Maplewood Cottage Home-Lessons

• Jul. 27, 2007 - Cowboys and Cowgirls

Our lil cowgirl @ almost two

Michalina has LOVED a music tape with all the old cowboy songs. We've played Westward Ho! by Hear and Learn Publications since she was still in her crib! We'd wake up in the morning and turn it on while I tidied up. The music is mello enough to not be too exciting but catchy tunes to get us into the rhythm of the day. We discovered Sophia likes it just as much!

We've started a series of 'out west' studies.

We've read several books with that setting.

The kids love the TALL TALES of Pecos Bill.

Many children's picture books on Columbus, Pocahontas, Pilgrim/ Indian relations, also books that show their are different kinds of indians. We especially like the D'Aulaire books.

Some older children's books have been interesting. One that has been especially interesting. Written as a narrative ~ the main character, a burro tells his story.
An old out of print SBS paperback Brighty of the Grand Canyon by Marguerite Henry ( 1953 ) has been a great find. Read Aloud to the boys as we've had the interest over the last year.

Wild Rose, Nancy Ward and the Cherokee Nation was inspiring as well ~ written by Mary Furbee.

We have another book called Cowboy Pete about a negro cowboy that we plan to start now that Brighty is completed. By Laura Nelson Baker ( 1968 )

The boys have watched a few Lone Ranger videos and enjoyed the action!

We've read several books about indians/ settlers. One book we just finished a few months ago. The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare was really good about the coming of age of a boy left on the new homestead that he and his father readied for his family. While the father goes back east to collect mother, younger sister, and new baby sister Matt is to stay behind and keep watch over all that they did for the future of the family. One happening after another leaves him in need of help, although he is doing a terrific job of learning to be a man a new friend, an indian boy of his same age teaches him much about survival as Matt teaches him english and reading.

Another we enjoyed was about two little girls that moved out west with adoptive parents The Journey Home by Isabelle Holland Scholastic 1990

There is a series of books called school stories.... We just read one called Kirsten Learns a Lesson Janet Shaw. This was a very nice book about a swedish girl fitting into her new pioneer school. She befriends an indian girl who's village is nearby!

We of course have read some of the little house books and enjoyed the tv series.

We have read a lot about the environment as well. Snakes, lizards and buzzards are of great interest!
We will build upon this by exploring more through media. They have an excellent foundation through the nature videos that we've already watched on the Grand Canyon and national parks etc...

I'd like to continue to build upon our reading by ...

Going through the whole Little House series. And lesson plan that is available on line for that unit study, with emphasis on reading comprehension.

*****Just a note. I firmly believe that many books for older children can be read aloud and be very beneficial to younger ones. Luke is a thinker and sensitive to human relations so getting into a wholesome character has been a channel to exciting him to wonder, questions, and learning new things!

We tend to read a lot of history and character building themes. I will admit I am thrilled that most of the time I can skip over a few portions of a book that I don't think are appropriate for him. Only once in a while do I have to say " Sorry. Luke, but we'll have to pick this one up again later when you are older. "

I sometimes 'neglect' to read the parts that might have too much emphasis on non biblical beliefs. I.E. Indian spiritism. I will touch on the subject make explanation of how it is different from the truth of the Bible but not keep impressing the untruth upon him.
I guess that is the glory of reading to an early reader you can screen things more easily!!