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Planning Homeschool High School Graduation Day 1 of 10 Days

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

A lot has happened since I graduated my first senior. Today on planning homeschool high school graduation, I’ve updated my 10 days series for planning a homeschool graduation. Also, grab more ideas on my how to homeschool high school page.

How do I put all my plans, fears, successes, failures, and momentary lapses of insanity in one blog post?

I can’t. Instead, I will share 10 days of planning a homeschool high school graduation so that not IF, but when your turn comes, you will have a place to start.

As of now, all my homeschooled kids have graduated and I’m still in the trenches with you as a coach.

Planning Homeschool High School Graduation Day 1 of 10 Days

Right away I will ask for your forgiveness during this series too because sharing our homeschool journey has never been so scary for me as it has been over the last few years.

Much of life and school was up, up, and down, down.

I have had feelings of overwhelming happiness at the same time sadness, feelings of joy yet fear wondering if I did enough with Mr. Senior 2013.

10 days of Planning A Homeschool High School Graduation: Day 1 Start the PlanningHow do I put all my plans, fears, successes, failures and momentary lapses of insanity in one blog post? I can’t. Instead, I will share 10 days of planning a homeschool high school graduation so that not IF, but when your turn comes, you will have a place to start.Click here to get tips from a seasoned homeschool mom!

Yet, I pressed on to have Mr. Awesome graduate in 2015 and Tiny graduated in 2018.

Planning the BEST Homeschool High School Graduation Celebration!

I can’t help but have tears as I reflect as I’ve savored every mommy moment with him and think how vulnerable I felt when I held him in my arms as I taught him to read.

A tear or two may run down my cheek as I type this because that has not been the only feelings I experienced as we celebrated the next chapter of Mr. Senior 2013’s life.

You know I tend to be private about hubby’s health, but it impacted our homeschool significantly these past two years.

So, the blessing of graduating our first son was special in more ways than one because my husband was around to celebrate it with us.

It may sound a bit dramatic, but for us it was also celebrating life.

10 Days of Plannning Homeschool Highschool Graduation | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

So although we weren’t able to have the graduation at the time I planned because we were with the Mr. at the hospital, the day was filled with more meaning when we finally did.

Nothing mattered more on ending Mr. Senior 2013’s journey than being with the ones who were there from the beginning and matter the most. Even at the end, he was still learning valuable life lessons.

Moving on to what matters, the beginning of planning a meaningful homeschool graduation starts with long term planning.

Celebration Countdown


Here are some things to think about and that will affect what type of homeschool graduation you plan.

  • Do you want to be part of a larger homeschool group or not? Most large groups I know plan a whole year out and hire speakers and usually hold the graduation in a large auditorium. If you do, you need to notify a group right away.
  • What type of personality does your young adult have? Yes, he is forever your child, he’s now just not a child. This is really important because what you might vision for the day and what he or she might vision may be two completely different things. It is their celebration too. It is hard for us capable mamas to remember that at this point because we have been so strong in nurturing and leading them but surrender to it because our young adults are capable now.
  • Does your teen vision a late night out on the town and a small gathering?
  • Does your teen vision a formal night complete with catering and closer to a wedding than a graduation?
  • Does your teen vision a family trip like a cruise with many of his or her friends and their parents?

More Homeschool High School Graduation Planning Resources

Planning Homeschool High School Graduation Day 1 of 10 Days

Check that List Twice

I will be sharing some printables on this too, but I want to list some things that you need to brainstorm way ahead of time.

  • date, time (beginning AND ending times), and venue
  • type of dress
  • do you want a meal, just snacks, no meal or cake/punch only
  • how many people to invite
  • how many parties to have (yes, I was going to have two. One with our church friends and one with our homeschool group. Two small gatherings keeps each manageable. I ended up having one because of our circumstances.)
  • how to present the diploma
  • cap, gown, and ring can all be ordered ahead of time as long your teen doesn’t change their mind about colors he or she likes
  • what type of decorations do you want

The beginning is about brainstorming and including your young adult. In the end we both realized we had some ideas that ended up being too much work or that really were not that important to us.

Next post, I will share some of the details and plans we reached early in our planning and share with you a few time and budget saving tips I found along the way.

I will try hard to not have too many sniffles on this series, but no promises okay?

A Easy Introduction for Homeschool Parents to the List Of Learning Styles

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love this easy introduction for homeschool parents of the list of learning styles. Also, grab my other tips I have on my page homeschool learning styles.

Not all children learn the same way.

For example, one child may be content to read books while another prefers to play the piano.

A Easy Introduction for Homeschool Parents to the List Of Learning Styles

Trying to teach your kids in the same way can be doing each one a disservice.

But then again, we homeschool because we recognize differences.

Too, when you identify how your child learns best, you can give them tips for subjects they struggle in.

Also, you can nurture their talents and help your students to be successful.

What Is a Learning Style

Frist, understanding what is a learning style can be easier to explain than all the terms and labels which have exploded in recent years. More on that in a minute.

A learning style can be defined in many ways but it’s the way an individual prefers to learn.

It involves the way he prefers to gather information and how the steps a person uses to process the information.

In addition, it involves these other things.

  • whether a person prefers to learn alone or with others
  • if a person prefers to read about activities versus do activities
  • when relationships with you or others are more important than learning
  • whether an environment is bright light and quiet or low light with music

Additionally, one more important thing to know is that most experts agree that by the time a child is about seven years old his dominant learning style is fixed.

Up until that time, most kids learn through moving.

Next, for years the educational world touted that individuals fall into three categories or learning styles.

They are:

  1. visual (sight)
  2. kinesthetic (movement, sensory or use of body)
  3. auditory (sounds)

While I agree with those learning styles, I have come to learn that using the term learning personality is easier.

A Easy Introduction for Homeschool Parents to the List Of Learning Styles

Look why using the term learning personality makes it easy to tap into our child’s strengths.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Childs Learning Personality.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child? Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles. A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling. However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

YOU WILL LEARN:

  • How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
  • How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
  • A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
  • Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
  • Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.

Moreover, look at the resources to help you understanding learning styles.

Homeschool Learning Style and Personality Book Helps and How to of Homeschooling

Arming yourself with more information as to how children learn and how to teach them best should be part of every homeschool library.

Our goal in homeschooling is to be the best teacher and learn how OUR kids learn best and not every child or grade level.

31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don't Know Where to Begin

Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is a real eye-opener on homeschooling. It will alleviate a lot of the anxieties about getting started homeschooling. Reading each chapter’s highlights will give you encouragement, knowledge, guidance, and peace of mind to homeschool with confidence. The best part is that you’ll be educating the person who loves your kids the most in this world--YOU! 

How to Get Your Child Off the Refrigerator and On to Learning

Carol Barnier knew that her son -- more likely to be sitting on the table (or the refrigerator) than in his chair -- was worthy of high expectations. She also knew that he could easily miss achieving them if she didn't find the right key to unlock his capacity to learn. Carol found volumes of information on how to recognize the challenges in ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) children, how to manage them, how to discipline them, and how to accept them. But no one told her how to teach her son math tomorrow. In her search for solutions, she developed techniques that are not only fun for all children, but highly successful with any child who struggles with focus.

The Big What Now Book of Learning Styles: A Fresh and Demystifying Approach

All children want to learn, but so often we give students a key to unlock their understanding of a new concept only to discover that it was the wrong key. The question then becomes, WHAT NOW? Carol Barnier delivers a fresh and demystifying approach to learning styles. You'll find answers and so much more. You, the newly energized "Keeper of the Keys," will now have access to the following ideas that will help you find the right key to unlock a love of learning in your K-12th grade child:

And I have some posts here for you as well.

A Easy Introduction for Homeschool Parents to the List Of Learning Styles

You’ll love my workshop above as well as these resources.

Other Homeschool Learning Style Resources

List of Learning Styles for Homeschool Parents

Finally, look at this list of learning styles and then the homeschool style approach below.

Further to keep it simple I have used only 4 learning personalities or style because some references tout that there are 16 different types of learning styles.

Although you can take many tests to determine this list is an easy starting point by beginning with 4 general learning personalities which will get you on the right track for your child.

4 Major Learning Personality Types

Here the four easy ways to remember.

  1. The Socializers
  2. The Organizers
  3. The Risk Takers
  4. And the Intellectuals

Equally important to understand is that most individuals (kids included) can have traits of each one.

However, to find the dominant learning personality, it would mean the one that is used most.

Usually, a second personality trait follows but is not as strong as the first personality trait.

I’ve learned that each approach can be matched to learning styles too. Look at them below.

What Are The 5 Learning Styles

Look below at the 5 learning styles or homeschool approaches.

1. Unit Study Approach for Families Who Want Free Exploration

2. Workbook Approach for Families Who Want Memory Work and Workbooks

3. Classical Approach for Families Who Put Emphasis on Learning from Ancient Minds of the Past

4. Charlotte Mason Approach for Families Who Nurture a Love of Nature and Living Books

5. Unschooling Approach for Families Who Want Child-Led Learning Without Bounds

By taking the course, you can easily see how to pair learning personality with learning style.

8 Best Classical Style History Curriculum for a Classical Learning Style

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

It’s important to know your choices for the best classical style history curriculum if you’re following a classical approach. You’ll love the other tips I have on my page Homeschool Learning Styles.

When I first started homeschooling, I followed a classical approach to all the subjects.

As my understanding of homeschool learning style differences grew, I adjusted my homeschool approach.

8 Best Classical Style History Curriculum for a Classical Learning Style

The one thing I did keep from the classical learning style when I switched to the unit study approach was a classical style history approach.

Out of all the learning styles, the classical style approach to history made the most sense to me.

What is the Classical Style History Approach?

First, it’s important to understand what is the classical style approach. I’ve heard many definitions through my numerous years of homeschooling.

To help you understand it, look at these 5 features of a classical approach.

  1. Classical education is based on liberal arts curriculum. Among other things it means information is presented in a sequential order.
  2. One of the most significant features is reading and discussing real books. You’ll hear the term great books at times when you’re looking for history curriculum.
  3. For years advocates of a classical approach focused on learning Latin and Greek roots.
  4. And one more feature of this approach is the believe by Dorothy Sayers that children have the ability to memorize at an early age. This skill should be used as early as possible to prepare children for higher learning later.
  5. Finally, for history you can see it would be important to cover history in a chronological order.
8 Best Classical Style History Curriculum for a Classical Learning Style

Because history was and still is important to me, I wanted my kids to not only understand history, but be able to recall events in order.

The only way for them to learn that was for me to teach them in chronological order.

I used Story of the World as my first curriculum and it gave my kids a strong foundation in history.

From there I created history unit studies on topics which interested us.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Childs Learning Personality.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child? Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles. A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling. However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

YOU WILL LEARN:

  • How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
  • How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
  • A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
  • Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
  • Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.
8 Best Classical Style History Curriculum for a Classical Learning Style

Also, look at these other resources I have for understanding homeschool learning styles.

Other Homeschool Learning Style Resources

More Homeschool History Curriculum

Next, look at these different providers for best classical style history curriculum.

Best Classical Style History Curriculum

The advantage to using classical style history is that not only are you encouraged to use real books, but the history makes sense when it's covered in chronological order.

Story of the World, History for the Classical Child: Ancient Times through The Modern Age

Available in paperback, this four-volume narrative world history tells the story of the entire globe, from the earliest nomadic humans all the way to the Persian Gulf war at the end of the twentieth century. It now includes the Revised Edition of Volume 4. Told in an entertaining, engaging style, The Story of the World uses the stories of women and men, countries and empires, rebels and rulers, peasants and presidents, to walk young readers through a continuous, chronological account of human events. 

The Story of the Middle Ages

About one hundred forty chapters tell the story of rulers, wars, society, faith, and legend in the Middle Ages from 476 A.D. to 1485 A.D. Tremendous detail is provided with many names, places, and battles presented. The book explores the role of the Church and the Christian influence upon the figures throughout history, and it shares legends that relate to history, positive qualities of personalities, and faith

The Classical Historian Modern American History Reading, Discussing, and Writing

The Take a Stand! series teaches students how to be historians. They learn not what to think or memorize, but how to analyze the events of the past. This unique approach makes the student an active participation in the analysis of the past. This is the best of critical thinking, Socratic discussion, and analytical writing in history

Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation : Teacher's Manual (Veritas Press History Series)

Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation

Biblioplan Companion Year Four Modern History

Teaching history to children at all grade levels together.

Ancients (History Odyssey, Level 2)

From first civilizations to the Fall of Rome, Ancients level two is a complete one-year curriculum guide that combines history with literature, world geography, and writing activities.

Photo Credit: nomadicprofessor.com

Home

Follow the Nomadic Professor to history’s actual settings–from the Appalachians to the Andes and from the swamps of Louisiana to the Gobi, Sahara, and Changtang. Engage with the settings and contexts behind today’s headlines. Learn to read and think with the critical judgement of a historian, and prepare to ace your college credit exams.

The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education

In the past, correct spelling, the multiplication tables, the names of the state capitals and the American presidents were basics that all children were taught in school. Today, many children graduate without this essential knowledge. Most curricula today follow a haphazard sampling of topics with a focus on political correctness instead of teaching students how to study. Leigh Bortins, a leading figure in the homeschooling community, is having none of it

Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love this popcorn science mini unit study. Also, you’ll love my mini corn book on my fall unit study and Best Homeschool Unit Studies.

This mini unit study includes the whole family in on the tasty fun, with plenty of hands-on activities, books, videos, and more. 

Also, I have a fun science experiment that is easy to do for all ages and expandable for a more in-depth activity.

Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best

Learn about the history of popcorn with some fun facts.

Dive into an experiment, make a sensory bin, play a game, read a book, or watch a quick video.

And enjoy this fun collection of corny ideas for your unit study

10 Popping Popcorn Facts

  1. January 19th is National Popcorn Day.
  2. It’s over 5000 years old.
  3. The first commercial popcorn machine was invented in 1885 by Charles Cretors.
  4. Convenient microwaveable popcorn was invented by the Pillsbury company in 1982.
  5. The unpopped kernels at the bottom of a bag are called old maids.
  6. Kernels are made up of about 4% water and that water causes it to pop when it’s heated up.
  7. Nebraska produces the most popcorn in America at about 250 million pounds per year.
  8. Way back in the 1800’s, it was often eaten as a cereal with milk and sugar.
  9. The scientific name is Zea Mays Everta.
  10. It was not allowed in movie theaters in the early 1900’s.

Also, you’ll love some history facts.

Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best

Besides being a delicious snack, your child will appreciate a bit of corn and popped corn history.

History of Corn and Popcorn

It was introduced to early American settlers by the Indians.

The first corn farmers were the American Indians, the Aztecs, the Incas, the Mayas and others.

Additionally, there are varieties like black corn, pink corn, red corn and white corn, besides the better-known yellow corn.

Writing of Peruvian Indians in 1650, the Spaniard Cobo says, “They toast a certain kind of corn until it bursts. They call it pisancalla, and they use it as a confection.”

Pre-Inca Peruvians worshipped a corn goddess adorned with a crown of corn ears radiating from her head like the spokes of a wheel.

How does corn grow? The kernel is the seed. The seed is planted in the soil. The stalk begins to grow. The stalk is the stem. Leaves grow from the nodes.

Ears of corn grow from the nodes. Each plant is male and female. The silk catches pollen from the tassels.

Then pollen travels down the silk and fertilizes the kernels.

Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best

Next, here are some book ideas.

Resource for a Fun Popcorn Study

10 Fun Popcorn Unit Study Resources

Grab some of these resources for a fun popcorn unit study.

1. The Physics Of Popcorn : Discover And Learn With 22 Experiments

In The Physics of Popcorn, you’ll discover the truth about toast, learn how the microwave oven works, and conduct experiments with static electricity!

2. Tomie dePaola's The Popcorn Book

Tony likes to cook. Tiny likes to read. And both twins like to eat . . . POPCORN!So while Tiny cooks it, Tony reads about it: what popcorn is, how it's stored and prepared, legends and stories about it, and its history in Europe and North America.

3. Pop!: Otto, the Kernel Who Didn't Pop

Meet Otto, a young Kernel who’s been dreaming about the day he would pop. But what happens when Pop Day finally arrives, and things don’t go as planned? When all the Kernels pop except for Otto, he's left wondering what went wrong. Otto returns to his jar, alone, until a delicious smell leads to an exciting discovery. Perhaps Otto didn’t need to pop to do everything he’d always dreamed of!

4. Popcorn! (Charlesbridge)

Pull up a chair and dig in! POPCORN is chock-full of tidbits about one of America's favorite snack foods. Learn what makes popcorn pop, how Native Americans liked their popcorn, and how television almost wiped out popcorn's future. Cooking tips, recipes, and resources included.

5. Growing Popcorn (James's Garden)

From seed to bowl of popcorn, James learns the value of patience and neighborly generosity as he grows a backyard crop of corn with his family. Included is a recipe for stovetop popcorn that you too can share with your neighbors and friends!

6. Popcorn Party -Fast Paced Family Game of Dice, Cards, Matching and Pops

HIGH FLYING FUN: What’s a party without the popcorn? With matches being rolled on just about every turn, you never know who will be popping next in this high-flying, catch-the-kernel food frenzy!

FAST PACED ACTION: Get your game face on and get ready to roll, pop, match, and catch to win! But watch out; don't try to catch the kernel when it's not time or you may get popped with a penalty!

7. Popcorn Dice

Popcorn Dice is a fast & fun dice game for the whole family!

Gameplay is simple to learn and games usually take less than 15 minutes.

Roll your dice to pop your popcorn, but careful not to let it burn.

8. Word Families Game

WORD GAMES FOR KIDS: Children create and learn words with common endings in this fast-paced game

EDUCATIONAL GAMES STRENGTHEN VOCABULARY: Strengthens vocabulary, spelling, and fluency

9. Learning Resources Smart Snacks Count 'em Up Popcorn

Learn numbers and counting with food you can play with

Build number sense and recognition, and practice counting

Set includes 15 jumbo popcorn pieces to count into 5 different-size bowls (printed with numbers 1-5)

10. Moose Racing Popcorn Poppin'

TIME FOR POPCORN FUN: Wind up the timer at the bottom of the popcorn bucket by pulling the string.

FOLLOW THE RULES: Pop the die, once the die has popped, you follow the instructions on the die (next, reverse, repeat, skip or choose)

In addition, here are more corn posts.

Corn and Hands-on Ideas

Finally, here is a fun and simple experiment.

You can easily add on to this experiment by adding more brands, different varieties, or by trying to pop them via different methods.

Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best

Track the results. For example, by microwave, pan pop and air pop.

Or by using this method I am showing you that is the easiest for all age groups- microwaved in a paper bag.

Popcorn Science Experiment

Before you begin you want to stress to your child that in a scientific experiment

You want to keep all variables the same except for one thing which is the brand.

It is very important that you use the same method to pop all 3 types of popcorn and that you use the exact same amount for each one.

You will need:

  • 3 different brands of popcorn
  • 3 paper bags
  • Smalls bowls
  • Pen

Directions:

Start by having your child make a hypothesis (an educated guess) on which brand they think will pop the most and the least.

Label each of your paper bags with the brand of corn you are using.

Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best

Then, have your child count out 100 of each type of popcorn into little bowls, make labels to keep track as you transfer popcorn.

Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best

Transfer each bowl to the correct paper bag and roll it down tightly.

Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best

Heat in the microwave for 3 minutes.

Repeat for each bag.

Remove bags and have your child either count the number of unpopped kernels left or the number of popped for each and write it down on your label.

Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best

Talk about the results, was their hypothesis correct? Were they surprised by any of the outcomes?

Popcorn Science Mini Unit Study Which Brand Pops the Best

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m sharing some Daniel Boone activities and we’re making delicious Johnny cakes. You’ll love my unit study and other ideas on my page Daniel Boone – North American Explorer.

Have you ever wondered what it was like to live like early settlers and explorers?

What about when Daniel Boone was forging the Wilderness Trail through the forest from the mountains of Eastern Tennessee to the Kentucky River which is about two hundred miles? 

This legendary man led a group to create the first path that would lead to exploration of the west from his part of the country.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

If you want to explore one of the most famous trailblazers of the time, here are some fantastic resources for learning about Daniel Boone.

And I am sharing a simple and tasty recipe for Johnny Cakes to give you a taste of what the man who became a folk legend would have enjoyed.

Activities for Learning about Daniel Boone

Then, here are some fun books.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

The books are for multiple ages.

Books About Daniel Boone

10 Resources for A Daniel Boone Unit Study

Whether you want to add a hands-on unit study or are looking for a few resources, you'll love one of these.

1. Daniel Boone: The Life and Legend of an American Pioneer

Struggle against the Shawnee defenders of Kentucky. Drawing from popular narrative, public record, documentation from Boone's own hand, and recollection gathered by 19th-century antiquarians, the author employs the methods of the new social history to produce a portrait that defines Daniel Boone and the times he helped shape.

2. Who Was Daniel Boone? (Who Was?)

Called the "Great Pathfinder", Daniel Boone is most famous for opening up the West to settlers through Kentucky. A symbol of America's pioneering spirit Boone was a skilled outdoorsman and an avid reader although he never attended school. Sydelle Kramer skillfully recounts Boone's many adventures such as the day he rescued his own daughter from kidnappers.

3. The Dangerous Book for Boys

The bestselling book—more than 1.5 million copies sold—for every boy from eight to eighty, covering essential boyhood skills such as building tree houses, learning how to fish, finding true north, and even answering the age old question of what the big deal with girls is—now a Prime Original Series created by Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Greg Mottola (Superbad).

In this digital age, there is still a place for knots, skimming stones and stories of incredible courage. This book recaptures Sunday afternoons, stimulates curiosity, and makes for great father-son activities. The brothers Conn and Hal have put together a wonderful collection of all things that make being young or young at heart fun—building go-carts and electromagnets, identifying insects and spiders, and flying the world's best paper airplanes.

4. Willy Whitefeather's Outdoor Survival Handbook for Kids

From treating a bee sting to building an overnight shelter, kids will gain the knowledge and confidence they need to survive outdoors.All ages

5. Daniel Boone: Frontiersman (Heroes of History)

Written for readers age 10 and up -- enjoyed by adults!In search of open spaces and land to call his own, Daniel Boone fearlessly led a band of brave settlers into the bountiful Kentucky wilderness. Daniel's expert hunting ability, incredible outdoor survival skills, and courage under fire helped his companions stay alive in a dangerous and unknown land despite threatening encounters with soldiers, Indians, and even other settlers.

6. History Pockets: Explorers of North America, Grades 4-6+

The book includes the following pockets:

  • Introduction to Explorers of North America
  • Christopher Columbus
  • John Cabot
  • Hernando Cortes
  • Jacques Cartier
  • Sir Francis Drake
  • Henry Hudson
  • Daniel Boone
  • James Cook
  • Lewis and Clark
  • John Wesley Powell

7. Daniel Boone: Trailblazer

Born in Pennsylvania in 1734, Daniel Boone cut a path west, carving his name into trees. Although he endured repeated property losses, he became a household name and was greatly admired for his surveying skills and the many claims he laid, opening the west for further settlement.

8. Survive & Thrive: A Pocket Guide To Wilderness Safety Skills, Plus 16 Quick-Check Skill Cards

Gear up for outdoor adventure, learn to stay alive, and help yourself thrive – feeling confident that you can handle whatever comes your way!

Accidents happen and nature can be unpredictable, which is why this ultra-portable survival kit is a must-have for casual nature explorers and slightly more adventurous campers in need of essential outdoor guidance that they can carry along with them.

9. Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set

Titles In This Set:The Blizzard ChallengeThe Desert ChallengeThe Jungle ChallengeThe Sea ChallengeThe River ChallengeThe Earthquake ChallengeThe Volcano ChallengeThe Safari ChallengeThe Cave ChallengeThe Mountain ChallengeThe Arctic ChallengeThe Sailing Challenge

10. Daniel Boone: Young Hunter and Tracker (Childhood of Famous Americans)

A general account of the life of the prominent American frontiersman who is especially remembered for helping to settle Kentucky

Also, look at some of these fun facts about the time during the life of Daniel Boone.

What was Life Like During Daniel Boone’s Life

Also, you’ll love these fun tidbits about life during Daniel Boone’s life.

Too, it’s fascinating to learn about is the foods that were eaten by the men and women who explored and pushed westward.

A food that was popular were Johnny Cakes.

And they are thin, fried cakes made of cornmeal. They were eaten sweet or as a savory dish.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Further, they were created by early Native American, specifically believed to have been called

“Shawnee Cakes” by the Pawtuxet Indians and mispronounced by settlers as Johnny cakes.

Johnny cakes are known as: Johnny bread, hoe cakes, journey cakes, and Jonakin depending on the region of the country they are from. Shawnee cake was a favorite diet among Shawnee Indians.

Additionally, Daniel Boone was captured by the Shawnee.

He led a rescue attempt to retrieve his daughter and two other girls who had been captured by them.

They admired his bravery so much they made him one of them. After being captive from February 1778 to June 1778, he escaped.

About Corn

Moreover, Johnny Cakes were cooked and eaten hot right at the fire and they made excellent traveling food as it carried well.

Originally, the cake was made of maize which was ground into a very fine meal.

The resulting corn meal was then mixed with water and baked on a flat stone that had been heated in a fire.

Corn is one of America’s oldest foods, used by Native Americans in bread, cakes, and porridge.

It became a very popular staple with settlers and explorers as well because it was much easier to grow, grind, and less expensive than wheat and rye seed.

Without a mill to grind corn into flour it was often ground with a mortar or in earliest times with a hollowed stone, then sifted through finely woven basket.

Now, we can skip the extra work and pick it up already ground from the store to make this Daniel Boone inspired treat to get a taste of what he would have eaten.

How to Make Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes

Before I get started, I admit this is our favorite Johnny Cakes recipe.

It’s really good. Start your unit study by making these for breakfast.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cups ground cornmeal (white or yellow)
  • 3 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Oil for frying
Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

First, combine cornmeal, sugar, and salt in a bowl and combine well.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Bring water to a boil and slowly stir in cornmeal mixture. Whisk quickly until well combined.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Remove from heat and stir until smooth and creamy.

Allow cornmeal batter to rest for 10 minutes. Stir in butter.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Add oil to a nonstick or cast-iron pan and heat over medium low.

Drop batter by heaping spoonful or form patties by hand and place in a hot pan.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Fry for 8-10 minutes.

The waiting part is hard but if you mess with them too much while they cook you will find that they fall apart. 

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Just pick up the edge gently and check to see that the edges are golden brown, it will look like this when perfectly browned.

Daniel Boone Activities Cooking Easy and Delicious Johnny Cakes on the Trail

Flip and cook for about 5-6 minutes on the opposite side.

You can eat your Johnny cakes as is or top with syrup. Delicious!

What do you think? Are you including this in your unit study?