> Aaron has expressed an interest in
 > studying the sun, mice and the Titanic... 
DR> The Titanic? One of the cable channels - A&E, Discovery, or TLC - has 
een
DR> showing a series about the Titanic. That comes right under both History 
and
DR> Science! There are also some good videos about the Titanic, which might 
be 
DR> little over his head in places but otherwise would be interesting to see.
Darn, we've missed the Titanic programs!  I'll keep looking for them, though. 
We've seen some good things on TLC the past few weeks and counted them on the 
time sheet... like a program on glaciers... and one on ancient Chinese 
culture. :)  I also got a Sesame Street numbers video from the library and 
have been counting that as math. :)
DR> That's a good way to start, with a family tree, because it's pertinent. 
If 
DR> were me, I wouldn't be hesitant to let him do it til he becomes bored, 
then
DR> pick it up another time. It probably *will* be boring for him once he 
ets
DR> past the folks he knows/knew, because then it's just names.
You have a good point there... I tend to try to get things done in one 
itting
because so often we never return to a project once it is put down... but I 
should consider it...
DR> The public schools use a "widening circles" plan to study social studies. 
I
DR> one of the better things that have come about in curriculum development 
ove
DR> the years. In Kindergarten and early first grade, social studies comes 
unde
DR> "family" and "neighborhood". Later in first grade, they expand from
DR> "neighborhood" into "community", which is a focus until 2nd grade. 
Communit
DR> of course gets expanded from the area you live in to the surrounding 
area, 
DR> time goes on. By third grade they may be studying the Indians that used 
o
DR> live in your area of the US, and the pioneers that might have once 
populate
DR> your state. History/US is started in the early grades with brief studies 
ab
DR> Pilgrims, Washington and Lincoln, Martin Luther King (these days), and 
ny
DR> other reason we have a holiday. (grin) Also, "the old days" is a good 
focus
DR> both 2nd and 3rd grades. Also 3rd graders may be discovering other 
history 
DR> the area - my daughters' 3rd grade teachers suggested we take them to the
DR> Poway Pioneer History Museum, which I did. In 4th grade, the circle has
DR> widened from community to STATE: California geography and history is 
studie
DR> In my daughter's class last year, they didn't get much past the Civil 
ar,
DR> tho. :( In 5th grade, they are introduced to the United States as they 
stud
DR> briefly its history and geography. States and their capitals are required
DR> memorization!
I think this /widening circles/ curriculum is a good idea.  It also gives 
any
opportunities for interesting field trips in nearby locations.   We 
recently saw a picture (in a local history book) of the old Hotel Los Medanos
in downtown Pittsburg, and Aaron asked to go see where the Hotel was before 
t
burned down.  This trip turned into an interesting archeological examination 
of the old Hotel site and collection of Hotel specimens that now decorate the 
front porch of my home. :)  Aaron now can say the word "archeology" without 
batting an eye. 
I've also decided to start now to teach my kids about all the world's
religions.  I think it is helpful to give that basis to the development
of world history and culture in various parts of the world.  We are not doing 
world history yet, but when we get to it, if they are well grounded in 
understanding the origins of the religions, they will be able to apply that 
knowlege to world historical develpment.  This week I'm devoting to a study 
f
the Jewish religion.  Cimeron is participating too. :)
BTW, why is it that you don't like the social studies textbooks?  I looked at 
quite a few at the homestudy office not too long ago.  I thought the first 
nd
second grade level books were far too simplistic to be usable.  I took home 
the third grade level book and read an article about coal mining to the 
children (of interest to them because there are old coal mines just outside 
f
town at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, our favorite historic park 
nearby)... and I don't know how much we'll be using the book, but they 
njoyed
what we've looked at so far.  I'd really like to know more about why you are 
against using them.
DR> So, as you are planning Aaron's social studies, you can probably focus 
or
DR> community and the surrounding area. Perhaps an interesting project would 
be
DR> for him to make a community from either scrap materials or something like
DR> that. I gave this project to a class one time, and one child built a 
commun
DR> out of Legos! It was *wonderful*! It could also be done from clay, salt 
dou
DR> just drawing, or cardboard.
Interesting that you should suggest that... he has being doing something like 
this all on his own... with paper.  I've been calling it "paper crafting" and 
counting it as art... but surely I could count it as social studies too.   
It started when he paper-crafted a Taco Bell. :)  When we read _Norman the 
Doorman_ he paper-crafted a Museum of History... He is really getting good at 
this, adding many details to his buildings.  I find the development of his 
craft to be very interesting... and I don't want to destroy the creativity by 
giving him something like a model or 3-d puzzle.  I keep thinking that if he 
really gets good at papercrafting these 3-d buildings, boats, etc. then he'll 
have a truly unique craft/artform that will serve him well all his life.  Oh 
yes, he also did a large Titanic-style steamer complete with long 
iceberg-inflicted gash in the side.  The details, like the smoke stack, flag 
pole, and side rails, were pretty impressive for a beginner's project.  If I 
had counted that as social studies instead of art... it would have helped.  
Well, thanks for the idea... I'll keep it in mind. 
DR> I saw an interesting project this year in my daughter's 5th grade - the
DR> teacher asked each child to find our where his/her ancestors came from.
Yes, that's a good project.  I have problems with this one too... I'm such a 
mixture!!  My kids are half-German... it must be nice to know you're half 
/something/!!  I'm Pennsylvania Dutch (which I hear is also German), 
herokee,
Irish, Scottish, and a variety of other European nationalities... I've often 
wished I could say I was just one thing, like so many others can.
Zaynab
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