Eli Whitney- Inventor of the Cotton Gin (and interchangeable gun parts)
Explore table: tinker toys, erector sets, wheels and gears, screw board
Literature/Listen: The children listened to an excerpt of the Story of the World (v3) on Eli Whitney's life and we read from the Discover the Life of an Inventor series: Eli Whitney by Gaines. Slavery was briefly discussed, (taking a person from their homeland, making them work for free, likely not treating them nicely).
Project: The children colored a portrait of Eli Whitney and made model cotton gins. We also discussed and pointed out North America on the globe, as well as identified Florida and traced fingers up the coast to NH. (and Massachusetts where Eli Whitney was born).
Music: The children were introduced to the concept of rhythm through various songs/clapping. They learned the value of a quarter note and rest and an eighth note using hand motions and the silly words blue, jel-lo, and (whispered) rest. We worked on learning a song (surprise!).
Questions to ask your child throughout the week:
"What does a Cotton Gin do?" (separates seeds from cotton) "Who invented it?" (Eli Whitney) "Why?" (because it took a long time to pick the seeds out).
Wonderful week! Enthusiastic kids!
-Winnie
