So, to fill a little space (or to help you get your baby fix... whatever...) I give you...
Luke! Covered in baby food, because we're perfecting the art of eating. It's not exactly school-related, though certainly a relevant part of our school day.
We are thoroughly enjoying our time in the Revolutionary War. The people, the courage, the wonderful oration. It is incredible to me how much more we're able to pull out of this subject this time through. Leah has amazed me with her ability to comprehend the reasons for war and remember dates, events and names. She is beginning to see the link between cause and effect, and anticipates outcomes appropriately during reading. And Logan. Holy moly. I'm delighted to say that Logan has such incredible enthusiasm for the subject as well, despite his young age. That child remembers everything.
Of course, he is much more accustomed to and practiced in studying history than Leah was when we last did this cycle. Logan has already been through the middle ages and World Wars with us, so what's a little War of Independence?
Such is the plight of the firstborn... they always go first. She and I are both more practiced at the Classical Method this time through - no doubt, that makes a huge difference!
This week's reading list:
Liberty or Death: The American Revolution by Betsy Maestro
Sam the Minuteman by Nathaniel Benchley
Story of the World vol. 3
The Revolutionary War by Russell Roberts
Independent Dames by Laurie Hals Anderson
A Spy Called James by Anne Rockwell
Book of America: The Bravery of Abigail Adams
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
Paddle to the Sea by Holling C. Holling
The Burgess Animal Book by Thornton Burgess
Poetry: Oxford Illustrated Book of American Children's Poems
We listened to a reading of the Declaration, and used the first few famous lines for copy work.
Once we were thoroughly familiar with the Declaration, it seemed only fitting that we make our own.
I started this activity by finding a full copy, with signatures, that I could print off. Then, we tore off the edges.
This gave the paper that authentic, parchment-style feel.
Next, we had to give that bright white paper more of an aged feel. Tea bags provided just the right tool.
I keep telling you, there's lots of coffee (and tea!) in homeschooling, but a serious lack of hair brushing.
The finished product came out amazing. The kids were incredibly proud of themselves and their contribution to "history." It looks just like the original in the National Archives, or so I'm assured by my experts.
And, here's a good example of the kind of activities Livvy does while we do school. A little fine motor practice was on tap on this particular day. This is something that keeps her content and busy for literally hours. I'm a big fan of anything simple and self-contained, something that grows her creativity, skills or independence, even though we are not doing formal preschool.
My favorite reading of the week was A Spy Called James, the true story of James Lafayette, a slave who, serving under the Marquis de Lafayette, was also a double agent. He played a critical role in reporting on the activities of Benedict Arnold - after his betrayal - and British General Cornwallis in the days leading up to the Battle of Yorktown. I am sad to say that I had never heard of James Lafayette, and I don't think it is an understatement to say that without his information, it is possible that the seminal battle of the Revolution might have turned out very differently.
Despite his loyal service, James was not granted his freedom after the war as he had been promised. Ironically, after the battle for America's independence was won - in part due to the information he passed on - he was denied his freedom because he had been a spy rather than a soldier. It was the testimony of General Lafayette that ultimately helped him to gain emancipation, at which time he decided to take the man's name as a tribute.
It is an amazing and humbling story, and one I wish I had learned long ago.
