Teaching the 57th Inaugural

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Field Trip: Christmas 2012 White House Tour

I have always dreamed of visiting the White House during Christmas. Every year since we moved into the area I always think about it in December which is months to late to arrange. Well this year thanks to goal setting skills learned from MoneySavingmom.com, I actually remember to do it in August. Our co-op group was so excited about the prospect as well. Many have lived here all their lives and never visited the White House. One week after the election we received the conformation email. We were going to the White House!

In typical homeschool mom style I pulled all the resources about the White House for a two week long unit study.

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out

A Kid's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Revised and Updated Edition

Capital Mysteries #4: A Spy in the White House

A Christmas tree in the White House

If the Walls Could Talk: Family Life at the White House

Also we reviewed "How to greet the President" packet that we got from our amazing etiquette teacher Mrs. L. for Maryland. Details of the class here….

We also talked about "Expectations":

• What do think The White House will smell like at Christmas?
• Who would be in residence when we visit?
• What behaviors are expected of guest in The White House?
• What behaviors are unexpected at The White House?
• What's the dress code?

A lot of these questions were answered at The White House website. Also we came up with a list of our own for personal conduct so there would be no confusion to mar the experience.

It was a beautiful cold clear sunny early morning as we made our way toward Pennsylvania Avenue. We were all a little giddy with excitement as we passed through the gates of The White House grounds. 

Everyone in the line was smiling and excited, the adults more so than the kids. God Bless the Secret Service they were friendly yet imposing at the same time. Think about their daily jobs to give their lives to protect the executive branch.

Once we were cleared onto the grounds I had to stop before entering the mansion. For some this may seem a little dramatic but it is how I truly felt at the moment. Here I was an African American women raised in a southern town who still today practices self induce segregation was about to step into the building where the President of the United States lives. The granddaughter of a lady who had to fight just to vote and marched in many a Civil Rights march while being forced to enter buildings through the back door..her granddaughter was entering The White House. In that moment I missed my grandmother so much it hurt. But I looked into my son's face and I saw her there…in his eyes ..the eyes that was ready to go inside The White House.

From the minute you enter it is overwhelming. It smells of holly and cedar while shining with twinkling colored glass décor. Your mind is stuck on "Ohhhhhhhhh" then "Hey, I know that portrait of that first lady", then back to "Wow look at that tree"

The staff there is amazing. They don't allow cameras but they will let you use your camera phone. They graciously took pictures of us as a family and answered all of The Student's questions. (Okay little mom brag here. He knew every single portrait of the president s that we saw. Plus he was excited to see them.)

 

The Student was amazed that President Lincoln ate off this china. He got really quiet and said "Mom, he was in this place. He really ate off stuff that is here." I think this is when The White House became "real."

On a visit to the National Mall we wondered what it looked like from the inside of the mansion looking out. Well, it is amazing.

Gingerbread House with a candy Bo.

 These good people filled the whole tour with wonderful music.

It was amazing day spent with family and friends.

Snowschooling Post Blizzards: President’s Day

Yesterday started out late after a late night of watching the Olympics. We had fun as a family watching the games. But we paid for in the morning, tired and lacking directions. That was completely my fault for not getting up and setting the tone for the day. But hey homeschooling is about whole family learning.

Also as we were suiting up for our nature walk it started to snow. Ironhide is so over snow at this point. Personally I am running out of snow related fun things to do in the lesson plans. We still have Texas roots which like to get out and run this time of year. I have fought the expensive of going to one of those inside playscapes but if it snows again tomorrow, it cannot be avoided. The young man needs to run.

Workbox	Monday
1	Magic School Bus Re Aloud-Cells
2	Listen and Learn-Positional Words
3	Read Aloud –Why President's Day
4	BrainPopJr. – Abraham Lincoln Movie
5	Craft- Make Lincoln's Log Cabin
6	FIAR-Owl Moon Social Studies-Family
7	Jump Around
8	FIAR-Owl Moon Science-Owl Games
9	Co-Op Homework-Review-Water Cycle
10	FIAR-Owl Moon Dramatization of Book
11
12

If I Ran for President Lapbook

Lapbook Resources

Homeschool Share

The Homeschool Mom (THM)

Enchanted Learning

Rowing Week 9: If I Ran for President Part 1

After a long search of the internet I could not find one election unit study that was right for my five year old. After a leisurely afternoon in Barnes and Nobles I came across this wonderful book by Catherine Stier and illustrated by Lynne Avril.

An Amazon.com reviewer sums up why I love this title:
"This book takes a very complex subject about our election process (which itself is confusing, even to adults) in the United States and breaks it down in to easily understood concepts that run from the beginning stages of announcing your candidacy through actually winning the election and being sworn in to office. Kids learn about the two party system, the electoral college, primaries, campaigning, and campaign promises. I loved that the author chose not to dumb down the information, but instead used words that kids understand to explain how elections work. It is an excellent factual book, and the story is engaging enough for children that it will keep their attention while they learn about serious, important subject matter. FIVE BIG STARS to Catherine Stier for tackling a complex, complicated subject and making it enjoyable for children to learn."

Science
In the book the potential candidate travels around the country participating in various activities to drum up support for their campaign, which leaves them tired and in need of a nap. Our science discussion will be about the importance of sleep.

Read-Along:Let's-Read-And-Find-Out Science Books: Sleep is for Everyone.

Experiment: Chart daily emotions and sleep duration for one week.

• Where you cranky with less sleep?
  
• How was school with more sleep?

Math

Election Unit Study Math (HSS)

How old do I have to be to vote?

What year will I be able to vote? (Subtraction)

What year will I vote for president for the first time? (Skip counting by 4's)

Tie in To Math General Math

• What president's are on what coin?
  

Social Studies-Geography

Where does the president live?

• Make a story Disc and place on Washington DC.
  
• Learned about the White House from Target's Places Around the World Cards.
  
• A map of Washington D.C. with famous sites from Enchanted Learning
  

In the book the author does an excellent job describing the election process from the decision to run, through the primaries, conventions and elections. It also describes the political parties.

Define the two major political parties and match the candidates to the party.

Language Arts

After reading the book complete the Vocabulary Flap Book with Cover from (HSS).

Music/Art

Watch party conventions and candidate elections videos at NickJr.com. These videos are each less than 4 minutes and give a kids summary of the conventions as well as the major points about the candidates.

Discuss the colors used in the book on posters, buttons and banners.

• What are the main colors in the book?
  
• Why do they use those colors?
  
• What do those colors make you feel? Discuss how color help convey feelings and emotions.
  
• Define patriotic
  
• Make your own campaign poster on Scholastic.com
  
• Why did you choose the colors, theme and symbols for your poster?
  

Bible/Character

Continue Discussion on Fruits of the Spirit: Self-Control

Fieldtrip

TS accompanied us to our local polling location to participate in early voting process.

Fine Motor Activity

We shall attempt to build the White House with Lego's.

Social Skills Activity

The candidates are required to shake lots of hands on the campaign trail. How did this tradition start? What's the proper way to shake hands?

Lapbook Resources

Homeschool Share

Enchanted Learning