Christopher Columbus and the Age of Exploration: Faith and Perseverance

Note, everything is written in past tense, even though I plan to share this post before I hold the class.  Sooo... I might go in and do a bunch of editing afterward.

Today was our first day.

We began by having the boys play outside on the trampoline for 20 minutes so they could get tired.  After a water break we started class.

We began with our first workout-

• 5 burpees
• 20 jumping jacks
• 5 pushups
• 10 squats

I had planned to do 3 sets of these but the boys were pretty tired after one set.  We'll push them harder next class.

The boys were so rambunctious I was really glad I had a whistle with me so they could hear me.

We then did the Pledge of Allegiance.

We introduced the class rules and affirmations which we will state each day of class:

• I am a warrior
• I play hard
• I work hard
• I respect others
• I never quit
• I defend those who can't defend themselves
• I fight for what is right
• I am a son of God

We then talked about what a hero is with this PowerPoint.

Then we read a book about Christopher Columbus- The Value of Curiosity: The Story of Christopher Columbus.  Here is a  video that has each page so that you can pause and read it aloud to your kiddos if you'd like.  

Then they had a race to find their way through a Columbus maze.  The winner received a treat.

Afterward, we watched a great short movie about Columbus.

Then we talked about some of the traits that made Columbus a hero (i.e. courage, believing in himself, persistence, patience, determination, listening to the whisperings and promptings of the Spirit, the list could go on.)

Afterward, the boys boys helped each other navigate an obstacle course, blindfolded.  (Each boy would have a partner guide him through the obstacle course who would whisper directions.)

At the end they all received a treat after we cleaned up.  We had pumpkin chocolate chip cookies because that was one of the things Columbus brought back to Spain from his first voyage.

One note:  The boys surprised me!  They were more interested in the book than the movie.  I am thinking this may be because they are all doing virtual learning and are not interested in screens anymore...?

Materials to gather: class rules visual, blindfold, objects to block obstacle course, mazes, pens or pencils, treats as a reward, optional pumpkin treat or prize.

Almost a week away!

Okay, folks, we are getting so excited over here for this little course.  Maybe we went overboard...

Here is a climbing wall we just finished for the boys to play on, in addition to our other activities.

Here are the books I plan on using for the first 6 weeks of class.  I am telling you, John Smith is fascinating.  That second book is MADE for little boys (it's pretty unbelievable!)

I am going to start posting what I plan to do in advance so that parents have a chance to gather any desired materials and go over it before sharing what they would like to do with their kiddos.

First up, an introduction to heroes and Columbus!  

Book List

For those who would like to follow along with our course, here is a list of the books we will be reading.  Since some can be more difficult to find I'll list some alternatives here and there.  You'd be welcome to read other books (please send me recommendations, I'd love it!)

Christopher Columbus- 
The Value of Curiosity: The Story of Christopher Columbus.

John Smith- 
Captain John Smith: American Hero by Juliana Brennan Rodgers

William Bradford

·         The Story of the Pilgrims

·
Ben Franklin-

·         Ben Franklin and the Power of Saving, (Other options include Electric Ben, Now and Ben

·         
George Washington- 

·         George Washington and the Power of Attitude

·
John Paul Jones- 

·         Unlikely Heroes

·      

James Madison-

·         A Picture Book of Dolley and James Madison

·        

Lewis & Clark- 

·         How We Crossed the West- Rosalyn Schanzer

·         

Hugh Glass/John Colter-

·         Mountain Men: True Grit and Tall Tales

·         

Davy Crockett- 

·         Davy Crockett Saves the world (Other option: A Picture Book of Davy Crockett by David Adler)

·         

Joseph Smith- 

·         Stories from the Life of Joseph Smith / 

Levi Savage- 

·         Pioneer Children Sang as They Walked

·
Frederick Douglass- 

·         Henry’s Freedom Box  (Other option: Follow the drinking Gourd)

·         

Abraham Lincoln- 
The Power of Trying Again (Other options:  The Value of Respect/ I am Kind: A Little Book about…

·        

Joshua Chamberlain/Robert E Lee

·         Voices of Gettysburg

I'll be sharing links to all of the videos we watch with the weekly blog posts.