Survivor - Gabon - Season 17 - Episode 7

Vocab:
Reward
Delusional
Blindside
Totem pole


Crystal tripped over the rice. Matty was quite upset at this and then she opted not to eat. Was this a reasonable, mature response? How do you define the word maturity?

Dan talks about his “inner child”. Corinne says that he is acting like a child trying to fit it. What does it mean to have an “inner child”? How can you care for yours?

Sugar has taken 5 trips to Exile Island. Create a model of your ideal “Sugar Shack”. Also, find out what a real Sugar Shack is and what it is used for.

One of the most touching parts of Survivor is always their contact from home. Choose a family member that has affected you. Write and deliver a heartfelt note.

Sugar seems to have a combination of beauty and brains. Do some research on other women in history that posses this lethal combination.

Rice is the most valuable thing they have right now. What is the most valuable thing that you have? Why?

Play the FreeRice game and help feed others in the world that are starving

Be yourself vs. holding it in – Jeff asked several tribe members where they were on the scale between these two extremes. Which do you think is more advantageous as a survivor contestant? Why?

Survivor - Gabon - Season 17 - Episode 6

Vocabulary: Liability, oath, challenge, burden
Today’s episode is rated “PG-L”. What are the different ratings? What do they mean? Do you think ratings are a good or bad idea? Why?

Science – Fire and heat is very important to the players. Fire produces radiant heat. Find out about radiant heat. What are the benefits and deficits? List three other examples of radiant heat.

Volunteerism - Our bodies must have food to survive. Both tribes are very concerned about rationing , but this is not an issue reserved just for Survivor. Find out about world hunger issues. Find a way that you can help and do it.

You can see that people are starting to mentally break down. Do you think Survivor is a more physical or more emotional challenge? Why?

Have you heard the saying, “There is no ‘I’ in teamwork.” What do you think this means? How does this relate to FANG?

Kenny may have made the move of the game in the episode. How did Kenny use psychology to get the idol back into Sugar’s hands? Why would Sugar give her power away to another person, let alone such a powerful man? Do you think this is wise?

Did FANG miss a huge opportunity tonight?

Survivor - Gabon - Unit Study - Episode 5

Ethics – A major part of Survivor is lying, but the 10 commandments strictly prohibits lying. Do you think just because it is a game that it is ok to lie? Is there other times that it is ok to commandments? When? Why? Discuss with your parents.

Science – an elephant comes very close to one of the camps this week. Study elephants. Try to answer the following questions:
1. Where are elephants still found in nature? Mark on a map.
2. How heavy can elephants get?
3. How old are elephants known to get?
4. Find out about elephants endangered status. What issues relate to their decreasing numbers.
Create a poster about your findings.

History – Dan called the other tribe the “axis of evil” and the “evil empire”. What historical references is he making?

Critical Thinking - Independence is usually seen as a positive characteristic but when G.C. goes missing the other tribe mates see his independence as a negative trait. When is independence seen as a positive when is it a negative.

Physical Education - Create a simple obstacle course. Blind fold a friend and lead them through the obstacle course using just your voice. Switch positions. (Be very safety conscious when you set up your course)

Critical Thinking – do you think Jeff alters the outcome of the game through the choice of his questions at tribal council? Why or Why not? Do you think this is fair?


If you are as big of a Survivor fan as my DD, you may want this to help you along with your research.

Survivor - Gabon - Unit Study - Episode 4

Vocabulary – Rank, Confidence, Contributor

Oral conversation - The contestants participate in a ranking challenge. Using picture cut outs from the Survivor website, create your own rankings of the two tribes. How is your ranking the same and / or different from the ranking of the tribes on the show? Explain your choices to someone.

Bible - Matthew 19:30 says, “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” How might this scripture be applied to this challenge in the game? What do you think it means in life?

Critical Thinking - If you were to put together the ultimate tribe, given the players in the game, who would you have chosen?

Critical Thinking - Think about how it feels to be picked first and last. Design a way of picking people that does not inflate or deflate people’s egos.

Morals & Ethics - Winning, Trying, Dominating, Giving Up. Rank these words in importance. Explain your choice to someone.

Survivor - Gabon - Unit Study - Episode 3

Vocabulary
Idol
Strategy

Photography / Storytelling – The producers of Survivor constantly uses symbolism in their film edits i.e. a snake or a spider eating a fly. Choose one and explain the meaning.

Arts & Crafts – In Survivor tradition, eventually there will be an individual immunity idol. Using the information that you have amassed about Gabon, create a potential immunity idol.

Math – The immunity challenge involved a math problem. See if you can solve it yourself. “The sum of both end values equals the sum of the middle two, the last is equal to the second minus the third and is one less than its neighbor.” The numbers are 1,2,4,5,6,7. Watch the clip, http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/video/video.php?cid=834167134&pid=it9TiKBc_LWzcEWzw92X8T8riBm1Xxgv&play=true&cc=86 to find the answer.

Survivor - Gabon - Unit study - Episode 1

Ok, I finally had time to watch the entire Survivor episode 1 (If you did not catch it on Thursday, find it on On Demand or at http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/. Here are some ideas to begin creating a unit around the show. I would start with my entry on September 25th, so that you have a little understanding about the location. Then you can begin with some of these ideas:

Careers – Each candidate comes with their own experiences and careers. Listen to all of their jobs. Which job would you like and why? What jobs do you think will help them survive?

Prediction – Having been introduced to everyone, who do you think will be the sole survivor? Why?

Bible –
1. Jeff calls Gabon “Earth’s last Eden”. To what is he referring? Why do you think he makes this comparison?
2. Jeff talks about fire being life. Where else have you seen this correlation?

Government – In Gabon elders are respected as leaders. Why do think this is? In the history of your country, has this idea of elders being leaders been a tradition? Explain.
For those that are in the US, how did our founding fathers ensure that we would follow our elders?

Opinion –
1. What would you consider essentials for survival?
2. In the race for individual immunity or food, which would you have chosen? Would you have turned around to help your other teammates up the hill?
3. What characteristics help a survivor? What characteristics hinder a survivor? Add to these lists throughout the course of the program.

Action –
1. Try to create a hut / shelter in your own backyard. If you don’t have a backyard, create one in your house.
2. With parental supervision, try lighting a fire with two sticks, with a bow, or with flint.
3. Ace had his tribe practice Yoga before the challenge. Learn at least 5 Yoga positions.
4. Puzzles are always a big part of survivor. Try to solve a Tower of Hanoi puzzle.
5. Tree mail and exile hints are often written in riddles. Visit Squigly’s House and try to solve some riddles of your own.
6. Create a map to a hidden treasure. See if someone else can follow it and find what you have hidden.

Science –
1. Elephants are a help and a hindrance. How? What dangers do elephants pose?
2. In the challenge, the contestants have to march through a leech filled swamp. What is a leech? Find out how leeches were once used in medical treatments.
3. The show depicts many different indigenous animals. Identify at least 5 throughout the course of the show. Create a poster that tells about these animals.
4. Hindsight is 20/20. Create a field journal that the survivors would have appreciated at the beginning of their experience. Throughout the course of the show compile a journal that teaches contestants important information and skills that would have helped them to be the sole survivor.

Math – If every contestant’s name was put in the pot to be pulled, what would be the likelihood of any one survivor would be picked out. What increases the odds of having your name in the pot? What decreases it?

Vocabulary – Look up the definitions of the following words. Practice spelling them correctly.
Immunity
Exile
Pedestal
Alliance
Analytical

Come back next week to see what I come up with for episode 2. If you have any additional ideas, please add comments.

A Study Guide to Survivor - The Beginning Season 17: Episode 1

Our homeschooling will take an interesting turn starting today: Survivor, the show has started. Unfortunately, we were all busy tonight and did not see the whole show, but even in the few minutes we had the show on, a fun fact came up. DS said, “Oh, I’m glad I’m not there right now.” They were showing one of the contestants sitting on the edge of the water with a hippo nearby. DS knows that interestingly hippos are very dangerous and have been recorded as killing humans. He also knows from one our visits at a zoo that Hippos projectile poop and spread it even farther by flipping their tail (there are various YouTube videos to show this phenomena if you are interested – you can’t quite get the full effect because you miss the beautiful scent, but I’m sure you can imagine.).

This will be just the beginning of our exploration. We will have to find Gabon in Africa and research the culture, habitat, animals, etc. Maybe we’ll have to create a little study guide for the season. I’m sure DD would volunteer for that job.

You could always start with some geography games placing African nations in there right locations on Sheppard Software.
You could listen to music from Gabon.
You can color in the Gabon flag.
Perhaps you could even have the kids pretend that you are going to travel to Gabon and ask them to find out about currency, language, weather, etc.

I did not get an opportunity to really see the whole episode, so when I do perhaps I can add some more ideas. In the meantime, you may want to check out their website.

Some people may not feel that Survivor is appropriate for young children. My DD has watched it since the first episode and yes there were a few uncomfortable issues, but we have always watched it as a family and discussed things that we agreed with in the show and things that we didn’t. We have been able to have many interesting ethical discussions and a few conversations about the difference between real life and cyber life. Fortunately, the advent of On Demand and the internet has helped alleviate some of DD’s stress over choosing tv over real life. Now I try to use her tv addiction to encourage learning. II also find it to be a great behavioral persuader. There is nothing that gets DD to rethink her behavior faster than the threat of loosing tv privledges on the night of Survivor.

If your child is like DD, let’s ban together and come up with some activities that can expand their learning while they follow their interests.

Unit Study - Dear America: A Line in the Sand

Dear America – A Line in the Sand: The Alamo Diary of Lucinda Lawrence (Gonzales, Texas 1836)
By Sherry Garland
Age: 11-14

Additional Reading:
Illustrated Alamo 1836: A Photographic Journey by Mark Lemon, Craig r. Covner
The Alamo by Tamara L. Britton
Remember the Alamo: Texians, Tejanos, and Mexicans Tell Their Stories by Paul Robert Walker
Alamo: An Interactive History Adventure by Amie J. Leavitt, Mickie Ross

For adults to read along:
Three Roads to the Alamo: The Lives and Fortunes of David Crockett, James Bowie, and William Barret Travis by William C. Davis

Field Trips:
The Alamo – San Antonio, TX
Goliad State Park & Historic Site – Goliad, TX
Town of Gonzales – Gonzales, TX
Sam Houston Memorial Museum – Huntsville, TX
Crockett Tavern Museum – Morristown,TN
Pioneer Farms – Austin, TX

Video:
The Alamo – DVD
PBS: American Experience: Remember the Alamo
Discovery Channel: The Alamo: The Five Hours that Changed History

Websites:
http://www.thealamo.org/main.html - The official website of the Alamo
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/alamo/index.html - The PBS site laying out the film and related historical information. Includes teacher lesson plans, maps, and timelines.
http://www.shsu.edu/~smm_www/index.html - Includes recipes, info on Texan Flags, and pictures from the time period.
http://www.geocities.com/the_tarins@sbcglobal.net/adp/archives/archives.html An extensive history of the mission itself. Include maps, lesson ideas, and lots of detailed history.
http://military.discovery.com/video/alamo.html Video Clips about the Alamo and some of the more famous men lost there.
http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/ Learn not just about the Alamo, but the entire history that built Cinda’s state.

Vocabulary:

Ruckus (9/9)
Democracy (9/6 – later)
Delirium (9/20)
Dissidents (9/20)
Dictator (9/22)
Grievances (9/22)
Dragoons (9/30)
Ford (9/30)
Fandango (10/2)
Presidio (10/6)
Premonitions (10/27)
Ornery (11/15)
Cahoots (11/15)
Morale (12/3)
Harboring (12/6)
Forlorn (12/23)
Puncheon (12/24)
Churned (2/1)
Joshing (2/4)
Adobe (2/8 – later)
Garrisoned (3/6)
Palisades (3/6)
Sacristy (3/13)

Arts & Crafts:
-There is a brawl over a whittling knife. Learn knife safety and try whittling something yourself. (If you are not comfortable with your children using a jackknife, try using a plastic knife and either a bar of soap or a bar of canning wax). (9/10)
-Make homemade soap.
-Try your hand at creating a braided rug (12/24)
-“Mama started a new quilt. She let (Lucinda) choose the color for the border.” Draw and plan out a quilt. Depending on your interest and talent create your imagination. Create it with cut out paper, perhaps create just one square of your plan, or if you are really daring, create your entire quilt.
-See if you can find a farm, yarn store, or museum that cards and spins fibers. Visit and see how it is done. See if you can help with part of the process.

Writing:
-Lucinda says on September 15th that her biggest fears are Comanche raids, rattlesnakes, and black widow spiders. Do a little research on each. Which of these would be your biggest fear and why? Be sure to support your position.
-Lucinda read an editorial bout how cruel Santa Anna is. What is the difference between an editorial and a regular newspaper article? Read the editorial page of your newspaper for a week. Choose one of the editorials to respond to. Write a letter to the editor about it.
-On January 6th, there is a conversation between two neighbors, Wilis, and Papa in which one of the neighbors said that they are going to move back to the states. “I’ve got no business fighting in a war. Why, I’ve got a wife and six children. What would they do if I got kilt?” Willis stood up suddenly and says right to the main’s face, “Well, if something ain’t worth fighting and dying for, then I say it ain’t worth having.” He stomped off. Papa says, “Was I ever that young?” the neighbor says, “IF wars were lift up to old codger like me and you, Aaron, I reckon armies would be put out of business.” Take either Aaron and Papa’s side or Willis’. Who do you think is correct and why? Write a persuasive essay to convince others of your opinion.
-Cinda compares the Mexicans march on the Alamo to David and Goliath. Reread the story of David and Goliath in the Bible. Decide if this is a reasonable comparison. Write an essay to show the similarities or differences.
-On December 6th, Cinda’s family finds out that San Antonio is being overrun. The family fears for Uncle Isaac’s family. Cinda tells Green that Uncle Isaac will put up a sign to that their house will not get attacked. She wishes that she could believe her own lie. Is lying ever ok? If so, when and why? If not, explain why not.
-On December 20th, Mittie and Cinda discussed what to give their families for Christmas given the many shortages. Reread this entry. Write an entry in your diary about all the things that you are thankful for.

English:
-Cinda memorized a sonnet as they worked on school work trying to pass the time as the Mexican’s invaded their town. Find out what defines a sonnet. Then choose one. Memorize it and recite it.
-On December 18th, Lemuel brought home a black crow. Cinda is concerned that maybe this is a bad omen. Does this foreshadow what is to come? What other foreshadowing did you notice in the book?

History:
-Research one of the following people and introduce him / her to others through either a power point presentation, a character monologue, or a traditional report:

General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Stephen F. Austin
William Travis
Davy Crockett
Sam Houston
Col. Burleson
Ben Milam
General Cos


-Comanche Indians are mentioned several times in the book. Where was the Comanche territory as compared to Gonzales and the Alamo? Find out about the nation’s traditions and culture. Share what you found with others.
-Find a picture of the “Come and Take It” Flag. What did this flag stand for?
-The Alamo was once a mission. Find out what a mission is. Create a model of the Alamo.
Cinda was very excited about having mistletoe above her doorway for Christmas. Research the tradition of mistletoe. Where does it originate from?

Government:
-Lucinda’s father is frustrated by reports that Santa Anna wants the people of Gonzales to turn over their disabled 6 lbs cannon. He says, “ This is the beginning of the disarming of the colonies. If we give up the cannon, next thing you know, Santa Anna will want our hunting rifles, then our pistols, then our Bowie knives, then our whittling knives.” Why does this bother him? How does this relate to the 2nd amendment of the US Constitution?
Extra Credit: Find out where the term Bowie knife comes from.

Science/Technology:
-Lucinda’s family picks cotton. Find out about the cotton plant. What part do they use to make clothe? Make a thumbnail board (picture board) that describes the process.
-Mr. Roe died of smallpox, as did some of Cinda’s cousins in Nachitoches, LA. Research smallpox. What are the symptoms, causes, cure,etc?
-On December 18th, Lemuel brought a black crow home with a broken wind and cared for it. Find an animal rehabilitation hospital near you. Arrange a tour to see the work that they do.

Cooking:
-Due to the war, food was very scarce for Lucinda’s family. Much of what they ate they had scavenged for. Plan to go pick food at a local orchard. Cook something with the food you picked.
-On November 5th, there is a very descriptive passage about cutting apart a pig for food. Look in a cookbook to find all the different meat that can be cut from one animal. What are the differences in the cuts of meat? What should you consider when you choose a cut of meat?

Geography:
-On a blackline map of Texas, mark at least five town locations and two rivers that exist in the book.

Music:
-Listen to some fiddle playing. Imagine that Davey Crocket is playing for you.

Physical Fitness:
-Find a pair of castanets. Try playing them and dancing to some Mexican music.
-Several dances are mentioned in the book: the Virginia reel, the cotillion, the waltz, and the polka. Learn one and perform it for others.

Mission / Action:
-The Volunteers were often stealing from the townspeople because they were so hungry. Hunger is still a problem today for many reasons. Research hunger in the world today. Find a way to help and do it.

Unit Study - Eleanor Roosevelt

Please note that this unit study has more activities than are necessary to complete a study of Eleanor Roosevelt. Please pick and choose activities to meet your needs and interests.

Ages – 12-16

Quotation: “If anyone were to ask me what I want out of life I would say – the opportunity for doing something useful, for in no other way, I am convinced can true happiness be attained” Eleanor Roosevelt

Scripture: ”For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. “ Matthew 25:35-36 (KJV)


Books & Periodicals
Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman
Who was Eleanor Roosevelt? By Gare Thompson

Cobblestone Magazine’s Eleanor Roosevelt edition – The teachers guide to this edition can be found at http://www.cobblestonepub.com/resources/cob8611t.html
Time for Life : Eleanor Roosevelt: First Lady of the World

Field Trips
* Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum – Hyde Park, NY
* Arthurdale, WV – the first “New Deal” Homestead Community - http://arthurdalewv.org/
* National First Ladies Library – Canton, OH
* The White House – Washington, DC – special arrangements need to be made well in advance of your trip
* Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Memorial – Washington, DC

Writing Topics:
* How do you think Eleanor’s life may have been different if she had lived today?
* Even Eleanor was concerned about appearance. If you could be beautiful / handsome or smart, which would you choose and why?
* When her husband, as a NY senator, originally came out for the women’s suffragist movement, Eleanor was shocked, “ for I took for granted that men were superior creatures”. Later in her life, she was a staunch supporter of the suffragist movement. What do you account for the change in her position?
* Eleanor Roosevelt is famous for her response to a questioner at one of her public appearances. “Do you think your husband’s illness has affected his mentality?” “I am glad you asked that question. The answer is Yes. Anyone who has gone through great suffering is bound to have greater sympathy and understanding of the problems of mankind.” Do you agree with her assessment? Why or why not? Give specific examples.

History:
* Eleanor’s lineage can be followed back to the foundations of New York itself and to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Do some of your own research about your family. Try to trace your lineage back as far as you can. You may find http://www.rootsweb.com/ & http://www.familysearch.org/ helpful. Ancestry.com is a wonderful resource but it comes at a cost.
* Eleanor’s uncle, Theodore, became President himself. Find at least five things that Theodore’s presidency is known for.
* After Eleanor “came out”, she was enrolled in the Junior League. Find out what the Junior League organization is and what it stands for.
* When Eleanor joined the Consumers League, she became more engaged with issues of the common people. She was appalled when she was introduced to sweatshops and saw child labor for the first time. Do some research about child labor. How was child labor halted in this country? Where is child labor still an issue? Find out how you may help end child labor worldwide.
* Eleanor and Franklin were married on March 17, 1905, St. Patrick’s Day. Find out the history of St. Patrick’s Day.
Read the US’s Declaration of War for WWI on April 6, 1917.
* “What hopes we had that this League would prove the instrument for prevention of future wars,” Eleanor wrote. What is the League of Nations? Does it do what Eleanor and others hoped? * Create a two sided time line, comparing Eleanor and Franklin’s life (put one on each side).
* Choose one of these components of the Great Depression:
- Hoovervilles
- Black Monday
- New Deal
Research and report your findings.
* Eleanor served as a UN delegate after her husband’s death. In fact she was elected chair of the Human Rights Commission. What does this mean? What affect did she have?

Language:
* Eleanor learned French from her nurse and actually spoke French before she spoke English. Learn to count to ten in French and a few other helpful phrases.

Science:
* Anna, Eleanor’s mother, contracted diphtheria after and operation and died at 29 years old. Her brother, Ellie, died of it also. What are the symptoms, cause, and cure of this disease?
* Polio, infantile paralysis, struck Franklin Roosevelt in 1921 and was a major health concern for all Americans at the time. Polio is now considered eradicated from the US. Read about childhood immunizations. What other diseases have we warded off through immunizations? What are the world issues related to childhood immunizations?

Literature:
* Eleanor’s father was an alcoholic who fought with boughts of depression. For many years, he was even banned from living with his children. Still Eleanor had a deep need to please him. Eleanor once memorized and recited Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s "The Song of Hiawatha". Read the poem. Memorize a portion and perform it.
* When Eleanor was attending the private school Allenswood, one of the headmistress, Mademoiselle Souvestre, occasionally invited students back to her study to read poems and stories or to discuss current events. In this standard, invite a couple of your friends over to recreate such a poetry reading. Invite each attendee to be prepared to read at least two poems out loud. The poetry can be original or one that is already published.
* Eleanor was an author herself. She wrote for many newspapers and magazines. Indeed she even authored her own syndicated column called “My Day”. Read at least three articles penned by Eleanor. Write a critic of her writings.

Economics:
* Compare today to the 1940’s. Find the prices of at least 5 staples (bread, milk, eggs, etc), an average house, and an average salary back then and today.

Geography:
* Print out a blackline map of the world. As you read about Eleanor’s travels, color in the country on the map (Be sure to find a world map from the time period).
* As Eleanor pushed for women’s rights, she held a woman’s only press conference and flew with women pilot, Amelia Earhart. Use a map to calculate how many miles they flew together from DC to Baltimore.
* In her later life, Eleanor traveled worldwide to places like India, Israel, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Iran, Turkey, and Morocco. Choose one of these countries and create a travel brochure that might entice others to visit these places.

Music:
* Eleanor Roosevelt resigned her membership to the Daughters of the American Revolution when they refused to let Marian Anderson sing at their Constitution Hall in DC. Listen to Marian Anderson’s music.

Public Speaking:
* Eleanor Roosevelt became a very popular public speaker. She hired vocal coaches to help her with the pitch and tremble of her voice. What made her a good speaker was her passion for her subject matter. Research a subject that matters to you. Give an oral presentation persuading people to action on your cause.
* Eleanor’s uncle was Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. Research his Presidency. Pretend to give a press conference on one of the important issues of his Presidency. Be prepared for questions from the press.

Arts & Crafts:
* Eleanor Roosevelt was listed in “the 10 Most Powerful People in Washington” by political commentator, Raymond Clapper. Who do you think the 10 most powerful people in the world are? Create a poster that represents your opinion.
* Find out about fashions of the time period. Create an Eleanor Roosevelt paper doll and show at least three outfits that she may have worn.

Computer Skills:
* Create a power point presentation summarizing al that you have learned. Introduce someone else to Eleanor Roosevelt.

Vocabulary:
* Eleanor lived through both the 1st and 2nd World Wars. Relationships between countries were in flux. Different countries ran their governments in different ways. Look up the following words. Write their definition.

Totalitarianism
Socialism
Fascist
Democratic
Republic
Imperial
Pacifist
Neutrality

Project:
* Eleanor and two of her friends bout a private girl’s school in New York. Eleanor taught American History & English Literature. If you could design your own private school, what would it be like? Be creative. Present your school model in any format you wish. Think about the campus, the faculty, the courses, and the student body.

Missions / Action:
* Eleanor often visited military hospitals to improve moral. Follow in her footsteps. Arrange to visit with patients at a VA hospital.
* Eleanor often worried about people less fortunate than herself. Volunteer to serve at a local soup kitchen.

See Website Wednesday - Eleanor Roosevelt for related websites.

A Literature Unit Study - World War II

Literature Unit Study
Book: Dear America Series: My Secret War: The World War II Diary of Madeline Beck (Long Island, NY 1941) By Mary Pope Osbourne

Grade Level: 5-8

As this is a diary, entries are made by date. I have attempted to notate relateable sections of the diary to the activities recommended. By no means is this list of possible activities meant to be done 100%, instead it should be large and varied enough to allow families to choose activities that interest and best suit their needs.

WRITING

- Mr. O’Malley quoted from a newspaper column written by Eleanor Roosevelt. “Mrs Roosevelt wants all Americans to ‘pledge to be a little thoughtful every day about the meaning of freedom.’” Think about what freedom means to you. Find a way to express your thoughts to others. Write a poem, song, or story to express yourself. Share your expression. (12-5-41)
- Write and perform a radio script that may have been heard by Madeline and Johnny.
Maddie writes quite a bit to her father, but on April 4th, 1942, she laments “But then I haven’t written him in a while, either. I have to buckle down . . .” Is there someone that you should write a letter to? Sit down and write them a note. (4-4-42)
- Choose your favorite character in the book with the exception of the main character Maddie. Write three diary entries from their perspective.

READING
Choose one of the following:
- Franklin Roosevelt
- Eleanor Roosevelt
- Tojo – the Premier of Japan
- Mary Pope Osbourne, the author
Read biographical information about one of these people. Share what your found.

HISTORY
- Create a timeline of Madeline Beck’s life as portrayed in her diary. Make at least 10 entries. Research WWII. Add at least five more entries to your timeline that are not mentioned in the book.
- Make a poster that shows and explains the differences (appearance and usage) of an aircraft carrier, battleship, cruiser, destroyer, submarine and German u-boat (10-19-41 & 12-29-41)
President Roosevelt proclaims a National Day of Prayer on 1-1-42. What does this mean? When else has a National Day of Prayer been proclaimed?
- Make a list of the allied and axis countries of WWII. (1-1-42)
- Find out who Rosie the Riveter is. Write a compare and contrast report about her vs. the women of today. (1-28-42)
- Maddie believes she met the Germans on Long Island. Find a newspaper article from the time period that relates to the Germans breaching our shores. (6-12-42)
- Research one battle of World War II. Create a model to show what occurred.
- Research the ranks in the military. Write them in ascending order.

GEOGRAPHY
This book is sprinkled with locations of the war and other important events. Find a map (be sure that you have one that is accurate for the 1940’s) and locate the following places (notated by the underlined word):
-Dad’s ship leaves from San Francisco (9-29-41)
-Mrs. Rosenthal & Clara are refugees from Germany (10-11-41)
-US Navy delivered war material to Russia and Great Britain (10-14-41)
-Hitler’s army was in: Austria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. (10-20-41)
-Her father has been located in California, New Hampshire, Virginia, Florida, Panama, and Far Rockaway. (10-20-41)
-Is Dad going to fight in the Pacific? (11-9-42)
-Theo told Madeline to “keep an eye on Japan.” (11-24-41)
-The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor. (12-7-41)
-Mussolini of Italy declares war on the US. (12-11-41)
-Manila, the capitol of the Philippines, fell to the Japanese. (1-6-42)
-The Japanese had taken over Wake Island, Guam, and Hong Kong (1-9-42)
-The Japanese troops attacked Bataan – (3-26-42)
-Johnny added more Japanese flags to his map: Papua and New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Burma and all of Borneo. (4-2-42)
-Maddie and her mother plan a train trip from New York City to Chicago and then finally to San Francisco. (7-22-42)

ARTS & CRAFTS
- Madaline is touched by Eleanor Roosevelt words, “You are going to have a great opportunity. There will be high moments in which your strength and ability will be tested. I have faith in you.” This quote so inspires her that she writes it down and posts it on her wall.
- Create a poster of your favorite inspiration quote and post it up. (12-8-41)
- Sew a dress for a doll or for yourself (12-18-41)
- Maddie and Johnny decided that they should make special insignias for people that help in the war effort. Create special awards or cards to give to people in your community that help others and deliver them. (2-22-1942)
- Learn about a victory garden (3-7-1942). Plant your own victory garden. If you are short on space or it is winter consider a container garden or spice garden.
Draw, paint, or sculpt a character or setting from the book using the descriptions found in the book.

PHYSICAL EXERCISE –
- The K3F club puts together a calisthenics program. Research calisthenics and create a program for yourself. Follow it for 1 week. (4-1-42)
- Maddie recounts a recital where she forgot all the planned steps and just danced as she pleased. She said she felt like a wind chime. Choose a piece of music and create a dance of your own. Perform it for someone else. (4-4-1942)

VOCABULARY – Look up each of the following words and be sure that you understand what they mean. Write a sentence using each of the words. As this is a long list, you may want to break it into several sections depending on how long you are planning to spend on the unit study.

Exploratory (11-14-41)
Maneuvers (11-14-41)
Negotiations (11-28-41)
Envoy (11-29-41)
Ominous (12-3-41)
Declarations (12-8-41)
Sabotage (12-8-41)
Inspirational (12-8-41)
Infamy (12-9-41)
Premeditated (12-9-41)
Coincidence (2-2-42)
Censored (12-13-41)
Infantile (12-21-41)
Alliance (1-1-42)
Rendezvous (1-1-42)
Periscope (1-18-42
Sympathizers (3-3-42)
Arsenals (3-4-42)
Calisthenics (4-1-42)
Munitions (4-14-42)
Resignation (5-19-42)
Waylay (6-21-42)
Saboteur (6-21-42 – later)
Theoretical (6-23-1942 – later)
Recuperating (6-28-42)


- Explain what Theo meant by her description of Hitler as a “deadly microbe” (12-12-41)

AUDITORY
Pick one of the following songs to listen to:
Freddy Martin and his Orchestra – “To Each his own”
Harry James Orchestra – “You Made Me Love You”
Bing Crosby – “Junk Ain’t No Junk No More” (4-21-42)

Choose one of the following:
- a World War II veteran
- a emigrant from another country
- a refugee from another country
Attend a speech given by one of the people in these categories or arrange for a personal interview. You may be surprised to find people from these categories in your very own family.

VISUAL
Choose one of the following movies and watch it:
Citizen Kane (10-18-41)
Pearl Harbor (12-7-41) – NOTE: This is rated R, but due primarily to the violence which is a reality of war. I would suggest that you watch it first to decide if it is appropriate for your children.
Molly : An American Girl on the Home Front

COOKING
_ Cook and serve a Thanksgiving Dinner. Be sure to share all that you are thankful for (11-27-41)
- Blackouts were scary, but the crew at the Mansion-by-the-Sea were comforted by Mrs. Hawkins Blueberry Pie. Find a good recipe and bake a Blueberry Pie (4-24-42)
-Due to the war rationing, sugar was hard to come by. Therefore, Mom had to make a sugarless desert called a “war recipe”. The recipe is in the back of the book. Bake it and try it. How does it compare to what you are used to? What did the recipe use in lieu of sugar for its sweetness? (5-17-42)

LANGUAGE
- Mrs. Rosenthal sometimes “talks to herself in German”. Learn to count to ten in German and at least 5 other helpful phrases (i.e. hello, goodbye, thank you) (11-11-41)
- Create a code letter like Johnny and Maddie did. See if someone else can “read” it. (1-16-42)

CULTURE / RELIGION
- Maddie is very surprised on her 10-25-41 entry to find out that Clara and her mother are Jewish. If you are not Jewish, try to find someone who is to discuss the similarities and difference in your beliefs. If you are Jewish, find a Christian to compare and contrast with.

BIBLE
- Mom reprimands Madeline for not being charitable and thinking of the sacrifice of others. Find two scriptures that Mom could have used in her argument. (10-11-41)
- Johnny and Maddie decide not to tell anyone about their part in the solving the crime. Maddie writes “Isn’t that what you learn in church – Do good works for their own sake and not for a reward?” To what scriptures might she be referring? (7-9-42)

MISSION / ACTION
- There are many times in the book when Maddie, her mother, and the K3F club give of their time. Fin a worthy cause that you can help. Either raise money to donate to the cause or find a way that you can donate your time to them.
- Johnny and Maddie came up with a motto for their club: “Victory does not come without a price”. Learn about what a motto is and create a motto for your homeschooling group. They also choose a “guiding light” quotation. Find a quote or scripture that your family can use. (2-13-1942 – Later).

POSSIBLE FIELD TRIPS
Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial – Hawaii
WWII National Monument – Washington DC
The National WWII museum – New Orleans, LA
Wright Museum – America at War – 1939-1945 – The Home Front – Wolfboro, NH
National WASP WWII Museum– Sweetwater, TX (WASP means Women Service Airforce Pilots)
Eldred WWII Museum – Eldred, PA

RELATED READING
Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Fence Away from Freedom: Japanese Americans & World War II by Ellen Levine – 1st hand accounts of youth and teenagers who endured internment camps during WWII.
Eleanor Roosevelt – A Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman – A Newberry Honor Book.
The Moved-Outers by Florence Crannel Means – a Newberry Honor Roll Book about the Japanese Interment camps during WWII
Journey to Topaz by Yoshiko Uchida
Any of Molly books from American Girl

Website Wednesday - The Titanic

Today, DD and I went to see the Titanic exhibit at the XL center, so I will make our first edition of Website Wednesday be about the Titanic:

http://www.titanic-online.com/
RMS Titanic, Inc - Has the schedule for the exhibit that we went to see and other information about the exhibition pieces and conservation process. Unfortunately, you have to register to activate some of the content. Although we did enjoy the exhibit, I felt that it was overpriced (even with a coupon that the nice lady in front of us gave to us) and had expected it to be more hands on, based on the description that I had read.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/previous_seasons/case_titanic/index.html
PBS – Secrets of the Dead – This website looks at the sinking from a completely different perspective. It explores the identification process of the over 300 bodies that were recovered after the sinking. After reading the article, be sure to visit the interactive which allows you to try to forensically identify one of the passengers.

http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist5/dodge.html
Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco - A great series of articles from the time of the Titanic’s sinking.

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/8059/main.htm
Brett’s RMS Titanic Web Page - Not the most technologically advanced website, but full of information, statistics, and pictures.

http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=mini_home&mini_id=1067
Titanic – History.com - Site includes video interviews with survivors, survey the site of the sunken ship, read primary source paperwork from the Titanic, find biographies of some of the passengers, and explore interactive about the making, passage, and sinking of the “unsinkable” Titanic”.

http://www.immersionpresents.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=4&Itemid=11
Immersion Presents - Titanic Live - This site is too cool for words – let your child read interviews with Dr. Ballard, scour through pictures and interviews, AND MAKE THEIR OWN TITANIC MOVIE!

Here are some websites that have unit study ideas for the Titanic:

* http://www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/units/titanic.htm
* http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SmallWorld/69044/
* http://www.rmstitanic.net/index.php4?page=422 - not quite a unit study but some great “classroom” ideas
* http://content.scholastic.com/browse/unitplan.jsp?id=89


DD recommends the following book about the Titanic: