Category: Geography

2nd Grade Curriculum, 3rd Grade Curriculum, Curriculum, Curriculum Resource, Geography, History, homeschool curriculum, self-paced

A Homeschool Adventure Around the Globe and Across the States: A Review of Sonlight’s Unit Studies

Little Learner and Mom

We received 50 States Unit Study and the Hands-on History: World Cultures Kit for our honest review.

Hey fellow homeschooling parents! If you’re searching for engaging and immersive resources to enrich your homeschooling journey, you’re in luck. Today, I’m thrilled to share our experience with two incredible unit studies from Sonlight: the 50 States Unit Study and the Hands-on History: World Cultures Kit. These resources have brought joy, learning, and adventure into our homeschooling routine, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it!

Sonlight’s 50 States Unit Study

Exploring America, One State at a Time

Designed for grades 2nd through 6th, with adaptability for advanced 1st graders, the 50 States Unit Study takes students on a captivating journey through the diverse landscape, history, and culture of each state in the USA. From the rugged beauty of Alaska to the sunny shores of Florida, every state comes alive with engaging lessons and activities.

Fun Fridays

We’ve incorporated the 50 States Unit Study into our Fun Friday homeschool days, and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer. Each week, we dive into a new state, exploring its geography, history, and culture through hands-on activities, videos, and discussions. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the week with excitement and learning!

Adding a Personal Touch

To enhance our learning experience, we’ve personalized some of the assignments by adding pictures we found on the internet. Whether it’s stunning landscapes or famous landmarks, these visuals bring the lessons to life and make them more memorable for our kids.

Discovering Georgia’s Hidden Gems

During our study of Georgia, we stumbled upon fascinating facts about indigenous mounds and delved into documentaries about Martin Luther King Jr., the Cherokee Indigenous tribes, and the Trail of Tears. Learning about Georgia’s involvement in slavery opened up important conversations and deepened our understanding of American history. The 50 States Unit Study isn’t just about learning facts – it’s a gateway into the rich tapestry of our nation’s past.

Hands-on History: World Cultures Kit

A Global Adventure for Young Explorers

The Hands-on History: World Cultures Kit is designed for kindergarten through 2nd grade, but older students can also benefit from its fun and interactive activities. We’ve incorporated it into our homeschooling routine, aligning it with my son’s World History spine curriculum and making it a part of our Fun Fridays.

Catapulting into Learning

While my son isn’t the biggest fan of studying medieval history, he absolutely loved building the catapult from the Hands-on History: World Cultures Kit. It sparked his curiosity and led him to want to learn more about this fascinating time period. It’s amazing how hands-on activities can ignite a passion for learning!

Sonlight’s unit studies have truly transformed our homeschooling experience, making learning fun, interactive, and memorable. From exploring the nooks and crannies of America to embarking on a global adventure around the world, these resources have sparked curiosity, fostered empathy, and ignited a passion for learning in our children. So, if you’re looking to add some excitement and enrichment to your homeschooling journey, I highly recommend giving Sonlight’s unit studies a try. Also check out the Sonlight’s sales page to see if they have any great sales happening. One last thing before I go be sure to enter a chance to win a 50 States Unit Study by clicking the banner below.

Happy homeschooling adventures!

6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, Curriculum, Curriculum Resource, Digital Learning Platform, Geography, History, Homeschool, homeschool curriculum, Middle School, self-paced

The Nomadic Professor – Bringing History to Life for Middle Schoolers

Little Learner and Mom

The Nomadic Professor was provided to us for our honest review and may contain affiliate links.

As homeschool parents to a history-loving middle schooler, finding a curriculum that not only educates but also captivates our son’s imagination is crucial. We embarked on using the Nomadic Professor for history for this school term alongside our spine curriculum. For this upcoming school the Nomadic Professor will serve as our history along side our spine curriculum civics lesson.

Enter “The Nomadic Professor” – an innovative approach to history education that has truly transformed our homeschooling experience.

The Nomadic Professor

The Nomadic Professor covers a broad spectrum of history, providing a comprehensive overview of various historical periods and events. Here’s a breakdown of the history covered:

  1. Ancient Civilizations: The curriculum delves into the fascinating world of ancient civilizations, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Students explore the rise and fall of empires, the development of early civilizations, and the contributions of ancient cultures to human history.
  2. Medieval and Renaissance Era: Students journey through the medieval and Renaissance periods, exploring the feudal system, the Crusades, the Black Death, and the cultural and intellectual achievements of the Renaissance.
  3. Age of Exploration: The curriculum examines the Age of Exploration, a pivotal period in world history marked by European exploration and colonization. Students learn about famous explorers, such as Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan, and their impact on global trade and exchange.
  4. Colonial America: Students delve into the history of colonial America, exploring the early settlements, the establishment of the thirteen colonies, and the factors leading to the American Revolution. They gain insights into colonial life, the struggle for independence, and the founding principles of the United States.
  5. American History: The curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of American history, from the Revolutionary War to the Civil Rights Movement. Students examine key events, figures, and themes in American history, gaining a deeper understanding of the nation’s development and identity.
  6. World Wars and 20th Century: Students explore the causes and consequences of World War I and World War II, as well as the social, political, and economic changes that shaped the 20th century. They learn about major world events, such as the Great Depression, the Cold War, and the rise of globalization.
  7. Contemporary Issues: The curriculum addresses contemporary issues and challenges facing the world today, such as climate change, globalization, and human rights. Students engage in discussions and activities that encourage critical thinking and reflection on current events.

Lesson Plans

The lesson plans provided by The Nomadic Professor are comprehensive and engaging, covering a wide range of historical topics from ancient civilizations to modern times. Each lesson is meticulously crafted to incorporate storytelling, interactive activities, and multimedia resources, ensuring that our son remains fully immersed in the subject matter. You can also purchase lesson plans on Homeschool Planet to help you plan out your lessons.

Breakdown of Lesson Plans

  • Introduction: Each lesson begins with a captivating introduction that sets the stage for the historical period or event being studied.
  • Core Content: The core content of the lesson is presented in an accessible and easy-to-understand format, with plenty of visuals and real-life examples to reinforce learning.
  • Interactive Activities: The Nomadic Professor incorporates a variety of interactive activities such as virtual field trips, role-playing exercises, and hands-on projects, allowing our son to actively engage with the material.
  • Assessment: At the end of each lesson, there are assessment tools provided to gauge our son’s understanding of the material, including quizzes, essays, and creative projects.

Grade Book

The grade book feature of The Nomadic Professor has been a game-changer for us as homeschool parents. It allows us to easily track our son’s progress and performance in each lesson, ensuring that he is meeting his learning objectives and milestones.

Printable Resources

We also appreciate the printable resources provided by “The Nomadic Professor,” including worksheets, study guides, and supplementary reading materials. These resources have been invaluable in reinforcing learning outside of the digital classroom environment

History Comes to Life

One of the greatest strengths of The Nomadic Professor is its ability to bring history to life in a way that traditional textbooks simply cannot. Through immersive storytelling, vivid imagery, and interactive experiences, our son feels as though he is stepping back in time and experiencing history firsthand. His enthusiasm for history has never been higher, and he eagerly looks forward to each lesson with anticipation.

Benefits of Teaching History This Way

  • Engages Multiple Learning Styles: “The Nomadic Professor” caters to a variety of learning styles, making history accessible and engaging for all students.
  • Fosters Critical Thinking: By encouraging active participation and inquiry-based learning, “The Nomadic Professor” fosters critical thinking skills that are essential for success in the 21st century.
  • Cultivates Empathy and Cultural Awareness: Through the exploration of different historical periods and cultures, “The Nomadic Professor” cultivates empathy and cultural awareness in our son, helping him to develop a broader perspective of the world.
  • Convenient and Flexible: As homeschool parents, we appreciate the convenience and flexibility of “The Nomadic Professor.” With its user-friendly interface and customizable lesson plans, we can easily tailor the curriculum to suit our son’s individual needs and schedule.

The Nomadic Professor has been a revelation for our homeschooling journey. It has not only deepened our son’s love for history but has also provided him with a rich and immersive learning experience that will undoubtedly shape his understanding of the world for years to come. We couldn’t be more grateful for this invaluable resource!

6th Grade, Geography, Homeschool, homeschool curriculum, Middle School, Reviews

Why teaching geography skills in middle school is important!

Little Learner and Mom

Teaching geography skills in middle school is crucial for several reasons. For one, it helps students better understand the world around them. Geography is not just about memorizing capital cities and countries; it’s about understanding how physical and human factors shape the environment. By studying geography, students can learn about different cultures, climates, and ecosystems, which will broaden their perspectives and help them become more empathetic and informed global citizens. One way I found this year to teach geography to my sixth grader is using Evan Moor Skill Sharpeners Geography grade 6 .

We are familiar with Evan Moor Publishers workbooks they have been staples in our home since my son was in pre-school. They are valuable resources that are trusted by homeschoolers and educators. Timberdoodle Co. recognizes these reliable resources and includes them in their homeschool kits.

Evan Moor Skill Sharpeners Geography grade 6 is an excellent resource for students who want to improve their geography knowledge. The book is designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of the world around them, including the physical features, cultures, and economies of different countries.

The book is divided into several interesting and engaging units, each of which covers a different aspect of geography. For example, one unit focuses on the physical geography of the United States, including its rivers, mountains, and deserts. Another unit explores the different cultures and traditions of countries worldwide, from Japan to Mexico to South Africa.

Throughout the book, students are encouraged to think critically and analytically about the information they are learning. They are challenged to make connections between different concepts and to apply their knowledge to real-world situations. With plenty of maps, charts, and diagrams to help illustrate key concepts, students are sure to stay engaged and interested throughout their study of geography with Evan Moor Skill Sharpeners. Inside the book, you will find a QR code to access the free teaching guide resources. This code provides you with extension activities and background information.

Furthermore, geography skills are increasingly important in today’s interconnected world. As countries become more interconnected through trade, travel, and technology, it’s important for young people to understand how different regions of the world are connected. By learning about geography, students can develop a better understanding of global issues such as climate change, migration, and resource scarcity.

Finally, studying geography can also help students develop important skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and spatial awareness. These skills are useful not only in geography but also in other subjects and in life in general. In short, teaching geography skills in middle school is an important part of preparing students for a diverse and complex world. Using Evan Moor Skill Sharpeners Geography grade 6 will help your student to learn and love geography in a fun way.

I highly recommend Evan Moor Skill Sharpeners Geography grade 6 as a great way to add geography to your homeschool. Evan Moor Skill Sharpeners Geography grade 6 is included in Timberdoodle Co. sixth grade 2023 homeschool kits.

Until the Next Time,

Mom and J

6th Grade, Geography, History, Homeschool, homeschool curriculum, Middle School, Social Studies

Discover! Social Studies 6 Timberdoodle Review!

Little Learner and Mom

We received for Discover! Social Studies 6 for our honest review. This review may contain affiliate links at no additional charge to you.

Hopefully, you have had a chance to read our review on Discover! Science 6, but if you haven’t, please check it out. We love history and my son loves to read and research history. I think because my son is a young 6/7th grader of 10 years old he still appreciates having informative and colorful curricula. Discover! Social Studies 6 is a non-religious wonderfully diverse social studies curriculum.

So before I start this review let me put it out there we are history nerds and very critical about social studies and history curriculum. I expose my son to gentle truth history, we don’t do fluff at home. Discover! Social Studies 6 provides a rich spine for ancient civilization history.

Discover! Social Studies 6 is designed as talking points into an ancient civilization. The program is designed with homeschoolers in mind, allowing parents and students to go deeper into each topic area. The curriculum includes two student books and an instructor guide.  Semester A book covers the topic of early civilization, ancient Egypt, Israel, India, and China. Semester B covers ancient Greece, Rome, Mesoamerica, and Africa. There are 10 chapters for the entire school year, a total of 76 lessons. Discover Social Studies 6 includes:

  • Lesson Objective
  • Explore and Read
  • Practice

Discover! Social Studies 6 has suggestions for each learning style, extension activities, and writing sections. I highly recommend using the instructor’s guide which also includes the answer key. The instructor guide provides helpful insight into each lesson and guides through to help your student.

What I like about Discover! Social Studies 6 is that it is colorful and the lessons are quick and to the point. For my student Discover! Social Studies 6  is an excellent review for him and a supplement to his current history curriculum. The lessons will not overwhelm your student and most students can navigate them on their own. I really like the vocabulary sections in each lesson. Students will use the vocabulary words on the first page of the lesson, find them throughout the lesson, and mark down the pages. 

Discover! Social Studies 6 not only provides history lessons, but students will also learn geography and map skills.  It also makes suggestions for online research. With a combination of illustrations and real-world photos, this isn’t your typical middle school history textbook. My son really likes Discover! Social Studies 6 he uses the textbook 2-3 times a week. 

We average two to three lessons a week because my son loves history, but two lessons a week is more than enough to get you through a school year. There are chapter reviews every five to seven lessons.

I highly recommend Discover! Social Studies 6 if you are looking for a simple but comprehensive social studies/history curriculum. Discover! Social Studies 6 is included in the 2023 Nonreligious 2023 Sixth-Grade Curriculum Kit. Don’t forget to check out our previous review of Discover! Science 6.

Until Next Time,

Mom and J

Africa, African History, Curriculum, Education, Family, Geography, History, S.T.E.A.M

Teni & Tayo Africa in a Box Review!

Little Learner and Mom

We received Africa In A Box from Teni & Tayo for our honest review!

Normally I start my reviews off with an opener, but for this one, I just have just dive right in for this review. When I tell you I was impressed with Africa In A Box from Teni & Tayo I couldn’t wait to write this review!!!

Africa In A Box is exactly what you get with an interactive history stem box for ages 5+. We felt like we were given front-row seats to the motherland with Mrs. Omobola as our guide. My son was instantly captivated, and his Nintendo Switch was kicked to the curb very quickly. Once he saw me place the box on the table and saw all the goodies he was ready!

Our mission is to help close the representation gap in the products made for kids while creating fun and engaging products that any child can enjoy.

Mrs. Omobola- creator

Our topic of the month was the Ndebele Tribe of South Africa/Zimbabwe. Included in our inspired by Africa box was everything thing we needed to build our authentic home. We received:

  • Detailed written and picture instructions.
  • Markers and pencil
  • Glue
  • Wooden panel with building hardware
  • Battery pack and batteries
  • Wires and LED bulb
  • Twine

Let’s talk about this video it was awesome we watched it twice. We learned about the Ndebele tribe in South Africa and some parts of Zimbabwe. We learned about the language, history, geography, and culture. My son was in awe of the beauty of the countries and people mentioned in the video.

He asked me… Mom why don’t they show how beautiful Africa really is on the news and tv?”

Jai – age 10

As parents, we have always taught our son about the beautiful continent of Africa and let him know he is a descendant of mighty kings and queens. To have a box like Africa In A Box just solidifies everything he has been learning since he was a toddler.

The hands-on STEM activity is wonderful. The instructor walks the children through building the structure. Mrs. Omobola has a natural rapport with the children. I like that she spoke to the children with respect, positivity, and encouragement. Also included in the box is an informational reader about the lesson the kids would be learning.

In the video, the children learn the importance of giving back because they tell the children for every box they receive a certain percentage of the purchase goes to help those in need in Africa and the African diaspora. I love that they are teaching this value because it is so important that children learn to give back.

After finishing his box he started playing with his Black Panther Lego mini figure. His house was the highlight of the day. He found a special place for it in his room. He asked us to get him another box because he enjoyed this one so much!

My son is 10, and he had no problem assembling the project on his own. When he got stuck with the wiring he just went back and rewatched the video and paused where he needed to adjust. My son isn’t big on decorating projects like this but he fully decorated his project and turned on some South African music on Alexa and spent the afternoon coloring. He also spent the evening telling his dad about his project and attempting to do the Ndebele clicking pronunciation.

Africa In A Box is available as a monthly subscription or bundle discount. At the time of this review, the company is offering free shipping on their box subscriptions. The cost starts at $38.99 and they are mailed by the 15th of the month. There is a pop-up on their website where you can save 10% off your first box. We plan to subscribe so we can get the upcoming box on Empress Taytu Betul of Ethiopia. I highly recommend Africa In A Box from Teni & Tayo .

Until the Next Time,

Mom and Jai

Family, Geography, History, Homeschool, Unit Study

Celebrate States: Colorado Review !

Little Learner and Mom

Complimentary Product Received!

Looking for a great way to explore the United States without leaving your home? Have you been interested in visiting a state and would like to get a glimpse of that state before leaving your home? If you answered yes to those questions then Celebrate States is a great way to bring a monthly state to your home.

Celebrate States is a monthly box subscription that features a new state every month. You will get a chance to learn about the history, geography, landmarks, and some of the local favorites.

We received the Colorado box for the month of March. Inside our guide we received:

🗺Colorado travel Guide and map.

🍬Sweet and savory treats from local shops.

🧼Lovely artisan scented soap.

🌲Beautifully crafted Aspen candle holder from the Rocky Mountains.

After going through the Celebrate States box we decided to dig deeper into some of the things he found of interest from the included travel guide. We watched a PBS documentary about the Rocky Mountains. The PBS documentary was very informative we learned about the:

  • Sicangu Lakota Oyate
  • San Luis Valley
  • Indian Boarding Schools
  • Gold Rush
  • Black in Denver Art Exhibit
  • Homesteading
  • The Railway
  • Natural Resources

We enjoyed the Colorado box it allowed us to have a connection to the state. The Celebrate States is a wonderful way to explore the United States with your family. This will make a great complement to homeschool geography lessons.

As you can tell we took the box and ran with it. It was nice to give my son a peek into the beautiful state of Colorado. This is a great addition to our study this upcoming year. I am going to reach out to the company and ask if we can get the Georgia box.

Until the next time,

Mom and J

Education, Family, Games and Apps, Geography, Homeschool

SimplyFun: Dish Em Out and Eagle Chase Review!

Little Learner and Mom

Complimentary Product Received!

I have always been curious about SimplyFun Games for our homeschool, so we were given the opportunity to check out Dish Em Out and Eagle Chase I was excited to be a part of this review.

About SimplyFun

The company was launched in 2004, their unique educational games are designed to help students master skills through play. The games promote character building, educational skill development, cooperative play opportunities, and fun. With the growing rate of use of screens, SimplyFun brings fun to board games.

SimplyFun games are for kids ages 3 – 12+, and 2-5 players. The games are divided into 4 categories when purchasing:

  • Reading & Language Arts
  • Math & Stem
  • Social Science & Studies
  • Life & Thinking Skills

I really like how SimplyFun games accommodate all children learning and playing needs. When you select a game on the website the company gives you details on how to play, educational standards, skills, special needs, students with autism, and extended play. I know many parents will find this information handy when selecting games and it is also offered as a free download. There are also instructional videos for each of their games, this is a major plus.

Instead of simply teaching kids to play, could we create games that help them thrive?

Simply Fun

Dish ’em Out

Are you a fan of the game Dinner Dash? If so you are going to love playing Dish ’em Out. Dish ’em Out is a fast-paced game of logic and critical thinking skills. Your student is given the opportunity to run a breakfast diner, but the catch is you have to use your critical thinking skills to make sure you select the correct items to cook in enough time per each turn because some items have a faster cook time. The gameplay was super easy and my son enjoyed playing as if we were in a real diner cooking. I noticed my son spent time carefully deciding on what items to cook first, but also learned from his mistakes when he picked the wrong items and had to discard them and lose points.

Dish ’em Out is for 2-5 players ages 8 & up the game is all about strategy in order to gain the most points. Gameplay is about 30 mins but I can see it going 45 mins when you are first learning to play. I did use the videos on the SimplyFun website to learn to play. The cost of Dish ’em Out is in heavy rotation for family game night and when we just need a brain break from homeschool lessons.

Eagle Chase

Eagle Chase is a United States geography and history game, players will travel across the country learning about the states. Sound easy right? Well, it is not that easy some of the geographical/historical facts students may be familiar with and some you and your kids may not know. I again used the video on the SimplyFun website to learn to play. The objective of the game is to chase the wooden eagle around the board to win points. You have to play your location cards and chase cards as you move on your turns. You also earn points on locations you visit in your hand. The Chase cards can work to your advantage depending on what you choose to do. My son LOVED Eagle Chase because he really loves history and geography and let me just tell you we played this game every day for 2 weeks straight. I won 2 games and he won the rest.

Eagle Chase replaced our US geography lessons for 2 weeks and I welcomed it. The game is still in rotation we are averaging 2 plays a week. Eagle Chase is for 2-5 players ages 10 up with 30 mins of gameplay. He has learned more US geography/history these last few weeks than he has learned in an entire school year. He has always known his state’s locations but sometimes would get a few confused when looking at the map now he knows all 50 locations and flies around the Eagle Chase board with his token.

My overall impression of the company is very positive, they come across as family-friendly, dedicated, and provide quality products. The gameboards are beautifully designed and durable game pieces. I appreciate that they have games for older students and the game prices are reasonable. My goal is to try to purchase 1-2 games a month to use in our upcoming school year. Some of the games I am looking to purchase are Word Bits, Cash Out, Vinculum, Eye to Eye Bundle, and a few more on my wish list.

If you are looking for some educational games that your student will enjoy I highly recommend SimplyFun Games and the games mentioned in this review. At the time of this review Dish ‘em Out is $34.99 and Eagle Chase is $39.99 a great investment for your homeschool or home!

Until the next time,

Mom and J

Critical Thinking and Logic, Curriculum, Education, Family, Geography, History, Homeschool

Curiosity Chronicles: Volume 2 Early Modern History Review!

Little Learner and Mom

Complimentary Product Received!

We love history in our home and focus on the gentle truth of history. We have several history curriculums we pull from and I always check actual true history that is secular. The gracious creators of the Curiosity Chronicles sent us their latest release Early Modern History Volume 2 to review.

We are no strangers to Curiosity Chronicles history curriculum; we actually own the Ancient, Medieval, and Early Modern Vol 1 curriculums. My son has really enjoyed the lessons we have done and I haven’t found any questionable text. Ted and Mona have been long-time friends of ours as we have journeyed our way through history over the years. Curiosity Chronicles is a multi-sensory history curriculum that works for students with different learning styles.

We believe everyone has a place at the table when it comes to telling history.

Curiosity Chronicles

Curiosity Chronicles is not your typical history of the curriculum. Students learn history through snapshots of historical time periods and global events. The curriculum follows Mona Ted through history through dialogues. The students are introduced to the characters then they begin to engage in historical conversations and take your students on adventures learning about artistic, cultural, scientific, and political perspectives in history.

Students learn history from a global perspective. History is never dull when using Curiosity Chronicles kids will engage in meaningful conversation with you and want to learn more. What I like about Curiosity Chronicles is that the lesson is actual snapshots of history topics. I have found that a vast majority of the snapshots in the text are never mentioned in other elementary history curriculums. I am also pleased the company includes so much diversity in the characters, illustrations, and subject matter.

Early Modern History Volume 2 picks up right where Early Modern Vol 1 leaves off and starts the conversations between Ted and Mona discussing Catherine the Great of Russia. Early Modern History Volume 2 has 36 chapters that are divided into 18 sections. Students will study history snapshots from 1550- 1850, with topics such as the Haitian Revolutionary War, Empires in Africa, Bolivarian Revolution, American Revolution, and much more. We received hard and digital copies of Early Modern History Volume 2 curriculum package.

The complete Early Modern History Volume 2 includes:

  • Snapshots of Early Modern History Vol. 2 text
  • Softcover Insrutctor and Student Guide
  • Audiobook Snapshots of Early Modern Vol. 2
  • Digital Ted’s Timeline Kit: Early Modern Vol. 2

In both Vol 1 and Vol 2 we see Ted and Mona’s friends Arthur and Lily in the cultural corners at the end of select chapters as they highlight important artists, writers, scientists, and musicians.

Curiosity Chronicles Early Modern History Volume 2 is truly a fun-filled comprehensive curriculum. Students will complete written lessons, mapwork, coloring pages, puzzles, STEM activities, and my son’s favorite Minecraft challenges. Lessons can be done family-style and the company is adding extension activities soon for older students. There are sections in the snapshot that invite students to research more on the historical topic they are studying. Early Modern History Volume 2 breaks important historical events down the curriculum is designed to with the children and not at them. My son enjoys curriculums that he feels are a part of the discussion.

Students will learn to discuss complex ideas, develop critical thinking skills, engage in hands-on learning, and find tangential learning!

Curiosity Chronicles Early Modern History Volume 2 comes with a Teds Timeline kit. The Timeline kit comes with templates and pictures for your student to construct a wall timeline (color or black and white) or notebook timeline. We have a history timeline notebook so we will be using this instead of the templates provided. For this review I let my son decide on what area of time he wanted to learn about and he choose Section 31 Empires of Africa Chapter 61 Shaka forges the Zulu. He listened to the audiobook snapshot during breakfast and later during the day we went through the Snapshots of Early Modern History Volume 2 text. We talked about the Zulu, Swazis, Basotho, Xhosa, Boers, and Southern Africa. Through our study, we discussed the different biomes of Africa and the migration of the great people of Africa across the continent. We were introduced to the great Zulu warrior Shaka and his military. My son was intrigued by this chapter he started researching EVERYTHING about the Zulu people. He went to work on his assignments and his Minecraft challenges. He really enjoyed this sneak peek into our history lesson for the Fall, not sure I am going to be able to keep this one on the shelf until September.

I highly recommend Curiosity Chronicles Early Modern History Volume 2 as well as all of the other history curriculums published by Curiosity Chronicles. The history is easy to follow and interactive.

1st Grade, 2nd Grade Curriculum, 3rd Grade Curriculum, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, Art, Charlotte Mason, Curriculum, Education, Family, Geography, History, Homeschool, Math, Reviews, Science

The Schoolnest History Notebook and Timeline Review!

Little Learner and Mom
The Schoolnest

Last year when my son and I were studying voting rights I remember the frustration I had writing down the timeline of the sequence of events on our board. I wanted him to have a visual keepsake of this important historical time period. So on our little whiteboard, I squeezed as much as I could and left it up there for a week as we studied. When it came time to erase it I took a picture of it and went on a hunt to find a way to record things for our history. What I was finding I wasn’t happy with so our timeline would have to live on my phone in the meantime. Then it happened The Schoolnest published a History Timeline notebook.

About The Schoolnest

Megan is a Michigan homeschool mom of 2 littles who is bringing love for learning through art, nature, creativity, and reading. Her approach to education is respecting the beauty of childhood and play. You can’t help but notice how she embraces Charlotte Mason, Waldorf, and Montessori philosophies in her homeschool. Her website is full of beautifully crafted simple journals, notebooks, and homeschool resources. She also writes a wonderful blog that is full of helpful ideas for parenting, homeschooling, art, and mindfulness. All are welcome on The Schoolnest website and blog, I found several diverse blog posts and literature recommendations.

I was so happy when Megan the founder of The Schoolnest launched her rainbow notebooks, from the first glance on her Instagram I knew I had to have them all. I purchased several of the notebooks for our school year then she published her History Timeline and it blew me away because it was exactly what I needed.

History Notebook and History Timeline

The History Timeline notebook is one the most unique books I have seen. The notebook gives you the ability to track history from:

  • Prehistory
  • Ancient
  • Middle Ages
  • Early Modern
  • Modern Times

What I feel like is a great family heirloom in History Timeline, is the beginning pages called “My History” I love these pages because we can record our family history and document things we felt were important to us during a year. The paper quality is excellent there are 115 pages and there are blank pages at the end. The entire is book is grid paper except for the dates, there is also B.C.E-C.E also included. There is plenty of space to write and post pictures, drawings, and clippings for creativity. The grid paper is excellent for writing and helping students contain their writings neatly. What I like about this timeline notebook is that it is just that a notebook. I can keep everything contained neatly in one spot and it is easy to flip through and we can use this 1 notebook over a long period of time.

The History Notebook is great for notebooking. We have used ours to notebook our unit study of Mesoamerica and currently, we are working on Ancient China. We study so much history in our home and notebooking has allowed him to have fun with notebooking. In the history notebook, there are 100 pages on the left page is 1/3 blank and the rest of the page is a grid. On the right side, the bottom is lined and the top is blank. There is a blank table of contents page and a study reference page. Kids can draw, color, cut and paste, make notes, and be creative. We have added pictures and written notes in our history notebook and added notebook printables. The paper quality is excellent, writes, glues, and colors smoothly.

Rainbow Notebooks

If you are looking to explore the other notebooks in The Schoolnest collection you will not be disappointed. So far we have collected:

  • Science
  • Vocabulary
  • Spelling
  • Mathematics
  • Commonplace
  • Project Planner
  • Reading Journal
  • 4th Grade

All of the notebooks come in 12 vibrant rainbow colors, 8.5 x 11, matte softcover, and superior binding. The Schoolnest notebooks are inexpensive ($8) and can be purchased from Amazon. If you are in the market for a planner The Schoolnest has you covered she has a Homeschool Lesson Planning Notebook, you can check out a review of this great planner on Brittany Olga Youtube and Home Life with Quin 5 Instagram (Planner and Reading Journal) and check out Mama Sweet Baby (Spelling Notebook).

The Schoolnest notebooks are a must-have for your homeschool if you haven’t checked them out I highly recommend you do. We love our notebooks and I am looking forward to seeing any new books The Schoolnest publishes.

Blessings,

Mom and J

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3rd Grade Curriculum, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, Art, Charlotte Mason, Critical Thinking and Logic, Curriculum, Education, Family, Geography, History, Homeschool, Language Arts, Literature Base, Math, Read Alouds, Reviews, S.T.E.A.M, Science, Writing

The Learn & Live: Mesoamerica Review

Little Learner and Mom

Complimentary product received from The Learn & Live Letter!

This post contains affiliate links at no extra charge to you the reader.

As a homeschool mom, I have always been stuck on what part of history to teach in our home and how. There are so many wonderful curricula you can choose from, but if you are looking for true gentle history the choices tend to narrow down immensely. We enjoy unit study learning in our home and at times we just want to step away from traditional textbook history and have fun. I was really happy when The Learn & Live Letter ladies reached out to me to check out their November Mesoamerica unit.

About The Learn & Live Letter

The Learn & Live Letter was created by two homeschool moms who wanted to bring the joy of play-based learning to their children. They created their own homeschools around the philosophy of interested-led and hands-on learning. Cynthia and Justine enlisted the help of several well-known highly qualified contributors in the education and homeschool community to help create monthly themed 4-week play-based learning units. Each unit covers science, history, geography, art, music, math, reading, and writing. The Learn & Live Letter also embraces the Charlotte Mason approach, you won’t find worksheets or busy work in these monthly themed units. If you are wondering about the diversity of The Learn & Live Letter team you will not be disappointed.

Because learning comes naturally to your child’s development. They learn with and by the world around them—and, as parents and caretakers, all we have to do is open that door.

The Learn & Live Letter

The Learn & Live Letter units are designed for the homeschool parent, while non-homeschool families can benefit from this wonderful program, the design is for that homeschool parent. There are 3 levels to choose from level 1 (3 to 5 ), Level 2 (5 to 7), and level 3 (7 to 12). Families can choose to do a monthly subscription or a yearly subscription. The yearly subscription would guarantee you 36 weeks of lessons. Each level is different and provides age-appropriate activities. The units come to you via email and you click the link that will take you to your levels monthly instruction pages. The company also provides you a schedule of when you will receive the next unit’s email which is always a week before the upcoming month. There is also scope and sequence you can look at which is great for pacing and lining up your lessons. The company is still growing so the 2022 lineup is still building.

November Mesoamerica Unit

Mesoamerica Unit !

Our unit to review for you is the Level 3 November Mesoamerica unit. The Mesoamerica unit took us on a journey to Mexico and South America. Each week comes with its own supply list, resources, and embedded links. Everything you need is in your weekly guide you can add to it if you like, but you are fine with just the items they list. We studied about the Mayans, Aztecs, and Olmecs. The Mesoamerica unit captured my son’s interest he was intrigued to learn about these wonderful ancient Indigenous tribes’ culture, history, and contributions to civilization. For 2 weeks he was stuck on learning about the Olmecs and I let him stay in this history as long as he liked. We created terra cotta pottery, tried to play the Mayan game Ulama which gave us all quite a workout, and we built the Temple of Kukulkan out of legos.

November Mesoamerica Unit

Each monthly 4-week unit has 5 lessons each lesson has 2 – 4 activities. What I did notice is that Lesson 1 of each week usually had 2 activities that focused on geography or history for that week. You do not have to do each activity in each lesson. We average 2-3 activities each lesson, but because we plan to do this unit again I left wiggle room for next year. While we worked on the Mesoamerica unit we discovered there were many other ancient indigenous tribes so we will look into these next year. I highly recommend you bookmark the monthly units link on your iPad or tablet. I also printed out each week. The company also provides you with a skills/activity tracker.

The Learn & Live Letter units provide gentle history if you follow me you know I teach gentle truth history in our home. The Learn & Live Letter provides the conversation starter for you and you are free to take it from there. They do use Honest History magazines in their units which are great history resource. So if you don’t have these you will need to invest in them. I found the supply list to be inexpensive and the majority of the items we already had at home. The book resources I found all of them at our local library and were inexpensive on Amazon. The Usborne Encyclopedia World History book is one of the core books but you can use this book or find a World History book that covers your unit’s topics.

November Mesoamerica Unit

The Learn & Live Letter provides so many hands-on and play-based learning opportunities in their units we had so much fun exploring. My son was super excited about learning history and doing the activities he ask for these lessons first during our homeschool day. We finished our Mesoamerica unit feeling confident and happy about our progress. When I asked him what he thought he said this was one of the best units we have done in a long time. With him being happy and I know that everything is planned for me and he loves it we are now working on Ancient China and Medival Level 3 from The Learn & Live Letter. We purchased a year’s subscription and we are both loving it.

Ancient + Medieval China

The Learn & Live Letter is hassle-free learning we were over all the traditional history lessons. We are doing what we love following our interest and back to enjoying our homeschool day.

Ancient + Medieval China

I highly recommend The Learn & Live Letter you will not be disappointed. It was such a sigh of relief to plan something he will both truly enjoy. Each unit is packed with much you can do and not feel overwhelmed. The Learn & Live Letter has excellent customer service and a wondering FAQ on their website. It is always great when homeschool moms create something that really puts the kids first, Bravo Ladies! For my followers, The Learn & Live Letter has provided my readers 10% off any year subscription, be sure to use my promo code DESHAUN10 at checkout.

Until the Next Time,

Mom!

Ancient + Medieval China

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