Highlights from 13 Colonies Unit (Dec-Feb)

• The Puritans - we spent a few lessons discussing what things they valued, what their schools were like, what they wore, how some of their beliefs/habits might be different from ours today.
• Map of the 13 English colonies - we colored them in by region as we discussed them. Some colonies we discussed collectively, others individually.
• Middle colonies - had a fun lesson learning the story of how New Netherland and New Sweden (with their colorful leaders) were peacefully overtaken by the English to become the colonies of New Jersey and New York
• William Penn - discussed his Quaker beliefs, his role in settling Pennsylvania (a colony open to everyone). Made "friendship chains" with ideas on how we can show friendship, just as William Penn did to those around him.
• Benjamin Franklin - had a really fun day learning about him! We read an awesome picture book biography, discussed and decorated some of his famous sayings, played a memory card game with his inventions, and talked about why he was able to become so smart and successful (not because of money - he read a lot, worked hard, etc.)
• New England towns vs. Plantations - we made 2D models of a typical New England town, complete with buildings housing different professions (e.g. hooper, cobbler, miller, etc.) We had learned about some of these professions in a book called "If You Lived in the Colonial Period" - I think the kids enjoyed this. In another lesson we also briefly contrasted this to life on a plantation and talked a little bit about slavery.
• Blackbeard the Pirate - when discussing the colony of North Carolina we had a "pirate day" where we learned about the career of one of the most feared pirates of all time. The kids especially enjoyed hearing how he would tie ribbons in his beard to look like snakes, and set fuses attached to his hat on fire to make his face glow and look scary - all students got to recreate the effect with a flashlight. We also listened to a recording of a pirate song while eating hardtack. About half the class liked it, half did not. I think we all agreed it was better with jam. :)
• Daniel Boone and the frontier - had one lesson learning about Daniel Boone and the idea of people going out to settle the unknown frontier. Used a fun picture book from the library, located and touched the Appalachian Mountains on the map and globe, modeled the mountains on flat maps with a very gooey oatmeal mixture...I hadn't tried it before, so I sure hope it didn't cause any messes at home!
• Kids in the Colonial Era - my substitute taught a lesson about the clothing, chores, and activities of kids in the colonial era
• French and Indian War

One day I told the story of George Washington fighting in this war. In a particular battle, two horses were shot from beneath him and he came away with four bullet holes in his coat - but he was not injured. Also mentioned Sir William Warraghiyagey Johnson, who was both an Englishman and a member of an Indian tribe during the French and Indian war