The Beginning - History 1 & 2 (Explorers & Trailblazers)

Our knowledge of ancient history comes from only a few sources, the Bible (obviously primary), ancient artwork, ancient objects, and other ancient writings.  Many of these sources of knowledge are discovered through archaeology.

The earliest people were nomadic, but when they settled they formed communities that left traces which modern people can analyze to learn more about the past.   Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, is the site of many Biblical stories, and also many archaeological digs.

In class activities:

• Created covers for our ancient history notebooks
• Dug for artifacts
• Analyzed clues to solve a modern archaeological mystery 

Optional lesson extension activities:

• Create your own "treasure rocks" to excavate just like an archaeologist.  Recipe available here, along with other fun archaeology projects.

• Memorize the days of creation with these simple hand motions.  To make it even more fun, try adding the motions to a creation song.
• Learn about the flood with this beautiful book and audio cd by Tom Dooley 

Assignment for 9/15:

• Discuss: What is an archaeologist?  Why are they interested in old broken things?  Is it okay for Christians to study archaeology?
• Read history cards: Old Testament & Ancient Egypt (OT) 5-8

Parent Information 2015/2016

Hi friends!

We are excited to have you join us for this year's adventures through the ancient time period.  In order to have your child best prepared for class please print out a copy of the syllabus and make sure that they come to class having read back of each timeline card.  Whether or not you choose to add additional readings to your lessons is entirely up to you.  Use the correlation chart as a resource to bring your favorite books into your studies, but please do not try to read everything listed.  It is far too much.

This era requires two packs of timeline cards.  You can purchase them at the link below (the lowest price we could find for new cards), or search e-bay and other re-sellers for discounts.

• Veritas Press Old Testament& Ancient Egypt history cards
• Veritas Press New Testament, Greece & Rome history cards

{Sale until 8/31: get free shipping on orders of $100 with code 376371}

Remember: we place these cards in chronological order
so you will need to re-shuffle these decks.
To see the correct order check our course syllabus.

Teachers will be updating this site weekly with their class summaries and assignments.  Please note that we WILL NOT be sending individualized assignments messages this year.  It is your responsibility to check the site and send your students to class prepared if they are not old enough to check the site on their own.

You don't need to miss a message.  This site can automatically e-mail you every time new content is posted.  Simply look on the right  for the "Follow by E-mail" box, and enter your e-mail address.  It looks like this:

Parent assignments are almost finalized.  If you still do not have a role, please contact Kristina at Mitchells @ onemacworld .com to discuss where we can best utilize your skills.  

We are also in need of help with end-of-day cleaning.  Each family is required to volunteer for just one day out of the year.  You are welcome to choose any day that works well for your schedule.  Simply pick a date and you will automatically receive a reminder message.  Sign up here if you haven't already!

Don't forget to check out our Frequently Asked Questions page if you are searching for information, but if you don't find the answer you need, you are always welcome to contact us.   

Looking forward to a great year!  

Sheryl G.

Henry Ford - Inventors & Inventions

Contrary to what most of us believe, Henry Ford did not invent the automobile or the assembly line.  What he did accomplish was the improvement of both ideas.  He added a moving conveyor belt to the assembly line, which allowed him to create cars quickly, leading to a drop in price.  The Model T was  the first automobile that many middle class Americans could afford. Cars quickly became, not a luxury, but a practical item that greatly influenced the twentieth century world.

In class activities:

• Looked at historic images of automobiles
• Learned about the origins of automobiles, including steam powered vehicles
• Attempted to "invent" our own car with a collection of parts
• Discussed the advantages of using an assembly line, and tried creating our own
• Learned about the differences between an assembly line and a moving assembly line

Optional lesson extension activities:

• Read Henry Ford: Greatest American Hero
• Go to Wart Games to play online as you learn about Henry Ford
• Download a Henry Ford "Be an Innovator" kit

Assignment:

• Think of one "Fascinating Fact" from all of your research on your inventor/invention and write it down to add to your presentation board.
• Practice your timeline

Wright Brothers - Inventors & Inventions

Orville (August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948) and Wilbur (April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912) Wright were were two American brothers and bicycle mechanics.  As inventors and aviation pioneers, they invented the world's first successful airplane and made the first controlled, powered and sustained human flight, on December 17, 1903. 

In Class Activities:

• Watched portions of KittyHawk
• Worked on our presentation boards
• Built gliders
• experimented with different wing patterns
• Discussed other inventors who tried to fly

Optional lesson extension activities:

• Finish watching KittyHawk
• Watch as modern scientists try to replicate the Wright Flyer
• Try to fly the Wright Brothers' plane

Assignment:

• Every inventor fails and struggles at some point.  Write a few sentences about the obstacles your inventor faced.  
• Practice your timeline

Guglielmo Marconi - Inventors & Inventions

Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi sent the first radio signals through air.  Instead of sending messages through wires as were previously used int he telegraph system, he used electromagnetic (radio) waves.  His system of radio became known as wireless telegraphy.  In 1901Marconi succeeded in sending waves across the Atlantic from England to Canada, a distance of more than 2,000 miles (3,300 kilometers). This led the way for huge advancements, particularly for ships which used his technology to send distress signals when they were sinking or in trouble. Marconi sent his messages in Morse code.

In class activities:

• Learned about the life of Marconi
• Built (or attempted to build) our own electromagnets
• Discussed the changes that radio brought to the world
• Learned about a murderer caught at sea via radio
• Made our radio drama covering the life of Marconi with our own sound effects

Optional lesson extension activities:

• Continue to perfect your electromagnet. Instructions here
• Listen to old radio dramas at OldTimeRadio.  Pay attention to sound effects.

Assignment:

• Find an image of your inventor.  At the bottom indicate the source where you found the image. 
• On a slip of paper in LARGE, NICE handwriting, write your inventor's full name, with his dates of birth and death written below the name, and their country of origin below that.  It will look like this:

Jenny Smith

1907-1952

Finland

• Continue to work on your model, sample, or other project that you intend to display with your poster.

Alexander Graham Bell - Inventors & Inventions

Alexander Bell was born in Edinburgh Scotland to a hearing impaired mother and a father who was an expert in the voice.  He worked diligently, following in his father's footsteps to help the deaf learn to communicate.  He was exceptionally hard-working, and began scientific research into the resonance (vibrations) of the voice.  This research eventually led to his invention of the first telephone in 1876.



In class activities:

• Watched the animated biography of Bell at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sgbGuRBLQA
• Used balloons to examine how sound travels in waves
• Mapped the travels of Bell
• Talked about solving "impossible" problems, and brainstormed inventions that we could make.

Optional Lesson Extension Activities:

• Look at historic images of the telephone at http://www.famousscientists.org/alexander-graham-bell/
• Listen to Bell's voice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lJ6Pwb15JY

Assignment:

• In your best handwriting, write at least one sentence describing the problem that your chosen invention solves.  Note: Try not to write too small.  This will be added to your poster.
• Begin thinking about what you will be building (ex. a model of your chosen invention, a sample of what your invention can do) to place in front of your poster.
• Practice your timeline.

Alfred Nobel - Inventors and Inventions

Alfred Nobel  

1833-1896

Mining has always been dangerous work.  Gunpowder had unpredictable results, but Nobel found that by combining nitroglycerin with an absorbent clay it became safer to handle.  He patented this mixture in 1867 as ‘dynamite'.    

In 1888 Alfred's brother died and a French newspaper accidentally published a death notice of Alfred rather than his brother.  It blamed him for destruction because of his invention of dynamite.  This inspired him to leave a better legacy after his death.  He is still remembered today at the awarding of the Nobel prizes.

In class activities:

• Discussed the dangers of mining
• Learned about the invention of dynamite
• Made our own mock dynamite sticks
• Brainstormed what we want to include on our inventor posters
• Used finger paints to create explosion art
• Learned about the creation of the Nobel Prizes

Optional lesson extension activities:

• Read: Alfred Nobel: The Man Behind the Peace Prize (True Stories)
• Learn about recent Nobel Prize winners at http://www.nobelprize.org

Assignment:

• Read 1 article or book about your inventor or invention of choice.  Bring to class one full page image of the invention.  Please write the source on the bottom corner of your image.
• (Because this is for personal educational use, images may be photocopied from books or printed from http://images.google.com)
• Practice your timeline