that could be an alternative to The American Story or another book as well.
Activities:
I did the toilet paper craft from this link because it emphasizes his religious faith and some of the legends surrounding him even in his lifetime.
We also made baked apples today.
Day 2
I read First Biographies Johnny Appleseed because I found it more accurate than the other library books I previewed.
As specified in the Core Knowledge art objectives we discussed the texture in the Young Hare painting by Albrecht Durer. This link includes artist information as well as the painting.
Activity
We did the apple tree print picture craft from this link. The paint in this craft has a texture to it. I could have done apple prints instead. On the back we added a listing of the positive characteristics of Johnny Appleseed.
Day 3
We watched this about the life of Johnny Appleseed. An alternative is this audio about Johnny Appleseed. I would have used a book had I found one I liked. This has some legends presented as fact which I used to reinforce the concepts outlined in Core Knowledge. I used this information to guide our discussion.
We viewed this Native American Pomo Basket.
For our follow up activity today we glued small red yarn pieces onto an apple shape so our apple had texture we could feel like that basket we viewed. On the back of the apple the boys listed some of the legends/inaccuracies passed down.
Here are some apple games I didn’t ultimately use. Here is an animation we didn't use (not accurate but cute).
We used our salt dough maps from the Wilderness Road lessons to talk about how people settled the Ohio River valley area and flatboat travel by pioneers down the Ohio.
We read Unit 8 of American Pioneers and Patriots including the introduction to that unit. The introduction gives context for Native American reaction to the settlers and is really important to begin in my opinion.
Activities
We made a flatboat today using the activity in this link (scroll down to the make a flatboat PDF at the bottom).
The next day we visited a local pioneer village from this time period. Here is a sort of clickable tour. There may be nice virtual options online; I didn't look much since we have local options.
Lessons--Johnny Appleseed and Art (texture in art)
This lesson set took multiple days here. I'm sure the time used could vary.
There are lots of apple related crafts and activities here.
Day 1
I read The American Story The Lord's Been Good to Me and we talked about the legends or tall tales that surround Johnny Appleseed (a Core Knowledge Objective). We also watched this silly song. Most of the library books I previewed incorporated plenty of Appleseed legend and could be used for this lesson. There are lots of online video or audio stories (some linked later) that could be an alternative to The American Story or another book as well.
Activities:
I did the toilet paper craft from this link because it emphasizes his religious faith and some of the legends surrounding him even in his lifetime.
We also made baked apples today.
Day 2
I read First Biographies Johnny Appleseed because I found it more accurate than the other library books I previewed.
As specified in the Core Knowledge art objectives we discussed the texture in the Young Hare painting by Albrecht Durer. This link includes artist information as well as the painting.
Activity
We did the apple tree print picture craft from this link. The paint in this craft has a texture to it. I could have done apple prints instead. On the back we added a listing of the positive characteristics of Johnny Appleseed.
Day 3
We watched this about the life of Johnny Appleseed. An alternative is this audio about Johnny Appleseed. I would have used a book had I found one I liked. This has some legends presented as fact which I used to reinforce the concepts outlined in Core Knowledge. I used this information to guide our discussion.
We viewed this Native American Pomo Basket.
For our follow up activity today we glued small red yarn pieces onto an apple shape so our apple had texture we could feel like that basket we viewed. On the back of the apple the boys listed some of the legends/inaccuracies passed down.
Here are some apple games I didn’t ultimately use. Here is an animation we didn't use (not accurate but cute).
War of 1812, White House and Presidents
I struggled a little with the War of 1812. The Core Knowledge objectives don't address the Native American resistance to further expansion into their land and the British alliances supporting Native American resistance that greatly contributed to this war. So I added that perspective into the Core Knowledge objectives.
War of 1812 Day 1
Introduction of causes, Battle of Tippecanoe, and Old Ironsides
I'm going to begin with this video clip to help me introduce the conflict between Native Americans and pioneers.
Then we will read about the Battle of Tippecanoe using parts of the chapter in The Complete Book of US History.
Essentially I tried to set the stage for the war as such:
Finally, the US joins France in the war against England and against the Native Americans allied with England.
Most of the land battles were with Native Americans on the frontier.
Battles between the US and England directly were often at sea using wooden ships with cannons in their sides.
To present the above points and Core Knowledge objectives I made and then read a story type thing from select portions of the information here (Old Ironsides is Born section) I used a picture of the ship from a google image search in my story.
Activities to Close
We figured the size compared to our space as specified here.
Other ideas I collected but didn't use included:
Paper Battleship
What Floats, What Sails
Day 2 General White House and Presidents, Burning of White House, Dolley Madison
We talked about the current president and the White House generally first. I made a little print out using pictures I found online primarily of Obama and his family as well as the White House. My print out also highlighted information about the children who have lived in the White House now and in the past. Lesson 20 in this link and link and link
I used the videos in this person's tour of the White House playlist to get a little of an inside look.
We then reviewed the first four presidents using the book Yo, Millard Filmore.
We watched this clip covering the Presidents.
To cover the Core Knowledge objectives involving the Burning of the White House and Dolley I used much of lesson 7 from this site. I did begin with the introduction in the lesson—what would you take with you if you were leaving your home never to return? Then I wrote the lesson content in story form with some google images.
Day 3 Fort McHenry and the Star Spangled Banner, Battle of New Orleans
Fort McHenry and the Star Spangled Banner
I read this.
Then we created a flag and talked about it’s symbolism. I used something similar to this plan except we used white paint and finger tips to make the “stars” rather than using the star template.
Battle of New Orleans
We watched Communication Now and Then
Then I read the description on the left side of page 142 in The Complete Book of US History but there is an alternative lesson here and this could easily make another day of lessons if desired.
Here is a map to show…sad
MATERIAL FOR A MORE INVOLVED UNIT
I left out so much that could be done with the War of 1812 for various reasons. If my kids were older I would cover a lot more so I wanted to include some great links I found.
This has so much to plan a War of 1812 unit!
http://www.42explore2.com/1812war.htm
War of 1812—website with lesson plans, video, and more for Old Ironsides.
http://www.allhandsondeck.org/main_toc.php
War of 1812 resources—video clips and interactives etc. from the History Channel
http://www.history.com/search?search-field=1812&x=12&y=11
War of 1812 Day 1
Introduction of causes, Battle of Tippecanoe, and Old Ironsides
I'm going to begin with this video clip to help me introduce the conflict between Native Americans and pioneers.
Then we will read about the Battle of Tippecanoe using parts of the chapter in The Complete Book of US History.
Essentially I tried to set the stage for the war as such:
- Settlers wanted to move west into Native American territory.
- The British support Native American resistance to this.
- Further, France and England are fighting on sea as well as land. As US ships travel for trade they are captured by both France and England. They sometimes force the sailors to join their war which is called impressment.
Finally, the US joins France in the war against England and against the Native Americans allied with England.
Most of the land battles were with Native Americans on the frontier.
Battles between the US and England directly were often at sea using wooden ships with cannons in their sides.
To present the above points and Core Knowledge objectives I made and then read a story type thing from select portions of the information here (Old Ironsides is Born section) I used a picture of the ship from a google image search in my story.
Activities to Close
We figured the size compared to our space as specified here.
Other ideas I collected but didn't use included:
Paper Battleship
What Floats, What Sails
Day 2 General White House and Presidents, Burning of White House, Dolley Madison
We talked about the current president and the White House generally first. I made a little print out using pictures I found online primarily of Obama and his family as well as the White House. My print out also highlighted information about the children who have lived in the White House now and in the past. Lesson 20 in this link and link and link
I used the videos in this person's tour of the White House playlist to get a little of an inside look.
We then reviewed the first four presidents using the book Yo, Millard Filmore.
We watched this clip covering the Presidents.
To cover the Core Knowledge objectives involving the Burning of the White House and Dolley I used much of lesson 7 from this site. I did begin with the introduction in the lesson—what would you take with you if you were leaving your home never to return? Then I wrote the lesson content in story form with some google images.
Day 3 Fort McHenry and the Star Spangled Banner, Battle of New Orleans
Fort McHenry and the Star Spangled Banner
I read this.
Then we created a flag and talked about it’s symbolism. I used something similar to this plan except we used white paint and finger tips to make the “stars” rather than using the star template.
Battle of New Orleans
We watched Communication Now and Then
Then I read the description on the left side of page 142 in The Complete Book of US History but there is an alternative lesson here and this could easily make another day of lessons if desired.
Here is a map to show…sad
MATERIAL FOR A MORE INVOLVED UNIT
I left out so much that could be done with the War of 1812 for various reasons. If my kids were older I would cover a lot more so I wanted to include some great links I found.
This has so much to plan a War of 1812 unit!
http://www.42explore2.com/1812war.htm
War of 1812—website with lesson plans, video, and more for Old Ironsides.
http://www.allhandsondeck.org/main_toc.php
War of 1812 resources—video clips and interactives etc. from the History Channel
http://www.history.com/search?search-field=1812&x=12&y=11
Monday, August 8, 2011
Science Lessons
I uploaded my lesson plans for 1st grade science. These were too unwieldy to put on the blog but I think (hope) these links will work and may be easier for others to use as well. I think, for example, the lessons would be able to be downloaded and perhaps modified.
I used the free Baltimore Curriculum plans for some of these lessons. The link is here. Their website encourages the downloading and distribution of their plans. They also mention incorporating their plans with your own ideas. Therefore, I’m sharing the combination of their plans with my own additions and modifications in the hope it helps someone else.
Habitats/Biomes, Food Chains, and Conservation*
*I'm working through this unit now and will be making additions and/or modifying. Compared to other units this one is more lengthy and the plans more complicated.
Matter
Measurement
Electricity
Earth and Space
Human Body
I had previously put a couple of ideas for K science objectives on the blog so I'll link those here as well:
Seasons and Warm/Cool Colors (art) First Post
Seasons and Warm/Cool Colors (art) Continuation
Plants (and some CK art/music objectives with the science)
I used the free Baltimore Curriculum plans for some of these lessons. The link is here. Their website encourages the downloading and distribution of their plans. They also mention incorporating their plans with your own ideas. Therefore, I’m sharing the combination of their plans with my own additions and modifications in the hope it helps someone else.
Habitats/Biomes, Food Chains, and Conservation*
*I'm working through this unit now and will be making additions and/or modifying. Compared to other units this one is more lengthy and the plans more complicated.
Matter
Measurement
Electricity
Earth and Space
Human Body
I had previously put a couple of ideas for K science objectives on the blog so I'll link those here as well:
Seasons and Warm/Cool Colors (art) First Post
Seasons and Warm/Cool Colors (art) Continuation
Plants (and some CK art/music objectives with the science)
History and Geography Plans
I decided to focus only on the Core Knowledge US history objectives for first grade. I decided to complete a study of US history in 2nd grade and then cover the 1st and 2nd grade Core Knowledge ancient history objectives at the end of 2nd grade. I like the idea of a four year history cycle so this will set us up to begin that cycle at the close of 2nd grade.
For ease of use I thought I would link all my posts on US history (followed by some Geography/Cultures studies) thus far. This will cover the US history portion of the Core Knowledge 1st grade objectives. In planning the ancient history objectives I think it might be good to use the lesson planning links on the Core Knowledge site (especially the Colorado plans).
Links to Complete Online US History Plans
Wampanoag
Plymouth Colony
13 Colonies and French Settlement
Revolutionary War
Daniel Boone and the Wilderness Road
Louisiana Purchase/Lewis and Clark/Sacagawea
Prairie Dogs (I used these lessons for a science unit rather than history)
Ohio River Valley Pioneers and Johnny Appleseed
War of 1812, White House, Presidents
Covered Wagon Travel
Santa Fe Trail
I didn’t think to share my links and plans until I started the Wampanoag. At that point I went back and tried to remember what we did for the previous topics. I had erased my plans but tried to use memory and my internet history. So I don’t have nearly the detail for these topics but I still think there are some good links in the plans.
Previous US History Topics Link
Other Links Covering
Native Americans
Columbus, Balboa, Ponce de Leon, Pizarro, Cortes
Native Americans
St. Augustine
The Lost Colony of Roanoke
Jamestown
Geography and Culture Links
For ease of use I thought I would link all my posts on US history (followed by some Geography/Cultures studies) thus far. This will cover the US history portion of the Core Knowledge 1st grade objectives. In planning the ancient history objectives I think it might be good to use the lesson planning links on the Core Knowledge site (especially the Colorado plans).
Links to Complete Online US History Plans
Wampanoag
Plymouth Colony
13 Colonies and French Settlement
Revolutionary War
Daniel Boone and the Wilderness Road
Louisiana Purchase/Lewis and Clark/Sacagawea
Prairie Dogs (I used these lessons for a science unit rather than history)
Ohio River Valley Pioneers and Johnny Appleseed
War of 1812, White House, Presidents
Covered Wagon Travel
Santa Fe Trail
I didn’t think to share my links and plans until I started the Wampanoag. At that point I went back and tried to remember what we did for the previous topics. I had erased my plans but tried to use memory and my internet history. So I don’t have nearly the detail for these topics but I still think there are some good links in the plans.
Previous US History Topics Link
Other Links Covering
Native Americans
Columbus, Balboa, Ponce de Leon, Pizarro, Cortes
Native Americans
St. Augustine
The Lost Colony of Roanoke
Jamestown
Geography and Culture Links
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark Expedition
Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark
I’m using the terrific free lapbook and the minibook on the Louisiana Purchase from this site.
We talked about the Wilderness Road and desire to spread out that Boone and those early westward travelers showed. Then we watched this little clip about “Elbow Room” to introduce this and coming units in a simplified way.
Louisiana Purchase---Read details about it in the Complete Book of United States History, Jefferson Buys Louisiana section or another book and discuss.
To help solidify we acted out the purchase using this plan. Honestly, you could probably provide the details yourself in the context of preparing for and acting it out using these plans if a good book isn’t available.
I emphasized that this land was “claimed” by France but we had to remember that it was really the land of the Native Americans. We looked at at a map I made of some of the Native American Tribes in this area. We talked about what this might have felt like. I think this is important to stress and the acting above doesn’t really emphasize that point.
I used these hat and crown patterns.
To close:
We completed the free lapbook minibook on the Louisiana Purchase from the dynamic2moms site. Here is another free option.
The People
I will be reading the Complete Book of United States History, Lewis and Clark Prepare for an Adventure and a book I got from the library about Sacagewea. We might watch this clip.
We completed The Mission and People lapbook components from here.
We didn’t but a person could make a parfleche from this site while emphasizing her contribution to the journey.
The Journey
We read a library book on the journey. I just picked the best available from our local library.
We added What did they take and How long lapbook components.
We did this interactive. This is a nice activity to help the child reflect on the online interactive.
Closing Activity:
We could go outside and make our own nature journals or we could make a diorama of the journey of some sort. I think we're actually going to set up a little masking tape outline of the rivers, blankets and pillows for mountains, laundry basket for boat etc. so we can sort of act out the journey because one of mine particularly learns a lot from those sorts of activities.
Journey—Day 2
We watched Lewis and Clark the great journey west by National Geographic which our library has. It’s also pretty cheap second hand it seems.
We’ll complete the Scholastic Interactive 3-D Map for Lewis and Clark’s Journey and add the map lapbook component of the journey to our lapbooks. I like the map because it has some of the Native American tribes encountered and wanted to emphasize that point.
I also had the boys dictate a summary of the journey experience to add to their lapbooks.
Journey—Day 3
We focused on Native Americans and how they were vital to the journey today. I thought the video I used yesterday did a good job making that point. This activity is really good for emphasizing it I think.
We then added information about those four tribes to our lapbook using this link. I really like the Dynamic for Mom Native American booklet with pictures. However, I didn’t feel they included all the most important tribes to the mission and in fact included some (like Osage) where there was no contact. PBS and National Geographic both have information including pictures of the tribes encountered (I linked Nez Perce as an example) so a nice booklet with pictures could certainly be made. I just used the best photos of the Mandan, Shoshone, Nez Perce, and Clatsop tribes from those two sites for our cards. The boys added information about the tribe and how it helped Lewis and Clark on the back of the picture.
I’m using the terrific free lapbook and the minibook on the Louisiana Purchase from this site.
We talked about the Wilderness Road and desire to spread out that Boone and those early westward travelers showed. Then we watched this little clip about “Elbow Room” to introduce this and coming units in a simplified way.
Louisiana Purchase---Read details about it in the Complete Book of United States History, Jefferson Buys Louisiana section or another book and discuss.
To help solidify we acted out the purchase using this plan. Honestly, you could probably provide the details yourself in the context of preparing for and acting it out using these plans if a good book isn’t available.
I emphasized that this land was “claimed” by France but we had to remember that it was really the land of the Native Americans. We looked at at a map I made of some of the Native American Tribes in this area. We talked about what this might have felt like. I think this is important to stress and the acting above doesn’t really emphasize that point.
I used these hat and crown patterns.
To close:
We completed the free lapbook minibook on the Louisiana Purchase from the dynamic2moms site. Here is another free option.
The People
I will be reading the Complete Book of United States History, Lewis and Clark Prepare for an Adventure and a book I got from the library about Sacagewea. We might watch this clip.
We completed The Mission and People lapbook components from here.
We didn’t but a person could make a parfleche from this site while emphasizing her contribution to the journey.
The Journey
We read a library book on the journey. I just picked the best available from our local library.
We added What did they take and How long lapbook components.
We did this interactive. This is a nice activity to help the child reflect on the online interactive.
Closing Activity:
We could go outside and make our own nature journals or we could make a diorama of the journey of some sort. I think we're actually going to set up a little masking tape outline of the rivers, blankets and pillows for mountains, laundry basket for boat etc. so we can sort of act out the journey because one of mine particularly learns a lot from those sorts of activities.
Journey—Day 2
We watched Lewis and Clark the great journey west by National Geographic which our library has. It’s also pretty cheap second hand it seems.
We’ll complete the Scholastic Interactive 3-D Map for Lewis and Clark’s Journey and add the map lapbook component of the journey to our lapbooks. I like the map because it has some of the Native American tribes encountered and wanted to emphasize that point.
I also had the boys dictate a summary of the journey experience to add to their lapbooks.
Journey—Day 3
We focused on Native Americans and how they were vital to the journey today. I thought the video I used yesterday did a good job making that point. This activity is really good for emphasizing it I think.
We then added information about those four tribes to our lapbook using this link. I really like the Dynamic for Mom Native American booklet with pictures. However, I didn’t feel they included all the most important tribes to the mission and in fact included some (like Osage) where there was no contact. PBS and National Geographic both have information including pictures of the tribes encountered (I linked Nez Perce as an example) so a nice booklet with pictures could certainly be made. I just used the best photos of the Mandan, Shoshone, Nez Perce, and Clatsop tribes from those two sites for our cards. The boys added information about the tribe and how it helped Lewis and Clark on the back of the picture.
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