Fairies Unit Study

"…when the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies." (J.M. Barrie)

When asked about the next topic for our unit study, Essie said she'd like to learn more about fairies. It's the perfect excuse to read fairy tales and watch fairy movies and get to do all sorts of coloring projects. She is still in the middle of the unit study, so I'll add to this page as we discover new books and resources.

Definition
A fairy is "a mythical being of folklore and romance, usually having a diminutive human form and possessing magical powers." An extensive definition is also available.

Cover of the Notebook
We used the images from the following sites to decorate the notebook, use as clip art for book reports and just color while listening to a story.
Dulemba's Reading Fairy
Flowers & Fairies

Fairy Coloring Pages
Garden Fairy Coloring Pages

Fairy vs. Angel
Sometimes, in art, fairies are drawn almost in the same form as traditionally illustrated angels. The images often share the traits of wings and gossamer-light clothing. Sometimes, artists draw them alike, yet there are fundamental differences.

Fairies are shown as having the same traits as humans, often create mischief, possess their own power, grant wishes to whomever they please.

In comparison, angels, in Scripture, are superior to humans; are messengers of God; do not possess any magical powers; and usually strike fear and trembling in those who see them. They serve as intermediaries between God and man. In the Bible, angels are never seen as scampering sprites with magical dust. The first words the angels utter are usually: "Do not be afraid" --- which suggests they're not cuddly creatures. A good encyclopedia entry about angels is available for reference.

Famous Fairies
Tinkerbell
Morgan Le Fay (the name means "Morgan the Fairy")
The Fairy with Turquoise Hair (La Fata dai Capelli Turchini) is a fictional character in Carlo Collodi's book The Adventures of Pinocchio. (In the animated movie, she's the Blue Fairy.)
The Tooth Fairy
Oberon ("King of the Fairies") and Titiana, his wife in Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream"

Good Books About Fairies

Fairies seem to have been vogue for a while now. Any perusal of a bookshop will turn up several good fairy reads.

Here are some favorites:
This delightful book, "If You See a Fairy Ring," has pretty illustrations and tabs to pull. The poetry from classic authors and new ones make it a fine read, too.
In "Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg," Gail Carson Levine always puts her personal, quirky spin on Neverland. The above book takes the idea of Tinkerbell and tweaks it for an entertaining read.
Did you know that Laura wrote fairy books? It wasn't all about using a blown-up pig's bladder as a ball or watching Pa kill a bear. She had a fanciful streak, too, which shows in "Laura Ingall Wilder's Fairy Poems." The pictures make it even better.Yes, there was a movie a few years ago based on this book. As a fan of "Ella Enchanted" (the book), I ask you to put that icky movie memory aside and dig into this wonderful, engaging adaptation about Cinderella. The spin is decidedly modern --- Ella obeys because she must due to a fairy's spell --- but she is an intelligent, interesting character that girls would love to have as a friend.
Ah, Daisy Meadows --- you collective of writers. You've unleashed countless themed series about fairies. The books are almost syrupy, the stories are mildly adventurous, and all the pages have stars and sparkles and cutesy illustrations. My daughter loved these books for a long time. (The reading level is second grade.) For the Rainbow Magic series, Daisy Meadows has cranked out Pet Fairies, Party Fairies, and the Weather fairies.

No, this is not a Gail Carson Levine unit study, but she produces such well-written, funny stories that we delight in them. A revision of the story of Sleeping Beauty, "Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep" made us laugh aloud.

Activities
Make a gallery of famous fairies. Do a Google search for fairy images then take construction paper and make an accordion fold, then color and glue the fairies into each section.

Imagine that you are a fairy about to bestow a gift on Princess Aurora. What gift would you give her? Why? What is good about this gift? Write or narrate your answer.

Read a fairy poem from a library book then brainstorm ideas for your own poem. Decide on a subject, a rhyme scheme, then brainstorm. Use colorful, vivid words that will bring your poem to life.

Read a fairy tale and imagine what would happen next in the story. Write five sentences or narrate five sentences.

Complete a fairy online puzzle.

Make a fairy house for your garden or backyard.

Pretend you are Rose Pastures (a made-up relative of Daisy Meadows). You want to write a series of books about fairies. She's already written about pets, music, gems, etc. So, choose a theme of your own. Create five fairies. What are their names? What special powers do they have? Where do they live? What adventure do they have?

Read the following poem by William Shakespeare and draw a fairy according to the description:
"Oh, then I see Queen Mahab hath been with you.
She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes
In shape no bigger than an agate stone
On the forefinger of an alderman,
Drawn with a team of little atomies
Athwart men's noses as they lie asleep;
Her wagon spokes made of long spinners' legs.
The cover of the wings of grasshoppers,
The traces of the smallest spider's web,
The collars of the moonshine's watery beams,
Her whip of cricket's bone, the lash of film,
Her wagoner a small, grey-coated gnat,
Not half so big as a round little worm
Prick'd from the lazy finger of a maid;
Her chariot is an empty hazelnut
Made by the joiner squirrel or old grub,
Time out o' mind the fairies' coach makers."

American Girl Unit Study

PRIMARY TEXT: "Danger at the Wild West Show" (an American Girl History Mysteries book by Alison Hart)
Duration: 3 weeks/15 days
Subjects covered:
Literature
Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary/Spelling
Writing, Geography
History
Art
Religion

We also used paper dolls from the Wild West Show section of Paper Dalis to decorate her notebook and to draw scenes mentioned in the book.

ADDITIONAL TEXTS: Related library books, plus the following:

highly recommended; incredible pictures and good, solid information about sharp-shootin' and rodeo gals from the past; a good springboard for learning more about other "Roses"

Read this book early on in the unit study. It describes horses, cowboy/cowgirl clothes, etc. so that the book's Wild West terms will make more sense to your student.

historical fiction about the original "Little Sure Shot"

good information for better understanding "White Bear" (based on Sitting Bull)

















good information and vivid pictures















additional historical reading for better understanding about why Oliver was raving about Edison in "Danger at the Wild West Show"














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 scenea 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?

Solar System Unit Study

Our format for the solar system unit study is:
read a book
discuss it (do a narration page when possible)
do a book-related craft and/or activity
have the older student read a related book as reinforcement during quiet time
play space-related online games on the weekend to reinforce the week's learning

GOOD BOOKS TO USE

"How We Learned the Earth is Round": This book is a fine place to start. It gives a very readable history of our growing understanding that the world is round. Plus, it has a couple of easy experiments thrown in for hands-on learning. Students of all ages can then check out this site about our beloved planet. Older students (or young ones who have patience) may try to make a papier-mache globe.



"Don't Know Much About the Solar System": Good text for the basis of the unit study. Every two pages is on one subject. For example, "The Universe and Galaxies" are pages 8 and 9. The next day, you can do "The Solar System and Gravity" on pages 10 and 11. It's perfectly set up for a unit study. You can use this book for narration pages or the kids can color or draw while you read to them. A good online resource to complement this book is http://www.kidsastronomy.com/. Be sure to peruse the available worksheets and coloring pages.

"Me and My Place in Space": Now and your little student can enjoy a very colorful, informative book about the planets. It's the right length and size for the young crowd. We would read this together then do a coloring page for the planet. I only have one bit of criticism: the hideous grammar in the title. Some people might object to the last two pages, which suggest life on other planets. You can skip it if you'd like.



"Sun": This book is so beautiful and colorful that I will need to get my own copy and not abscond with the library copy. This informative, folk-arty book about the sun is hot. Students can do this easy activity (though you need some patience) to see the effects of sunlight.

"Magic School Bus: Out of This World": (a book about space rocks) has its own hands-on activity and lesson sheet. Cap off the unit study with a viewing of the DVD based on the book. (Or do it instead of the book. Shhh, we won't tell.)








"Zoo in the Sky": This gorgeously illustrated book is for the younger set , but it's beautiful enough that older students will appreciate its artistry. You can read the book and find some constellations on this virtual telescope.

"The Magic School Bus Sees Stars" (book and DVD) has a lesson plan to follow.

"The Moon Book": This nice basic readable book about the Moon is kid-friendly and informative. After reading this book, check out this craft for learning phases of the moon (for little ones) or older students can keep a moon phases calendar or do these worksheets.

MORE HANDS-ON LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Printable mobile sheet: (for younger kids)

Solar System model

Make a model of the solar system (for older kids).

Solar System printables

Mnemonic device for learning planets in order

Printable chart of the solar system

Lined Pages with Solar System Clipart

Printable Planet Book for Fluent Readers

Solar System Coloring Book (for beginners)

Solar System Coloring Book (for intermediate readers)

MORE ONLINE FUN
Interactive learning about the planets

BBC's Solar System Jigsaw (Turn help on for younger students.)

Space memory game

NASA games

NASA

Vincent Van Gogh Unit Study

Most boxed or packaged art programs are just too expensive for most homeschooling families. Give up the idea? Never! All you need is your computer, a nice enough screen for viewing art online and a printer for dashing off lesson plans, activities and coloring pages. If you have a little time, you can print out pages before teaching and save them in a notebook for your own personalized art book.

This month's featured artist:

VINCENT VAN GOGH

Note: Before Studying Art
Please check out these excellent resources for looking at art with children. You can print out questions that will inspire reflection and conversation. (I laminated this page and added it to our art shelf.) MOMA also has a downloadable PDF for looking at art and provides examples of how to do so.



Biography & Online Art
Here's a brief child-friendly biography. You can click on the images of his painting for a more detailed look.
Online gallery of Van Gogh's Sunflowers
The amazing, definite online gallery of Van Gogh's work
National Gallery of Art's virtual tour of its past Van Gogh exhibit
Van Gogh Museum

Books
"Visiting Van Gogh" (Adventures in Art)

A very readable, short but informative biography of Van Gogh






"The Yellow House: Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gaugin Side By Side" by Susan Goldman Rubin: Vincent so longed to form an artists' colony in Arles and thought Gaugin would be the first of many painters to join him there. This book explores that creative yet explosive time in these artists' lives. It is done very well. The paintings of Gaugin and Van Gogh of the same subject are gorgeous.

Activities
Study a comparison of two Van Gogh's self-portraits.
Take an Inside Art Adventure of a Van Gogh painting.
The National Galley of Art has provides teaching activities for Language Arts, Geography and drawing exercises.
Examine the characteristics of a Van Gogh piece.
Make a Van Gogh-style portrait.
Sunflower activities for little kids
Van Gogh coloring pages -- just print and color!
Have your child do a narration page of a biography then draw an accompanying picture.
Make your own mini-gallery. For this, I copied Van Gogh images from different Websites and copied them into a Word document. Then, I did an accordion-style fold of paper. The kids then cut out the pictures and arranged them in the folder like a little museum of their own. The names of the children were the name of the museum. A child can decorate the folder with pictures of people observing the art or whatever flourishes and swirls they want to add.
Discuss a self-portrait of Van Gogh. You can find detailed questions and additional activities here.
Additional Resources
Guidelines for your own Van Gogh unit study
Notes and pictures of a mini unit study of Van Gogh

Ancient China Unit Study

Objective
Familiarize children with ancient Chinese culture; share the different style of writing and dress; examine different Chinese icons (such as dragons) We would occasionally slip into modern China, but I'd tell the children that it is what ancient China became.

Game Plan By Week
1. Ancient Chinese town/government (i.e. who is in charge?) -- Use "DK Eyewitness: China" as basis.
2. Role of men, women and children (e.g. if they went to school, what they learned, etc.) -- Use "You Are in Ancient China"
3. Clothing -- Use "Ms. Frizzle's Adventures: Ancient China" book and Ancient Clothing site.
4. Food --- Print this sheet and read together.
5. Religion -- Print this sheet and read together.

6. Folk/fairy tales -- Check local library for these.

Books & Activity Suggestion
"See Inside a Chinese Town" by R.J. Unstead --- Have child draw a map of a Chinese town. Use geography skills by having them draw a legend, compass and more.

"The Chinese Empire" by Children's Press -- Read a section, and have child do a narration page. S/he can write it, or, if it's simpler, you can for them. Have them illustrate it.

"Paper Lantern" by Stefan Czernecki --- Make paper lanterns. We made a lot of these to decorate our dining room then had Chinese food for dinner. This book is about modern China, but the illustrations are gorgeous, and the story is beautiful. I highly recommend it.

"Six Chinese Brothers: An Ancient Tale" by Chen Hou-Tien

"You Are in Ancient China" by Ivan Minnis -- Have child draw a picture of him/herself in the appropriate clothing and setting in ancient China.

"DK Eyewitness: Ancient China"

"Wushu You Were" (a Time Warp Trio book) by Jon Sciezcka --- This is a fun read together.

"The Day of the Dragon King" (a Magic Treehouse book) by Mary Pope Osborne --- This can be done as a read-together. Your independent reader can do this for quiet reading, then once the book is finished, tell you what s/he learned. This could make for a good book report or narration page.

"If You Lived in Ancient China"

Coloring book: "Color and Learn China" by Edu Press: This is not specifically ancient Chinese coloring pages, but some of them are adaptable. We used the coloring pages to supplement the library books that we read.

Activities

China Projects for Kids
Make a Chinese dragon.

Make a paper lantern. (Do this after reading "Paper Lanterns" book.)
Print and color Chinese animals mini book.
Crafts for China unit study from Enchanted Learning

Make tangram pictures.(Find shapes to cut out and more activities.)

DVDs/TV shows
"Ancient Civilizations: China"
"Big Bird in China" (The kids may say they're too old for it, but you'd be surprised by how they get into it.)
"Wushu You Were Here" (a Time Warp Trio episode)

Internet Resources/Worksheets to Print Out
Daily Life in Ancient China
Ancient China Activities and Lessons

Ancient China: History for Kids
Ancient China: Art (The British Museum's Website)

Insect Unit Study

The basis for our insect study came from The Learning Page's insect theme sheets. The section features lesson plans, fact sheets, a mural to color, fun sheets and recommended reading. The Learning Page requires you to become a member to access the theme sheets, but it's all free and well worth the effort of signing up. Please note: The materials here can be done in about nine weeks.

Game Plan for Each Week
Use the Learning Page sheets as springboard for in-depth study. For example, look at the Honey Bee fact sheet. Read a book about honey bees with student. Have child narrate to the parent (or copy a sentence) about a honey bee. Draw an accompanying picture and do related worksheets. Keep all this in an three-ring binder reserved for science.

Topics and Books
What is an insect?/Parts of an insect -- Read "What is an Insect?" (Science Emergent Readers); "DK What's Inside: Insects" (DK Publishing)
Ant --- Read "Are You an Ant?" by T. Humphries; "Thinking About Ants" by B. Brenner; "The Magic School Bus Gets Ants in Its Pants" book and video (supplement with its free lesson plans and activity ideas)
Honey Bees --- "The Magic School Bus: In a Beehive" book and video (supplement with its free lesson plans and activity ideas)
Crickets
Pill Bug --- Read "A Pill Bug's Life" by John Himmelman
Lady Beetle/Lady Bug --- Read "Ladybugs, Red, Fiery and Bright" by M. Posada; "Starting Life Ladybug" by Ann O'Squire
Grasshopper
Wasp
Caterpillar/Butterflies --- "The Magic School Bus: Butterfly and Bog Beast" book and video (supplement with its free lesson plans and activity ideas)
Beetles
Earwigs
Spiders --- They aren't insects. Why not? Study reasons. "The Magic School Bus: Spins a Web" book and video (free lesson plans and activity ideas)

Printable Worksheets
Lesson Plans and Worksheets from MSU
Insects at Enchanted Learning
See above section.

Activities
Take a notebook outside and draw at least three insects that you find. You can use these drawings later as springboards for further investigation.
Draw the life cycle of your favorite insect.
Field trip idea: Visit your local nature center and check out the displays of local insects.
Create your own insect --- but be scientific! Use the right body parts, label them, decide what your insect eats and what eats it.
For each book read, have the student narrate to you what was learned and draw an accompanying picture.


Online Resources
Insect Body Parts
Entomology for Beginners
Insect Quiz
Insects Links

DVDs
"Magic School Bus: Gets Ants in Its Pants"
"Magic School Bus: Spins a Web'
"Magic School Bus: Butterfly and Bog Beast"
"Incredible Insects" by Schlessinger Media
"A Bug's Life" by Pixar
 

Human Body: Mini Unit Study

Books
"The Magic School Bus: Inside the Human Body" by Joanna Cole (DVD also available; sometimes shown on Discovery Kids channel)
"Skeletons" (Scholastic Science Reader, Level 2) by Lily Wood
"Bare Bones: All About the Human Skeleton" by Elise Richards (includes a 12" tall glow-in-the-dark skeleton model to assemble)
"Understanding Your Muscles & Bones" (Usborne Science for Beginners)
"The Search for the Missing Bones" (a Magic School Bus chapter book)

DVDs
Human Body for Children: eight videos for Grades K-4 from Schlessinger Media; available at almost any library
The Magic School Bus videos: three about the human body, For Lunch; Inside Ralphie; and Flexes Its Muscles. Lessons plans for the DVDs are free at Scholastic.

Online Resources
Interactive Body Site from the BBC: amazing site with games and fabulous human body info
BrainPOP: a few free human body interactive games
Human Body Unit Study: It's prepped already! Worksheets, lesson plans and more.
The Virtual Body: online tour of the body; for older folks
Human Body eBook: online book of the body; for little folks

Extras
The Human Body Jigsaw book by Dr. Malcom Clark (five 48-piece jigsaw puzzles; skeletal system, central nervous system, circulatory system, muscular system, digestive system)