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On the Banks of Plum Creek: Week By Week Geography And History Lessons

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Here are our Lesson Plans For Geography and History

These lessons were made to go along with ‘On The Banks Of Plum Creek‘ written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. We are planning to go through the whole series and I am keeping track of the different topics we are learning about here on my blog. We hope you enjoy these as much as we have!

On weeks where there are several activities listed just choose a couple that interest you the most to work on.

We will also be using this People Long Ago Resource Box from Lakeshore Learning to go with our lessons.

People Long Ago Resource Box&nbsp;- Gr.&nbsp;<span style="white-space: nowrap;">1-3</span>

There are also some other resources available here:

Tip: If you want to go to a certain week/chapter simply push the ‘ctrl’ and the ‘F’ button down together and a small bar will pop up. Type in the week number or chapter number you want and it will take you to it.

We also like to use this song during our ‘Morning Time’ to help the kids learn the 50 States. 

Week 1: Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

1. State Study

  • Print out this map HERE or this one HERE. You can color in the states as you learn them and track Laura’s journeys.
  • This week we will study Minnesota.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

  • Mark the route that the family may have taken on your map.

2. Landforms & Mapping

Maps:

Landforms:

You can print out a lapbook  HERE.

  • Plateaus (tableland p.22)

  • Valleys

3. Bonus

Research Dugout homes

  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • What are the pros and cons of a dugout home?
  • Compare this to your home. Make a Venn Diagram to compare/contrast the two.

Extra:

Week 2: Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12

1. State Study

  • This week we will study Louisiana.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Landforms & Mapping

Maps:

Landforms:

  • Rivers

  • Mountains

3. Bonus

Extra:

Week 3: Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18

1. State Study

  • This week we will study Illinois.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Landforms & Mapping

Maps:

Landforms:

  • Hills

  • Canyons

3. Bonus

Extra:

Week 4: Chapters 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23

1. State Study

  • This week we will study Virginia.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Landforms & Mapping

Maps:

  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • Look at a map of where you live.
    • What symbols do you see?
    • Can you find the capital of your state?
  • Do one activity from:

Landforms:

  • Waterfalls

  • Deltas

3. Bonus

Extra:

Week 5: Chapters 24, 25, 26, 27 & 28

1. State Study

  • This week we will study Kentucky.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Landforms & Mapping

Maps:

Landforms:

  • Caves

  • Cliffs

3. Bonus

Extra:

Week 6: Chapters 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 & 34

1. State Study

  • This week we will study Wyoming.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Landforms & Mapping

Maps:

Landforms:

  • Buttes and Mesas

  • Volcanoes

3. Bonus

Extra:

Week 7: Chapters 35, 36, 37 & 38

1. State Study

  • This week we will study Nevada .
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Landforms & Mapping

Maps:

Landforms:

  • Ponds & Lakes

3. Bonus

Extra:

Week 8: Chapters 39, 40 & 41

1. State Study

  • This week we will study Connecticut.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Landforms & Mapping

Maps:

Did you know that there are different types of maps?

Landforms:

  • Dunes

  • Oasis

3. Bonus

Extra:

Week 9: Finishing Up

1. State Study

  • Review the states we learned about and choose a state to research more.
  • Write a report about your favorite state or add some new facts to your previous report.

2. Landforms and Mapping

Maps:

Did you know that there are different types of maps? (continued)

Landforms:

3. Bonus

Extra:

**BE SURE TO SAVE A FEW SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK FOR YOUR  PORTFOLIO!  TAKE PICTURES OF BIG PROJECTS!

**This post does contain affiliate links to products and/or services that we use. We may earn a teensy weensy small commission (at NO EXTRA cost to you) if a purchase is made through these links. These links help to support our family, our blog, and our homeschooling mission.

 –Thank you!

 

 

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7 Easy Steps To Simplify Your Life Today

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**This post may contain affiliate links which help to support our blog and our family.

I had originally written this series of posts in honor of National Simplify Your Life Week, which falls during the first week of August, I decided to make a short list of 7 easy steps that almost anyone can use to simplify their life starting today. With the New Year fast approaching I thought it might be helpful to post this again for anyone looking to simplify their life and have more FREE time.

Now I’m not talking about anything drastic like selling everything you own and moving into a small secluded cabin with no electric. This actually sounds like a really good idea to me right now but my kids wouldn’t really like that. The tips below will not only help you to simplify your life but they will help you to be more efficient.

Click on each link for more information and helpful tips.

  1. Take Care of Yourself
  2. Reduce Your Screen Time
  3. Learn to say NO without feeling guilty
  4. Declutter your closet (and your house)
  5. Get Organized
  6. Set Up Routines
  7. Pay Off Those Debts and Bills

I wish you the best of luck with getting your life simplified! Let me know, in the comments below, of any tips that you have used to simplify your life.

Click here to get started on Step 1.

Start your  FREE account with the  Wealthy Affiliate program.

 

 

 

 

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Frankenstein Day

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*This post contains affiliate links which help to support our blog and our family.

Frankenstein Day in honor of author Mary Wollenstone Shelley who wrote the book Frankenstein. It is celebrated on August 30th. Click here to learn more about this holiday.

Below are some of the activities I found to celebrate this day:

(Use at your own discretion.)

Also check out:

Homeschool: August on Pinterest

Frankenstein for kids on YouTube

Frankenstein Emoji T-Shirt Funny Faces 2 Halloween Gift TeeCarter's Baby 2 Piece Frankenstein Top and Pants SetFrankenstein Makes a Sandwich

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Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Weekly Lesson Plan Links & Guide

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**Although I try to provide as many FREE resources as possible this post may contain affiliate links alt no extra cost to you. We may earn a small commission, if a purchase is made through these links, which helps to support our blog and our family. Thank you!

Click Here for Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Weekly Lesson Plan Links Only

How we use these lesson plans:

Our school week is usually completed in 4 days. We use a Loop Schedule where we work for a designated amount of time on each subject before moving on to the next. After their work is completed for the day the kids are allowed to have independent studies were they can study whatever their little hearts desired.

Our 5th day is an optional day that we use to complete unfinished work or for other activities as we choose.

Please click HERE for a list of resources that we have purchased from Amazon and other suppliers.

Click on the links below for the series you would like to view/use. I will update these links as we get them finished.

Tip: If you want to go to a certain week/chapter or topic simply push the ‘ctrl’ and the ‘F’ button down together and a small bar will pop up. Type in the week number or chapter number you want and it will take you to it.

1. Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Week 1 Lesson Plans

  • Language Arts:
    • Read Chapters 1 & 2
    • Discussion
    • McGuffey Primer Lesson
    • Vocabulary
    • Writing Activities
    • These week we learn about fiction vs. nonfiction
    • Make a Pioneer Journal
    •  Mother Goose Phonics: Pat A Cake
  • Math:
  • Geography and History:
    • State Study: Wisconsin
    • Research Pioneer Life
  • Science:
    • Learn about Bears
    • Learn about Panthers
    • Research Microbes and Bacteria
    • Learn about Density
    • Bonus: Why does fire burn different colors?
  • Life Skills:
    • Research Pioneer Chores
    • Making our bed
    • Interrupting
    • Memory Work
    • Fun activities: Make Butter
    • Bonus Skills: Memorizing the books of the Bible, Archery, and/or Baking
  • PE, Health & Safety:
    • Stranger Danger
    • Play Little Brown Bear
  • Music, Arts, and Crafts:
    • Crafts: Hog’s Bladder Balloons, Corn Cob/Husk Dolls, Snowflakes, and Paper Dolls
    • Art: Bulldogs, Jack Frost
    • Music: Yankee Doodle Dandy, Butter Churning Song

Continue reading Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Weekly Lesson Plan Links & Guide →

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Little House In The Big Woods Adventure Week 7 Lesson Plans

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**Although I try to provide as many FREE resources as possible this post may contain affiliate links alt no extra cost to you. We may earn a small commission, if a purchase is made through these links, which helps to support our blog and our family. Thank you!

Mornings:

We Start every morning off with our prayers and the Pledge of Allegiance. Below is a picture of the prayers that we say and a video of the Pledge of Allegiance.

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Not the prettiest example but that’s what we’ve been using for the past few years.

Don’t have a flag? Grab one HEREand print it out to put up somewhere… you could even let the kids make a flag to proudly display. Amazon also has some little ones like this one HERE and HERE.

After this we have our calendar time also where we go over such things as the Days of the Week, the months, and some basic math.

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This one came from Lakeshore Learning.

Tip: If you want to go to a certain week/chapter or topic simply push the ‘ctrl’ and the ‘F’ button down together and a small bar will pop up. Type in the week number or chapter number you want and it will take you to it.

Week 7: Finishing Up

Here is our lesson plan for the week:

Language Arts

Math

You can work on a lesson in your Ray’s Arithmetic Books or other math workbook. (The lessons below reflect what we worked on.)

Group:

Rotate through these activities:

Click HERE to check for updates.

Older Kids:

Younger Kids:

Geography and History

1. State Study **

  • Review the states we learned about and choose a state to research more.
  • Write a report about the state and include at least 3 interesting facts about the state.

2. Continue to Research the Gold Rush. **

  • Finish your speech!
  • Give your speech!

Bonus: **

Research the main ways of pioneer transportation.

  • How do our methods of transportation differ?
  • What ways, if any, do we still use today?

Here is an interesting video about transportation methods you can watch.

Fun things to do:

The Scrambled States of America Puzzle and Book Set

Science

1. Pick out a previous topic to research more and write a report about it.

2. Check out some other forest animals. Which ones have you seen before?

3. Check out these other videos for more information for you Gold Rush Speech.

  • How is Gold Mined?

  • How is Gold processed?

  • How is Gold used?

Fun Projects:

  • My kids also enjoyed reading:

 Bears on the Brain (Science Solves It!)

Life Skills

Be sure to continue practicing your manners at home and away from home.

1. Research Maple Syrup as an alternative natural sweetener

  • Discuss what you learned.

2. Research the history of Johnny Cakes

  • Watch this video:

  • What are two other names these are known by?
  • Bonus points for making up a batch of these today! Here is a recipe.

Check out these Pioneer recipes that are still around today:

3. Learn about the Sabbath Day.

  • Discuss what you learned.
  • How can you observe the Sabbath Day in your home?

Bonus Lesson/Activities:

  • Make some Pioneer Taffy.
  • Check out this video about preparing for a Pioneer Trek. (Mormon Pioneer Trek Preparation Demo)

  • Learn how to clean a gun, with your parent’s permission!
  • Look up at least two Bible verses about Gold, choose one to memorize.
  • Research Pioneer Fashion

Here is one about Amish clothing which is similar to the pioneer clothing:

  • Discuss what you learned.
  • How do these differ from our clothing today?

PE, Health & Safety

    1. Practice making healthy food choices
    1. Research Cabin Fever and ways to prevent/cure it.
    1. Make a Giant Tic-Tac-Toe Game

  • Bonus: Research Tobacco.

  • (mentioned in Chapter 9)
  • https://youtu.be/DORfPGMv-kc
  • https://youtu.be/fF7SNcw7kxQ
    • Discuss what you learned.
    • List 3 different side effects of tobacco use.

  • Games/Outdoor Play

  • Play any of the games listed above or choose your favorite game to play.
  • Continue your Square Dance lessons.

Music, Arts & Crafts

Crafts:**

  1. Choose a previous craft that you haven’t done yet.
  2. Make a Spoon Doll p. 14 Pioneer Crafts for Kids
  3. Make a Pioneer Doll p. 32 Pioneer Crafts for Kids
  4. Make a Log Cabin Photo Frame p. 36 Pioneer Crafts for Kids
  5. Make a Pioneer Life Diorama p. 51 Pioneer Crafts for Kids
  6. Use My Book of Little House Paper Dolls: The Big Woods Collection to reenact and retell the story to someone.
  7. Build a Pretzel Log Cabin
  8. Make a log cabin with Lincoln Logs.

Art:

  1. Choose a previous project that you haven’t done yet.
  2. Draw a picture of your earliest memory and write a story about it.**

Music:

  1. Am I A Soldier of the Cross? p. 138 Laura Ingalls Wilder Songbook

2. The Star Spangled Banner p. 80 Laura Ingalls Wilder Songbook

**BE SURE TO SAVE A FEW SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK FOR YOUR  PORTFOLIO!  TAKE PICTURES OF BIG PROJECTS!

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Global Forgiveness Day

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*This post contains affiliate links which help to support our blog and our family.

Global Forgiveness Day is a day to forgive and be forgiven. It is celebrated on August 27th. Click here to learn more about this holiday.

Below are some of the activities I found to celebrate this day:

(Use at your own discretion.)

Also check out:

Homeschool: August on Pinterest

Forgiveness for kids on YouTube

 

Love and Respect! A Kids Book About Love and Happiness: Help Your Child Understand Love and Friendship, Faith, Joy and Forgiveness in This Book on Love for Children (Faith Alive)Blotch: A Tale of Forgiveness and Grace

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Preventing The Back To HomeSchool Meal Planning Madness

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**This post does contain some affiliate links which could possibly earn me a small commission if a purchase was made through them. These links help to support our blog and our family.

Hmmm… have you thought about what you’ll be feeding those hungry learners? If your kids were in public school you may not have had to think much about it before. If you plan to homeschool then you will be feeding them at least three meals a day and maybe a few snacks in between.

This can turn into a chaotic juggling act if you aren’t prepared. How do we prevent meal time chaos in our home? By meal planning. I even plan out snacks sometimes so I don’t forget to include them on my grocery list. Check out this link for some Healthy Snacks to Go.

10 snacks your kids can make star (1)

It might seem like a lot of trouble but when you find a system that works for then it is so easy. It will actually save you time and money in the long run. This is also a helpful thing even if you don’t homeschool.

Check out this post for some quick and easy breakfast ideas to help you beat that morning chaos and fill those tummies with a nutritious breakfast to start their day off right. Here is another link for even more ideas: The Healthy Breakfast Book. Continue reading Preventing The Back To HomeSchool Meal Planning Madness →

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National Lighthouse Day

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*This post contains affiliate links which help to support our blog and our family.

National Lighthouse Day honors those beacons of light that represent safety and security. Click here to learn more about this holiday. It is celebrated on August 7th. This would be a great day to take a tour of any local lighthouses.

Do you know a lighthouse collector? Here are some gift ideas for them.

Below are some of the activities I found to celebrate this day:

(Use at your own discretion.)

Also check out:

Homeschool: August on Pinterest

Lighthouses for kids on YouTube

 

Collectors Gift Set of 4 Assorted Lighthouse Figurines 4 Inch Resin Home Boat DecorEbros Five World Famous Light Houses In Metal Rings Wind Chime Decor Resonant Relaxing Patio Aluminum And Resin ConstructionJeremiah 29:11 Outer Banks Lighthouse Hardcover Wirebound Journal

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U.S. Coast Guard Day

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*This post contains affiliate links which help to support our blog and our family.

U.S. Coast Guard Day honors those who protect our shores and waters. Click here to learn more about this holiday. It is celebrated on August 4th.

Do you know someone who is or was a member of the Coast Guard? Here are some gift ideas for them.

Below are some of the activities I found to celebrate this day:

(Use at your own discretion.)

Also check out:

Homeschool: August on Pinterest

Coast Guard for kids on YouTube

 

affiliate links, homeschooling, Kids, Parenting, Single Parenting, special needs

Kirby’s Kids: Our 2018-2019 Homeschool Curriculum Reveal

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*This post does contain some affiliate links which help to support our blog and our family.

Ohhhh! I am so excited to be sharing this post with you. The kids are pretty excited about it too! My fingers are going faster than my brain as I am typing and somehow or another they are managing to put into words what I want to say. I did show a sneak peak of some of the items we’ve received in this post here but now I am going to show you everything we have right now.

If you haven’t seen my latest posts about homeschooling check out the links here but if you are only interested in what we have planned for this year, please keep scrolling.

I’ve been talking about how excited I am for our next homeschool year and I just can’t wait to get started. I have actually talked about this curriculum before but its been awhile. My kids are finally at the age that I think this will work out really well for everyone. Continue reading Kirby’s Kids: Our 2018-2019 Homeschool Curriculum Reveal →

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Choosing The Right Fit For School

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I recently read a story on Facebook about a mom who took her son shoe shopping. Her son had a club foot and this caused a big difference in shoe size between the left and the right foot. After shopping for a bit he finally found a pair of shoes he loved. However this meant that mom was going to need to buy two pairs of shoes in order for her son to have the most comfortable fit for each foot. One big size and one little size because he wouldn’t be able to wear the little shoe on his club foot as it would just be too tight and the likewise the big shoe wouldn’t fit correctly on his smaller foot. The manager realized the dilemma and he purchased one pair of shoes for the child. How great was this experience for this child? I bet he won’t forget this for a lifetime.

I just finished up one of the books I got from our first trip to the library.  This book is by an author that I already have on my bookshelf at home and I was in love when the book started out with the comparison of schools to shoes. It is so very true… schools are like shoes in that there is not a ‘one size fits all’. I mean when we are shoe shopping we try on various different kinds of shoes, if you are like William you may try on every pair in the store, before finding the right shoe. I know I’ve found shoes I really like but they weren’t the right color or they didn’t have them in my size. Most of us will ultimately decide on the most comfortable fitting shoe because we can’t change our feet.

So why do we insist on sending our kids to school when something obviously isn’t fitting right? My kids have been through all of the stages of public school. They usually start out excited and they like to go to school to learn new things. Then somewhere along the line they lose that enthusiasm. They start complaining of tummy aches or other ailments. They go from making A’s and B’s to bringing home mostly D’s and F’s. What happened?

**If you would like the name of the book with my affiliate links then please scroll to the bottom of the post. Continue reading Choosing The Right Fit For School →

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Family Fun Day: Books, Elvis, Ice Cream, and Another Huge UPS Delivery

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**This post does contain some affiliate links which help to support our blog.

Oh what a day we’ve had. The kids thought it was gonna be just another boring day but it actually turned out to be quite interesting.

The morning started as it normally does with the exception that we had a cereal day instead of muffins… I just wasn’t in a muffin kinda mood this morning. Nobody complained either. Before breakfast the kids had done a little bit of their summer work books that I’ve printed off for them.

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After breakfast we had some calendar time… do you like our new calendar we got from Lakeshore Learning? This picture was from the weekend. It is quite a bit bigger than our old one and I had a hard time finding a good place to put it. So for now it is in our ‘hallway’ and I put up some new remote control lights to help us see better. These are really neat and I had enough to put one in the closet as well.

After the chores, which included changing/washing the sheets and washing the whites, I had everyone load up in the van. Well first a couple of them had to change clothes because they had already gotten dirty. We also had to brush hair, wash faces, and go potty. Eventually we made it to the van and I had them asking so many questions about where we were going…. but I wanted to keep it a secret. Continue reading Family Fun Day: Books, Elvis, Ice Cream, and Another Huge UPS Delivery →