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Here are our Lesson Plans For Geography and History
On weeks where there are several activities listed just choose a couple that interest you the most to work on.
Tip: If you want to go to a certain week/chapter simply push the ‘ctrl’ and the ‘F’ button down together and a small bar will pop up. Type in the week number or chapter number you want and it will take you to it.
We also like to use this song during our ‘Morning Time’ to help the kids learn the 50 States.
Week 1: Chapters 1 & 2
1. State Study
- Print out this map HERE or this one HERE. You can color in the states as you learn them and track Laura’s journeys.
- This week we will study Wisconsin.
- Complete your notebooking pages.
- Older kids can write a report about the state.
2. Research Pioneer Life.
- Read Pioneer Life from A to Z or another book about Pioneer Life.
- Watch these videos:
- Discuss what you learned.
- What would you take with you? (Remember it can only fit in a shoe box!)
- Could you like like a pioneer?
- What would be the hardest thing for you to give up? Why?
- What would be the most fun? Why?
Week 2: Chapters 3 & 4
1. State Study
- This week we will study Arkansas.
- Complete your notebooking pages.
- Older kids can write a report about the state.
2. Research the history of firearms.
- Watch this video:
- And this one:
- Discuss what you learned.
- Write out the steps to cleaning a gun as told in the story. Use this Sequencing Worksheet.
3. Start researching Louis Pasteur for a Speech.
- Louis Pasteur: Founder of Modern Medicine
- Watch this video:
- Take notes about what you learned.
Week 3: Chapters 5, 6, & 7
1. State Study
- This week we will study New Hampshire .
- Complete your notebooking pages.
- Older kids can write a report about the state.
2. Research School in Pioneer Days.
- Discuss what you learned.
- How do the schools differ from our schools now?
- Make a Venn Diagram to compare the differences and similarities.
3. Continue researching Louis Pasteur for a Speech.
- Watch this video:
- Take notes about what you learned.
Week 4: Chapters 8 & 9
1. State Study
- This week we will study Indiana.
- Complete your notebooking pages.
- Older kids can write a report about the state.
2. Research the history of Square Dancing
- Discuss what you learned.
- Is this something you would be interested in? Write about why or why not you would be interested.
3. Continue researching Louis Pasteur for a Speech.
- Watch this video:
- Take notes about what you learned.
Week 5: Chapters 10 & 11
1. State Study
- This week we will study Texas.
- Complete your notebooking pages.
- Older kids can write a report about the state.
2. Research Pioneer Life
- Discuss what you learned.
- Would you like to travel by covered wagon?
3. Continue researching Louis Pasteur for a Speech.
- Watch this video:
- Take notes about what you learned.
- Finish Your Report!
Week 6: Chapters 12 & 13
1. State Study
- This week we will study California.
- Complete your notebooking pages.
- Older kids can write a report about the state.
2. Start Researching the California Gold Rush – Speech due next week!
- Take notes about what you learned for your speech next week.
- Draw pictures and diagrams to go along with your speech.
Week 7: Finishing Up
1. State Study **
- Review the states we learned about and choose a state to research more.
- Write a report about the state and include at least 3 interesting facts about the state.
2. Continue to Research the Gold Rush. **
- Finish your speech!
- Give your speech!
Bonus: **
Research the main ways of pioneer transportation.
- How do our methods of transportation differ?
- What ways, if any, do we still use today?
Here is an interesting video about transportation methods you can watch.
Fun things to do:
- Have a Gold Rush Party!
- GeoBingo USA Educational Geography Board Game
- The Scrambled States of America Puzzle and Book Set
**BE SURE TO SAVE A FEW SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO! TAKE PICTURES OF BIG PROJECTS!
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