Read the World Summer Book Club
Middle East Week
If you haven’t figured this out already, our family LOVES “Give Your Child the World,” a globally minded treasury of children’s books, by Jamie of www.simplehomeschool.net. We traveled to the Middle East this week via picture books. Most of the books we read were geared towards 6-8 years old, but my four year old was able to enjoy most of the picks and a couple of them also appealed to my two year old.
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.
- When we explored Europe we started using all those maps we had collected.
This week we concentrated on Jamie’s idea to “Start a Positivity Bean Jar.”
Jamie discusses this concept much more eloquently on Steady Mom.
We chose to collect seeds instead of beans, simply because my daughter preferred that choice. During one of our very first reads of the Read the World Summer Book Club, Ladybug was taken with the idea that in several parts of the world including in our own country, there were people including children who did not have enough to eat or keep their tummies full.
Her solution at three years old was to collect seeds from our garden outside and then the families could plant their own food and have enough to eat. Of course the world is not truly that simple, but I’m encouraged to see her looking at the situation with a positive light and searching to aid those in need.
We give the children one sunflower seed to place in their jar on the mantle each time they do something nice for someone else. This has been a game changer in a home filled with three children ages three and under……..as of August – four and under. We used Have You Filled a Bucket Today? to explain how acts of kindness could be beneficial for them and others and are enjoying watching their moral compass and sense of charity develop.
Reading the World: Middle East Week
We’ve been tracking the Middle East Books we’ve read from Jamie’s book on Instagram using the tags #giveyourchildtheworld and #booksbeforebreakfast
Creating Global Art
After perusing several online, many for weddings, we made our very own henna tattoos! Ladybug and Owl both enjoyed this activity. Ladybug is already making plans for next time. She would really like to try doing it with black henna and she would like to try creating a design on her ankle and foot.
Directions for Henna (Kook-Aid) Tattoos
- Pour 1/4-cup hot water in a bowl and add 1/4-cup cornstarch and dissolve.
- Add two packets of powdered drink mix, such as Kool-Aid, into the mixture.
- Apply with Q-tips or paintbrush.
Bringing the World To Our Table
Hummus! This was a simple and easy win for our busy family this week.
Exploring the Globe
We explored the fabulous art of belly dancing and had a fabulous time! Both kids are pretty good at these dance moves. We enjoyed it so much, I think I’m going to have to add some belly dancing into our curriculum for the year.
Singing Around the World
1. Counting to Ten in Arabic
2. The Itsy Bitsy Spider in Arabic
3. The Arabic Alphabet Song
Joining the World in Prayer
The Middle East is a beautiful part of the world with amazing individuals that must often stand strong when faced daily with political and religious unrest.
“Dear Lord, please help all our global neighbors live in harmony.”
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!
