Incorporating World Geography and the Olympics into our Summer

Of course, taking the summer off from formal school doesn't mean we stop learning. Life is learning, learning is life! With the Summer Olympics taking place this summer, I'm planning on doing some informal World Geography and Olympic Games units.

Using the book recommendations from  Give Your Child the World, I'm getting many books from the library to scatter around the house, and maybe a few to read out loud, for the kids to read over the summer months. As they encounter the different countries represented in the books, we'll find them on the globe, and hopefully by the time the Olympics start, they will be familiar with many of the countries represented at the Olympic Games. We are also planning on listening to Around the World in 80 Days on CD during one of our many long car trips.

For the Olympics, a quick google search or Pinterest search finds SO many ideas for incorporating fun activities based on the Olympics. These are just a few I found:

• https://www.pinterest.com/debchitwood/olympic-unit-study/
• https://www.pinterest.com/nikki_renee/olympics-unit-study/
• http://homeschoolgiveaways.com/2014/01/winter-olympics-free-printables-and-activities/
• https://www.pinterest.com/squidie2003/konos-vol-3-de-olympics-physical-skills/

I'm not going to assign anything, and hopefully just let their own curiosity lead them this summer. With news coverage of and cultural references to the Olympic games, I think it will just flow naturally. Perhaps will have a "Game Day" here and hold our own Olympic Games here!

Ireland Unit Study

With St. Patrick's Day coming up this week, we are going to do a week on Ireland this week. I'm excited for the kids to explore their Irish heritage (they are half-Irish)!

These are our plans:

Geography:

• Map of Ireland - label major cities and landmarks, and also family origins of paternal grandparents

History & Culture:

• Watch videos at: http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day

• A Day in the Life of an Irish boy: http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/ireland/day-in-life
• Read "Brigid’s Cloak" - Legend about St. Brigid
• Read "St. Patrick's Day
• Potato Famine - Interactive website for kids about conditions during the potato famine
• Read "Feed the Children First- Irish Memories of the Great Hunger"

Cooking: 

• Try out recipes - including Irish soda bread

Creative Project:

• Lapbook - We will use some of this free lapbook

Reading

• Selections from this Book list for kids, including traditional Irish folk tales and historical fiction.

Language Arts:

• Copywork of Irish Blessings: http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/Bless.html

Art:

• Bell Pepper Shamrock: http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/st-patricks-day/bell-pepper-shamrock-craft.asp 

Additional Resources:

Irish Culture and Customs Website  

 Pictures of Giant’s Causeway

I'll post our actual reading selections and the final lapbook on our Weekly Wrap-up at the end of the week!