The kids absolutely adored learning about Washington, his fascinating, courageous and often difficult life during the time of the Revolutionary War. So it was with great excitement and anticipation that we came to this week's study: the Boston Tea Party! They were already familiar with some names that came up often this week. Names such as Adams, Revere, Henry, and Franklin. Watching their faces light up when they come across information they are familiar with never gets old.
We learned a little about Washington's spies, and did a cool activity writing spy letters with lemon juice.
Just add fire, and the message reveals itself.
Although I'm sure Washington would have envied the ease of my lighter.
Spying is a very serious business. We also may have briefly discussed what exactly happened to the spies when they were caught. I tried to edit that one out, but we have entirely too many resources in our house... Leah read about Nathan Hale all on her own.
This week's reading list:
This Country of Ours: Paul Revere's Ride
Liberty or Death: The American Revolution by Betsy Maestro
We Were There at the Boston Tea Party by Robert Webb
The Boston Tea Party by Russell Freedman
Paddle to the Sea by Holling C. Holling
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
The Burgess Animal Book by Thornton Burgess
Poetry: When We Were Very Young by A.A. Milne and Paul Revere's Ride by Longfellow
Picture Study: Paul Revere by John Singleton Copley
Composer Study: Bach and the Brandenburg Concertos
This week has been my favorite so far. There's just so much great stuff to cover: Paul Revere's daring ride and Longfellow's beautiful retelling; the stirring words of Patrick Henry; the bravery of the minutemen who stood at Lexington and Concord. We had a blast!
And, it was reflected in our Thursday Think, which turned out amazing. Their best work by far!
They took in so much information this week, it was incredible. And their drawings... WOW!
The growth I'm seeing each week as we do gather to do this activity is incredible.
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