In this recap, I am going to share what we did at home for more hands-on learning related to Classical Conversations Cycle 3 Week 8: Bible, History, Geography, and Science memory work. At the end of this post, I will also share some of the favorite read-alouds we grabbed from the library this week.
Let's dive right into what we did for Week 8!
Bible:
Resource: Foundations of the Bible vol.3 | Bible Memory Songs | Hymnology Cards
We finished learning about all the Old Testament books this week! We learned about Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
My oldest has been growing in his reading skills, so we have been taking turns reading the Bible out loud together. I use the NIrV translation on my phone because it’s the lowest reading level and allows him to read out loud without getting frustrated or stuck on words. We alternate odd and even verses.
Note: This study pairs with each week of the CC optional Bible memory work, but you can go at your own pace because there is SO much to learn. You can also jump in at any time — it’s not too late. Anyone can do this study, not just CC families.
History:
Resource: Story of the World Book (Match Up List)
Activity: Color a map to identify which states were slave states and which ones were free states. Map coloring Page and Map Guideline Option 1 and Option 2
We learned about the Missouri Compromise in 1820. I couldn’t find a ton of books on this topic so I referenced the timeline card that I own. These are very handy for learning fast facts about historical events. I printed out a Missouri Compromise map (linked above) and had the kids color which states were slave states vs. free states.
Science:
Resources: Learning with Friends Year 3 Bundle | CC Connected Sandbox File
Activity: Heart pumping model
We learned about the circulatory system this week, so we made a replica of a heart to see how it pumps blood throughout the body. This was super easy! You only need 3 water bottles, 4 straws, food coloring, and playdough. I linked the video tutorial above. There is a similar activity with the Learning with Friends unit using a balloon, but I didn't have one on hand, so we had to improvise. 
Geography:
Resources: CC Sandbox Geography page | Drawing the USA | Eat Your Way Through the USA Cookbook
Activity: Make a meal from one of the states we are learning each week.
This week, we learned about Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico. The kids built a large Melissa & Doug puzzle for the states, and then we reviewed all the states by singing the CC States & Capital song (available on YouTube or iTunes).
We use the CC Sandbox geography worksheets for review. We also read a book about Texas Rangers that happened to be the same time period as our history sentence (1820). I unfortunately didn't have time this week to make a recipe for one of the states, but there's some great Tex Mex you could try!
Library Books:
As always, we grab a ton of books from the library because I love picture books. We do our read-aloud time at bedtime.
- Texas Rangers: Legendary Lawmen by Michael Spradlin (Geography) — Learn the history of key Texas Rangers that defended their citizens in the 1820s (The same time period as the Missouri Compromise took place).
- Dust for Dinner by Ann Turner (Geography) — A family lives on a farm but a terrible dust storm forces the family to flee and move to California. Based in the region our geography states cover this week. My son read this on his own and loved it so much that he read it twice.
- Organs!: How They Work, Fall Apart, and Can Be Replaced (Gasp!) by Nancy Winslow Parker (Science) — Colorful scientific drawings, surprising facts, and engaging anecdotes to explain the anatomy and function of our vital organs.
- Otis and the Tornado by Loren Long (Geography) — We read this book since many of the states we are learning about experience tornado weather. This is a sweet book of showing kindness to enemies and how they can even become friends.
- Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston (Geography) — The book traces the history of African Americans in Tulsa's Greenwood district and chronicles the devastation that occurred in 1921.
- Down the Colorado by Deborah Kogan (Geography) — This is a book I checked out from the library but haven't had a chance to read it. This is a true story about John Wesley Powell's expedition down the Colorado River and through the Grand Canyon.
YouTube: Week 8 Playlist
I created my first YouTube channel to record all the songs and hand motions I want to use with the kids. I've compiled each subject's songs into a weekly playlist. I create this primarily to help the parents in my class review the motions with their kids at home. I also think this is a great resource for other tutors to use to build their plans for the week.
If you are a parent and not tutoring, the "best practice" for CC is to let the tutor introduce the memory work in class for the first time on community day. You then review the week's memory work with your child until the next CC community day. You ideally use the methods you saw the tutor use in class at home with your child.
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