As many of you may know, this year marks the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.  A local historic park is hosting a traveling exhibit about Lincoln, with many reproductions of personal effects.  It sounds pretty cool, and we are going this afternoon.

In preparation, we watched the PBS documentary by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.  called Looking for Lincoln .  It was SO good.  The reality of what I was taught in school and Lincoln the man are so different.  History in school has really glossed over some really unsavory beliefs that he held–but at the time, he was a middle of the road man–but NOT who he is portrayed as today.  If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it.

I watched with my girls, and while there were a couple parts in which the word “prostitute” was used(passed over their heads), the content was very appropriate for my 6.5 year old and 10 year old.

Of course, being PBS, there are a lot of resources at the website for educators and interactive activities that you can do with your children.

We have started viewing the “Young Indiana Jones” series which was recently released on DVD.  I remember seeing these on television as a pre-teen/teenager and loving them.  When I found out they were coming out on DVD, I thought they would be perfect to use as an introduction to study topics. 

DVD-1 Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt:

1. Watch the DVD and Documentary Extras
2. Read Usborne’s section on Ancient Egypt(or other age appropriate books from the library)
3. Visit an exhibit about Ancient Egypt(The following are available in Denver Area)
   1. WOW Children’s Museum In Lafayette(Egypt:  Mysteries and Puzzles)–this was great!
   2. Denver Museum of Nature and Science  (Fantastic Display with 2 mummies and interesting video, teaching resources available at their website)
   3. Denver Art Museum  We like to go on Free Days, the first Saturday of Each Month–this is the most child friendly art museum I have ever been too! 
4. Mummify a Chicken
5. Do Egyptian Activities

With the help of Scholastic’s Thanksgiving Website and Plymoth Plantation’s Website, we are currently studying about THE REAL happenings of the Mayflower and Plymoth Colony.  I really love Scholastic’s interactive site, and found a lot of information on books to check out from the Library that would compliment online information.  Emily(8) and Camille(4.5)  are both participating in the unit study.  Emily is supplementing what we do together with reading Dear America: A Journey to the New World-The Diary of Remember Patience Whipple. 

Below is our daily study plan:

• Day 1:  On the Scholastic site, explore “Voyage on the Mayflower” and “Tour the Ship”
• Day 2:  Read the Passenger Interviews\Make your own Picture Postcard\Create a Personal Timeline
• Day 3:  Jobs on the Mayflower\Learn Parts of the Ship and what they are for(see lesson plan for grade 3-6)
• Day 4:  Learn about the Mayflower Compact
• Day 5:  The Wampanoags
• Day 6:  The Wampanoags:  Traditions and Culture
• Day 7:  Daily Life of the Settlers
• Day 8:  Was it *really* the first Thanksgiving?  Myths and Facts
• Day 9:  Arts and Crafts from the 1600’s