Friday, July 1, 2011

Passport 2 Adventurez


Passport 2 Adventurez:

We embarked upon a journey this week!
We took a virtual vacation over to
Italy where we learned about the
"Leaning Tower of Pisa".



We made ours from an empty Quaker Oats
 container. I trimmed the rim just a touch so
that it would lean to one side like the original.


We covered it with construction paper and a
glue stick - and went to work rolling out the
ever handy "Skulpey" clay.

First we had to locate our destination on the map.
(We also attached the map to the board with the glue stick- and put one of our
handmade "globe" push pins in it- more on those later)




We talked  bit about the history in Italy - especially Rome
- and discussed what we know about the country already.

Of course, we had to have passports to make such an epic journey.
(more on those later too)

The boys helped me pick out ingredients from food we had on hand
while we talked about Italian cuisine - and we made little pizzas for lunch.


 Our adventure wasn't over!
While I read out loud about the history of the Roman Empire-
the boys made catapults
(bought them at Michaels Craft Store for $.48 each)
I couldn't find any chariots - so at least we were able to relate
them to all the conquering done on the part of the Romans!
It kept them busy while they learned more history facts.

We colored the Italian flag- I used a template from cardboard blanks
that also came from Michaels craft store.

We listened to music and sang "Oh -So- La- Mia'" in true operetta style!
(ok- it was just silly and fun - but I bet they will remember)


We started making a paper mache' globe.

We used 1/2 glue and 1/2 water with a 1/2 cup of flour thrown in
for good measure!



It was messy- and  FUN ! 


I'm off to make some spaghetti-
If we have time we'll finish our new globe tonight!

Enjoy your weekend- Enjoy your family!



* I used books from Amazon for information on history:



                                             
  Ladybird Ln 
Smart Summer Challenge

The Homeschool Mother's Journal:



       In my life this week…     I'm focused on being grateful!
In our homeschool this week…   We are beginning
 our "Passport2Adventurez"
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…  Journey with us - I'll
be posting links and information for virtual vacations you can take!
I am inspired by…   "1000 Gifts" is the best book !!!
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… Mostly at home this week
(except our virtual adventurez- very exciting)
My favorite thing this week was…   beginning our adventurez !
What’s working/not working for us…  fighting an illness- yuck-
Questions/thoughts I have…  really want this to be a success!
Things I’m working on…  Passport 2 Adventurez- site launching soon!
I’m reading… 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp
I’m cooking…  Italian Food
I’m grateful for…  everything everything everything! (read the book)
I’m praying for…  healing from RA

17 comments:

Jen said...

fun!!! and educational :) :)

Jill said...

What a great lesson with so much fun!

Tonya said...

What a neat idea. Don't you just love Michaels? I've always been curious about homeschooling and how you get your kids to listen to you? I would find it super hard to be patient with my boys...homeschooling is not for everyone, I guess!

XOXO, Michelle said...

Holy Moly Momma! I love this. I grew up poor and my mom did stuff like this with us!!

You rock.

Real Housewife of Singapore (come visit me!)

xoxo
Paula

Unknown said...

Great activities Kelli! I am not sure why you weren't able to link up :/ I had gone ahead and added your link so that it is included. Occasionally Linkytools has issues... so that may have been to blame. Thanks for letting me know. And thanks for sharing at Sun Scholars!

:)rachel

StephF said...

Love your creativity!

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Unknown said...

OK. That is AWESOME! Seriously. I am loving every bit of it. What a good mom!!

Courtney said...

Wow - I'm inspired! Thanks for stopping by my blog and introducing yourself. I'm your newest follower now, too, and look forward to learning about more fun things to do with my boys. Happy 4th!

pink and green mama MaryLea said...

So fun! Thanks for linking up and sharing this with the Smart Summer Challenge -- Love the art projects and the papier mache!

Fondly,
pink and green mama
MaryLea

maryanne @ mama smiles said...

Your Leaning Tower of Pisa craft is fantastic!

I agree that this post could easily be tweaked to create a fun guest post on Italy for my "Exploring Geography" series! I'll send you an email with more details =)

Onlythemanager said...

You do such fun things! I wish every child had someone caring so much about their development.

Little Badgers Academy said...

Love your "Leaning Tower of Pisa". You whole lesson looks like so much fun! Great ideas!

This Farm Family's Life said...

So fun!!!

This Farm Family's Life said...

So fun!!!

OurWanderingAdventures said...

Looks fun!
We reach Italy on our Virtual Around the World Vacation next week!

New Follower.

Kimberley said...

I found your link through Owlet :)

What a brilliant virtual trip!
Where to next?

Unknown said...

I love this! My goal is to take my girls on a "trip around the world" this year. We've already adventured to Hawaii & they had a blast on their pretend trip. You have some wonderful ideas and I can't wait to see what you come up with next!