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Friday, March 27, 2020

3/26/2020

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Encouragement for today: I have been homeschooling since my oldest son was just five years old. I’m going into my 19th year at this. There have been days along the way when life just got in the way and we would tread water for a bit. I especially remember when my mom was battling cancer, although it took us months to figure that out. I was a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom taking care of two extra toddlers, my own three boys, and often my nephew so my sister could be with my mom (she’s a nurse).
 
You know what we did on those days? The bare minimum. And I mean the bare minimum. We often would go for long walks (I had a double stroller and we lived out in the middle of the boonies with little traffic). We would go on nature scavenger hunts along the way. I would read books to them or they would read quietly. We’d watch an educational video. We’d listen to an audio book. We might do some math or writing. But really, the goal at the end of the day was to do just one thing that I could count for school.
 
Children are naturally curious. Don’t you remember the incessant “why” questions your toddler asked? They often still do that, but in other ways. This is the perfect time for your child to really explore things they are interested in. Let them dive deep into a subject they want to learn about.
 
What about learning life skills? Baking/cooking. Car repair. Landscaping. Garden planning. Taxes. All those things most schools don’t teach. You may find you have time to do that now unless you’re trying to juggle working at home along with school for your kids.
 
And if you are juggling a lot of responsibilities at home right now, let me end with this. Relationships are more important than any math worksheet ever. Use this time to build relationships. Educating your kids at this moment shouldn’t be your highest priority. It honestly should not be. Making sure your relationships are rock solid? Now that is the highest priority you should have.
 
This will be my last official lesson plan. It seems most public schools now have things in place. I will, however, continue to post daily encouragement along with free sites you can use and other ways to supplement education right now. Feel free to drop me a comment if you are looking for something specific and I will do my best to help you find a source.  

Together School
Homeschoolers of Maine is celebrating Spirit Week COVID-19 style this week!
Today is: Pajama Day – because this is the best part of homeschooling. So true!
 
Read Aloud:
Continue reading 1-2 chapters (or more) of the book you choose on Monday. See Monday’s post for a list of suggestions.
Bible (and Art):
Read Psalm 5. Read aloud. Choose one of these coloring pages to color.
VeggieTales story of Esther (because VeggieTales!)
PE: Spend time outside. Take a walk. Challenge your sibling to a race. You can also do the workout from Monday at Renovation CrossFit Kids on Instagram.
Art: McHarper Manor is offering live art classes each day. This is their video from yesterday.
Create a card for either a hospital employee or someone in a nursing home. Let them know you are thinking about them! Mail.
Music: If your child plays an instrument, make sure to have them practice for 20-30 minutes each day. IF they are in the choir, have them sing a song or two. Every other week or so, have them put on a concert for you at home.
Here is part two of the learning how to sight sing video I posted yesterday.

Elementary
Math: Continue working on math facts.
Drill sheets to print. (Do no more than 20-25 problems.)
List of free math games on Teachers Pay Teachers. Pick a different one to play today:
 
Language Arts: Continue working on reading for the younger “learning-to-read” group. You can use these books if you don’t have any easy readers at home.  
Have older kids who can read continue reading their book of choice.
Have them work on their handwriting. 
Have them work on a grammar worksheet.
Have them write a story and illustrate it. They can draw a picture and then write a story about it or tell someone else the story to write for them. Here are 55 story prompts to use.
 
Science: Do Lesson 4 from Science in the Beginning at this link.
Make sure to do the experiment and the lesson review at the end.
 
Social Studies: Let’s continue learning about presidents. Today we’ll learn about the fourth President, James Madison. Watch this video to learn more. 
Here’s another Liberty Kids video that ties into the history we’ve been learning
Print out a coloring page to work on while you watch the video.


Middle School
Math: Continue working on learning math facts.
Drill sheets to print. (Do no more than 20-25 problems.)
List of free math games on Teachers Pay Teachers. Pick another one to play today.
 
Language Arts: Choose 2-4 worksheets from this site to complete (answers included):
Continue using your writing notebook. Pick one prompt from here and write a one page story using it.
Pick a book (either from the read aloud section or from this list.) Read for at least 30 minutes. Go tell someone else about what you read today.
 
Science: Do Lesson 4 from Science in the Beginning.
Make sure to do the experiment and the lesson review at the end – do either the “older or oldest” student lesson review.
 
Social Studies: Watch Crash Course US History with John Green:
Episode 7
Episode 8
Write a short summary of each video in a notebook. 


High School
Math: Continue working on math facts Use this website to find those areas. Print 1-2 to work on today. Another option would be use Khan Academy.
 
Language Arts: Today is the day you should finish your book and your quiz. 
Choose 1-2 worksheets from this website to work on grammar.
Use your writing notebook. Pick one prompt and write a one page story using it.
 
Science:  Continue to work through the History of Science course on YouTube.
Use your science notebook and write a summary of what you have learned. Spend 20-30 minutes on this today.
 
Social Studies: Continue to work through this course on European History with this Crash Course playlist. Write a summary of what you learn in a “history” notebook.

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Wednesday, March 25, 2020

3/24/2020

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Pro-Tip: What kind of things are your children doing in their “downtime?” Are they playing outside? That’s PE. Do you make your own maple syrup? Teach them how to do it and involve them (if they are old enough). That’s science. Does your child have an older relative still alive (grandparent? Aunt? Uncle?) who lived through a historical event like 9/11 or the Vietnam War? Have them write a letter to them (that’s English/Language Arts) and ask them some questions about what they remember. Or have them ask questions about what it was like when they were little. Either option is also history. Do you have board games or card games? Play them! That’s logic and math and strategy – otherwise known as STEM. Are you cooking more like I am? Have your child help. Have them double a recipe or cut it in half. That’s math.
 
Be creative in what you consider learning. It doesn’t all happen behind a desk or with a worksheet. In fact, the most memorable moments tend to those that are out of the box and hands on.
 
Our children’s Pastor just put this challenge up on Facebook the other day. They pulled out EVERY board game/card game they own. They are playing through all of them deciding which ones to keep and which ones to get rid of once they are done. Play one game a day (and count it as school!) and you’ll add some fun memories to this school time at home. 


Together School
Together School (start the day with this – all ages)

Homeschoolers of Maine is celebrating Spirit Week COVID-19 style this week!
Tuesday: Dress Like an Old Person Day – to honor those most at risk. (I’d love to see photos in the comments!)
 
Read Aloud:
Continue reading 1-2 chapters (or more) of the book you choose on Monday. See Monday’s post to see a list of suggestions.
Bible (and Art):
Read Psalm 3 aloud. Choose one of these coloring pages to color.
Watch this YouTube video about the City of David and Hezekiah’s Tunnel.
PE: Go for a walk outside. If you have any snow left, make a snowman. Have a contest! Or have a snowball fight! It’s probably the last one of the season. If you want a more structured play time, do the workouts offered on the Renovation CrossFit Kids Instagram page. These are designed to be done at home. 
Art: McHarper Manor is offering live art classes each day. This is their video from last Wednesday. If you want to do the live class, they are at 1pm on their Facebook page.
Learn more about sloths by watching this video.
Create a card for either a hospital employee or someone in a nursing home. Let them know you are thinking about them! Mail.
Music: If your child plays an instrument, make sure to have them practice for 20-30 minutes each day. If they are in the choir, have them sing a song or two. Every other week or so, have them put on a concert for you at home! Video-tape it. 

Elementary
Math: Continue working on math facts.
Drill sheets to print. (Do no more than 20 problems.)
List of free math games on Teachers Pay Teachers. Pick one to play today:
 
Language Arts: Continue working on reading for the younger “learning-to-read” group. You can use these books if you don’t have any easy readers at home.  
Have older kids who can read continue reading their book of choice.
Have them work on their handwriting.
Have them work on a grammar worksheet.
Have them write a story and illustrate it. They can draw a picture and then write a story about it or tell someone else the story to write for them. Here are 55 story prompts to use.
 
Science: Do Lesson 2 from Science in the Beginning at this link. 
Make sure to do the experiment and the lesson review at the end. (There are 5 lessons in this pdf – just do Lesson 2 today)
 
Social Studies: Yesterday we learned about George Washington who was the first President of the United States. Today we are going to learn about the second president we had – John Adams.
Younger elementary students watch this video to learn more.
Older elementary students watch this video to learn more about him. Or watch both!
Print out a coloring page to work on while you watch the video.

Middle School
Math: Continue working on learning math facts.
Drill sheets to print. (Do no more than 20-25 problems.)
Another option would be use Khan Academy. 

List of free math games on Teachers Pay Teachers. Pick one to play today.
 
Language Arts: Choose 2-4 worksheets from this site to complete (answers included). 
Grab an empty notebook. Use this website. Pick one prompt and write a one page story using it.
Pick a book (either from the read aloud section or from this list) Read for at least 30 minutes. Go tell someone else about what you read today.
  
Science:
Do Lesson 2 from Science in the Beginning at this link:
Make sure to do the experiment and the lesson review at the end – do either the “older or oldest” student lesson review. (There are 5 lessons in this pdf – just do Lesson 2 today)
 
Social Studies:
Watch Crash Course History with John Green:
Episode 3
Episode 4
Write a short summary of each video in a notebook. We will continue with this for the next few days. 

High School
Math: Continue working on math facts. Use this website to find those areas. Print 1-2 to work on today. Another option would be use Khan Academy.
 
Language Arts: Continue reading your book and writing your quiz. This should be finished at the end of the week. As a reminder: The quiz should have 20 questions. They should be a mix of multiple choice, true/false, and short answer. 
Choose 1-2 worksheets from this website to work on grammar.
Grab an empty notebook. Use this website. Pick one prompt and write a one page story using it.
 
Science: Continue to work through this course on YouTube by Crash Course on the History of Science. (Click “play” at the top to go to the playlist.)
Grab a notebook and mark it “science.” Write a summary each day of what you learn in each video. Spend 20-30 minutes on this each day. If something interests you, a person or a concept, dig deeper using other sources and add the information to your science notebook.
 
Social Studies: Learn about European History with this Crash Course playlist. Continue working through the playlist. Spend 20-30 minutes a day on this. Write a summary of what you learn in a “history” notebook. If something interests you, dig deeper using other sources and add the information to your history notebook. 
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Tuesday, March 24, 2020

3/23/2020

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Pro-Tip: You can do many of these things together - even science and history. Older children will retain more than younger children, but it is doable to combine ages and grades. Do the “together school” part just like it says – together. Do science and social studies together as well. For science for the rest of the week, we’re using some lessons (given for free) of a homeschool curriculum I’ve used and loved. There are lesson reviews at the end of each lesson. Have your child do the one that most meets their abilities. 

Together School
Homeschoolers of Maine is celebrating Spirit Week COVID-19 style this week!
Tuesday: Crazy Hair/School Colors (I’d love to see photos in the comments!)
 
Read Aloud:
Continue reading 1-2 chapters (or more) of the book you choose on Monday. See Monday’s post to see a list of suggestions.
Bible (and Art):
Read Psalm 2. Read aloud. Choose one of these coloring pages to color.
Watch this excerpt from an episode of Drive Thru History about the Kidron Valley & the Mount of Olives
PE: Go for a walk outside. If it’s snowing, play in the snow!
Art: McHarper Manor class. This is their video from last Tuesday. If you don’t have peg dolls for this project, pick another project from the week to use. Or you can substitute old-fashion peg clothespins as well. They give some other substitutions as well as the start of the video.

​Create a card for either a hospital employee or someone in a nursing home. Let them know you are thinking about them! Mail.

Elementary
Math – Continue working on math facts.
Drill sheets to print. (Do between 10-20 problems.)
Fun free printable to work on math facts. (You’ll need to scroll down and give your email address to get the download.)
 
Language Arts: Continue working on reading for the younger “learning-to-read” group. You can use these books if you don’t have any easy readers at home. 
Have older kids who can read continue reading their book of choice.
Have them work on their handwriting.
Have them work on a grammar worksheet.
Have them write a story and illustrate it. They can draw a picture and then write a story about it or tell someone else the story to write for them. Here are some story prompts to use. 
 
Science:
Do Lesson 1 from Science in the Beginning.
Make sure to do the experiment and the lesson review at the end. (There are 5 lessons in this pdf – just do Lesson 1 today.)
 
Social Studies:
Let’s learn about George Washington today.
Watch this video to learn more about him:
Print out one of these coloring pages to work on while you watch the video.

Middle School
Math – Continue working on learning math facts.
Drill sheets to print. (Do no more than 20 problems)
Fun free printable math games to work on math facts. (You’ll need to scroll down and give your email address to get the download.)
 
Language Arts:
Choose 2-4 worksheets from this site to complete (answers included).
Grab an empty notebook. Use this website. Pick one prompt and write a one page story using it.
Pick a book (Either from the read aloud section from Monday or from this list.) Read for at least 30 minutes.
 
Science:
Do Lesson 1 from Science in the Beginning at this link.
Make sure to do the experiment and the lesson review at the end – do either the “older or oldest” student lesson review. (There are 5 lessons in this pdf – just do Lesson 1 today)
 
Social Studies:
Watch Crash Course History with John Green:
Episode 1
Episode 2
Write a short summary of each video in a notebook. We will continue with this for the next few days. 

High School
Math: Continue working on math facts Use this website to find those areas. Print 1-2 to work on today. Another option would be use Khan Academy.
 
Language Arts: Continue reading your book and writing your quiz. This should be finished at the end of the week. The quiz should have 20 questions. They should be a mix of multiple choice, true/false, and short answer. 
Choose 1-2 worksheets from this website to work on grammar.
Grab an empty notebook. Use this website. Pick one prompt and write a one page story using it.
 
Science:
Work through this course on YouTube by Crash Course on the History of Science.
(Click “play” at the top to go to the playlist.) Grab a notebook and mark it “science.” Write a summary each day of what you learn in each video. Spend 20-30 minutes on this each day.
 
Social Studies:
Learn about European History with this Crash Course playlist. Start today by watching the preview and episode one. Write a summary of what you learn in a “history” notebook.
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March 23, 2020 - Lesson Plans

3/22/2020

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Encouragement
Today marks a week of a lot of parents being thrown into the “homeschooling” life. In case you haven’t seen this already, this is not homeschooling. Most homeschooling families, including my own, have outside activities. For us personally, we belong to a theater group. This was to be a our “crunch week” with a production this coming weekend. This has now been postponed. My son and I attend a local CrossFit gym and haven’t been for about a week. I spend weeks in the summer researching curriculum and programs that will work for my son and scheduling it for him. If you haven’t already taken some time to just breathe and figure out the new normal for you, please do that this week. Schools are now closed through the end of April. As long as there are people who are finding these lesson plans helpful, I will continue to write them. So, please do drop me a comment to let me know. Thanks.
 
I am now also publishing these plans on my website (but you're here already!). I wrote a “welcome” note late last week that gives a bit more about my “credentials” per so. Here is the direct link if you’d like to learn more about me.

On to this week…these plans will be written more like I run my own homeschool. Something to note: If you have children who are ages K-2, school at home should be about 1-2 hours tops. Mix in a lot of physical activity to help them retain what they are learning. Grades 3-5 should be about 2-3 hours. Grades 6-8 might be up to four hours, but I would say closer to 3 hours. High school will take longer as it is harder, but I would so no more than six hours max. This is my opinion, but please don’t make them sit for an hour a day per subject. Let them get their assignment done and be done. 

Together School
Homeschoolers of Maine is celebrating Spirit Week COVID-19 style this week!
Monday is: Superhero Day! (Honors health care workers and essential workers)
Together School (start the day with this – all ages)
Read Aloud:
Chose a book to read aloud to all ages. Read 1-2 chapters. Younger students can color or draw or play quietly with blocks. I would suggest a chapter book – don’t worry about younger children. Book suggestions: The Hobbit, Charlotte’s Web, The Chronicles of Narnia (my favorite is The Magician’s Nephew but you can’t go wrong with any of them), Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, Little House in the Big Woods, Caddie Woodlawn, Ann of Green Gables, My Father’s Dragon, and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. ((If you don’t own any of these or are looking for a new one to read, use the Kindle app on any device to buy a copy from Amazon. If your library is still allowing the borrowing of materials, that is another option.)
Bible (and Art):
Start with Psalm 1. Read aloud. Choose one of these coloring pages to color.
Watch this episode of Drive Thru History.
PE: Go for a walk outside. If it’s snowing, play in the snow!
Art: McHarper Manor is offering live art classes each day. This is their video from last Monday.
Create a card for either a hospital employee or someone in a nursing home. Let them know you are thinking about them! Mail.

Elementary School
Math – Work on math facts. Figure out where your child is in regard to learning their math facts. If you aren’t sure, start with basic addition and work up.
Drill sheets to print. (Do no more than 20 problems)
Math games using just a deck of cards.
 
Language Arts: If your child is learning to read, sit with them with an easy book. Use your finger to guide them as they work through it. No easy books at home? I found this site that you might find helpful.
If your child can read, have them read a book. Then have them tell you or a sibling about what they read. Have them read to their stuffed animals.
Have them work on their handwriting.
Have them work on a grammar worksheet.
Have them write a story and illustrate it. They can draw a picture and then write a story about it or tell someone else the story to write for them.
 
Science:
Spring is here! Even though it may not seem like it today. Learn more about spring in the following videos:
What is spring?
The science of spring!
 
Social Studies:
We learned about Maine last week so let’s keep going. Today we’ll learn about New Hampshire.
Watch this video.
Print out a US Map (choose which one you’d like from HERE.) Color Maine blue. Color New Hampshire green.  Or use this one. 
Watch this video to learn 20 more facts about New Hampshire:
Do you know anyone that lives there? Write them a letter or draw them a picture and send it. 

Middle School
Math – Work on math facts. Figure out where your child is in regard to learning their math facts. If you aren’t sure, start with basic addition and work up.
Drill sheets to print.  (Do no more than 20 problems.)
Math games using just a deck of cards.
 
Language Arts:
Choose 2-4 worksheets from this site to complete (answers included).
Grab an empty notebook. Use this website. Pick one prompt and write a one page story using it.
Pick a book (either from the read aloud section above or from this list) Read for at least 30 minutes.
 
Science:
Learn about the immune system. Watch Crash Course A&P on YouTube:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
 
Social Studies:
Learn more about the history of New Hampshire and New England:
Video 1 
Video 2 
Video 3 
Print out a US Map (choose which one you’d like from HERE)
Mark the states discussed in the videos. Color them different colors. 

High School
Math: How are you on your math facts? Do you need to work on them? How about some areas you need to work on? Use this website to find those areas. Print 1-2 to work on today.

Language Arts: Choose a book to read. When you are done, plan to write a quiz. The quiz should have 20 questions. They should be a mix of multiple choice, true/false, and short answer. Use this list to pick a book.
Choose 1-2 worksheets from this website to work on grammar:
Grab an empty notebook. Use this website. Pick one prompt and write a one page story using it.
 
Science:
Learn about the immune system. Watch Crash Course A&P on YouTube:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
 
Social Studies:
Learn more about the history of New Hampshire and New England:
Video 1 
Video 2 
Video 3 
Print out a US Map (choose which one you’d like from HERE)
Mark the states discussed in the videos. Color them different colors.
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March 17, 2020 - St. Patrick's Day & Ireland

3/17/2020

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Grab a notebook and keep track of all you are doing. Or snap photos. Or if your children are old enough, have THEM track it! This way you can show the school what you have accomplished during the mandatory shut down.
 
A list of 40 green foods to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Elementary(ish) Age
  • A fun read aloud about leprechaun’s on YouTube. 
  • After you listen to the story, go outside and build a fairy house. Maybe a leprechaun will move in! Ideas HERE. 
  • Another fun read about trapping a leprechaun.
  • After you listen to that story, build a trap! How would you catch a leprechaun? When you are done, either write an explanation of your trap, or tell a grownup what you built and why. Here are some ideas.
  • Watch this video about why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: 
  • Watch this video on Irish Step Dancing. Then YOU try! Put on some Irish music (lots of stuff on YouTube) and see if you can dance without moving anything but your feet!
  • Learn about how rainbows are formed. 
  • Draw a colorful rainbow with a pot of gold. The colors of the rainbow can be remembered using ROY G BIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, & Violet).
  • Do this experiment to make your own rainbow. 
  • Create a St. Patrick’s Day card. Mail to either a nursing home or a hospital. 
  • Free printables for math and literacy at Teachers Pay Teachers. You’ll need an account to download, but there is no cost to do so. 
  • A list of shamrock & 4-leaf clover crafts. See what you have on hand and create something fun! 
  • My favorite type of craft (without the glitter – I’m not crazy). You’ll need contact paper, green paper, and tissue paper or something to put in the “suncatcher” part.  

Middle School(ish) Age
  • Watch this video about why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
  • Design and build a leprechaun trap using household materials. When you are done, write a description of your trap and explain how it works. (Take a photo!)
  • Watch this video that explains how rainbows are made
  • Draw a colorful rainbow with a pot of gold. The colors of the rainbow can be remembered using ROY G BIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, & Violet).
  • Do this experiment to make your own rainbow.
  • Learn about the potato famine in Ireland in this series:
    • Part 1
    • Part 2
    • Part 3
    • Part 4
    • Part 5
  • Write a one-page summary of the videos. Explain the reasons behind the famine as explained in the video. What do you think could have been done differently?
  • Create a St. Patrick’s Day card. Mail to either a nursing home or a hospital.
  • Learn how to write limericks. (Click on image to print – you only need page 1) An optional page is HERE. 
  • Continue reading your book set in Maine.
  • Learn about Ireland. Watch this geography video.
  • Research the country of Ireland. Use what you learned in the video as well as what you can find doing a (safe) internet search.
    • What are 5 interesting things you learned about Ireland that you did not know before.
    • What language do the people of Ireland speak?
    • How many people live in Ireland?
    • If you were to visit Ireland, what places would you like to visit and why?
  • A list of shamrock & 4-leaf clover crafts. See what you have on hand and create something fun! 

High School(ish) Age
  • A short video on the history of Saint Patrick.
  • Do more research on St. Patrick. Write a one page summary of who he was and what he accomplished.
  • Learn about the potato famine in Ireland in this series:
    • Part 1
    • Part 2
    • Part 3
    • Part 4
    • Part 5
  • Write a one-page summary of the videos. Explain the reasons behind the famine as explained in the video. What do you think could have been done differently?
  • Create a St. Patrick’s Day card. Mail to either a nursing home or a hospital.
  • Learn how to write limericks. (Click on image to print – you only need page 1) An optional page is HERE. 
  • Continue reading your book written by a Maine author.
  • Learn about Ireland. Watch this geography video.
  • Research the country of Ireland. Use what you learned in the video as well as what you can find doing a (safe) internet search.
    • What are 5 interesting things you learned about Ireland that you did not know before.
    • What language do the people of Ireland speak?
    • How many people live in Ireland?
    • If you were to visit Ireland, what places would you like to visit and why?
  • A list of shamrock & 4-leaf clover crafts. See what you have on hand and create something fun! 
  • Create this paper craft. 
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March 16th - Happy Birthday Maine!

3/16/2020

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Maine just celebrated 200 years. Today's lessons are all about Maine.

Elementary(ish) Age
  • Listen to Chris Van Dusen read his story, The Circus Ship on YouTube. 
  • Chris Van Dusen is a Maine author. Read more about him HERE.
  • Count to 200 using cheerios or beans or other small items.
  • Draw the numbers 200 on a piece of paper or cardboard for your child – big and puffy. Have your child glue the cheerios or beans onto the numbers. To work on fine motor skills, have them use a Q-tip to dip the glue and dot it. (Controls mess when using white glue.)
  • Learn about the Maine State Symbols. Color this page at Crayola. 
  • Watch this video on chickadees.  Then go outside. Can you hear any? Can you see any? How many can you see? How many do you hear?
  • Make a bird feeder. Gather pinecones while you are outside looking for chickadees. Smear them with peanut butter. Roll them in birdseed. Hang on trees. More detailed directions can be found HERE.  (Be sure to observe the birds that come to eat! Keep a log and work to identify them.)
  • The Maine State Tree is the White Pine. Can you find any where you live? Take some paper and a crayon (with no wrapper on it) and do a rubbing of the bark. Label it “White Pine.” What other kinds of trees do you have near you? Do some bark rubbings of those as well and label them.
  • The Maine State Flower is the White Pine Cone and Tassel. Can you find any pinecones from a white pine? What does tassel mean? These are the needles on the tree. Can you find some pine needles on the ground? Gather enough to create a “200” on a piece of cardboard or paper. Either 200 needles or the number 200. Glue down.
  • Draw a picture (or two) and send them to a local nursing home. Maybe make some “Happy Birthday Maine!” cards.
  • Listen to this story being read about lighthouses. 
  • Draw a lighthouse and color it.
  • If you were a lighthouse keeper, what would be the best thing about your job? Add this information to the picture you just drew.
  • Using Legos or blocks build a lighthouse or a boat or any other Maine inspired item.
  • Moose are the Maine State Animal. Have you ever seen a moose? They can be close to 7 feet tall at their shoulders. Measure how tall this is and then measure you child next to it.
  • Moose coloring pages. 

Middle School(ish) Age
  • ​Find a Maine State Quarter (there is probably one in your house somewhere. Research what the items are on the quarter and why they were chosen. Watch this video to learn a bit more about the Maine State Quarter. 
  • Watch this video on Maine. (Start at 16:45 for just the Maine section) Did you learn anything you didn’t know about Maine? (I did!)
  • Watch this video on chickadees. Then go outside. Can you hear any? Can you see any? How many can you see? How many do you hear?
  • Make a card and send to a local nursing home. Maybe “Happy Birthday, Maine” cards.
  • Begin reading a book set in Maine. Ideas include Sign of the Beaver, Sarah, Plain and Tall, Charlotte’s Web, Lost on a Mountain in Maine, Keep the Lights Burning Abbie, Homer Price. When you are finished, write a book report. (Print a report form from HERE. Or instead of a book report, create a project based on the book. Here are some ideas.
  • How many lighthouses are there in Maine? Have you ever visited any? If so, gather any photos you have and write a description about your visit.
  • What do you think the hardest thing would be about being a lighthouse keeper? Write a one page story describing it and how you would deal with the issue.
  • Watch this 3 part series on how a lighthouse works (includes math & history).
    • Part 1
    • Part 2
    • Part 3 
  • The Maine State Insect is the honeybee. Do you like honey? Watch this video on how honey is made.  (This is a more in depth look at honeybees and how they make honey. It mentions reproduction including “sperm & eggs”. Use at your discretion.)
  • Research honeybees how they are becoming endangered. How can you create a “bee friendly” environment? Draw your findings. 
  • If you have honey available, have a honey flavored snack. Here are 8 honey snacks. (Encourage your child to help make one with you.)
  • Gather some large, flat rocks while you are outside. Paint friendship rocks or ones with Maine symbols on them. Ideas HERE.  Hide them on walking paths for other people to find. You’ll bring a smile to their face. 

High School(ish) Age
  • The Maine State dessert is Blueberry Pie. The Maine State treat is whoopie pie. Make one. If you don’t have the ingredients on hand, make another Maine inspired dessert for your family.
  • Pick one of the other Maine state symbols and research why it was chosen. Write up your findings and share this info with your family.
  • The Maine State Cat is the Maine Coon Cat. The Maine State Dog is the Labrador Retriever. Pick a side – dog or cat – and have a (friendly) debate as to why one is better than the other. Serious or silly, you have to defend yourself with facts, so do your research first! You could also set this up like a courtroom if you have any people. Convince the “judge” why you are right!
  • Watch this video on Maine. (Start at 16:45 for just the Maine section) Did you learn anything you didn’t know about Maine? (I did!)
  • Video on the history of Maine including why it has the border it does. 
  • Make a card and send to a local nursing home. Maybe “Happy Birthday, Maine!” cards.
  • Begin reading a book written by a Maine author. When you are finished, write a book report. (Print a report form from HERE.) Or instead of a book report, create a project based on the book. Here are some ideas.
  • How many lighthouses are there in Maine? Have you ever visited any? If so, gather any photos you have and write a description about your visit.
  • Video on 10 of the lighthouses in Maine.
  • Watch this 3 part series on how a lighthouse works (includes math & history).
    • Part 1
    • Part 2
    • Part 3
  • You are working at the Maine Tourist Bureau and are in charge of creating a new brochure to entice people to vacation in Maine. Create your brochure. You can draw pictures, print things off the internet, add descriptions. Tell them the top 10 things they should do while visiting Maine. Be descriptive and detailed.
  • Create a map of Maine using yarn or string. Glue it to a piece of cardboard. Label major mountains, rivers, and cities. 
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    Homeschool mom for 18+ years. Owner and operator of Freedom Academy for most of that time. FA is a private school for homeschooling families. 

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