Well it's official . . . I have been dubbed a slacker!  So life has been hectic and I have had very little time to sit at the computer and "get creative" but I have a few excuses too! 

American History was put on hold because quite frankly, I didn't like where I was going with it. The book I was using while extremely interesting, was a bit "TOO TRUTHFUL" for my younger kids. I'm all for the truth, but sometimes you need to sand the edges so that it doesn't do more harm than good. So I put it aside and I have been looking, searching, for an alternate "spine." AND I HAVE FOUND IT! BUT it's even more work to get it ready . . . so I have put it off . . . SLACKER?? YES, I will accept that title.

The new set is "A History of US" by Joy Hakim. I found most of these at a Used Curriculum sale (bought almost the entire set for less than $18 and a friend had an extra of the one book I was missing).  Now I don't know about you but the guides just aren't an option for us due to financial reasons . . . soooo . . . . I am of course trying to come up with a schedule. And I will be mixing in projects from Home School in the Woods' Time Traveler's series.  Not all projects will be "covered" at least I don't think we will do them all at this point . . . but they all look so fun we just might decide to do it anyways!

I have a friend demanding I finish ASAP so I will do my best to get something figured out SOON (read this as this week!) and will flush it out a bit as I go.  Hang on folks cause it could be a FAST and bumpy ride! :^D

~T8ermomma

I have added another section to my American History study. This portion is a unit on the Presidents. I have created worksheets to make compiling the information easier.

My United States Pit Stop will take 1 semester at 3 states a week  (roughly 16 weeks). This study will take roughly 15 weeks doing 3 Presidents as well. So I will do the US Pit Stop first Semester and then the Presidential Look Up second semester.

Still having issues updating the page so please bear with me. I have the link available here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?b6s8q3yjyt1ekfs

With our US History Plan for next year we are doing a US States Pit Stop. Much like our Geography Pit Stop.  I had it figured out, but I really didn't like it. It was too "plain" I guess. I have played around with the State Sheets enough to really get a feel for what they are. And now they are Fabulous!

I also have created two versions of the State Sheets. This is for older kids and younger kids. The first is for the older--I would say grade 4+. The second version is for the younger kids--grades 1-3. This way you can do this for all of your kids together.

The first is actually 3-4 pages in length.  The first page covers State Symbols and the state map. Also abbreviations, nickname, capital etc. The second page covers "where in the US" the state is. It's a US Map that they color in and label. The back also covers the state flag. They will describe it (list what it symbolizes) and add in a print out/coloring of the state map.  The next page or two will have room to add information on Historical Events, Important People or Interesting Facts. Such as the Grand Canyon for Arizona. It has a space to add a picture as well. This you will add as needed. Each page has the space for 3 "Entries." The older your kids--the more detailed you should expect. For my grade 6--I will expect at least 3, prefer 4.

The second version is for the younger crowd. It is one paged and has room for State Map, Flag, Motto, 1 Symbol (Such as flower), a large map of the US (for locating the state) and covers things like abbreviation, Nickname, etc. 

It is ready to be uploaded, unfortunately I am having issues editing some of my pages. It seems that Weebly does not like firefox 4.  SOOO, Here is a link to the download.

http://www.mediafire.com/?df1sw1k6jb1hd8s

 I am using a couple of resources.

• http://www.50states.com/
• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/  This is where I found the map and the flag that are on the pages below. I DID make the map and flag outline smaller for my boxes. 
• Google Searches (I just used an image search for the state flower--cactus blossom, etc.)
• The Star Spangled State Book by Knowledge Quest.  This I received free during their 10 year anniversary celebration. It is $18.95 on their site. It is listed on currclick for $15.95. I am not overly excited by this book but I do think it is a neat find. I like that they have a few interesting facts the kids can easily relate to for each state. Which is what we used on my State Sheets (page 3). It does not have a whole lot of information on State Symbols however. Hence the reason for the other resources.  There are also some great informational sheets through out the book. they are not all in one location however. You have to hunt them down!! :)
  
• Knowledge Quest DOES have a workbook that you could use that will go with their State Book. I DON'T LIKE IT. It is almost the exact same replica of the "Book" with a few words "erased" with an answer line in their place for fill in the blank. I find it is not much more than busy work. 
  

Here is some sneak peaks at the U.S. Pit Stop.  You will notice that I have used clip art. THIS IS NOT NECESSARY! You can easily have your kids draw pictures to fill in the boxes. Do what works for your family.

I am still going strong with the American History Lesson Plan. I have (I think) up to chapter 5 done completely. I will be uploading each chapter this evening. I have added in some things for the younger kids too; however they are not free, nor are they mine. I will post links to the main Resource.  I will try to post links to free items that might work instead of the ones that I have chosen.

The resource I am using is Homeschool In the Wood's Time Travelers Collection. I have 3 already and will be purchasing the other 3 as I can. This is a fabulous tool and really it's not that expensive as they are only $28.00 each and can easily be spread out as you can afford them.
I will be adding to our Geography Pit Stop for this study as well. While we study US History, we will be also studying the 50 States (and if I get fancy, all of our territories).  Maps and information guides will be created and posted in the Geography Pit Stop Section. (this may take a while to get to it)

I am contemplating a week long PROJECT.  This will take place when we hit the Great Depression. The project would entail a week long "Family Depression."  So no shoes, old clothes that would be washed only when needed and they would have to maintain only 2 outfits and a Church outfit.  Food would be what was eaten during the depression as well. NO ELECTRONICS would be allowed either.  This idea is still in it's infancy so I am sure it will get much larger before I get done with the planning.

Another project that I am working on prior to the Fall:  a mini-binder sized assignment sheets. This will be for my High Schooler.  It will be a 2 page spread that is broken down by subjects. Each 2 page spread will be 1 day. I THINK!! I'll have to play around with it. Again this will take a while to get to. I don't need it until August, but I would like to get her some practice in on it this summer while we work on some problem areas. So I hope it doesn't take too long! ;)

So lots that I am working on and lots more to come!!
~T8ermomma

Well, I have already begun adding links to our American History Study!! Chapter 1; Columbus and the Indians has been created. I still need to add a couple small items--they will include an Important People page and several maps. (I will post when this is updated)

There are 13 vocabulary words for Chapter 1. Included is a crossword, a word search and a vocabulary match up page. Flash Cards are also included.

There are 6 sections to Chapter 1. I don't have the lesson plan figured out just yet, but I am thinking that day 1 would include map work of Columbus's journey as well as the Introduction to Chapter 1. Days 2-6 will follow along as each section comes along.

Just an FYI: I have chapters 2-4 already read and figured out--I just have to type them up and format it all. This is going pretty quick. I am enjoying the read quite a bit. It's a smooth read and very easy to understand. I imagine that I will take a few breaks prior to getting this all put together. My plan is to have this completed this summer so that I have time to add it to Homeschool Tracker.

You can find the American History page under lesson plans or you can click here: American History.  Take a look and let me know what you think!!

~T8ermmma