We have been using All American History by Bright Ideas Press. As I work through this with my daughter, I plan to share some of the extra resources that we have used to go along with the lessons. We have taken our time going through this unit. I had a field trip planned to go to the Cultural Center in Crandon. The Cultural Center is the Potawatomi Tribe museum. It is about 2 1/2 hours away from here. We had postponed our trip twice now. We just got hit with two feet of snow so it will be a couple weeks before we head up North. So I will have a separate post to share about the field trip.
We started out our lesson learning about Leif Erikson. We learned that he was born in Iceland. He was remembered as the first European explorer to have discovered land in North America and attempted to plant a colony. The colony didn’t work out as those who did go were chased out by the natives of that land. We learned about two possible routes that he could have taken to Vinland. We also learned that they brought back wood and grapes. The grapes were used to make wine and sold for trade.
We watched a couple videos that were on Discovery Streaming. I can’t link them for you as it is a paid subscription. Instead I can share with you some youtube links, however you will have to look at them before you let your child watch them. Just to be on the safe side.
YouTube Links:
Leif Erikson History Channel Part 1
Fast Historical Facts: Leif Erikson
Book We Read:
Leif Ericsson by Shannon Knudsen
Craft:
One last thing I did to go along with the Leif Erikson study was we made a Toilet Paper Viking.
We also learned about the longboats that were used by the Vikings. I never really knew that they were called Serpents of the Seas because of the wild animals that were carved in the front of each boat. The boats were really nice made. The boats could sail very fast and they were light enough to be carried. The boats are made out of overlapping planks of wood that are nailed together. The joints are stuffed with ropes to make the boats watertight and flexible. They also have oars at the back, in which they would use to steer. I am amazed at just how well built these ships were.
We also watched a couple videos that were on Discovery Streaming. I can’t link them for you as it is a paid subscription. Instead I can share with you some YouTube links, however you will have to look at them before you let your child watch them. Just to be on the safe side.
YouTube Links:
Vikings: Secrets of the Vikings: The Viking Longship
The Original Longships – Technology That Shaped a Culture
Building a Viking Ship
Books We Read:
Hallmarks of History: Viking Longboats by Margaret Mulvihill
Ancient and Medieval People: The Scandinavian Vikings by Louise Park and Timothy Love
Craft:
Viking Longboat
The Potawatomi Tribe has been very interesting to read about. They actually were pushed out of Michigan and in to Wisconsin and other states. The tribe means Keeper of the Fire. I am not even sure the story behind that, but I was going to ask when we went to the Cultural Center. Some of the things that we could find were 3 important tribal leaders. There was one that they talked about during the War of 1812 but he was not of the Potawatomi Tribe that I am aware of. I believe that was several tribes fighting in that war. So when we go to the cultural center we will ask. We also couldn’t find a explorer or colonist who interacted with this tribe. There was nothing specific we could find. Once again we will ask when we go to the cultural center. The tribe fished and hunted for their food. Their was wild rice, berries and nuts that were eaten as well. The language that is spoken is in the Algonquian language family. There were many different customs and that we learned about through reading. It will be interesting to find out if they still do some of them today. One thing I would like to see this summer is a pow-wow. I have never been to one. One thing I thought was fascinating was they believe in the Great Spirit and observe him in all of nature. My daughter was amazed with some of the beadwork that we saw pictures of in the books. When we go to the Cultural Center they have an interactive Wigwam for kids and their are artifacts as well as pictures to see. I was told that they would have someone ready for us and have a couple books for my daughter. So I am really excited about the museum, when we are finally able to go. We will also stop and see some of the historical markers too, that they suggest to us.
I wanted to do some basket weaving for a craft to go along with this study but I couldn’t find one I actually liked. So I am hoping to find something in the gift shop at the museum.
Books We Read:
The Library of Native Americans: The Potawatomi of Wisconsin by Damon Mayrl
The Potawatomi by Karen Bush Gibson
Websites We Used:
Forest County Potawatomi
Facts for Kids: Potawatomi Indians
The post All American History – Potawatomi Tribe and Leif Erikson appeared first on SUPER MOMMY TO THE RESCUE.
