Most visitors who come here know that in addition to being a writer, I’m also a homeschool mom of fourteen years. And over the years, I’ve had many questions about Classical-Charlotte Mason homeschooling. I received an email to which I came up with the following reply, and I thought I’d post the answer here, in case it can help someone else. I certainly don’t consider myself an authority, but at least you can get a better understanding of why this is the ‘path’ we’ve chosen to homeschool our children. There is so much more than what I’ve touched on, but it’s a start! When I have time, I’ll try to come back to this topic again. As I told this individual below, we fall more into the Charlotte Mason camp, but there are certain aspects of Classical learning that I really like. I guess we’d be considered more ‘eclectic’ homeschoolers than anything! So, here it is….
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Hello,

Thanks so much for your question…and please forgive me for just now getting back to you. I’ve finally found a quiet moment to sit down and get my thoughts together!  I applaud you for doing your research on C-CM! Even after fourteen years and graduating twin daughters who are now finishing up there second year of college,  I still like to research/read/review all kinds of homeschooling methods, books, and curriculum. No matter how many years you do this, you will always be learning!

As far as Classical-Charlotte Mason, let me tell you first off that one of the best books on combining the two methods is For The Love of Learning by Jenny Sockey. Subtitle is: Information and Resources for Combining Charlotte Mason and Classical Education. This is a great little book and chock-full of wonderful information and resources. I highly recommend it!

I’ll be honest enough to say that we fall more into the Charlotte Mason camp, but there are several things about Classical Education that I like and implement. I love CM because of the ‘gentle’ style of learning. CM had much wisdom and insight into the minds/learning styles of children. And her emphasis on whole or living books is right-on in my opinion. There is nothing better than letting our children learn from an author who is passionate about his/her subject, instead of little snippets here and there of a greater work. Plus, I like the addition of nature study, art, music, etc. I think those things get pushed aside too often, but they bring much joy and inspiration to children and adults alike. How can we really see the awesome hand of God in creation if we don’t spend time ‘seeing’ and ‘learning’ what He has done or what He has inspired others to do?! Although our more ‘core’ subjects take first place in the schedule, I do try to bring in the fine arts/nature study as much as possible!

With Classical Education, I definitely see the benefits of acknowledging the stages of the trivium. With six children, I’ve seen the natural progression of learning stages too many times to doubt. By knowing this, I’ve not been too upset (usually-LOL)  if one of my children is not ‘ready’ to ‘conquer’ a certain idea/concept when *I* think they should. Perhaps they’re not ready yet! It WILL come…when it’s time! And as a dear friend once told me, it’s all about exposure! Sooner or later, all those little bits of information will ‘come together’ to form the bigger picture…again, when it’s time!

I also really like the chronological study of history which is the way we’ve done it for years. Some of the best resources for this have come from Christine Miller. We love the H.A. Guerber history books that are available on her Nothing New Press website. We also do Latin, and I’ve seen great benefits from the study of classical languages when it comes to my children’s vocabulary! Also as a key component in Classical Education, I do believe that ‘mastery’ of certain things is very important!

Many people believe that CM probably used (or at least acknowledged) the trivium in her method of education…perhaps not as rigorously as Classical ‘purists’, but it was still definitely a big thing (and an old path) in her day! She did, however, suggest shorter lessons…but ones that were disciplined, effective and focused on excellence. She also believed that good habits and a rich home learning environment were absolutely key for a stable and well-rounded education. I whole-heartedly agree…but often easier said than done! LOL

Overall, both methods emphasize great books, great minds, and a goal of self-education (mastery)…in my mind, C-CM go hand in hand in this arena! Plus, both methods utilize narration or ‘telling back’ to aid in retention and comprehension. I love this! If a child can tell you about or write about what he/she has learned while reading, it becomes ‘theirs’…and they KNOW it! I’ve often heard that the best way to learn is to teach. If my child can ‘teach’ or ‘share’ with us what he/she has learned, so much the better!

I know I’ve not done C-CM justice, but it works for us! As I said above, I really love the ‘gentle’ style of learning ‘Charlotte Mason’ style. We do A LOT of reading aloud in our home, and even though I do start a formal grammar program around 4th-5th grade, I implement copywork every day…and I’ve seen benefits from having the children copy the works/words of great writers. When they are exposed to great writing, they will ‘pick up’ a lot!

Cindy Rushton has a lot of great resources on CM, as does Penny Gardner, Karen Andreola, Queen Homeschool, and Catherine Levison. By the way, I love, love, love Catherine Levison’s book called A Literary Education! Christine Miller is a great resource for Classical, and of course, The Well-Trained Mind is a ‘classic’! There is a company called Camrose Academy that produces lesson plans by grade level to combine both C-CM. I’ve used their stuff in the past, and was very pleased. At present, I use a lot of Sonlight with some Ambleside Online thrown in. And for next year, I’m researching ‘Living Books Curriculum‘ as an option for my younger children. I am also using another free online resource called Guest Hollow this year, and I have been extremely pleased with the plans, resources, and books!

Once again, I know I’ve not done justice to your question, but I hope I’ve helped in some small way. I think I’ll post this answer on my blog…just in case it will help someone else as well. May the Lord bless you as you research and seek His will…and set out on one of the greatest journeys you’ll ever experience!

Blessings,
Amy O.



Using family history as a basis for a non-fiction or fictional manuscript might just be the thing to jumpstart the creative juices to flowing! I know that when I read through journals, diaries, and histories pertaining to my family or my husband’s family, I get all kinds of ideas for stories. I always think to myself, “Wow, that would make a great storyline!” But where do I start?

Many beginning writers need a bit of guidance in this potentially rich area, so it’s always nice to discover a resource that will help the faltering wannabe or student gain confidence and find a starting point. The following article/review is about one such resource. So read on. . .

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Family Tree: Writing Historical Fiction Based on Family History

Tools for Young Historians Series

By Jennifer Johnson Garrity

BrimWood Press

1941 Larsen Drive

Camino, CA 95709

(530) 644-7538

www.brimwoodpress.com

Historical research plus writing is an exciting and inspirational concept in our homeschool! And since we have a rich family heritage complete with lots of stories, photos, and documents that have been passed down through the generations, there is much ‘grist’ for the creative ‘mill’ around here. So I was thrilled to review  Family Tree: Writing Historical Fiction Based on Family History written by Jennifer Johnson Garrity and published by BrimWood Press as part of their ‘Tools for Young Historians’series.

In a nutshell, Family Tree is a 76 page, soft-cover consumable writing guide to help children (ages 10 and up) learn how to create stories, novellas, or even books based on their own unique family histories. Both student and instructor are gently led “through the process of gathering historical information, weaving fact and fiction together to create a plot, and then refining both content and style to fashion a unique and exciting work of fiction.” Also, the primary focus of this writing guide is for “developing content and providing techniques for maturing a student’s writing style.”

The guide is divided into different sections/assignments that cover the research, writing, and editing phases. These divisions include:

*Introduction

*General Research

Interview – Phase One

Family Tree Chart

Interview – Phase Two

Interview Questions

*Specific Research

Choose Your Branch

Blending Fact and Fiction

Make Your Best Guess

Anachronism

Historical Photographs

Historical Research Notes

*Writing Your Story

The Plot

Fact or Fiction?

Write a Story, Not a Report

Creating a Roadmap

Beginnings

*Editing Your Story

Adjectives

Adverbs

Passive Language

Sentence Starters

Completing the Project

Student Checklist

*Instructor’s Notes

With Answer Key and Instructor’s Checklist

*Andrea’s Homeschool Tips (Written by homeschool veteran, Andrea Newitt)

An Introduction

Schedule for Younger Students

Grading Guide

If you visit the BrimWood Press website, you can download samples from this guide and also check out the other available resources from the ‘Tools for Young Historians’ series.

Family Tree is designed to be a supplement to any writing curriculum, and the project (from beginning to end) will vary anywhere from four to ten weeks. But the result is sure to be a family heirloom. However, I think it would be great to repeat this fascinating project every two to three years as the students mature and their writing skills and interests change. Think of the collection of family stories that can be harvested from the children’s imaginations! In addition, this guide is self-directed for the high school student or natural writer, so the possibilities are endless! However, it is assumed that the student has a basic grasp of sentence and paragraph construction in order to use the guide independently. Also, permission is granted to the purchasing family to make copies of the assignments, charts, and pages for multiple children and multiple projects.

I really like how the author stresses writing a story, not a report, and how to add historical facts and tidbits without overwhelming the reading audience. She gives the following advice:

You want your reader, first of all, to enjoy the story. Secondly, you want him to learn a little about its historical setting as he reads. Just as you wouldn’t dump a mound of salt onto a plate of food, you don’t want to dump a mound of historical information into one paragraph and serve it to your reader. You sprinkle salt lightly over your food, and want to sprinkle factual information lightly throughout the story. (page 39)

In my opinion, Family Tree is an excellent resource, and I plan on using it with my own children in a few weeks to create our own special stories. (As an extra note, I can see myself using this outstanding and comprehensive guide with my *own* writing.) I will allow my high school aged twin daughters to follow the guide and work independently, but I will probably use the suggestions in Mrs. Newitt’s homeschool section with my younger students. The result…they will all get to create a story, regardless of age or skill! And new ‘literary heirlooms’ will be added to our rich family heritage collection to be enjoyed for years to come.

-Originally a product review at The Old Schoolhouse website  in 2007.

Originally posted at the National Writing For Children Center

Lapbooks are very popular in many homeschooling/educational circles, and for good reason. Children who create something tangible after reading a particular book or learning about a certain topic are far more apt to retain that knowledge. It is motivating to be able to hold in their hands or ‘on their laps’ their very own special reminder of their learning experience. Besides that—creating a lapbook is fun, and the educational and enjoyment possibilities are endless! However, for today, I will concentrate solely on lapbooks that are related to children’s literature and timeless picture books!

What Exactly Are Lapbooks?
Lapbooks can be as complex or unique as the fingerprints of those who make them! But the general definition of a simple lapbook is a single manila folder refolded and creased in such a way as to form a small, portable ‘learning center’ that can be opened and filled with mini activities, games, reports, charts, pictures, flip books, etc. inside that are created by the students themselves as they learn about the topic(s). In other words, a lapbook is a type of graphic organizer.

Families who enjoy scrapbooking will find lapbooking to be a perfect way to enhance learning—but anyone can create a lapbook that is interesting, fun, and effective. In addition, a lapbook can the organizer to pull together relevant topics from many subject areas—all based on one particular book.

Below is a lapbook we created based on the book The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. Many of the printables were found at www.homeschoolshare.com

Resources/Books About Lapbooking

Hear are a few websites and books that have great tutorials or information on how to create lapbooks:

Homeschool Mom- Lapbooks (Many links to other sites filled with lapbooking information.)

Templates by Homeschool Share

Lapbooks by Homeschool Share

*Homeschool Share (HSS) is an on-line cooperative effort of several homeschooling moms to provide free but quality literature-based unit studies and resources. The content on this site is unbelievable!

Lapbooks to Enhance the Learning Experience by Lynda Altman at Bright Hub
Ms. Altman includes information on how lapbooks can be used in the classroom and at the high school level.

Fundamentals of Lapbooking by Carrie Kerr at Bright Hub
This is another article showing how lapbooks can be used in the classroom.

Lapbooking for Everyone at Easy Fun School—This site includes lots of lapbooking links.

Lapbooking at Squidoo

A Journey Through Learning Lapbooks and Unit Studies (Literature Lapbooks)

Dinah Zike at Dinah-Might-Adventures

Big Book of Books and Activities – An Illustrated Guide for Teachers, Parents, and Anyone Who Works with Kids! By Dinah Zike

The Ultimate Lap Book Handbook by Tammy Duby and Cyndy Regeling

A Few Book Suggestions for Literature Lapbooks:
This is a very incomplete list of books that lend themselves well to lapbooking.
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
Katy and the Big Snow
Madeline
Little House on the Prairie series
If You Give a Mouse A Cookie
A Cricket In Times Square
The Courage of Sarah Noble
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Goodnight Moon
Mirette on the High Wire
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
The Napping House
Little Toot
The Duchess Bakes a Cake

Authors and Lapbooks
In a previous article about Creating Learning Guides and Instructional Activities for Trade Books, I mentioned how authors should consider offering additional resources or learning guides for parents and teachers that can go along with their books and provide more learning opportunities for students. I now propose that authors/publishers should also consider offering printables, graphs, mini-booklets, activities, etc. along with their books that can be used for the purpose of creating lapbooks.

For example, check out Harper Collin’s book activity guide page for Good Night Moon. One industrious mom used this page to create a lapbook based on Margaret Wise Brown’s timeless classic. She also pulled together additional  materials from here and here to make a very neat learning resource.

(Image from www.myschooltime.com)

So whether you are a parent, teacher, or author, literature lapbooks just might figure into your future creative plans!

Animal Identification – What’s in a Name?

Baby Names
A calf is a baby cow, right? Yes, but it is also what we call a baby whale, antelope, elephant, and giraffe! In addition, while a baby bear is called a cub, the same infant identity belongs to a fox and a lion. Moreover, while almost everyone knows that a baby kangaroo is a joey, many people have no idea that a baby swan is a cygnet or that a baby turkey is a poult. How many animal baby names can you identify?

Groups
Animal groups are also fascinating to learn about, and I was very surprised to find myself stumped when it came to naming many of the units. For example, I had no clue that a group of rabbits is a warren, several donkeys make up a pace, a cluster of cats is a clowder, foxes make up skulk, or that a bunch of giraffes create a tower. Hippos make a bloat, elk assemble in gangs, and ferrets make up a business—while alligators create a congregation!

Males and Females
We can all identify a lion and lioness as the male and female cats of the majestic pride, but how many of us know that a male swan is a cob and the female is a pen? Or how about this one? Did you know that a male kangaroo is a boomer and his mate is a doe? Along with other kangaroos, they create a mob. However, the same identities belong to a male and female rat, and they live in colonies.

Learn More: Websites, Resources, and Books

Learning the various labels for baby animals, their mothers and fathers, and the names of the groups they live in might make an interesting research project for your students. Below are a few links, books, and resources to get you going!

San Diego Zoo: Animal Bytes

Enchanted Learning: Males, Females, Babies, and Groups

Scholastic Lesson Plans for Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? By Eric Carle

Examiner.com—Lapbook Plans for Katy No-Pocket by Emmy Payne

What Are Baby Koalas Called?: A Book about Baby Animals (First Facts) by Kathy Feeney

A Crash of Rhinos, A Party of Jays: The Wacky Ways We Name Animal Groups by Diane Swanson

Paddling of Ducks, A: Animals in Groups from A to Z by Marjorie Blain Parker
Originally published at The National Writing For Children Center

Labor Day: A Look At How It Came To Be

by Amy M. O’Quinn

When most of us think of Labor Day, we automatically associate it with a long holiday weekend and time off from the job. It is a day to relax, spend time with family, say goodbye to summer and hello to autumn, squeeze in one more picnic or vacation, or attend a hometown celebration or parade with friends.

Labor Day is always observed on the first Monday in September, yet how much do we really know about this special day set aside to recognize those who toil daily to keep our country moving and growing socially, civically, and economically? Let’s take a closer look at this “workingman’s” holiday!

How Did Labor Day Begin?

The very first Labor Day was celebrated in 1882 in New York City in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. There is some discrepancy about who first proposed the holiday, but some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.” (From the U.S. Department of Labor website).

Others believe that it was actually Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic. (From the U.S. Department of Labor website).

Regardless of who actually proposed Labor Day, it became an official national holiday in 1894, not long after the Pullman Strike, and is dedicated to honoring the working class of American citizens. However, until Labor Day became a federal holiday, laborers who chose to participate in parades had to forfeit a day’s wages. (From history.com) Nevertheless, since that time, all fifty states have made it an official state holiday as well!

Find Out More

Labor Day is a great time to teach about community workers and different kinds of jobs as well. To find out more about this important (yet often underemphasized) holiday, check out these links:

http://www.theholidayzone.com/labor/books.html (Lists books about Labor Day)

http://www.educationworld.com/a_sites/sites045.shtml (A large collection of Labor Day links)

This post originally published at the National Writing For Children Website here.

Journaling Nature

by Amy M. O’Quinn

Keeping A Nature Journal by Clare Walker Leslie and Charles E. Roth

Charlotte Mason’s Ideas

I have written before about Charlotte Mason, a nineteenth-century educator, and her views on the importance of giving children a well-rounded education. Therefore, in addition to presenting the regular core academic subjects, she also advocated exposing children to living books, poetry, classical music, fine art, Shakespeare, nature study, etc. In a (very simplified) nutshell, Miss Mason’s vision was to foster a ‘love of learning’ in all children and give them a liberal (broad) education, regardless of their economic background or social class. Today, I’d like to explore her suggestion that students spend as much time out of doors discovering the nature around them, and that they record their findings in a nature diary or journal—basing their entries on what they see, hear, touch and smell, rather than what they read about in textbooks.

Why Nature Study?

Many teachers and parents think that nature study is a great idea, but they also feel it is just too impractical and difficult to work it into the learning schedule. I agree that while it takes time to prepare the children for an outing, decide on a place to go, and actually keep up with everyone as they explore, the result is worth the effort. And in fact, nature study forms the basis of more extensive nature and science studies later on; the students have a knowledge base to build upon. Plus, most children have a great curiosity about the world around them—they just need to have this innate interest encouraged.

Realistically, nature study doesn’t have to be difficult or too orchestrated. It can be as simple as watching birds build a nest, identifying leaves that have fallen to the ground, or watching as a butterfly emerges from a cocoon. As Catherine Levison, a ‘Charlotte Mason method’ proponent and writer states, “…Charlotte Mason strongly insists on children being outside daily and that makes nature observation become unavoidable. Even without deliberate effort children will learn about the natural world if they are provided ample time to experience it first hand.”

Observe and Explore

Once the children find something that ‘strikes their fancy,’ let them use their senses to become familiar with the specimen, object, or topic. A good field journal might also provide more information if the parent/teacher needs identification assistance, but in my opinion, very young children are simply content with discovery, observation, and very basic knowledge. However, if a group/family prefers a more structured form of nature study, there are many books that provide a scope and sequence or outline of suitable topics for all ages. One of the most popular books on the subject is The Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock, a huge tome of information and nature lessons, which was first released in 1911.

Other choices include:

The Kid’s Nature Book: 365 Indoor/Outdoor Activities and Experiences by Susan Milord

Nature For the Very Young: A Handbook of Indoor and Outdoor Activities by Marcia Bowden

Small Wonders: Nature Education for Young Children by Linda Garrett

Journaling Nature

After the exploration phase, a great way to preserve knowledge (and the memory) is to record the findings in a nature notebook or journal. Once again, this can be as simple as using notebook paper in a three-ring binder or a composition book, or as ornate as creating a handmade journal and using high quality watercolors and page protectors. The possibilities are endless, and the process is just as vast. It truly depends on the child, the age level, artistic capabilities, or how much time the parent/educator wants to allow for the project.

The child might make a simple drawing or sketch of what he has seen, then perhaps color it with crayons, markers, colored pencils or paint to make it more realistic. He can label the drawing/parts with both the common and scientific (Latin names), genus and species. The location, date and weather or temperature might be included as reference. Other ideas are leaf rubbings, or gluing down flowers, twigs, bark, feathers, or photos taken on the outing. Descriptions, measurements, and impressions are all good to record as well, if applicable. It is also a wonderful idea to revisit and rethink the topic or specimen at different seasons in order to make comparisons. There is no one right way to create a natural journal, and each child’s journal will be as unique and special as he is!

Resources

Here are some sites/blogs that explain in great detail or give ideas on how to create a nature journal:

http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/p/nature-journals.html

http://clarewalkerleslie.com

http://www.squidoo.com/cmnaturestudy

http://www.art-made-easy.com/nature-journal.html

http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/environmental/matsumoto.htm

http://www.nwf.org/Kids/Ranger-Rick/Activities/Outdoors/Observing-Wildlife/Create-Your-Own-Nature-Journal.aspx

http://www.helium.com/items/924142-making-a-nature-journal

http://www.highlightskids.com/magazine/August08/h10808natureJournal.asp

Ready-Made Nature Journals or Books About Nature Journals

Ready-made journals or scrapbooks are also available to those who want the convenience. In addition, there are many choices and samples of individual nature journals that are sure to inspire and give you lots of ideas. Below are a few suggestions:

My Nature Journal by Adrienne Olmstead

Nature Log Kids: A Kid’s Journal to Record Their Nature Experiences by DeAnna Brandt

A Backyard Nature Drawing Guide by Douglas S. Farnham

The Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden

Nature Journal by Clare Walker Leslie

Drawn to Nature Through the Journals of Clare Walker Leslie

Exploring nature and creating journals to record what they find is an excellent way for children to process the world around them. Charlotte Mason wrote in her book, Home Education (Vol. 1), “Consider, too, what an unequalled mental training the child-naturalist is getting for any study or calling under the sun — the powers of attention, of discrimination, of patient pursuit, growing with his growth, what will they not fit him for?” (p. 61).

Yes, nature study and creating nature journals or notebooks does take time and require a bit of effort on the part of the parent/educator. But young children who are given this gift will benefit greatly in so many ways. Appreciating the beauty of nature and learning about the world around them should ideally be an important, and enjoyable,  part of every child’s education!

The Statue of Liberty! One of America’s most well known landmarks, Lady Liberty has stood on her own island in the New York Harbor just southwest of Manhattan Island since 1886, and she has welcomed countless visitors and millions of immigrants to a new life in a new country. She has witnessed changes, joys, and even heartaches—yet she has stood the test of time and continues to be a beacon of hope and a representation for freedom for all Americans.

Did You Know?

Almost everyone knows that the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to celebrate the friendship between the two countries and their common quests for freedom. But did you know that the French sculptor, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, originally had the concept of placing the statue of a woman at the opening of the Suez Canal? Did you know that the Statue of Liberty functioned as a lighthouse from 1886 to 1902? Did you know that Lady Liberty’s right arm and torch were on display in Madison Square Park for six years while efforts to raise money to finance the statue and base? Did you know that the statue’s complete name is Liberty Enlightening the World?

Lady In Green
Here’s another neat fact. The Statue of Liberty is actually made of copper, but over the years hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon atoms from various substances in the air have combined with the copper atoms in the statue to make copper hydroxycarbonate (From Exploring Creation With Physical Science by Jay Wile). In other words, the copper has oxidized, and this chemical reaction has created a nice patina—or a green coating on the statue.

Changes
Trivia about the history of this famous landmark and statue statistics of the Lady are vast. Surprisingly, I experienced firsthand one of the changes the Statue of Liberty underwent back in 1984. When my high school classmates and I went to Washington and New York for our Junior-Senior trip, we were unable to disembark from our ferry onto Liberty Island and visit the statue because she was closed for repair and renovations. All of our photos showed the Lady from afar, encased in scaffolding. And although we were disappointed, we knew we were also witnessing a piece of history we would never forget! The Statue of Liberty National Monument reopened in 1986.

The Statue of Liberty was also closed after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The monument reopened in 2004, and the crown and interior finally reopened last year (2009) on July 4th.

Resources About the Statue of Liberty
For a family activity, study the history and significance of the Statue of Liberty and the importance of her role in American culture. Below are some website/book suggestions:

Statue of Liberty National Monument website
Essential Big Apple: Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty (Step Into Reading series) by Lucille Recht Penner

Lady Liberty: A Biography by Doreen Rappaport

The Story of the Statue of Liberty by Betsy Maestro

Building Liberty: A Statue Is Born by Serge Hochain

Naming Liberty by Jane Yolen

Written by Amy M. O’Quinn/Originally posted on the National Writing for Children website

Our Awesome America: Historic Symbols

by Amy M. O’Quinn/Originally posted at the National Writing For Children Center website

Picnics, parades, patriotism and fireworks are on everyone’s mind as the Fourth of July approaches, and Americans everywhere will proudly fly the Stars and Stripes to commemorate our country’s quest for independence and freedom!

Yes, Old Glory will definitely be the star of the show in July since it is America’s most well-known icon, but there are many more symbols that represent this great country of ours as well—the Statue of Liberty, the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Liberty Bell, Mount Rushmore, the Great Seal of the United States, the Bald Eagle, etc. We can also include the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Pledge of Allegiance, our National Anthem, the Supreme Court, and of course, Uncle Sam. The list goes on and on, but how many historic American symbols, landmarks, documents, songs, or organizations can your children name? How many can YOU name?

Do You Know. . .

How much do you really know about the Great Seal of the United States? According to information on the Great Seal website, America needed an official symbol of sovereignty to seal and authenticate her international treaties and transactions. The new nation needed a symbolic signature others would recognize and honor. Thus, the Great Seal was created in 1792, the mid-way point between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Here is a bit of Mount Rushmore trivia from the Mount Rushmore National Park website. Did you know that the monument designer originally put Thomas Jefferson on George Washington’s right, but after eighteen months of work, he changed plans, dynamited Jefferson off the mountain, and placed him on the left? Did you know that Teddy Roosevelt, the most controversial choice on Mount Rushmore, had died only eight years before work on the monument began?

Find Out!

For a fun family project, why not explore and research American’s symbols and landmarks to learn more about these famous icons and why they are so important in our country’s history?

To get started, check out Capstone’s Picture Window Books series on American symbols. A few of the titles include:

Mount Rushmore by Thomas Kingsley Troupe

Our American Flag by Mary Lynn Firestone

The Great Seal of the United States by Norman Pearl

The U.S. Supreme Court by Anastasia Suen

The Declaration of Independence by Lori Ann Mortensen

Dig into America’s past, and you might just be surprised to discover many fascinating facts you never knew!



Children love the unusual! So why not surprise them with a science exploration after dark?

Discover Nature at Sundown by Elizabeth P. Lawlor

There are all kinds of enjoyable learning opportunities just waiting in the shadows, and everyone will have fun—all while experiencing the nocturnal side of nature!

Time for Kids: Spiders by the Editors of Time for Kids

Spiders, especially wolf spiders, are very common and easy to spot in your yard at night. According to the experts at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the spiders have a green ‘eye shine’ that is caused “by a tapetum in the eye which reflects light rays back through the eye retina and probably enhances the spider’s night vision.” For a neat activity, use a flashlight or small light that straps around the forehead and walk slowly through your yard, casting the beam towards the ground. You will be amazed at all the beautiful jewel-like glitters you’ll see. These are actually the spiders’ eyes! Shine the light closer to the ‘glitters’ and you’ll probably find a spider. Is it a wolf spider or some other kind? Find out!

Fireflies by Megan E. Bryant

Fireflies or lightning bugs are fascinating creatures that sparkle and flicker in the summer woods. Light production in fireflies is due to a type of chemical reaction called bioluminescence, and the bugs light up to attract a mate. For a fun activity, catch and place several fireflies in a jar with a mesh top for a few minutes. Children love to examine these extraordinary insects and are captivated and delighted by their ability to produce cold light. Discuss the phenomena of bioluminescence before gently releasing the fireflies.

A Child’s Introduction to the Night Sky: The Story of the Stars, Planets, and Constellations–and How You Can Find Them in the Sky by Michael Driscoll

Few things are lovelier than a clear night sky filled with twinkling stars. In addition, studying the heavens with a young stargazer makes for a priceless memory. Although there is a plethora of scientific information concerning navigation, the atmosphere, telling time by the stars, mythology, or seasonal changes that would be interesting to pursue, simply looking upward at the stars and finding constellations or ‘pictures in the sky’ is a pleasurable pastime. How many constellations can you identify? Check out a book or find a relevant website and start gazing at the stars.

Hear and There Book: Night Sounds by Frank Gallo

Whooo, whooo do you hear hooting or calling out in the night? Owls, spring peepers, frogs, crickets and katydids all make interesting sounds that are fun to identify. As you walk around outside in the evening, do you hear noises that are familiar? Now, listen really hard. Do you hear animal calls or sounds that you may not have noticed before? Find out what they are and read about the insect or animal you have identified!

Forest Bright, Forest Night by Jennifer Ward

Exploring at night is an awesome way to generate enthusiasm, creativity and a love of the outdoors. While in the dark, you might just shed some light on a new way to learn and spark the interest of your child to find out more about nature at night!

Written by Amy M. O’Quinn/Originally posted on the National Writing for Children website

Kids in the Kitchen: Fun AND Learning

by Amy M. O’Quinn/Originally posted at the National Writing For Children website

Children learn by doing! This age-old maxim is certainly true, and the theory works in the kitchen as well as in the classroom. Almost all children, especially when they are young, enjoy helping their parents cook and dish up yummy culinary delights. Yes, it can be messy. Yes, you could probably do the job in a fraction of the time without little helpers underfoot. However, consider the rewards of letting your kids don an apron and wield a whisk:

1. First and foremost, children learn about teamwork and how to follow directions. And most importantly, you are not just creating meals together—you are creating memories!
2. Children learn about safety and cleanliness, but they also learn about good nutrition. With childhood obesity becoming an ever-growing epidemic, children need to be exposed to healthy foods and habits.
3. Surprisingly, many young adults do not know their way around a kitchen. Children who learn important culinary skills at a young age are already one-step ahead of the crowd. Cooking is a life skill that will pay off big dividends in the years to come. Learning how to be self-sufficient is also a big booster to self-confidence. Moreover, learning how to chop, stir, mix, roll, pour, and cut, etc. develops fine motor skills and hand/eye coordination.
4. The kitchen is a classroom!

Below is a list of just a few educational things children learn while cooking:

History: Many families heartily embrace their culture and heritage, and learning to cook ethnic foods that the family has enjoyed for generations is a way to connect the present with the past, while ensuring knowledge for the future. Children can also learn about the history and origin of various other foods as well. In essence, cooking is universal.

Science: Cooking is really a science in itself. Children will learn first-hand about chemical reactions, how temperature affects food and cookware, what ingredients will combine well and those that will not. They also learn about the different food groups and how to classify. In addition, the five senses will get a good workout as the children learn about eye-appealing colors and combinations, or tastes/smells such as sweet, salty, bitter, bland, sour, pungent, sharp, and textures such as smooth, rough, grainy, soft, etc.

Math: Many parents discover that cooking is a great way to teach fractions, measuring, weighing, ordinal numbers, counting, geometrical shapes, symmetry, etc.

Creativity/Art: When children are allowed to experiment and try new skills in the kitchen, they develop creativity. An appreciation for pleasing colors, composition, and presentation is also fostered. Who knows, you might just be training a future chef, baker, or food artist.

Reading/Literature: Studying a recipe definitely enhances reading skills and comprehension and emphasizes the importance of following directions. But there are also many ways to incorporate great literature while learning to cook. For example, after reading Homer Price, make doughnuts. How To Make An Apple Pie and See the World is a great lead-in for baking pies. The Duchess Bakes A Cake might inspire cake baking and learning about yeast. And the Little House on the Prairie books definitely inspire learning about good old-fashioned vittles and down-home cooking. It might also be fun to plan a ‘theme’ meal and use relevant recipes and cooking skills to prepare for a special memory-making occasion. The ideas are endless!

Here are a few more suggestions for books that lend themselves to cooking activities, but you can find a whole list of books that contain recipes at Cooking Up Reading:

-Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

-If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff

-If You Give a Moose A Muffin by Laura Numeroff

-Stone Soup by Marcia Brown

-Cook-a-Doodle-Doo! by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel

-Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

-Country Bear’s Good Neighbor by Larry Dane Brimner

Other Books/Resources/Websites:

Earth’s Kids – Cooking For Kids

Modern Mom – Cooking Projects for Kids

Fork and Bottle – Books and Cookbooks for Kids

Children’s Recipes

Family Fun – Cooking With Kids

Cooking With Kids Website

PBS – Parent Helpers

Nick Jr. – Recipes

Scholastic’s List of Kid Cookbooks

Kid’s Cooking Activities Website – List of Best Kid Cookbooks

Mollie Katzen – Kid’s Page

Cooking With Children Can Be Easy (Kathy O’Reilly)

So now that you know that cooking with kids can be educational as well as fun, what are you waiting for? Grab your apron, preheat the oven, round up your kids. . . and start cooking!