Read the World Summer Book Club
North America Week
We spent the week learning a little more about our home continent this month with the Read the World Summer Book Club.
We are learning so much about the world through books.
“Give Your Child the World,” a globally minded treasury of children’s books, by Jamie of www.simplehomeschool.net is the perfect resource for joining the Read the World Summer Book Club.
1. Inviting the World Into Our Home
Give Your Child the World encourages families to invite the world into our homes in variety of ways.
- During the multicultural week, we collected a globe and new maps (including a shower curtain map) to add a global touch to our home decor.
- During Africa week, I shared photographs and memories with my family.
- Last week we explored Europe and started using all those maps we had collected.
This week we concentrated on “Turn Your Travels, Near or Far, into a Learning Opportunity.”
We had an unexpected travel event due to the passing of a family member in North Carolina. We made a point of reading maps, state arrival signs, and exploring the new city. Our favorite was a playground that Daddy had played on when he was their age.
We had a blast learning about the town where Daddy grew up and we saved lots of pictures, so the kids can start their very own journal, documenting all their travels. They’re already looking forward to future travels including an upcoming trip to see their Uncle M and Auntie D get married!
Our family has committed to incorporating one of Jamie’s ideas for practical ways to invite the world into our home each week of the book club. The kids are excited to start documenting their travels, both near and far and exploring their world!
2. Reading the World: North America Week
We’ve been tracking the North America Books we’ve read from Jamie’s book on Instagram using the tags #giveyourchildtheworld and #booksbeforebreakfast
3. Creating Global Art
We made some paper dolls and painted them a variety of colors to celebrate North America as the most diverse continent.
I cut the paper dolls using directions from MaryAnn F. Kohl’s Global Art. We’ve found a ton of simple and fun ideas, mostly process art based that the kids just love!
The doll cutting was not my best representation of MaryAnn Kohl’s work, since the first attempt resulted in separated dolls and the second attempt resulted in dolls supporting two heads – whoops!
The kids didn’t mind. Owl painted my final attempt – success – minus somewhat pointed heads.
Ladybug opted to paint one of the lone paper doll people, saying, “Some people are different colors and some people are more than one color.” True enough baby doll! She later came back and helped finish the ones that Owl started, but didn’t finish and we hung those on the door. She is especially proud of the blue one with red polka dots 🙂
4. Bringing the World To Our Table
We made and devoured this AMAZING marinade chicken recommended by Jamie of Simple Home School. This is another dazzling recipe from Sasha at Global Table Adventure. This recipe is so simple. Add garlic, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup to a bag, mix it up, add the chicken, and grill or bake. Soooo good! I am officially a fan and have added her cookbook – “Life From Scratch” to my list of must reads!
You’ll notice we resurrected the brussel sprouts from Europe week! Soooo good 🙂
5. Exploring the Globe
North America is a continent that enjoys hitting a ball with a stick. Since, we are fresh out of ice this time of year, hockey was a no go. Baseball, America’s favorite past time was an easy and well-loved alternative! My daughter is actually quite good at hitting the ball! My son is a happy little umpire and outfielder. We had a blast!
No, I have no idea how he’s calling balls and strikes with his eyes closed. LOL
6. Singing Around the World
The Olympics are coming soon and I thought it would be fun to make sure the kids were able to recognize the national anthems of the countries of North America.
So we found You Tube recordings for our home, the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
1. United States National Anthem
PS Did you know the poem has four stanzas, but only the first is commonly sung?
2. Canada National Anthem
3. Mexico National Anthem
7. Joining the World in Prayer
North America is often hailed as one of the most prosperous parts of the world; however, our peoples also suffer poverty, homelessness, hunger, and abuse. Children, elderly, and those with mental illness are often the most at risk. This week our family prayed for all those within our continent’s borders that are not able to help themselves.
“Dear Lord, please help those who can not help themselves.”
We are having an amazing time learning more about the world through the Read the World Summer Book Club!
Want to join us? You can find all the details about the club on Simple Home School!
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, add the tag #giveyourchildtheworld, and share in the fun!
Happy Adventures!
The image below is perfect for saving on Pinterest!
