Wild West: Annie Oakley

Download a black and white PDF of Annie Oakley.

Wild West: a Unit Study

PRIMARY TEXT: "Danger at the Wild West Show" (an American Girl History Mysteries book by Alison Hart)
ADDITIONAL TEXTS: Visit the Must-Reads section for titles.
Duration: 3 weeks/15 days
Subjects covered:
Literature
Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary/Spelling
Writing, Geography
History
Art
Religion


WEEK #1
MONDAY
“An Unexpected Enemy”
Literature: Read Chapter 1.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
What is Rose doing at the beginning of the book?
What have Rose and Raven practiced all summer?
What does Rose want to do more than anything?
Why won’t Rose’s mother let her be in the show?
Spelling/Vocabulary Words: Define parasol, prosperous, muffled, vaulted, gangly, fringed
Writing Assignment: (Choose one.)
1. Write four sentences that Rose could say to her mother to convince her to be in the show.
2. Write four sentences about a character in the book.
3. Write four sentences summarizing the chapter.
Geography:
Locate Kentucky on the map.
Learn about Kentucky at the state’s official site.
Find the largest city, Louisville.
Art:
Use the description on page 6 to draw Oliver.
Use the description on page 9 to draw Levi Frontier.
History:
Read books about: Sitting Bull (the model for White Bear)
A Wild West Show
Kentucky
Religion:
Rose wants Oliver to lie for her. Why? What does Oliver do instead of lie? Describe how you think Rose handled this situation. What could she have done better? (Review the 10 Commandments.)


TUESDAY
“Let the Wild West Begin!”

Literature: Read Chapter 2.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
What did Mr. Pearson bring to Rose and family?
What good news did Rose’s mother give her?
How is Rose dressed for the show?
What did her mother used to do in a Wild West show?
Why is North voting against the Dawes Allotment Act?
Vocabulary: Define: glorying, headquarters, muttonchops, transfer, correspondence, serenaded, preening, addled, coddled, guffawed, throttle, scrawny
Writing Assignment:
Describe Mr. Pearson’s visit.
If Rose had written about White Bear, what could she have written?
Art:
Draw a picture of the tent using the description on page 13.
Draw a picture of what Rose’s outfit looks like using page 19.
Create a Sioux winter count. (A winter count was a large piece of hide in which a Sioux would draw important scenes in his/her family life. Recreate it with brown construction paper or a paper bag torn along the sides, and draw pictures from events in your life.)
History:
Read books about:Remington typewriter.
Dawes Allotment
Listen to “My Old Kentucky Home.”
Religion:
What kindness did Rose show Oliver? Why? How does God call us to treat one another? Is there someone in your life to whom you could show more kindness?

WEDNESDAY
“Attack on the Dry Gulch Stage”

Literature: Read Ch. 3.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
Which people are near the grandstand before the show?
How does Zane enter the track?
What is Rose’s part in the show?
What does Rose do to show Levi Frontier that she can be responsible?
What terrible act happens at the end of the chapter?
Vocabulary: Define: lurched, showy, bellowed, exaggerated, aloft, pummeling, slumped
Writing Assignment:
Write an introduction to Zane’s final trick.
Describe Rose’s experience during the show.
Art:
Draw any act from the show.
Draw Zane’s lariat tricks.
If you can find a jump rope, SAFELY try and see if you can do some lariat tricks.
History:
Read books about:
Mexican vaqueros
Pony Express
Listen to “Dixie Land.”
Religion:
What emotion does Rose struggle with on page 30? How can she handle her jealousy?


THURSDAY
Suspicion”
Literature: Read Chapter 4.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
What does Rose tell Con to help the situation?
Who does Rose suspect of shooting General Judson? And why?
What clue does Rose give to Mr. Frontier?
How does Rose feel about Oliver being a settler?
What leaves Rose with a feeling of fear?
Vocabulary: Define: hollered, dawdled, pallid, hoisted, citizenry, authentic, portly, utmost, formidable, spooked
Writing Assignment:
Write four sentences about the Sioux. (Use books that you read in History.) Write four sentences about the act.
Art:
Draw a picture of a homestead.
Draw a picture of a Sioux tribe.
Do a log cabin craft.
History:
Read books about:
Homesteads in 1886
Settlers
Listen to “Oh! Susanna!”
Religion:
Discuss the portrayal of Indians/Native Americans in the Wild West Show. Why are they shown negatively? Is it fair? Discuss discrimination. How does Jesus want us to treat one another?

FRIDAY
“White Bear’s Silence”

Literature: Read Chapter 5.
Reading Comprehension:
How does Oliver react to the scene?
How does Rose handle the situation?
Why does Rose think she ruined the show?
What does White Bear not understand about ragged children?
Who do you think shot General Judson?
Vocabulary: Define the following: shielded, distorted, steeled, jeers, craggy, foreboding, provisions, retrace, singe
Writing Assignment
Write the apology that Rose owed the Sioux.
Write four sentences about how White Bear must feel.
Art:
Draw White Bear according to the description on page 48.
Do a tipi craft.
History:
Read books about:
Sioux (Check out the Dakota/Lakota language links.)
Tipis (Look at different styles online.)
Religion:
How do you think Zane and Rose could better explain to their mother and Levi what happened? Is it all right to lie? Why do you think they are lying?


WEEK #2
MONDAY
“Arrested!”

Literature: Read Chapter 6.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
1. Does Rose’s mother believe her? Why or why not?
2. How does Rose introduce Oliver to the world of horses?
3. How does Zane treat Rose in this scene?
4. Who shows up right after Rose’s act?
5. Do you think that Zane is guilty? Why or why not?
Vocabulary: Define: scrutinized, anxious, furrowed, sputtered, exhilaration, sidled
Writing Assignments:
1. Pretend you are introducing Rose’s new act. Write four sentences of what you would say.
2. Write a list of nicknames that you could have given Rose in addition to Zane’s “Trick-Riding Rose.”
Art:
Draw a picture of Raven using the description on page 61 as the basis.
Draw and label the pieces of equipment Rose puts on Raven.
Color any of the horses found here.
History:
Read about:
Wild West Shows
Horse care in 1886
Religion:
In Scripture, sometimes people are falsely accused of crimes. Can you name any people in the Bible who also suffered or thrown in jail? Remember that Jesus was also arrested and condemned without a fair trial. Read the account of his arrest in Scripture.


TUESDAY
“An Unexpected Ally”

Literature: Read Chapter 7.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
1. How does Mr. Pearson treat Rose during Zane’s arrest?
2. What does Rose do instead of obey Mr. Pearson?
3. Why does Mr. Pearson think that Zane shot the general?
4. Why is Rose’s mother upset about how Rose breaks the news to Mr. Frontier?
5. What did Rose remember that General Judson and Senator North argued about on the night Judson was shot?
Vocabulary: Define: ally, protest, reassuringly, budge, reluctantly, fumed, evidence, intrude, haste
Writing Assignments:
1. Pretend you are Rose and write a letter to Senator Dawes telling him what you think about his law regarding reservation land.
2. Rose believes her hurrying caused Zane to get arrested. Write four sentences about whether you think she is right.
Art:
Color a Wild West page.
Make a sheriff’s vest and badge. (Just use brown paper grocery bags, markers and scissors. Cut on side of the bag down the middle to make it a vest. Cut the bottom to fit you. Decorate it with markers.)
History: Discuss the terms: war hawk and crack shot.
Religion:
Senator Dawes is trying to pass a law to take away reservation land from the Indians. Rose says it is stealing. Is she correct? Why? What does Scripture say about stealing? About the rights of people? Who is behaving as Jesus tells us to: Zane or Senator Dawes? Why?


WEDNESDAY
“False Friends”

Literature: Read Chapter 8.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
1. Who does Mama suspect of taking Zane’s revolver? Why?
2. What does Oliver contribute (or “add”) to the basket for Zane?
3. What does Rose tell the coachman to do?
4. Why is Mama surprised that North is Zane’s first visitor?
5. Who passes the jail? What does Rose do?
Vocabulary: Define the following: suspicions, stately, recoiled, genuinely, heartsick, careen
Writing Assignments:
1. Write a list of items that you would have added to the basket for Zane.
2. Write four sentences about what you would tell Rose about the city that you live in.
Geography:Look up the baseball hall of fame.
Art:
Draw a basket filled with everything that Cook and Rose prepared for Zane. (Use the description on page 79.)
Try your hand at sewing, if you dare! ;-)
History:
Singer Sewing machines
America’s first baseball team
Religion:Rose adds a four-leaf clover to the basket for luck. Do you believe in luck? Why or why not?

THURSDAY
“Discoveries”

Literature: Read Chapter 9.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
1. Where has Rose seen the auburn-haired lady before?
2. What idea does Rose have for discovering the lady’s name?
3. How does Rose know the item in the Bible belongs to the lady?
4. What is suspicious about the list of congressmen in the newspaper?
5. Why didn’t Zane reveal the name of the lady?
Vocabulary: Define the following: smitten, persuade, snoop, marveling, tattered, pondering, winsomely, hodgepodge
Writing Assignments:
1. Write four sentences about what you would have in your trunk.
2. What do you think that Rose should say to the lady? Write it down.
Art:
Draw a picture of a handkerchief, as fancy as you’d like, with your initials on it. Use fabric paints to put your initials on a book bag or anything that your mom lets you do.
History:
Bloomers: Read online article:
Bicycles: Check out historic bicycles.
Religion:
Knowing that Zane reads his Bible, which story do you think is his favorite? Why?

FRIDAY
“Turned Away”

Literature: Read Chapter 10.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
1. What skill does Oliver have that will help him help Rose?
2. How does Oliver get information from the conductor?
3. Of what does the mayor’s residence remind Oliver?
4. Why does Mama correct Rose? Do you agree with her?
5. Why hasn’t the auburn-haired lady helped?
Vocabulary: Define the following: worthy, hunched, traipsing, bribe, lightweight, apprehensive, jauntily, disdainful, determined, ruffians
Writing Assignments:
1. Write four sentences about something that you can do well.
2. Describe how you think ABR must be feeling.
Geography: Draw a map of your city. Be sure to make a key and use the appropriate symbols.
Art:
Do a watercolor of your home.
Draw a picture of how you imagine the auburn-haired lady to look like.
History:
Southern Exposition
Thomas Edison
Cherokee Triangle (where the mayor lives)
Religion:
Oliver reveals that he has a gift. He may not be able to ride horses, but he does know how to get around the city well. This skill lets him help out a friend in need. What gifts do you have? How can you serve God and help others by using this gift?

WEEK #3

MONDAY
“A Storm of Questions”

Literature: Read Chapter 11.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
1. How does Oliver help Mama and Rose once again?
2. Why does Rose feel like she and Mama are truly alone?
3. What does Rose admit to White Bear/Ma-to-sea?
4. What advice does White Bear give Rose?
5. What does Rose do to try and understand who shot General Judson?
Vocabulary: Define the following: bulged, invaluable, stashed, scant, grimaced, silhouetted, sparse
Writing Assignments:
Write about the changes that Rose has seen in Oliver.
Write what you think that White Bear was trying to tell Rose.
Art:
Create a scene using these pictures.
Now that you know what silhouette means (see Vocabulary), create one.
History:
Get books about:
Mark Twain (his official Website)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Religion:
Rose realizes that she was wrong for teasing Oliver. She repents and promises herself not to do that anymore. What does the Bible say about forgiveness? Is there anyone that you need to forgive?


TUESDAY
“Determination”

Literature: Read Chapter 12.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
1. Who does Rose and Oliver suspect as the shooter? Why?
2.How does Oliver feel about the bill?
3. How does Mr. Frontier react to Rose’s request to be in the show?
4. What does Billy Dees reveal about Zane’s shooting?
5. How has life been different since Rose and her family lost Papa?
Vocabulary: Define the following: wary, mustered, bustled, ornery, flamboyant
Writing Assignments:
1. Pretend you’re Rose and write four sentences about what you would say to White Bear.
2. What do you think about shooting? Write three sentences explaining your view.
Art:
Create a poster for Rose as a cowgirl.
Draw a picture of yourself as a trick-riding cowgirl.
History:
Review any of the previous sites that you’ve seen.
Religion:
The author writes: “Mama had a pile of troubles, yet it didn’t stop her from helping others.” Discuss what spiritual gift this is. Who in Scripture had troubles yet helped others? What can you do to reach out to others?

WEDNESDAY
“A Telltale Silence”

Literature:Read Chapter 13.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
1. How does Rose approach White Bear?
2. What is his response to her request for help?
3. Why does Rose think that real shooter wants the act to pass?
4. What advice does White Bear give her?
5. What does Rose think happened that night?
Vocabulary: Define the following: teeming, cluster, humbly, parcels, meddle, propelled, churning
Writing Assignments:
1. Imagine you are White Bear. Write down your advice to Rose.
2. Write a timeline for the events that happened. (For example: “First, etc.”)
Art:
Create a lasso activity: Use several clean large white milk containers. Draw spots on the white chug containers to resemble cow spots. Fill the cows with water to help weigh them down; make sure they are closed tightly. Cut some rope for the lasso. Practice roping the cows.
History:
Listen to “Camptown Races” online.
Religion:
Rose says that she requests White Bear’s help humbly. She stresses the word. What does “humble” mean? Does Jesus ask us to be humble? Why or why not?

THURSDAY
“Welcome Surprises”

Literature: Read Chapter 14.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
1. How does the audience react to Rose’s riding tricks?
2. Who captures the shooter? Is this surprising? Why or why not?
3. What does Rose urge Senator North to do in Washington, D.C.?
4. Why does Mr. Frontier apologize?
5. What dream comes true for Rose?
Vocabulary: Define the following: haltingly, flanking, wince, relented, heroine, accommodations, preoccupied, dilemma, incredulous
Writing Assignments:
1. Write a few sentences about what Senator North should say in Washington D.C.
2. Write a few sentences about what you think will happen next in the story.
Geography: Locate Washington, D.C. on the map.
Art:
Draw a picture of Rose’s new outfit.
Create a flyer for Rose’s show.
History:
Get books about:
Annie Oakley
Washington, D.C.
Visit the White House for Kids.

Religion:
Mr. Frontier is forgiven for the many ways he failed them. How do Rose and her mother accept the apology? What does Scripture say about forgiveness? Do you need to forgive anyone today or ask anyone for forgiveness?

FRIDAY
“Trick-Riding Rose”
NOTE: The chapter is so short that today, you can have a lighter day of school and/or use the online resources from the previous days.

Literature: Read Chapter 15.
Reading Comprehension: (Answer in complete sentences.)
1. What is Miss Abigail Reed doing for the show this evening?
2. What does White Bear tell Rose?
3. What do you think will happen next in their lives?
Vocabulary: Define the following: strenuous, righted, exasperated
Writing Assignments:
Write about any of the following:
your favorite character
your favorite scene
a summary of the book
You can also write a few sentences about yourself as a character in the book.
Art:
Choose any of the projects from previous days that you have not done.
History: Read the historical notes at the end of the book.
Religion:
In the book, characters appear to be one way and then show themselves to be another. For example, Oliver appears to be weak and silly because of his lack of Wild West skills. Yet he has strength and skills in other areas. Sometimes, we need to give a chance to people and see them for who they really are. In Scripture, who are some people who might seem a certain way but end up strong and capable? Who in the Bible is like this? Consider David in the Old Testament.

Also, Rose learns to be more appreciative of everyone. By the book end, she is more grateful for her mother and appreciates her friendship with Olive more. What other lessons do you think that some characters have learned? Who in the Bible reminds you of them?

Mary

Update: This printable is now part of the "25 Days in December: An Advent Coloring and Activity Book."  Visit my Etsy shop to purchase the coloring book for just $8!

King Arthur: Free Coloring Page

Download a black and white PDF of King Arthur.
Download the sword and the stone, and Excalibur.
Download his shields, too. 

Your Gallery

I love to see where my paper dolls have traveled and how you have customized them. To share your image with me, just email me the pic/post link/etc. at mypaperdali@gmail.com or leave a comment.

Special thanks to the lovely kids and parents who allowed the use of the following pictures!

Martianne at Training Happy Hearts used St. Joseph for the family's lovely St. Joseph celebration:

From the ever-amazing Jessica at Shower of Roses regarding St. Joseph:


From Rosario at Beads4Prayer, a liturgical colors and vestment idea featuring Blessed Miguel Pro (in his Paper Dali form):


From Evann at Homeschool Goodies (a favorite site o' mine); they had a saint parade at her house:

From Jessica at Shower of Roses:



From Walking By the Way: (Elijah used the pharaoh Paper Dali for the cover of his lapbook.)

From Homeschool Goodies: (Saint Juan Diego is the patron saint of this brand-new school year.)


From Hi, I'm (insert name): (Raven used the Egyptian couple for the cover of her lapbook.)

From NutBugs: (Kristin wrote a wonderful, sweet blog post about Paper Dalis.)

From The G--- Family blog:

From the "School is Cool" blog:

From "Blair's Blessings":

Felt Craft: Saint Lucia Doll & Star Boy

As requested, here are my directions for the little dolls above. I made them on the spur of the moment, so the directions aren't perfect, but you can get the general idea from them.

Materials needed for the St. Lucia Doll:
a wooden doll pin
yellow yarn
glittery red pipe cleaner
glittery green pipe cleaner
glittery gold pipe cleaner
white felt
peach felt
thin-tipped markers (not thick because they smudge the face)
pink highlighter
hot-glue gun (THE most important crafting item of all)
scissors

Before you do anything else: Draw a little face on her using paint or thin-tipped markers. (FYI: Try this out first on another hidden part of the wood, so you know whether the color will smudge. A pink highlighter, by the way, is awesome for rosy cheeks. A Sharpie is terrible for eyes, for they end up smearing the color.) It's best to draw the face first, for you don't want to have invested a lot of time in the doll then goof on the face and have all that time wasted.

1.) I took a scrap of white felt, wrapped it around the doll pin (aka "body")and trimmed it to make it look like a gown. Once I was satisfied, I put down the white felt and put the hot glue on the wooden body and QUICKLY put wrapped the white felt on her as I had just done.
2.) Cut out little half-circles from the peach felt for her hands.
3.) Cut out white triangles for her sleeves.
4.) Hot-glue each half-circle hand to the bottom of the sleeve.
5.) Hot-glue the sleeves to her sides for arms.
6.) Measure out a long piece of yellow yarn for her hair.
7.) Hot-glue the top of her head and QUICKLY swirl the yarn on her head in a circle.
8.) Measure out long sections of yarn and braided it then tie each end of it.
9.) Hot -glue on the top of her head then put the braid there, so it looks nice.
10.) Cut out a bit of glittery green pipe cleaner to wrap around her head as a wreath (but don't attach it yet).
11.) Cut out little pieces of glittery gold pipe cleaner for the candles.
12.) Attach the "candles" to the green "wreath" just by tucking them at the end.
13.) Wrap the wreath around her head so it looks nice.
14.) Wrap a bit of glittery red pipe cleaner for her belt.
15.) Admire your handiwork!


Materials for the Star Boy:
hot glue gun
a wooden doll pin
yellow yarn
white felt
little blue star cut from blue felt
markers (thin-tipped for his face)
scrap of "boyish" material
peach felt

Before you do anything else: Draw a little face on him using paint or thin-tipped markers. (FYI: Try this out first on another hidden part of the wood, so you know whether the color will smudge. A pink highlighter, by the way, is awesome for rosy cheeks. A Sharpie is terrible for eyes, for they end up smearing the color.) It's best to draw the face first, for you don't want to have invested a lot of time in the doll then goof on the face and have all that time wasted.

1.) Cut out a scrap of the boyish material, wrap it around the doll pin (aka "body") and trimmed it to make it look like a gown. Once satisfied, I put down the scrap and put the hot glue on the wooden body and QUICKLY wrapped the material around him as I had just practiced.
.2.) Cut out little half-circles from the peach felt for his hands.
3.) Cut out triangles from the boyish material for his sleeves.
4.) Hot-glue each half-circle hand to the bottom of the sleeve.
5.) Hot-glue the sleeves to his sides for arms.
6.) Measure out short bits of yarn for his hair.
7.) Hot-glue the top of his head and QUICKLY drape the yarn over his head, so it looks like a pageboy haircut. As soon as it cools, trim the hair to the desired length.
8.) Cut a triangle of white felt and roll it up like a cone for his hat. (You might have to do this several times to make sure it fits him.) Once you have the desired fit, hot-glue it so it stays.
9.) Hot-glue the stars to Star Boy's hat.
10.) Hot-glue the top of Star Boy's head and QUICKLY place the hat on it.
11.) Admire your work. : )

Saint Lucia

Download a black and white PDF of Saint Lucia.

Inspired by reading "Kirsten's Surprise," my daughter asked me if we could celebrate the feast day of Saint Lucia, which is December 13.

This was in August. We are not either Italian or Swedish, but we are Catholic. At least I knew that Saint Lucia was the famous Lucy of the brutal martyrdom.

After a little bit of research, I learned about the beautiful, sweet ceremony that commemorates this day. Saint Lucy, with her bright shining candles, reminds us to be the light in the darkness. And her offerings of food and drink remind us to be giving and kind to others. The white gown symbolizes the young woman's purity and the red reminds us of her martyrdom.

By December, we were ready to celebrate this day.

Morning Light
At 5:34 a.m., Essie woke up early to prepare breakfast for the family. (Because she is seven years old and it's our first year, I also woke up to help.) Many families make St. Lucy bread, but, being pressed for time and tired from last night's ice skating, we opted for easy bake cinnamon rolls.

As they baked, Essie dressed in her St. Lucia outfit: a simple white gown and her candle crown. The gown was a white snow princess outfit that we bought the day after Halloween for $10. The candle crown was from Hemslojd Swedish Gifts.

She took the rolls, poured the coffee in a mug for her daddy and put everything in a tray. Then, she quietly went to wake up her father for work. He woke up, very surprised to see his little girl wearing candles in the dark but touched by her bringing him breakfast in bed. She then took some cinnamon rolls to Miguel's bedroom, leaving them by his bed. (Traditionally, in Sweden, she would have awoken the household with song, but her little brothers get grumpy if awoken early.)

Then, the three alert family members ate cinnamon rolls together and talked a little about how St. Lucia went out in the darkness, shining her light to others.

Unit Study for the Day
History
Learn about Saint Lucy here.

Read this excerpt from Catholic Encyclopedia: "Lucy's name means "light", with the same root as "lucid" which means "clear, radiant, understandable." Unfortunately for us, Lucy's history does not match her name. Shrouded in the darkness of time, all we really know for certain is that this brave woman who lived in Syracuse lost her life in the persecution of Christians in the early fourth century. Her veneration spread to Rome so that by the sixth century the whole Church recognized her courage in defense of the faith.

Because people wanted to shed light on Lucy's bravery, legends grew up. The one that is passed down to us tells the story of a young Christian woman who had vowed her life to the service of Christ. Her mother tried to arrange a marriage for her with a pagan. Lucy apparently knew that her mother would not be convinced by a young girl's vow so she devised a plan to convince her mother that Christ was a much more powerful partner for life. Through prayers at the tomb of Saint Agatha, her mother's long illness was cured miraculously. The grateful mother was now ready to listen to Lucy's desire to give her money to the poor and commit her life to God.

Unfortunately, legend has it, the rejected bridegroom did not see the same light and he betrayed Lucy to the governor as a Christian. This governor tried to send her into prostitution but the guards who came to take her way found her stiff and heavy as a mountain. Finally she was killed. As much as the facts of Lucy's specific case are unknown, we know that many Christians suffered incredible torture and a painful death for their faith during Diocletian's reign."

Reading
Read the above materials and Website.

Read "Kristin's Surprise" (an American Girl book).


Geography
Look up the different countries in which St. Lucy's feast day is celebrated:

Italy (her birthplace): Italians celebrate by eating small cakes or biscotti shaped like eyes, in memory of her having her eyes gouged out. A bit gross? Maybe, but they're not really eyes, after all, and the cakes taste good. They also light huge bonfires, also in memory of St. Lucy being a light to others in the darkness of troubling times and also for her using candles to light her way to serve the poor. Sicilians pay tribute to a miracle performed by St Lucy during a famine in 1582. Their prayers were answered by bringing a flotilla of grain-bearing ships to starving Sicily, whose citizens cooked and ate the wheat without taking time to grind it into flour. Thus, on St. Lucy's Day, Sicilians don't eat anything made with wheat flour, but eat a cooked wheat called cuccia.

Sweden: The oldest daughter in each household brings coffee and traditional pastries called lussekatter (Lucy cats) on a tray to her parents before they arise in the morning. She wears a white gown, scarlet sash, and a crown of greens and four, seven, or nine lighted candles. If she has other sisters, they are dressed in white and carry lit candles, and accompany her. Any brothers? They are called "star boys" (not Star Wars boys) and wear tall, cone-shaped hats decorated with stars. Some towns choose one girl to represent Saint Lucy at a celebration. Why the candles on the wreath? It's in memory of St. Lucia's going through the darkened woods, bringing food to the poor. In those days, she couldn't have used a flashlight, so she put candles on a wreath around her head, so her hands would be free to carry items to the poor.

Switzerland: Lucy accompanies Father Christmas. She doles out gifts to girls; he, to the boys.

Writing
Write four sentences about Santa Lucia.

Describe how to dress for a Saint Lucia celebration.

Copy the following prayer to St. Lucia: "Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation -- every corner of our day. Amen." (from http://www.catholic.org/)

Music
Listen to "Lucia Celebration and Christmas in Sweden" (which has the narration in English, songs in Swedish).

Art
Make St. Lucy bread.

Make a paper Santa Lucia Crown.

Discuss the Lucia painting by Carl Larsson.

Have the student draw their own version of the Lucia painting.

Blessed Miguel Pro

Download black and white PDF of Blessed Miguel Pro.
Download his rarely worn cassock. (He wore it only a few times due to the persecution in Mexico.)
Download his "dandy" outfit. (It is a sketch of one of the many disguises he wore during his underground work.)
Download his mechanic outfit. (It's another of his disguises.)

MIGUEL PRO
My son's birthday is coming up, and in celebration of his name saint, I made a Paper Dali of that amazing, fun, daring and selfless priest.

This Mexican priest was known for his joy, humor and wit as he evaded capture and celebrated the sacraments and served the poor and faithful in Mexico during the anti-Catholic persecutions. Included in the collection are disguises that he wore throughout the city: the fancy gentleman’s suit, a mechanic outfit (see picture to the right) and his regular street clothes. I included the priestly cassock, although he never wore it in Mexico, for it was illegal to be a priest.

You can learn more about him in the excellent “Blessed Miguel Pro" book by Ann Ball. If you do a Wiki search for him, there's a very factual article about him that makes marvelous Miguel sound boring. Ann's book is a far better read. You get a sense of how wonderfully human he was --- full of humor, life and dedication.

Have fun with history!

Saint Anna Wang / Santa Anna Wang

Download a black and white PDF of Saint Anna Wang.

Saint Joseph Mukasa / Santo Jose Mukasa

This paper doll now appears in the Saints Coloring Book, Vol. 2. You can find out the details at the Paper Dali Etsy shop.

Saint Rose of Lima / Santa Rosa de Lima

Download a black and white PDF of Saint Rose of Lima.

Saint Margaret of Scotland / Santa Margarita de Escocia

Download a black and white PDF of Saint Margaret of Scotland.

Ancient Egypt: Woman

 Download a black and white coloring page/paper doll of an Ancient Egyptian woman.

Ancient Egypt: Man

Download a black and white PDF of an Ancient Egyptian man.

American Revolution: Man

Studying the American Revolution? Here's a coloring page of Paul, a Revolutionary man. You can learn more about what life was like during that time period by checking out the fantastic site, Our American Revolution.

Download a black and white PDF of Paul, an American Revolutionary man.

American Revolution: Girl

Download a black and white PDF of Hope, an American Revolutionary girl.
Download a dress for her.
Download a party dress, too.

American Revolution: Boy

Download a black and white PDF of Henry, an American Revolutionary boy.

American Revolution: Girl and Baby

Download a black and white PDF of Grace, an American Revolutionary girl, and her little brother, Sam.
Download a dress for her.
Download a party dress, too.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first native-born American saint to be canonized by the Catholic Church.

Download a black and white PDF of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Download a wedding dress for her nuptials with Will Seton. (It is not the exact dress that she wore, but the wedding dress is based on an actual wedding dress from Elizabeth's era.)
Download the dark outfit she wore as a Sister of Charity.

Learn more about Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in this short, informative video:

American Revolution: Woman

Download a black and white PDF of Catherine, an American Revolutionary woman.

Saint Patrick: Free Coloring Page and Unit Study

Download the black and white PDF.


St. Patrick's Day often gets beat up and put in drag for the most part. An online search for Saint Patrick's Day yields recipes for cabbage, tips on which bar offers green beer, and oodles of coloring pages of leprechauns and their pots of gold. Sure, you can study those things as part of Irish lore, but I'd rather not study those things on the day that we celebrate Patrick's life. Especially considering his life was about teaching truth.

Geography: Locate Scotland on the map. (Patrick was born in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick). Locate Rome (to point out that the Romans' reach stretched all the way to Britain. They were in charge of that area at the time.) Locate Ireland. (He was kidnapped by a raiding party at fourteen and taken to work as a slave in Ireland. Later, he escaped, but then returned back to Ireland due to a dream he had. He, as a bishop, preached and converted most of the people to Catholicism.)Writing: Write your own version of an Irish blessing. Practice penmanship with the following traditional Irish blessing: "May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine upon your ace, the rains fall soft upon you fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."Write a brief report about Saint Patrick. Pretend to be Saint Patrick. Write a journal entry about your time either as a slave, on the ship or as a bishop.
Reading:Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland" by Tomie DePaola (Good for the littles) Look up other Irish saints: Brigid, St. Kevin of Glendalough, St. Columba, St. Brendan

Older kids can read this long bio. (It's a bit dry, but informative.

DVD: Watch "Patrick, Brave Shepherd of the Emerald Isle."
Art: Color this St. Patrick paper doll. Make heart shamrocks. (Use green construction paper, draw and cut three hearts. Arrange and glue them to sheet as a clover. Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Label each leaf Father, Son and Holy Spirit.)

Use green construction paper and your imagination to create an Irish saints booklet. (You can use the printable lapbook pages here.)

Read about Irish saints, draw a picture of them (or download one from the Internet. Use Google image search ... carefully) and write a sentence about each one for your own Irish saints booklet.

Make a Sculpey craft from Cottage Blessings

Make Irish soda bread. 
Informative links: Irish Culture and Customs Women for Faith and FamilyEnchanted Learning has some maps of Ireland and craft ideas, but the site is heavy on the leprechauns and Irish lore.