History Party

The History curriculum I do with my kids is 4 books, about 1 year for each book.  We finished book 3 so I told the kids we would do a History Party!  We would have a full day of activities related to the history we had just studied.

I had a whole list of activities: cooking, crafts, songs, puzzles.  The kids were so excited and so was I!  It really was the whole day, that we learned more about standardization, Edward Jennings and smallpox vaccination, the Star Spangled Banner, Napoleon, Mexican Independence, the Maori and the Zulu, the Treaty of Waitangi and more.  These were the favorites:

 A shoebox pinata representing the Mexican flag and the year they got independence.  I couldn't find ethnic treats to put inside, so I just bought red, white and green stuff! (good thing it's Christmas time!)  The kids were AMAZED at my awesome tissue paper-on-the-end-of-the-pencil-dipped-in-glue abilities!  They all had to give it a try!  I have to admit it was very fun to do, very relaxing, and a very fulfilling end product!

 We face painted to be like the Maori people.  Each color and line has a meaning.  Ours were very interesting meanings!  Isaac wore his paint all day and night.  In the morning I found paint on his sheet. :)

And the all time favorite, the Lewis and Clark Adventure Journals!  Steven declared it 'the best day of his life' while hugging his finished journal!  We made them by sewing copy paper in the center fold and then into a piece of cardboard.  Then we hot glued this burlap-y fabric on and glued on leather ties and decor.   The kids have taken them in the car, to church, and all around documenting their adventures just like Lewis and Clark!

It was a lot of fun and they surprised me by how much they had learned and remembered about the history.  I've learned lots too -- one of the best things about homeschool!