Week 2: Christopher Columbus MFW

We had homeschooling friends over for our first day this unit which was soooo much fun for Jack.  Here's are the kids making the Pinta, the Nina, and the Santa Maria.  They took their maiden voyage in a big puddle. 

The boys are focused on the boats...Callie notices that she knelt in mud.

             The boys wanted to see how quickly they could sink theirs!  I should have seen that one coming!                               The girls were more concerned with the mud on Callie's knee :)

Geography/History:  Locating Spain, Portugal, India, the Canary Islands, and North America.

• Last week we did a popsicle stick activity about our Pledge of Allegiance.  The difference between our relationship with God is that He is King (we didn't "vote' Him in). 
• This week we learned a little about the Monarchy: King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.
• Compare/Contrast Maps during 1492 and now.
• Free printable worksheets/activities found here.
• Short videos about Columbus found here.
• Our country was found by mistake! 

 Language Arts: Names and Proper Nouns

• Writing: Write an advertisement for someone to sponsor your voyage.
• Journaling: "If I were Columbus' son, Diego...."
• Label the parts of a ship (see "Art" fingerpainting).
• Purpose:  What was Columbus' purpose for exploring?  How did this shape his plans?  Writing is similar; when you know the purpose of your writing, you know what details to include to accomplish your plan.
• This website has a Columbus unit of FREE printables for k-2.

Spelling:  I made up a game to practice our spelling words:

• Place a boat (ours was a jar lid) on the coast of Spain.  
• Place "explorers" inside (we used pom poms).  
• For each word they spell correctly, sail "west".  For each incorrect word, they lose 1 explorer.
• When they arrive to the "New Land" pick up some of the natives.
• Spell words and head "east" to get back to Spain.  (If you have people in your boat when you return, you win!)

Science:

• The earth is round, not flat!
• Air takes up space:
  We experimented with air: bubbles, instruments, empty containers, whistles... 
•  Air helped propel Columbus' ships.
• Hot water shrinks wool.  (See "Art" project below).

        We experimented with air: bubbles, instruments, empty containers, whistles...


Bible:

• Read scripture examples of the Earth being round. 
• Jesus: "the Lord saves"
• Queen Isabella wanted Columbus to share the religion with the natives.  Discuss the possible motivations of this.  What is our motivation for sharing Jesus with others?
• object lesson: "spices" are used to enhance the taste of food.  What are some "spices" in our walk with the Lord?  Prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and proclamation of the gospel enhance our walk with God.
• character traits: Flexibility and Perseverance (Columbus didn't end up where he though.  His crew wanted to turn around.)

Art:

• Columbus' father worked with wool (as did Columbus at a young age).
• "Spin" roving into yarn.
• Use the wool to make a yarn ball (to be used as a dryer ball).
• Layer colors and create patterns. 
• Fingerpaint: Paint your hand to "imprint" a boat.  Paint your finger to "stamp" oars, and your fist to "stamp" the masts. 

Reading:

•  Various books about boats and Columbus.

Snacks:

• Jello and Orange slices: boat and ocean  as seen here.
• Pancake Ships: make a mast and sail. (You could also stack little donuts).
• "Spanish" and "Indian" food.
• Spices  (Apples and Cinnamon).