Finally… the Yankee Peddler

So, this year we have gone to bribing our bambinos to do well =) They get wampum every time they do tasks. Well, in exchange for the wampum, the Yankee Peddler has gum, candy, pencils, glow in the dark teeth, tooth paste…etc =)

Classic Literature

When we started planning this year, I had some concerns as to what classic literature would fit our school year. Classic literature that is appropriate for upper elementary aged children. Well, God always answers prayers! During the American Revolution, families would read the bible, Gulliver’s Travels, and Robinson Crusoe! Happy Mommy =) We read the bible every day, so we decided to read Gulliver’s Travels first! I do not enjoy reading out loud for numerous reasons, so I get very happy when I find audiobooks at Librivox, which means free voice in Latin!

Which brings me to today. We just listened to the chapter where Gulliver has to convince the Ruler of the little people to let him go. So, how do the children get free from Benjamin's chain? By writing Benjamin the Ruler, a letter convincing him to let them free. I will provide their daily rations, lunch, when they are let go =)

Pocahontas and Massasoit

Our first topic in our first component teaches about the Lost colony of Roanoke and Jamestown.  So, of course, we got to meet Pocahontas!

We enjoyed making long houses…

Turning cartwheels….

and eating strange foods =) I looked up the wrong Indian Tribe, so our foods were all from the Pilgrim time period and region =) We liked the Boiled Bread!

The second topic is about the Pilgrims, so last weeks food completely fits! We took the food and headed to the great outdoors!

We headed for a waterfall to read about the Pilgrims. The plan was to find a rock and talk about stepping on the rock. Did you know that is a myth?! There is a rock that is set aside as Plymouth Rock, but we did that. Not the pilgrims =( So, I was a little sad because I wanted to study more about rock formations =( Oh well, we can still learn =)

Benjamin decided he wanted to study acorns. Now we need to look up New England acorns =)