Tina Robertson

Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

April 18, 2023 | 5 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re looking for some simple and fun homeschool geography ideas for high school, I have a few resources.Too, I have more tips How to Homeschool High School. Also, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

My summer or these past few months anyway reminds me of a quote: ” Life’s up and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals. . ..”

Well, I have had all kinds of windows over here and more than I would like during any one time.

Too, Mr. Awesome is a different type of learner than Mr. Senior 2013. He is okay with geography but doesn’t want anything over the top exhaustive.

And nothing gets me more excited than to get into a geography groove.

I have been mulling over several options this year.

One book that we been using has been a life saver for us over the last few weeks.

Fun Homeschool Geography

You know I’m not a huge text book fan, but when I find a good one and it is geared toward an older child, I like to share.

It is by McDougal Littell and it is called World Cultures and Geography.

I like it because it has a hodgepodge of things in it. Some of the features are analyzing primary sources, fun facts and a history makers section.

Of course like most text books, it has only bits and pieces of those things and it is not real expansive, but that is all we want. So it serves as a nice reference book for us. I am hoping to share some pictures of the inside too.

Mr. Awesome has been using it for a history makers unit we have be doing. I will share that next week.

Runkle Geography Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

Then of course you know how much I love Runkle Geography and it will be a mainstay for our journey in geography through all the years

Simple Homeschool Geography

Updated: We ended up using Runkle Geography and absolutely loved it.

In addition, we used North Star Geography as another fun and simple geography resource.

I would like to add one more hands-on or interactive resource so I have been eyeballing Geography Challenge.

Mr. Awesome, unlike Mr. Senior 2013 has a low tolerance for bookish work.

Sure, the kid is obedient but I am not trying to run an obedience school. I want a kid that loves it and I save bookish work for his essays.

Homeschool High School Geography Resources and Books

Geography for high school should still be fun and hands-on. It can take years to find the right resources. However, I’ve gathered up some of my favorite books and resources.

North Star Geography

North Star Geography covers basic geography skills (maps, navigation) as well as physical geography (topography, biosphere, structure of the earth) and human geography (environmental stewardship, agriculture, culture, heritage & more)—all from a Christian perspective. Each lesson in the Reader is approximately 10-15 pages and geared toward junior high-high school students, though it may be adapted for younger students; the text features full-color maps, illustrations, and interesting sidebars. Accompanying each lesson on the Companion Guide, hands-on project options, as well as an “atlas building” section where students label outline maps, are provided. Note-taking pages feature ten questions taken from the text that can be used for review or comprehension questions, as well as for a study guide for the exam

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Geography

Brenda Runkle’s World Physical Geography makes an often-boring topic come to life!

With our world seeming to shrink with each passing week, knowing about virtually all peoples and nations is more important than ever.

World Physical Geography

It focuses on physical geography, providing the basis for learning the fundamentals of geography.

Geography Challenge

Challenges students to remember important facts and encourages them to enjoy themselves in the process.Deals with facts and principles related to the study of life science, physical science, and earth and space science.

Around the World in 180 Days, 2nd Edition (two-volume set)

Around the World in 180 Days is a geography and history program covering the history, geography, and culture of each continent. And yet this is not a textbook. It is a series of questions that the student must research in order to answer. Plenty of resources are suggested to help students conduct their research, and the teacher's edition provides all the answers. This revised and updated curriculum is written with a multilevel approach with study questions for students of all grade levels, making this a curriculum your whole family can do together! This two-volume set includes an illustrated teacher's edition and a student workbook.

Eat Your Way Around the World

Get out the sombrero for your Mexican fiesta! Chinese egg rolls! Corn pancakes from Venezuela! Fried plantains form Nigeria! All this and more is yours when you take your family on a whirlwind tour of over thirty countries in this unique international cookbook. Jam-packed with delicious dinners, divine drinks, and delectable desserts, this book is sure to please.

Lifepac History & Geography & Geography 11th Grade

Student worktexts include daily instruction and review as well as ample opportunity for assessment of student performance using self tests and unit tests. To encourage individualized instruction, we have included a teacher's guide designed to help you guide your student's learning experience according to his specific interests and needs. This essential teaching resource includes teaching notes for each unit, a complete answer key, and information about additional resources and learning activities.

Trail Guide To World Geography *OP

If you would like a geography course that includes mapping activities, atlas usage, research, notebooking and culture with very little teacher preparation, look no further. The Trail Guide to World Geography is a week one, day one kind of teacher s manual with daily geography drills (answers included) and numerous weekly assignment choices. <P> Multi-level geography course for 36 week school year for elementary through high school. <P> Assign as much or as little as YOU decide.

And, because I have always been determined to feed him through his mode of hands on and creative, learning geography through a game may make a good fit this year.

Of course, this means I would be the one having to play it with him. But I do see that this could benefit Tiny too as he could have access to the questions which are the answers.

More Geography Resources

Here is the review on Amazon about it:

The format of Geography Challenge! is similar to that of a popular game show. A student is given the answer and is asked to provide the question. Games are organized by geographic region of the world. Five levels of difficulty answer key included. Grade Level: 9th – 12th Author:

I like Around the World in 180 days too but it uses more of a notebook and research format, but I don’t think I am looking for that this year.

180 days Simple and Fun Homeschool Geography Ideas for High School

Did you pull the trigger on something already or are you like me taking your time on finding a geography resource this year?

How to Incorporate Subjects into a Fun Homeschool Cooking Unit Study

April 17, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m showing you how to incorporate subjects into a fun homeschool cooking unit study. Also, grab more ideas on my best homeschool unit studies page.

I’m sharing fabulous resources so that you can create an exciting and learning filled study which teaches life skills, math, science, social studies, history, language arts skills and so much more.

First, look at this book from my favorite series by Julia Rothman Food Anatomy as the main spine.

In Food Anatomy you get gorgeous illustrations and learn about the history of food.

And more specific food groups like fruits and veggies, grains, meats, as well as herbs, dairy, etc.

There is a little bit of basic food vocabulary and a lot of learning about foods and preparation techniques all around the world.

Homeschool Cooking Unit Study Resources

If you want something that is a little more open and go for daily assignments that can still be used with the resources, additional books, videos, and activities below you may want to grab Cooking Curriculum for the Whole Family.

But you can use Food Anatomy and work your way through it to study cooking methods, utensils, cuisines, and various ingredients.

Then add field trips, cookbooks, movies, books, and more to round out your study.

Cover all the subjects and then some while you make memories together as a family and develop lifelong real-life skills that will follow your children throughout their whole life.

More Homeschool Cooking Unit Study Activities

Tips for Using Math To Learn How to Cook

Let’s start with math.

Some of the math kids get from cooking is obvious but you can bring it from basic math to more in-depth for older kids with a few simple steps.

They will learn fractions by measuring of course but take it a step further and halve or double the recipe to increase their fraction skills.
Need to make a cup? Have your child use ¼. ½, or ⅓ to make it rather than using the 1 cup measuring cup for additional practice.
Use a kitchen scale to weigh wet and dry ingredients as well as compare uncooked and cooked meats.
Practice converting ounces to cups and vice versa.
Create a budget for a meal or the whole week and have your child use flyers to plan and shop from.
Make pizza from scratch and use it to practice fractions but cutting it into 8 equal slices.
Use small foods as manipulatives like grapes, blueberries, olives to practice multiplication or division.

Next, look at some ideas for language arts.

Cooking and Learning Language Arts

Develop reading skills by having your child read the recipes aloud.
To practice handwriting skills let your child write the grocery list or menu as you dictate it to them.

Kitchen Terminology for Kids

Introduce a variety of kitchen terminology as vocabulary and spelling words.

cuisine
dice
marinate
knead
simmer,
delectable.

You can find a nice variety of words with the definitions in Food Anatomy.

Read a biography/autobiography on a famous chef like –Who Was Julia Child?

Have your child write a review like a food critic after a meal or trip to a favorite restaurant with pen and paper or using a word program.

14 Learning How To Cook Books and Games

Add some of these books and games to your homeschool cooking unit study to learn life skills and have fun with the entire family.

Food Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of Our Edible World

Get your recommended daily allowance of facts and fun with Food Anatomy, the third book in Julia Rothman’s best-selling Anatomy series. She starts with an illustrated history of food and ends with a global tour of street eats. Along the way, Rothman serves up a hilarious primer on short-order egg lingo and a mouthwatering menu of how people around the planet serve fried potatoes — and what we dip them in. Award-winning food journalist Rachel Wharton lends her expertise to this light-hearted exploration of everything food that bursts with little-known facts and delightful drawings. Everyday diners and seasoned foodies alike are sure to eat it up.

Cooking Curriculum for the Whole Family

your homeschool curriculum needs life skills and your life needs kids who help out.

Connect with your kids in the kitchen, build life skills, and put peace into your homeschool day.

Who Was Julia Child?

Born in California in 1912, Julia Child enlisted in the Army and met her future husband, Paul, during World War II. She discovered her love of French food while stationed in Paris and enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu cooking school after her service. Child knew that Americans would love French food as much as she did, so she wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking in 1961. The book was a success and the public wanted more. America fell in love with Julia Child. Her TV show, The French Chef, premiered in 1963 and brought the bubbling and lovable chef into millions of homes. Find out more about this beloved chef, author, and TV personality in Who Was Julia Child?

The Science Chef: 100 Fun Food Experiments and Recipes for Kids

Break out your best aprons and spatulas: The Science Chef: 100 Fun Food Experiments and Recipes for Kids, 2nd Edition teaches children the basics of science through a variety of fun experiments, activities, and recipes. Each chapter explores a different science topic by giving you an experiment or activity you can do right in your kitchen, followed by easy-to-make recipes using ingredients from the experiment. Altogether there are over 100 experiments, activities, and recipes for you to try. From learning why an onion makes you cry to how to bake the perfect cupcake, you'll bring the fundamentals of science to life in a new, magical way.

MasterChef Junior Cookbook: Bold Recipes and Essential Techniques to Inspire Young Cooks

Creativity, hard work, and lots of fun—that’s what it takes to cook like a master. Beloved television competition show MasterChef Junior fosters all of this within each of its pint-size home cooks, and what they whip up is truly impressive. This book aims to give any aspiring young chef the tools he or she needs to hone essential cooking skills, with 100 recipes inspired by dishes that the contestants served in the first five seasons, as well as timeless techniques, tips, and advice. With this book, anyone can become an excellent cook.

MasterChef Family Cooking Game.

Bring Masterchef Into Your Kitchen: Turn Mealtime Into Game Time With This Exciting New Culinary Board Game. Teach Kids Valuable Cooking Skills Through A Series Of Fun Challenges With Delicious Results. Find Out If Your Family Has What It Takes To Become The Ultimate Masterchef

Guacamole Game - Cooperative and Critical Thinking Ingredient Matching Card Game

EASY TO PLAY: Players must use critical thinking to collect the ingredients for their guacamole recipes.

FAMILY FUN: This lively family card game is perfect for kids to spice up their day or for contemplative adults.

Foodie Fight Revised: A Trivia Game for Serious Food Lovers

FIND THE BIGGEST FOODIE: Test your knowledge on topics ranging from culinary science to celebrity chefs, exotic cuisine to cooking and baking skills.

Your Kids: Cooking!: A Recipe for Turning Ordinary Kids Into Extraordinary Cooks

Your Kids: Cooking! is a fun and engaging hands-on cooking program that prepares kids for a lifetime of healthy eating by teaching them how to turn fresh, wholesome ingredients into healthy and delicious meals. Much more than a just a cookbook, YKC is a multimedia cooking program that teaches kids how to cook in a structured, fun, and engaging way.

Melon Rind Check The Oven! Math Game - Adding to 12 Card Game for Kids (Ages 7 and up)

Sometimes you just need to break it up with a fun family game, but to stay on theme let's go with the quick play card game - Check the Oven.

Throw Throw Burrito

Another one that our family enjoys for fun that is food-themed is Throw Throw Burrito, you will end up in stitches with this one.

Teens Cook

Teenagers like what they like, and they will only eat what they like. But instead of causing mealtime strife, now they can learn to cook those foods themselves. With over 75 delicious recipes for meals at all times of the day—breakfast, snacks, sides, dinners, and dessert, too—Teens Cook is a guide to everything teenagers (and tweens) need to learn about conquering the kitchen without accidentally setting the house on fire. Written by teens and for teens in easy-to-follow instructions, authors Megan and Jill Carle give young readers advice on how to maneuver their kitchen in a language they’ll understand (and actually listen to). The Carle sisters pass on their knowledge of how to decipher culinary vocabulary, understand kitchen chemistry (why stuff goes right and wrong when cooking), adapt recipes to certain dietary restrictions (like vegetarianism), and avoid all sorts of possible kitchen disasters.

Where's Mom Now That I Need Her: Surviving Away from Home

WHERE'S MOM NOW THAT I NEED HER?: Surviving Away from Home is the ultimate guide to living away from home! It is filled with real world information and basic survival tips on topics such as:

Cooking for BEGINNERS with Recipes for Quick, Easy Meals
Nutrition
Grocery Shopping
Laundry and Clothing Care
First Aid
And lots more

The Happy Planner - Foodie (Recipe Organizer)

During their last few years at home, it is a great time to put together a book of family recipes. This Happy Planner Recipe Book is a great place to preserve recipes while they work on penmanship and attention to
detail. It has a kitchen conversion list and then is broken down into 8 categories.

Science and Cooking

Recreate some of the experiments in Science Chef Food Experiments to include more science beyond the chemistry of cooking and baking.

Study part of the periodic table by learning about the elements and their abbreviations that are either found in foods or materials used to make them like these cards from our periodic elements game. Try to find objects in the kitchen to match the elements.

Experiment with adding different amounts of ingredients like sugars, leavening agents, and various types of oils, etc to investigate the various cause and effects.

How to Learn Geography and History of Food

Learn about the place where your food comes from, find the country on a map for various cuisines, research a bit about the culture.
Find out about the history of various foods and food related items. Did pizza originate in Italy? Where were chopsticks first used?
Study foods popular throughout various time periods like Colonial Syllabub, Sebutu Rolls from Ancient Mesopotamia, or Daniel Boone’s Johnny Cakes.

More Best Homeschool Unit Studies

Home Economic and Life Skills

Teach your child what different tools, pots, and pans are used for.
Visit restaurants with different cuisines as a yummy field trip, tasting and learning different seasonings and styles is a big part of cooking skills.
Practice fine motor and visual discrimination skills with preschoolers by tracing some basic kitchen object shapes onto paper and having them match the outline with the object.

Learn how to cut difficult fruits like mango or make noodles from scratch within the book Food Anatomy.

Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study

April 16, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have some fun outdoor activities for middle schoolers today. Also, look at my page homeschool middle school for more fun tips. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

Besides, National Trails Day is April 22nd and that is a great time to start hiking the trails if you have never been or find a new one in your area if you have.

Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study

I also want to introduce or reacquaint you with another couple of fabulous outdoor activities for middle schoolers that go hand in hand with hiking trails which are geocaching and nature study.

In addition, I have another idea for outdoor activities for middle schoolers which is to teach them what to pack in your hiking pack list.

Too, I highly recommend a good quality comfy pair of shoes for everyone before you head out.

Hiking for Middle Schoolers

Hiking is a wonderful way to get exercise, fresh air, and get in a nature study.

Also, you also don’t usually have to go far to get some hiking in.

Check out this list of state parks by U.S. state that you can visit to get a hike in on the trails.

Or use it to find different trails near you. You can see the links location mark off the trail when you’ve completed it.

Check out local state and national parks in your state here for trails.
The National Parks Service also has an extensive listing of parks for each state.
You can use the All Trails APP to find different trails near you, get reviews for the trail, details like if it’s dog or stroller friendly, and mark off as you complete a trail.

What is Geocaching

Additionally, one fantastic addition to hiking is geocaching. It can also be done on its own.

If you don’t know, geocaching is simply a GPS-based activity.

People create and hide small trinkets or even just a logbook just off trails at parks and other public places for you to find.

They can be official containers or camouflage DIY containers like coffee cans.

Look at this one we found on our last hike.

The app gives you directions to follow and the distance to get you pretty close to the hidden cache.

In addition, we have found them hanging in trees, in hollowed-out logs or stumps, inside a hole cut in a telephone pole, covered by limbs or palm fronds.

Geocaching Container Ideas

There were large caches that contained toys, keychains, and other little things.

And there are small ones like this one where you unscrewed the behind part and there was a little rolled-up paper for you to log the date and a name for the cache owner.

Geocaching etiquette is that if you take something you leave something of equal value.

Then sign the logbook and replace the container just as you found it.

It can become quite addicting as you find small, camouflaged caches with little trinkets, you can’t wait to find the next one.

Moreover, here are some great small items to carry with you to leave behind.

small plastic animals
a yo-yo
fast food toys
keychains
change
iron-on patches
pretty stones or shells
rain poncho
tiny rubber duckies
beads or handmade bead jewelry
and hot wheels.

Nature Study for Homeschool Science

While you are hiking trails and geocaching it is a natural step to do some nature study.

You honestly can’t avoid it.

Surrounded by trees, flowers, birds, and small and large woodland creatures you will be taking in so much of the local flora and fauna you may as well turn it into a lesson.

You can create a fun scavenger hunt ahead of time or simply call out an object, for instance, poison ivy or a woodpecker and see who spots it first.
Observe how many different flower species you can find on your hike.
One of my favorite apps for identifying plants and animals is iNaturalist, it is a good resource for crowdsourcing to identify what you may be unsure of.
Use a camera or a sketchbook for your child to capture and identify what they see as they explore the trail.

5 Peterson First Guides for Nature and Hiking Studies

Add one or two of these nature and hiking resources to your field trip. Getting outdoors is the best way to learn about nature, change of pace, and savor the moments of learning which come naturally.

Peterson First Guide To Trees

Now there is a guidebook to trees--one of the most popular subjects in the Peterson Field Guide series--for the beginning naturalist. The 243 trees are grouped into six categories by leaf type and arrangement, making it easier for the beginner to identify unknown species. 200 color illustrations.

Peterson First Guide To Urban Wildlife

Peterson First Guides are the first books the beginning naturalist needs. Condensed versions of the famous Peterson Field Guides, the First Guides focus on the animals, plants, and other natural things you are most likely to see. They make it fun to get into the field and easy to progress to the full-fledged Peterson Guides.

Peterson First Guide To Reptiles And Amphibians

From mudpuppies to rattlesnakes, this fascinating guide for young nature lovers describes the habits and habitats of these secretive and sometimes bizarre animals, and includes tips on how to catch and care for frogs, snakes, turtles, lizards, salamanders, and toads.

Peterson First Guide To Butterflies And Moths

Peterson First Guide To Insects Of North America

A simplified version of the full-sized field guides makes it easy and fun to get started in the field. Peterson First Guides are the first books the beginning naturalist needs. Condensed versions of the famous Peterson Field Guides, the First Guides focus on the animals, plants, and other natural things you are most likely to see. They make it fun to get into the field and easy to progress to the full-fledged Peterson Guides.

More Activities for Middle Schoolers

Also, here are some more activities for middle schoolers.

Furthermore, here are more ideas for nature study.

Nature Study Activities

What’s more is that nature studies are good to do for multiple ages. You’ll love these other nature study activities.

How to Make a Hiking Bag

Finally, look at these items to prepare you middle schooler for a day outdoors.

Bug spray-Dark and often damp woods are magnets for mosquitos, ticks, and more.
Chapstick- Sun and wind can be hard on your lips, especially if you aren’t staying hydrated enough.
Sunscreen- Even if it is overcast it’s a good idea to protect your skin.
Field guides- depending on where you were going and what’s in your area you might want to pack a long, one or two light field guides. You can grab field guides for common birds, trees, or wildflowers in your area.
First aid kit-You don’t need a large one unless you’re going on a multi-day hike. A few hours or a day-long hike would require a few Band-Aids, an alcohol wipe or two, and some kind of travel-sized antibiotic ointment.
Epi-Pen- If this is something you generally need to keep on hand anyway you do not want to get stuck out on a trail without it.
Water- Take plenty of bottled water along to stay hydrated or rinse off small scrapes, etc.
High-protein snacks- Seeds, nuts, protein bars, and beef jerky are all good high-energy snacks to replenish energy.

Camera-You would hate to miss an amazing shot of a deer crossing the trail or a bird rare to your area.
Cell Phone- I don’t think you will have to tell your teen twice to pack their phone, another great option for photos, and emergencies, and as a GPS for trail apps and geocaching.
Extra battery pack – If you will be out hiking for a long day you will want to grab some kind of backup battery pack.

Optional Hiking Items For Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers

Waterproof Binoculars

Flower Press- In many states it is illegal to remove flowers, animals, and any other park property but for fields and other locations that are not protected you may want to have one with you.

Pocket microscope

Notebook/Pen
Hat/Sunglasses

Ready to take your learning outdoors?

How To Determine The Best Beginner Reading Books For Kindergarten & Recommendations

April 15, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m sharing tried and true tips for how to determine the best beginner reading books for kindergarten while homeschooling. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

Besides, reading is one of the most important subjects to teach well.

Teaching other subjects in kindergarten is important.

How To Determine The Best Beginner Reading Books For Kindergarten & Recommendations

However, if a child doesn’t read well, he could struggle lifelong in all subjects.

Also, I have a free reading journal you can download below to help you track reading time.

As he grows and has interests in other subjects, like history or science, he may struggle with comprehension.

So, what we do in the beginning or while homeschooling kindergarten matters.

For example, beginner books for children should not only meet them where they’re at but be engaging and delightful.

3 Questions About Beginner Reading Books for Kindergarten

With that being said, look at these ways you can meet your child where he is in understanding phonics and growing in reading.

Some kindergarten aged children are ready for beginner chapter books or higher and others are still very much finding delight in repeated texts and phonics readers.

Being at either level is very much normal as well as anywhere in between.

Now, look at these 3 questions to see if your child needs more prereading help or if he is ready to tackle beginner chapter books.

1. How well does your child understand or master rhyming?

Rhyming is not just a fun childhood pastime, but learning to rhyme helps him to see patterns in reading.

After that when you point out the similarities in the word pattern, he learns to make other words quickly.

For example, if you print CAT on a card, then write FAT.

After you show him how the first letter is different, but the end is the same, he sees and hears the pattern.

This is an effective and simple way to have a strong foundation in reading.

Next, identify his knowledge of letter sounds.

2. How well does he know letter sounds?

That is more important than the shape of the letter or knowing the name of the letter.

While recognizing the shape of the letter is important, your child will need to grasp that it represents or stands for a sound.

Thereafter, you want to be sure of his print awareness.

3. What is his understanding of print concept?

For example, does he hold the book right way up, looks at the pictures and knows we read from left to right?

Even if he doesn’t understand his left from his right (even as adults we get confused) does he point with this finger or lead with his eyes and track left to right to read?

If you can answer yes to these prereading concepts, then barring any special needs he is ready for beginner reading books.

Additionally, if your child is still mastering some of the concepts listed above, then keep his reading diet steady with phonics readers and mixing in easy chapter books.

The books listed below will help him to not only reinforce basic reading concepts but challenge him to continue moving on in reading levels.

More Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum And Crafts

Beginner Reading Books For Kindergarten

A homeschooled kindergarten child’s reading diet should still be a mix of repeated texts or phonics readers and beginner readers.

This way your child’s basic reading skills continue to be strengthened while your child’s reading level is advancing.

Starfall Short-Vowel Pals 16 Decodable Phonics Books

These decodable primer books provide beginner readers with practice connecting letter sounds. Set of 16 Short-Vowel Pals: Zac and Cat Zac and the Hat Peg Helps Zac Peg's Egg Hen Mox Jogs Hop, Bend, Stomp Pop! Pop! Pop! Tin Man Sits Fix the Jet Fish and Me Bug in a Jug Get Up, Cub Gus and His Dog Peg and the Box Zig-Zag

Meg and Greg: A Duck in a Sock (Orca Two Read, 1)

Great books for parents to share with kids. Parents read then child reads.

A Duck in a Sock is the first book in the Orca Two Read series designed for shared reading
between a child learning to read and an experienced reader. Inside you'll find four stories that introduce one new phonogram (a letter or combination of letters that represent a sound) in each story: the ck, sh, ch and th phonograms. Each story builds on the previous ones by including words
with the phonograms already introduced. In addition, the series has special features to help a child with dyslexia or another language-based learning difficulty achieve reading success.

Usborne My First Phonics Reading Library Collection 12 Books Box Set

Usborne My First Phonics Reading Library Collection 12 Books Box Set (Phonics Readers) (WITH FREE AUDIO ONLINE)

The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster!

From #1 New York Times best-selling, award-winning author and illustrator Mo Willems!
Buckle up for twists, turns, and emotional loop-de-loops in the most roller coaster-y Pigeon book ever! The Pigeon WILL be ready. Will YOU!

Bob Books - Set 1: Beginning Readers Box Set |

Many early reader books contain words that are too difficult for a child who has just learned the sounds of the alphabet. Not these books! With only four letter sounds in the first story (M, A, T, and S), children can read a whole book and their confidence grows. Kids love the stories and funny pictures, and can’t wait to read these books to everyone they know!

Biscuit Flies a Kite (My First I Can Read)

For fans of Clifford and Spot, welcome everybody’s favorite little yellow puppy, Biscuit, in an I Can Read adventure!

It seems like the perfect day to fly a kite, until—oh, no!—the wind begins to blow the kite away!

Join Biscuit, that sweet puppy, and his friend Puddles as they put their furry heads together to save the day. Woof woof! Bow wow!

The gentle and appealing Biscuit books are a wonderful first introduction to reading for little pups, and this My First I Can Read friendship tale is perfect for shared reading in a classroom or at home. Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.

25 Irresistible Books That Are Just the Right Level for Beginning Readers

Jumpstart reading success with this big collection of 25 motivating storybooks correlated with Guided Reading Level D. The books features simple text, decodable words, strong picture cues, and two to four lines of text per page to support readers with just a little experience under their belts. Children will laugh, learn, and build confidence with these funny books on their favorite topics—from dogs to dinosaurs, princesses to pizza! Includes a 4-page parent guide.

Apples and Apricots: The Letter A Book (AlphaBOX Alphabet Readers collection)

This is the first book in the highly acclaimed AlphaBOX Alphabet Readers collection – a gorgeously illustrated series that teaches each letter of the alphabet and its phonetic sound. With Apples and Apricots, young readers will explore the letter A with bright colours, adorable pictures and an arty challenge you can enjoy together

Dr. Seuss's Beginner Book Collection (Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish, Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop, Fox in Socks)

Books in this boxed set include:The Cat in the HatOne Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue FishGreen Eggs and HamHop on PopFox in Socks Originally created by Dr. Seuss himself, Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read.

Usborne Beginners History 10 Books Collection Box Set (Stone Age, Iron Age, Egyptians, Ancient Greeks, Romans, Vikings, Castles & MORE!)

Great history set of books that an advanced kindergartener could tackle.

(Usborne Beginners Series) Usborne Beginners Science Collection Box Set (10 Books)

This box set includes: Living in Space, Planet Earth, Storms and Hurricanes, Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunamis, The Solar System, Weather, Your Body, Sun, Moon and Stars and Astronomy.

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Fun Homeschool US Westward Expansion Lapbook and Hands-on Unit Study Ideas

April 14, 2023 | 1 Comment
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I have a huge 97 page free US Westward Expansion lapbook. Also, I have a page Westward Ho with more ideas. Grab more ideas on my lapbook ideas page and on my best homeschool unit studies page.

You’ll want to study about westward expansion a few times to get in more subtopics of American history.

In addition, you may want to narrow down your focus to specific years or topics.

Fun Homeschool US Westward Expansion Lapbook and Hands-on Unit Study Ideas

However, for our first time studying about the expansion of the United States, we covered quite a few years and topics.

For example, I chose to cover the period of 1803 to 1890.

Additionally, making a list of topics to cover will help too.

Westward Expansion Unit Study Ideas

Besides, you want to create a foundation for your children to understand why people wanted to head west.

Free Minibooks About Westward Ho

For instance, look at this list of free minibooks I created for a westward expansion unit study,

Westward Ho Trifold Timeline Book
1860 Pony Express Pop Up Book
Animals of the West with Pocket for Older Kids
Baby Animals of the West with Pocket for Younger Kids
Flora of the West for Older Kids
Flora of the West for Younger Kids
Buffalo Bill Frontiersman Tiny Book and pocket
Daniel Boone Frontiersman Tiny Book and pocket
James Fenimore Cooper _ Author Tiny Book and pocket
Sacagawea matchbook
Artists Study and Images George Caleb Bingham and Albert Bierstadt
49ers Goldrush minibook
1836 Remember the Alamo minibook, mini crossword, and Texian and Tejano images
Manifest Destiny Pros versus Cons
Barrel of Words Vocabulary
Flip book to learn about supplies on the Oregon Trail.
Prairie Schooner Top Flap,
Landmarks along the Trail, Devil’s Gate, Independence Rock & Chimney Rock,
Prairie Schooner Bottom Flap,
Disease on the Trail: Cholera
Picture for front/back of lapbook/notebook page.
Dividers for Lewis & Clark Expedition and one for Westward Expansion.
Pecos Bill older child
Pecos Bill younger child
Tall Tale Pecos Bill Writing Prompt
Transportation Layered Book
1869 Transcontinental Railroad
Printable Board Game Oregon Trail
2 Westward Ho Coloring Pages

As you can see from geography to language arts, I have many ideas for you.

Additionally, you’ll love reading some of these living books below.

Books about the Oregon Trail

10 Westward Expansion Resources

Add in a few books and resources to bring the study of the Oregon Trail to life during the United States expansion of the west.

Your Life as a Pioneer on the Oregon Trail (The Way It Was)

Your Life as a Pioneer on The Oregon Trail, has some funny illustrations and great information for this unit study.

Little House on the Prairie Series 7 Books Collection

Of course ALL the Little House Books are some of the best about pioneer life.

The Ingalls are the most famous pioneers and westward moving families.

Westward Expansion (A True Book: Westward Expansion)

A True Book: Westward Expansion takes readers on an amazing journey to a fascinating time in U.S. history when the country was experiencing dynamic change and expanding westward.

The Oregon Trail 4-Book Paperback Box Set Plus Poster Map

In this boxed set, choose your own trail and complete the journey to Oregon City with all four paperbacks in this exciting series! It's 1850 and your first goal is to get your family, covered wagon full of supplies, and oxen to Chimney Rock on time.

The Oregon Trail: Journey to Willamette Valley Boardgame

It's a race to Willamette Valley as you join the wagon train and seek your fortune in the West!

Apples to Oregon:

Apples, ho! When Papa decides to pull up roots and move from Iowa to Oregon, he can’t bear to leave his precious apple trees behind. Or his peaches, plums, grapes, cherries, and pears. Oh, and he takes his family along too.

Locomotive

It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and family are traveling together, riding America’s brand-new transcontinental railroad. These pages come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and strength of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving; and the thrill of travel from plains to mountain to
ocean

The California Gold Rush and the '49ers

Try your luck, and search for your fortune in California! Follow the joy and heartbreak of the '49ers during the California Gold Rush.

Daily Life in a Covered Wagon

In 1853, the Larkin family loaded up their wagons and headed west in search of a new life. But how did they do it? What did they eat? How did they survive sickness, and attacks from cattle thieves? Drawing on diaries and letters, and illustrated with photographs of actual object from the past, Daily Life in a Covered Wagon explored what life was really like on the wagon trail.

Covered Wagons, Bumpy Trails

Illustrations and simple rhyming text follow Mother, Father, and Baby John as they make the difficult journey by wagon to a new home across the Rocky Mountains in the fertile Sacramento Valley of California. By the creators of Gold Fever.

And if you’re doing a unit study, you want to include hands-on learning.

Finally, add some hands-on activities.

Hands-on US Westward Expansion Ideas

Moreover, there are many hands-on ideas you’ll want to include in this unit study.

No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll For Kids Westward Expansion Activity
7 Educational Movies for Kids About Westward Expansion
10 Westward Expansion Hands-on History Activities
Free Westward Ho History Cards
Make an edible Louisiana Purchase Map, yum.

Too, are you looking to cover other areas of American History?

Look at these other lapbooks.

More History Lapbooks

How to Get the Free HUGE 102 Page Westward Expansion Lapbook

Now, how to grab the free lapbook. This is a subscriber freebie.