Jennifer Lambert

A Sacred Balance

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World War I Unit Study

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We studied WWI with Notebooking, Books, Videos, and Trips.


Series:
American Revolutionary War
Civil War
World War I
World War II
Iraq and Afghanistan

World War 1 Unit Study

American military forces

The most destructive war the world had seen and the first genuinely world war began exactly 99 years ago. Called the Great War until World War II. The history books focus on Europe, but there were campaigns in Asia, the Pacific, and Africa too. Many Europeans military fought in conflicts all over the world while Americans supported European interests on the Western front.

But I don’t want my kids to have just an American view of the war – or the world. We study all world history. We learned about the British Commonwealth and their interests during WWI. We learned about German issues.

It’s important to have the larger picture to understand why it happened, lest we forget.

Travel

Our trip to the Flanders Fields WWI Sites with lots of resources.

On this day, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Great War ends. At 5 a.m. that morning, Germany, bereft of manpower and supplies and faced with imminent invasion, signed an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside Compiegne, France.

Resources

Books

Movies

(use viewer discretion)

How we do history…

You might also like: Raising Readers and How We Study History

We use Tapestry of Grace for our main history studies.

My girls especially love the living books and literature selections. They have a government supplement that is wonderful for high school. Four learning levels means the whole family learns together. Each unit has Internet links to relevant sites (most I’ve never heard of). The Revolutionary War begins at the end of Year 2 (from Byzantium to the New World) and the beginnings of our new nation is in the first unit of Year 3 (from Napoleon to Teddy Roosevelt).

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Do you have any resources to add to my list?

Follow Jennifer Lambert’s board US History on Pinterest.


Follow Jennifer Lambert’s board Modern History on Pinterest.

You might also like: Raising Readers and How We Study History

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Civil War Unit Study

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Growing up in Georgia, I learned the Civil War is important history.

Many museums and historical sites commemorate the Confederate events and battles that took place and they’re all very accessible for day trips or short vacations.

But how they do glorify the Confederacy.

You don’t see any Nazi memorials in Europe except in appropriate museums to show what never to do again…

It’s exciting to see statues and monuments coming down that glorified the Confederacy.

As a child, I attended reenactments of battles at Stately Oaks Plantation, a replica of the house in Gone With the Wind. My family took vacations to visit Andersonville, Fort Sumter, and Chickamauga, along with plantation home tours.

I think every Southern state has a Civil War museum, mostly glorifying the Confederacy and perpetuating the “Magnolia Myth.”

I feel it’s very important to teach my white children real history.

We learn about all sides to the story. I feel my Georgia public school education was rather sloppy and often told incorrectly, even by black teachers who were at the mercy of the curriculum and administrators.

It’s so important to talk about history and to discuss race and current events, cause and effect. 

This book helps me teach better: Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen 

We learn about the Civil War with Notebooking, Field Trips, Books, and Movies.

Travel:

Civil War States Info (most States have a historical site)

Topics:

  • Causes of the Civil War
  • Missouri Compromise
  • Foreign aid to Confederacy and Union
  • Dred Scott
  • Abraham Lincoln
  • John Brown
  • Underground Railroad
  • Reconstruction
  • Racism
  • KKK
  • Jim Crow Laws

Resources

Movies

(use viewer discretion)

Books

How we do history…

History Series:
American Revolutionary War
Civil War
World War I
World War II
Iraq and Afghanistan

We use Tapestry of Grace for our main history studies. You might also like: Raising Readers and How We Study History.

My girls especially love the living books and literature selections. They have a government supplement that is wonderful for high school. Four learning levels means the whole family learns together. Each unit has Internet links to relevant sites (most I’ve never heard of). The Revolutionary War begins at the end of Year 2 (from Byzantium to the New World) and the beginnings of our new nation is in the first unit of Year 3 (from Napoleon to Teddy Roosevelt).

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Do you have resources or memories to add?

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Back to School with Essential Oils

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School can be a stressful or anxious time for students of all ages.

Aromatherapy is a powerful tool that students can use at school and when they study.

Back to School with Essential Oils | https://www.jenniferalambert.com/

Whatever your child’s school situation, be prepared with essential oils!

We are blessed to homeschool, and I can use oils in our home all day long! I diffuse essential oils and massage diluted topical oils as needed to myself and my children throughout our day. We manage our mood and health with essential oils. And we like citrus blends to diffuse away kitchen or science experiment smells!

When I attended an oil convention, one of the presenters mentioned that some school nurses allow and can dispense essential oils just like prescription meds. If children go to the office to take OTC or prescription meds during the day, then your child should be able go to the office periodically for aromatherapy purposes. Get notes from your natural health provider or physician. Talk to your school administrators!

Oiling kids up before bed is a great wind-down routine. We include it with prayers and storytime.

On a side note, have your family members tested for vitamin B and D deficiency to ensure optimal brain health. Often deficiencies in these important vitamins mimic depression and anxiety symptoms.

Read articles about vitamin D deficiency.

And read this article: The ADHD Scam and the Mass Drugging of Schoolchildren

Diffusers and aromatherapy jewelry make great teacher gifts!

There are multiple ways to use Essential Oils in a school environment.

Here are some of our oily methods we use with our children.

Staying Calm

Whether it’s test time or just a busy, crowded schedule, kids often experience more anxiety and stress than we did while attending school. Be prepared to help your children with a healthy natural diet, prayer, boundaries, gentle guidance, plenty of sleep, and essential oils. Lavender is great to promote restful sleep, calmness, and even healthy skin.

Staying Healthy

Many of my friends whose children attend school worry so much those first few weeks when they’re exposed to all sorts of illnesses.

Boost those immune systems and shorten the lifespan of those viruses and bacteria!

We like oregano, lemongrass, and Thieves blend.

Maintaining Energy and Attention

We all get run-down and worn out. Some of us are affected more easily than others. Help your kids be at their best with a healthy whole foods diet, nutritional supplements, clean water, and essential oils!

Many essential oils can help with focus, attention, and brain balance.

Citrus oils can help relax and smell so refreshing. Orange is my son’s favorite! We have lots of favorite blends we diffuse or anoint.

Some studies suggest essential oils can help fidgety children combined with an improved natural diet. When we changed our diet, we noticed significant positive changes in behavior and attention. We also take cod liver oil daily.

Jewelry

There are lots of aromatherapy accessories and jewelry like bracelets and necklaces that can help kids while being stylish and unique.

Some books that help us:

Do you use essential oils for your school children? What are your favorites?

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Revolutionary War Unit Study

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We learned about the Revolutionary War with Books, Notebooking,and Movies.

We plan to make some trips soon!

History Series:
American Revolutionary War
Civil War
World War I
World War II
The Gulf Wars

The military has always been a part of my life. My father is retired Army. My grandfather retired from the Navy. My husband is in the Air Force. I’ve never known a time where the men in my family didn’t go to work without a uniform or I couldn’t go to the commissary. Also, we’ve been at war in the Persian Gulf since I was a kid. It’s a scary world. We are proud to serve.

War is not glamorous, no matter what the movies portray. Long ago, it was a very personal thing to kill a man in battle with bayonets and swords and guns. Now we do it with rockets and bombs from faraway on computer screens and it’s very impersonal.

Revolutionary War

American death toll was about 25,700. Historians estimate 7,200 Americans were killed in battle and approximately 8,500 wounded. About 10,000 others died in military camps from disease or exposure. Another 8,500 died in prison. Another 1,400 MIA. The soldiers received little to no pay during service and most came out of the war penniless.
British military deaths were about 10,000.
Congress was granted power of taxation in 1788 and paid off most of the war debt by the early 1800’s. Britain’s economy was strained. France was nearly bankrupt, which was a catalyst for their own revolution in 1789.

American military forces

The American colonies had no army or navy. Our fighting forces consisted of militia units who were white men from age 16-60.
American leaders such as George Washington along with foreign war veterans: Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette and Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben fought long and hard to beat the disciplined English army and navy.
Congress established the Continental Navy in 1775. Captain John Paul Jones raided the coast of England in 1778. He allegedly coined the phrase, “I have not begun to fight.”

Travel

We went to Savannah on our honeymoon. Fort James Jackson is a restored 19th-century fort located on the Savannah River, two miles east of the city of Savannah in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is a National Historic Landmark and the oldest standing brick fort in Georgia.

Resources

Resources for U.S. history and Government

Movies

Use discretion. Everyone has different standards.

Trivia

Books

How can you support our military and veterans?

How we do history…

You might also like: Raising Readers and How We Study History

We use Tapestry of Grace for our main history studies.

My girls especially love the living books and literature selections. They have a government supplement that is wonderful for high school. Four learning levels means the whole family learns together. Each unit has Internet links to relevant sites (most I’ve never heard of). The Revolutionary War begins at the end of Year 2 (from Byzantium to the New World) and the beginnings of our new nation is in the first unit of Year 3 (from Napoleon to Teddy Roosevelt).

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

For elementary kids, we like the spine book Story of the World! Year 3 which covers 1600-1850. It’s listed as a core text in Tapestry of Grace.

Follow Jennifer Lambert’s board US History on Pinterest.


Follow Jennifer Lambert’s board Early Modern History on Pinterest.

Check out the rest of the Crew posts!

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Laura Ingalls Wilder DVD Review

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I was so excited to share with my girls Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder DVD biography by Dean Butler with Legacy Documentaries. Check out the Walnut Grove Store!

Under his Legacy Documentaries banner, Dean Butler has produced nearly 8 hours of DVD bonus content for the Little House on the Prairie series as well as two original documentaries, Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura and Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

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I was quite obsessed with Little House on the Prairie as a girl. I dressed like Laura and wanted to be Laura. I love reading the books with my girls.

This documentary was perfect. I love that it was narrated by the actor who played Almanzo, Dean Butler.

I learned so much about Laura’s life that I never knew! I didn’t know much of anything about Laura’s relationship with her daughter, Rose, or her writing career. I didn’t know she began as a journalist! I didn’t realize the books were originally written as historical nonfiction.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Of course, the TV show focused more on prairie life and relationships when Laura was a girl and young woman. This documentary focused on Laura’s writing and how she went from a little article about farm women to writing award-winning children’s historical fiction books.

I loved the interviews with experts such as history professors and biography authors. The theme of the documentary is success despite adversity. Such a lesson.

View a sample:

This is a must-have for anyone who loves Little House on the Prairie. It’s definitely for older kids and adults. My younger kids wandered away as Liz and I sat enraptured.

The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder is $24.95.

Also, check out the companion DVD, Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura for $21.95

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God Sent Me a Love Letter

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God hears us.

He knows our names and He knows what delights us.

Even when we’re discouraged and the devil’s lies seem louder than our own faith, He listens and comforts with His Word.

This week has been a series of missed appointments, let-downs, not-good-enough’s and oh-woe-is-me’s. I felt depression seeping in and I wanted to just stop fighting.

I felt less-than and not measuring up to the standards I set for myself.

My children noticed. My husband was at a loss as to how to help. {But cupcakes are always welcome.}

Jesus is God’s love letter to us.

We have His Word, which is more than many people have in this world. We can read scriptures to learn about God and encourage our hearts.

I had just mentioned to my family that I hadn’t seen any hummingbirds this year and they must’ve passed us by somehow.

The the other morning, he came and hovered and chittered at me for quite a full minute. He didn’t even drink from the feeder. Then there were two more and they fought over the feeder rights. I sat on my deck  in awe and delight watching these little war machines zoom back and forth and scold each other.

God knows what delights us and He knows when we need a faith boost.

This afternoon in the minivan, hot and tired, driving home with my three little kids from soccer physicals and sign-ups, grocery shopping, gassing up the van…

I broke down in God’s presence. His love surrounded me. I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

God’s Word reminds me…

  • my children are super healthy and apparently in the minority for being that way – at this particular clinic. The staff and doctor were impressed with my kids’ lifestyles and health. I doubt they see many kids without problems. I saw two babies with oxygen tanks in the waiting room and several unruly and obese kids.
  • I bought healthy produce, dairy items, and chicken at the commissary and stayed under budget! I bought everything I need on two aisles. It was a quick in-and-out with 3 kids in tow.
  • my kids asked for purple cabbage, carrots, and lemons instead of soda or candy at the store. I am so thankful that my kids make healthy choices. They asked me to read them “bad ingredients” on the canned lemonade, snack cakes, and candy in the checkout aisle. Wide-eyed, they asked if we could make healthier, natural versions of treats when we got home. We had grilled chicken legs, fruit, and salad (with that purple cabbage) for dinner!
  • even though I am discouraged by our debt – and things breaking and surprise needs that are popping up, I am plugging away and being obedient to our plan and goals. The devil lies!
  • listening to encouraging Christian music in the minivan helps me to focus on God and my family and our blessings rather than continue to be negative.

It’s important to learn how to let go and let be. The Holy Spirit is powerful indeed.

How to Experience God’s Love

  • Nature. I love experiencing Creation.
  • Prayer. See how I pray.
  • Reading Scripture
  • Reading about God, Scripture, Church History
  • Reading Poetry and Lovely Books
  • Loving Yourself
  • Loving Others
  • Hospitality
  • Serving Others
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Insects DVD Review

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We loved watching and reviewing Fascinating World of Insects by BrainFood Learning.

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I put this DVD in our van and we watched it while driving 4 kids to and from nature camp and the library this summer. {kinda hard to take pictures while driving around!}

We loved learning about these insects on the DVD: grasshopper, ladybug, rhino beetle, firefly, mosquito, honey bee, water strider, ant, praying mantis, dragonfly, and butterfly.

The video is very well-done to attract a wide audience. The cinematography is amazing. I love the slow-motion shots of the wings and close-ups of the mouths. My family was very interested and watched it over and over!

ant

Here’s a preview:


Each “chapter” tells about that bug and its special characteristics. The kids learned important vocabulary like antennae and elytra that were in bold orange on the screen so the kids would remember them. They soak up these facts like sponges!

I was fascinated to learn that fireflies (or lighting bugs) don’t light up west of Kansas. So that explains it! I sure miss em.

My kids loved it so much that they wanted to learn more and we picked up books at the library and did some research. It’s a great catalyst to an insects unit study! And the kids have been really noticing the insects outside more now – especially bees, ladybugs, ants, butterflies, dragonflies, and grasshoppers. We had an ant farm in the spring and this was a great addition to studying that. I really think this video helped my preschool son overcome his irrational fear of all bugs. He’s almost ok with them now and will inspect them from a distance while playing outside.

We’ve also been fascinated to read about insects in Christian Liberty Nature Readers. The girls (ages 6 and 7) are quick to tell me what the DVD says and they love the affirmation from the book!

At the end of the DVD, there are two levels of games and quizzes. I was tickled to hear Alex (age 3) answer all the flash card and quiz questions from his seat while driving around! He’s advanced. There are flash cards, and review of the insects, parts, facts, and vocabulary. Love that reinforcement. Check out the printable curriculum to go along with it. We found plenty of insect notebooking online too.

insects review

The Fascinating World of Insects is $14.99 and is appropriate for all ages. Also, check out the other two DVDs in the series: Birds and Mammals. I want em all!

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Beach Unit Study

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This month for Poppins Book Nook, the theme is Beach and Ocean.

beach-and-ocean-unit.png

It’s kinda hard to teach about beaches in the landlocked state of Utah.

We went to a reservoir camping and they had a rocky beach and the kids had loads of fun. It wasn’t the ocean, but the kids got to play and didn’t notice really.

Liz with her friend in the water.

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I just loved this view!

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It was too rocky to go barefoot! Alex and Tori loved collecting pretty rocks. Alex put them in his pocket for her!

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Dad got some great portraits of the kids!

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Tori’s eyes are sensitive to the bright light.

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I got to go kayaking!

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My baby boy

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We read lots of books from the library and our shelves and talked about the ocean.

Alex doesn’t remember when we lived in Hawaii for three years, but the girls do.

Resources:

ProSchool Membership - Productive HomeschoolingVisit the other bloggers in Poppins Book Nook to see how they learned about the beach and ocean this month.
Enchanted Homeschooling Mom – Royal Baloo – 3 Dinosaurs – Monsters Ed – Chestnut Grove Academy – Growing in God’s Grace – Royal Little Lambs – Life with Moore Babies – Teach Beside Me – The Usual Mayhem – Mum Central – Fantastic Fun and Learning – Kathys Cluttered Mind – Play Create Explore – Toddler Approved – Growing Book by Book – Adventures in Mommydom – B-Inspired Mama – The Fairy and The Frog – Edventures with Kids – Learning & Growing the Piwi way – A Gluten Free Journey – Mom to Crazy Monkeys – No Doubt Learning – Preschool Powol Packets – To The Moon and Back – Our Craft ~N~ Things – Farm Fresh Adventures – Proverbial Homemaker – Look Were Learning
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Global Art Review

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We really enjoyed reviewing Global Art: Activities, Projects, and Inventions from Around the World from Gryphon House.

We love this award-winning art book!

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From the Publisher: An ideal way to start children on an exciting, creative adventure towards global understanding! The fun, easy-to-do art activities in Global Art use collage, painting, drawing, printing, construction and sculpture to help children appreciate people and cultures from all over the world. Each activity is explained in step-by-step detail an accompanied by geographic and cultural background to help you make the most of the teaching possibilities.

In Global Art, there are seven chapters that coincide with seven continents. I love how we can use this with our Montessori continent boxes! At the beginning of each chapter, there are suggested books and a little text about the continent. Great for unit studies.

global art review

I can also tie this in with our American history studies and literature! So many crafts to choose from! I’ve ordered beeswax…

Recommended for K-5. But I think it’s great for all ages. Many are simple enough for toddlers or preschoolers and it holds the interest for my almost high schooler. I enjoy the art too and often do the projects along with my kids.

There are icons for experience level (1-3 stars) and techniques, as well as numbers (1-3) for level of preparation. I tell ya, prep is often the hindering factor for art time!

I let the kids choose the crafts they wanted to make. They loved having that freedom without mom hovering and planning!

They chose to paint rocks. of course. They’d been begging to do this for weeks! perfect. This is a craft from Egypt.

This was a two-part project and it was so hard to be patient, waiting for that first layer of paint to dry!

Tori follows directions so well.

painting scarab stones

Katie is a little more free range.

painting stones

Alex was so super careful and did such a great job!

painting stone

He really enjoyed doing art with his sisters!

painting a stone

Alex used way too much paint, but he did follow directions and it looked like a beetle! Tori’s are perfect and Kate’s are definitely unique. Even big sister Liz wanted in on the action and painted a stone.

painted scarab stones

Liz helped Alex make a necklace out of a paper plate. Super simple and fun! This is a central African craft.

paper plate necklace craft

He did color with crayons, but he didn’t bear down very hard. I would recommend using markers and gluing jewels or sequins on it to look like a collar.

paper plate necklace

Buy Global Art for $16.95

I can’t wait to incorporate more of these art projects into our studies this year!

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Fish Nature Study

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This month’s outdoor challenge is a fun and easy one for us!

We’ve had lots of experience fishing and eating fish and observing fish these past few months and I reminded the kids and we looked at the pictures and we’re excited to get some more experience next week!

Check out my husband’s post about ice fishing and chowder. My freezer is still stocked with cleaned and ready to cook trout!

Here’s the challenge grid this month. Do you receive the monthly newsletter from Handbook of Nature Study? You should. Go sign up and come back.

fishing notebooking bingo

We went camping and fishing with friends over Memorial Day weekend and we’re about to head out again this weekend. Tori is our fisher girl. She loves it and is good at it!

fishing girl

Alex went on his first fishing trip and caught one!

fishing family

After all that excitement and the rocking and rolling and motor, he was done.

worn out after fishing

We have an aquarium in our school room with live plants and plenty of fun fish to watch. The kids take turns feeding them and we clean it together. Apparently, we need to get on that.

home aquarium

We have a tadpole too. But I wonder if he’s got delayed development since he is barely forming legs and it’s been a couple months.

tadpole

One of Tori’s favorite apps is Flick Fishing and she loves to see what the fish look like. She thinks the Mahi Mahi is yummy, but very ugly. I love listening to her observations about the fish she catches in this game. She knows what kind of water they’re in and what they look like and what they eat. I love it!

One of our best friends is an avid hunter and fisherman and we love to hear his fishing and hunting stories. One of my favorites is of the time he went deep sea fishing in the Florida panhandle and his line snapped from a big ole grouper. The pole popped him in his forehead and he knocked himself out. He almost fell overboard. Good times.

We studied for science a couple years ago and it’s still a wonderful resource to reference.

Resources:

Fish Notebooking Pages
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