Why AWANAS has become a major part of our Homeschool Day

This semester AWANAS, specifically the third grade T&T book has become a major part of our school day.  We are working on the bonus sections.  It includes activities such as:

• make a solar system
• read a missionary book
• memorize John 3:16 in another language
• daily Bible readings with questions
• research projects on biblical topics
• making up a game to memorize the books of the Bible

We have been able to use AWANAS as a major source of curriculum:

• handwriting, spelling of Bible verses
• writing paragraphs on various topics 
• research skills
• how to use a concordance, dictionary, etc
• reading (missionary stories, Bible verses, research)
• science (the Solar system, specifically)
• history (Bible and how it relates to Timeline)
• art (various posters, drawings, etc)

Drawing Books, Supplement to CC

Just ordered the boxed set of Draw * Write * Now.  I have used Book 5 for many lessons and I look forward to using the other books in the future.



I also ordered a set of Draw & Write through History.  I have not used this series yet, but it looks like it will go well with CC cycle 1 in the fall.  I think the pictures in this series are a bit harder to draw than the other series.
 

I also really like "I can draw animals" and "I can draw people" by Usborne Playtime.

Where in the Bible is Classifying Animals Mentioned?

As we learn the classification of living things over the next several weeks, let's see what the Bible has to say.

In the beginning, in Genesis, God creates living things.  His last special creation is man, after all the other living things.  But God allows his man Adam to name the animals.  See Genesis 2:19-20

Wisdom of Solomon: 1 Kings 4:29-34  Solomon described plant and animal life.

Creation Made According to its Kind  This concept, course, is mentioned in the days of creation in Genesis 1, but it is also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:35-41.  Each creation has its own seed and its own splendor.

More on Animals in the Bible

For more resources on Animal Studies:

Drawing Resources

                

Educational Websites

• Book Adventure
• SpellingCity.com
• Starfall.com
• ToyTheater.com

Timeline

Living Books

Reading real books makes a subject come to life in a much more powerful way than just reading a few facts in a text book or online.  These books show how God was at work in the midst of events in history.  It shows how God used missionaries to bring hope to those suffering in aftermath of war or in the slave trade.

• Boer Wars & Slave Trade  David Livingstone, Christian Heroes: Then & Now series by YWAM
• WWII  Jacob Deshazer, Christian Heroes: Then & Now series by YWAM
• Communism  Brother Andrew, Christian Heroes: Then & Now series by YWAM

We will also be using The Story of the World: Volume 1: Ancient Times this year.  Volume 1 goes along well with Cycle 1, but it also goes along with Timeline.

The Bible as a Reference

Of course some events on the timeline are obviously from the Bible (i.e. the ones that mention Israel), but I want to include how we can discuss events in history in light of Scripture.

• History of Religion
• World Empires (Alexander the Great)

Motions

Timeline Motions - Printable version of the motions for the timeline song.  I find the motions can teach a lot about the meaning in a just a few seconds.  For example, just saying "Benedict and Monasticism" doesn't have a lot of meaning, but the motion is to act like you are putting on your monastery hood.  

Geography, History and Timeline Connection

Where is Alexander the Great in the Bible?

Well, he is not mentioned by name in the Bible, but there are prophecies about him and other world leaders.  The other day, my second grader was reading a few pages in a history textbook about Alexander the Great and the end of the Persian Empire.  We then went to the Bible.

Daniel 2 is a vision of King Nebuchadnezzar about the future kingdoms of the world.  We read and talked about the statue and what it represents and how it has been fulfilled in history already.

Head of Gold - Babylon
Chest of Silver - Persia (Medo-Persian)
Bronze Thighs - Greece
Iron Feet- Rome
Clay and Iron Toes - Now, divided nations, no world power
The Rock - Jesus and establishing His Kingdom that will not be defeated

I found this article that helped me understand how other Daniel prophecies have been fulfilled.  Daniel 8 specifically mentions the kings of Media and Persia and Greece. This article explains in much better detail how Alexander the Great fits in the Bible.

I did not share all the details of the article with my daughter (I read the article after the fact).  I was familiar that Daniel prophesied about the future kingdoms, but I was fuzzy on the details. So don't feel intimidated if you don't know about these prophecies - I don't either.  But let's take the opportunity to bring in the Bible when we can and show our children that:

God has a plan for the nations and He is at work throughout history.

CC Week 18 Cycle 3

History

WWII

• Jacob Deshazer, from the Christian Heroes: Then & Now series, by YWAM  

He was taken as a prisoner of war by the Japanese.  He became a Christian, and then a missionary to the Japanese, because he was able to forgive them by the power of God.  We were inspired by this story and learned so much about WWII.

• Molly books from the American Girl series

These books are from a child's perspective, whose father is in the war and what life is like back in the United States during war time.  More light-hearted than the above missionary story.

CC Week 24 Cycle 3

Presidents

Songs

• "President's Rap" by Smart Songs - We have learned so much from this song!! We watched it on YouTube as well, and now my daughter looks at a $20 bill and says, "He's the one that led the common man's cause - Andrew Jackson"
• Anamaniacs - "Presidents"
• To the Tune of "Yankee Doodle"

Simply Presidential

A curriculum that teaches about each president.  We just ordered this curriculum and I enjoyed the Simply Stated curriculum that is by Kreative Simplicity.  It also comes with a coloring book of first ladies.

Childhood of Famous American series

Many great read alouds about various presidents.

Draw * Write * Now: Book 5 There is a section on how to draw George Washington, as well as a section on coins and finding presidents on money.

Documentaries

History Channel's The Ultimate Guide to the Presidents  (also on Netflix)

Read Aloud Series

YWAM's Christian Heroes: Then & Now Series 

Missionary stories, including David Livingstone, George Mueller, Jacob Deshazer and many others.

Childhood of Famous Americans

This series includes presidents, inventors, and other historic figures.  We have read Annie Oakley, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Ford, the Wright brothers, Davy Crockett and several others.

Box Car Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

   

Teaching Missions

 Here are a few ideas and resources for teaching your children about missions.  Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples and I think it is important for children to learn at an early age to be a part of what God is doing in the world, that He made us for that very purpose.

• Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) - This organization publishes material perfect for teaching about missionaries.  There are picture stories, often in 5 or 6 parts, that work well for Vacation Bible school or Sunday school type settings.  Our church used the one on Hudson Taylor this summer for our Mission Club.
• Wycliffe for Kids - some downloadable curriculum to do with your kids or church group.  This summer I used "Bread for All" lesson and "Phonics Lesson"
• Some books that our on our reading list for the future include some of YWAM publishing, a series of biographies of heroes of the faith.*

And a book that my husband and I are currently reading: Becoming World Changing Family

*We just finished reading the books about David Livingstone, Jacob Deshazer, and George Mueller.  They are very inspiring and we have learned a lot about history and other parts of the world.