Southwest United States Unit Study Frontier

Josefina Unit Study- America’s Southwest Frontier 1824

Welcome to the Frontier !
America’s Southwest  Frontier Unit Study
(American Girl Josefina)


Discover the wild and colorful Southwestern American Frontier of 1824!
Celebrate life on Josefina’s rancho. Hear the mariachis, dance with friends, and taste the cinnamon sweetness of freshly baked biscochos!  Plot your path, and follow the wagon trains on the Santa Fe Trail.
Watch for outlaws!

 

So, welcome to Josefina’s World!
This Unit Study is written in a daily format for a 3-week plan, BUT you are learning at home this year so use it however you think it best fits YOUR family!  My own children were super interested in some of these time periods, and only just a little interested in others.  Follow their curiosity (and your own too!) and take the time to smell the roses… or biscochos!!

These American Girl Units are quite easy to adjust… for example, if you have younger kiddos and you are just wanting to touch on these time periods this year, you might just highlight what parts you’d like to cover each day, and zip through quickly…  OR… if you have some older children, or children that are extra excited to learn about life on the Santa Fe Trail and the wild frontier in greater detail, you’ll probably want to use most of the suggested resources, and that would easily stretch this unit out for several months or more.  You can add in or take out the hands-on projects… go on ALLLL the field trips, or none… read TONS of the read alouds and suggested historical fiction, or just pick one that looks most interesting to you!
ONE MORE REASON why homeschooling (and FREE curriculum) is AWESOME!

Below you will find the quick list of resources.
I created these printables as companions specifically for the Josefina Unit Study.
Remember that none of them are required at all, but simply add to the fullness and fun of learning about this period!

 

Southwest Frontier Unit Study American Girl Josefina PDF Version

 

 

*Printable PDF Version
Over 100 pages.  The complete unit study (with live links), planners, note pages, week at a glance pages, and lots more!  And, NO ads!  Just print & go!

 

 

 

 


Southwest Frontier American Girl Josefina Unit Study Printable POWER Pack

 

*America’s Southwest Frontier (Josefina) Printable Pack
173 Printable Pages.
Planning Sheets for each week, teaching tips, Field Trip Ideas, themed copy work pages,
Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles & Bingo Games, themed creative writing organizers, Artist Study, History Detective Pages, and LOTS more !

 

 

 

 

 

southwestern Christmas history

 

–>NEW !!!
* A Southwestern Frontier Christmas
If you’re studying this unit during the holidays, or if your family LOVES hands-on projects, I just hit publish on ‘ , the second post in the Hands-On History Christmas series!

 

 

 

 

 

American flags for children's books about american history

 

 

*Books & Resources List For Josefina’s Southwester Frontier Unit
(Great list of Living Books, Historical Fiction, Informational Reading, Activity Guides,
Movie Suggestions, Craft Kits, and more!)

 

 

 

columbus discovers america native americans and the revolutionary war free early american history curriculum

 

   

*FREE Early American History Curriculum
If you are stretching this unit out, or if you are also teaching older students, you may also like to check out the ideas in this Early American History Curriculum I wrote.

 

 

 

 

And lastly, there are also TONS of FREE  related activities that I have pinned on the Josefina:Southwestern Frontier board and Josefina’s Christmas board for holiday ideas with this theme.

 



* America’s Southwest Frontier Unit Study Outline-

American Girl Doll Josefina Welcome to Josefina's World book

*Core reading:

Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824
American Girl Josefina Series


*Week 1:  Josefina’s Southwest Frontier

1.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 1
(Meet Josefina)

2.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 2-5  
(Josefina’s World )

3.   “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 8-9; 32-33
(The Village)

4. “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 10-11; 28-29
(Daily Life)

5.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 16-21
( Family)

 

*Week 2: A Day With Josefina

1.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 22-25
( Fashion & Beauty )

2.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 26-27
(Medicine & Health )

3.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 13 (inset)
(Art & Music )

4.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 12-15
(Faith)

5. “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 34-35
(Food & Fiestas! )

 

*Week 3:   Life on the Trail

1.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 36-39
(Friends & Neighbors)

2. “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 40-45
(El Camino Real)

3.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 48-49; 54-55
(The Santa Fe Trail )

4.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 50-53
(Life on the Trail )

5. “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 56-58
(Becoming “American”)

 

 love reading books

*Additional Reading & Videos for study-

Below you will find the outline for Daily Reading/Videos that are directly related to the core reading for each day listed above. Continue to scroll down to find each day’s plan for Writing, Copy Work, Vocabulary, Bible, Science, Geography, and Art !

Josefina’s World is the spine for this unit.  No other books are required.
However, you can find a list of great “extras” for this unit study  American Girl History Units Book Lists (literature, paper doll books, cook books, activity books, science books, etc…).    I included 3 of the 6  books from the Josefina series  in the lessons, but they aren’t necessary or integral to any activities in the unit, just great reading to reinforce the lessons.

*Note:
I am in no way affiliated with, or compensated by the American Girl Company.
Also, there are links in this post to books and other resources you can find on Amazon.  It would be AWESOME  if you’re going to purchase any of the books (or anything from Amazon), if you could click to it through my bookstore (or any links on this page)…there is NO extra charge to you & I get a small portion of the sale which helps keep everything on this blog FREE !!

 



So now…  LET’S EXPLORE THE FRONTIER !!

american girl unit study

*Week 1:   Introduction to Josefina and
America’s Southwestern Frontier

 

* American Girl Josefina Series,  Book 1, “Meet  Josefina
(There are 6 books in this series, so you could choose how much to read each
week depending on your child’s level and interests.  I just listed one book per week.)

*Week 1:  Josefina’s Southwest Frontier

1.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 1
(Meet Josefina)

2.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 2-5
(Josefina’s World )

3.   “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 8-9; 32-33
(The Village)

4. “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 10-11; 28-29
(Daily Life)

5.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 16-21
( Family)

 

 

+Day 1:  Meet Josefina

+READ:

“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 1
-“Meet Josefina”
(Book 1 in the series- choose how much to read each day.)

All About Josefina Montoya

*Where did Josefina live?
(We’ll be learning lots more about New Mexico later in this unit!)
America’s Southwest
Josefina’s New Mexico
How Nueva España Became New Mexico
(This history is from a walk through of a New Mexico Museum, but has a very simple, but complete history)


+WATCH:

– American Girl video introducing Josefina Montoya & Her Family
– Interview With Josefina
Inspector Gadget’s Field Trips- American Southwest
America’s Southwest 
Where is New Mexico?



+EXPLORE:

– Josefina loves flowers!  Make your own Folding Flower Box!
-Free Printable Josefina Lap Book
– American Girl Josefina Games & Activities
Meet Josefina Wordfind 
(You’ll find this on page 3 )

 

+PRINT:

*Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!
Josefina Coloring Page
Meet Josefina Lapbook
– 
Southwestern America Family Coloring Page
Regions of the United States
Southwestern States Map Coloring Page

*If you purchased the America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
All About Josefina Montoya
-Árbol Genealógico
-Timeline

 

+Day 2:  Josefina’s World-
Search for the Cities of Gold and The NEW Mexico


+READ:

-“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 2-5
-“Meet Josefina”

*The Spanish Southwest
(We will talk lots about the Native Peoples of the Southwest later in this lesson!)

Spanish New Mexico
Introduction to New Mexico History
A Brief History of the American Southwest For Kids
(This is a series of podcasts.  You may like to listen to one or all of the podcasts in this series.  There are a few questionable bits of information presented, so PLEASE preview!)
Coronado and the 5 Cities of Cibolo
(Be sure to scroll down for a lesson and fun activities!)
Who Was Francisco Vázquez de Coronado ?
Biography of Coronado
(This is a longer and more complete introduction for your older students)
– Coronado & His Quest For The City of Gold
– A brief introduction to the Spanish Settlement of New Mexico


+WATCH:

Who Was Coronado?
(Short video about Coronado…. about 4 minutes)
Quick History of New Mexico
(And I do mean QUICK!  You may want to slow down the speed on this video 😀  )
New Mexico:  How Did Spain Take Over New Mexico?
Setting Up Josefina’s House


+EXPLORE:

Photo Field Trip of Historical Sites in New Mexico
Virtual Tour of the New Mexico History Museum!
Printable Coronado’s Explorations in the Southwest Booklet
(All kinds of fun activities!!  Choose the “Fourth Grade Student Activity Book” to download)


+PRINT:

* Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!

Coronado Coloring Page
Josefina and Her Goat Coloring Page
– El Rancho de las Golondrinas
(This is a printable booklet from a living history museum which is located very near the setting of Josefina’s home)
Gold! Coloring Page

* America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
– History Detective- Who Was Fransisco Vasquez de Coronado?

 


+Day 3:
  Josefina’s Village


+READ:

-“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”-  p. 8-9; 32-33
-“Meet Josefina”

What is “Architecture”?   –> The Architecture of New Mexico
What Is a Pueblo?
Josefina’s Trip To El Rancho de Las Golondrinas
-Take a Virtual Tour of El Rancho de Las Golondrinas
(Be sure to notice the style of the homes, the outdoor cooking ovens, etc…)
Adobe Houses
Houses of Santa Fe
La Mesilla, New Mexico
(Short History of a typical small Southwestern New Mexico town on the El Camino Real Trail)
Taos Pueblo
The Acoma Pueblo

 

+WATCH:

What Are Adobe Houses?
What Is Adobe?
Moments In Time-  Santa Fe
(This video might not be very interesting to younger children, but the real photos from early 1800’s Santa Fe are perfect to show what Josefina’s world would have looked like!)
The Oldest House in America
-Take a Virtual Field Trip to Kit Carson’s Home in Taos, New Mexico
Virtual Tour of The Palace of the Governor’s
(This is the OLDEST inhabited building in the United States!  Can you imagine Josefina walking by this building on her way to shop in the market?)

 

+EXPLORE:

-Interactive game – Josefina’s Village!
Draw a Southwestern Pueblo
Make Your Own Adobe Village
-How to make an Adobe Brick Mold and make your own bricks!
Explore Ancient and Modern Pueblos!

-Colonial New Mexico Building and Art
(Be sure to scroll down to the pictures at the bottom of the page.  ” Click onto any image and you will be directed to its Art and Activities Page where you will see a full image of the artwork and a short biography of the artist”.)

 

+PRINT:

*Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!

New Mexico Architecture Coloring Page
Taos Pueblo Coloring Page
Pueblo Coloring Page

* It might be fun to make a diorama of a typical village.  Here are a few examples to spark your creativity !
Pueblo Diorama
Southwestern Frontier Diorama
(scroll down to see how they made their diorama)

 

* America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
– Diorama Template and Clip Art pages
– Josefina Paper Doll

 


+Day 4:   Daily Life


+READ:

-“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 10-11; 28-29
-“Meet Josefina”

Daily Life on the Frontier
Josefina Takes a Field Trip 
Colonial/Mexican New Mexico
(Complete lesson through the historical Casa San Ysidro site.   Scroll down a bit & you will find a nice overview of daily life, including some pictures and activities.)

Daily Life of Native Americans of the Southwest
(This is a very complete PDF-  pages 26-43 and 80-81 give lots of information on Daily Life)

– Daily life during Spanish settlement of New Mexico
( Reading and questions about this history by the NPS)

*Work and Trades
Sorghum Mills
(This is written for the guides, but there are great illustrations and information written simply!)
Raising Turkey?  Yep!
Churro Sheep and Weaving
La Tienda   (The General Store)
Growing Maize


+WATCH:

-A video field trip to Rancho de las Golondrinas
Daily Life of a Spanish Colonial Child in the 1800’s
School in 1800’s New Mexico
(This lesson/video has more of an emphasis on Westward Expansion, but still fits in nicely with this unit)
Colonial New Mexico Through Art!
Still Weaving!
Fur Trade!


+EXPLORE:

Daily Life on the Rancho
Daily Life in the Town

-Try making your own Corn Husk Doll
-Try making your own  Hula Hoop Woven Rug!  Looks really fun
How to Build and Weave on a Cardboard Loom
Historical GAMES from New Mexico !
(There is a video, and 5 different games and activities to do !)

*In every time and culture, cooking is part of daily life.
-Read or cook some of Josefina’s Southwestern Frontier Recipes!

All About Sheep
Making Yucca Soap?
Harvest Time!
Lockdown in Lincoln, New Mexico
(Several fun activities and a video background)

Fun and Games-  DICE!


+PRINT:

+ Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!
Navajo Churro Sheep Coloring Page
Southwestern Woven Blankets
Mexican Children Coloring Page
– Making Tortillas Coloring Page
Gathering Flowers Coloring Page
Boy Making a Toy Coloring Page
Little Girl With Her Chickens Coloring Page

+Day 5:   Family

+READ:

-“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”-  p. 16-21
-“Meet Kaya”

– Life story of Minnie Fargier
– Story of the Maxwell family
The Story of  Los Luceros  and It’s Family
(Scroll to download a lesson and also to see the powerpoint images)
Hispanic Culture in New Mexico
(Scroll down a bit to read more about family traditions)
The Importance of Family In Hispanic Culture


* Special days for families

* Feliz Cumpleaños!
Celebrate a Traditional Hispanic Birthday
(So many super fun ideas!!)
Quinceañeras
What Is a Quinceañera?
Photo of First Communion
New Mexico Wedding
– Wedding Traditions


+WATCH:

Familia!
The Heart of Mi Familia    (Read Aloud)
What is a Quinceneara?
Las Mañanitas!
(Here are the Lyrics to ‘Las Mañanitas’ so you can follow along!)
La Piñata
(Piñatas are part of lots of hispanic traditions for families.  Learn this song and sing along!)

 


+EXPLORE:

 

Loteria
(Try playing this family game together!   You can also purchase this * Loteria Game *)
-Play along to this Learn Family In Spanish Game
Spanish Family Words Word Search
-Try making a mini-pinta just to celebrate YOUR Family!
-Play this Whack-a-mole Game to learn Spanish family words

 

+PRINT:

*Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!
(Hover over link to see a description of the coloring page)

Fiesta Coloring Page
Family Dinner Coloring Page
Fiesta!  Coloring Page
Piñata Coloring Page
Hispanic Girl Dress Coloring Page
Dress Up For the Fiesta!  Coloring Page
Feliz Cumpleaños Coloring Page

 

*America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
– La Familia

 


 

american girl unit study week 3

*Week 2:  A Day With Josefina


*  American Girl Josefina Series, Book 2, “Josefina Learns A Lesson


 

*Week 2: A Day With Josefina

1.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 22-25
( Fashion & Beauty )

2.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 26-27
(Medicine & Health )

3.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 13 (inset)
(Art & Music )

4.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 12-15
(Faith)

5. “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 34-35
(Food & Fiestas! )


+Day 1:   Fashion & Beauty


+READ:

-“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 22-25
-“Josefina Learns A Lesson ”

*Lots of different peoples made their home in New Mexico!
Native Americans, Spanish settlers, and all kinds of “cowboys” coming through on the trails west made Santa Fe and the rest of the Southwest a very diverse culture!  The traditions, languages, foods, and even the clothing of these folks were very different!

Native American Clothing
Southwestern Native American Clothing
(Scroll to pages 52-56 to read about this topic!  You could also elect to print these 4 pages since this is a long (but really good!!) PDF )
-Photos of  Southwestern Native American Tribes Clothing from the 1800s.

– Mexican Heritage Clothing
(This is a fantastic site with all kinds of interactive information and activities!!)
What is a Tewa?
(The one piece of clothing most all New Mexicans wore!)

– Cowboy Clothing
History of the Cowboy Hat
(Reading and short video)

 

+WATCH-

Dressing the Part:  The Cowboy
Fashioning New Mexico
How Mogollon Sandals Are Made
(This is so interesting, but may be long for younger children)
Native American Headresses
What Can You Do With a Rebozo?   (English Version)
or listen to this book in Spanish and English–>  What Can You Do With a Rebozo?

 


+EXPLORE:

How To Draw a Native American Headdress
-Try making your own Rebozo
– Can you weave a scarf on this Mini-Loom?
Fashioning New Mexico Museum Tour
(Here is a lovely online exhibition “Fashioning New Mexico” , from the New Mexico History Museum.  Be sure to click on the links above  the main page photo… almost as good as going to the museum!)
1800’s Fashions of the Southwest
Dressing Up 
(Children in their Sunday clothes pose in front of adobe church, Alamo National Forest, N. Mex. Terr. May 13, 1908)

 

+PRINT:

*America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
– It’s Fashion & Beauty Week!

*Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!
(Hover over link to see a description)

Peoples of the Southwest Clothing Coloring Page
Southwestern Cowboy Coloring Page
Mexican Fashion Paper Dolls and Clothing

Spanish Boy Paper Doll
– Spanish Girl Paper Doll    (paper dolls)

Cowboy Coloring Page
(Print and color or color online)
Southwestern Cowboy Coloring Page
Cowboy Coloring Page

Native American Coloring Page 
Navajo Coloring Page
Native American Coloring Pages

 

 

+Day 2:  Medicine & Health

 

+READ:

-“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824” p. 26-27
-“Josefina Learns A Lesson ”

*Note:
 If your family really enjoys this topic today and your older children want to learn more, I highly recommend John Hudson Tiner’s book ‘Exploring the History of Medicine‘ !!  My son LOVED this whole series of books, and this one was his favorite!  We still have it (my son is 31).  😀

* Introduction to medicine as practiced on the American frontier
(Did you know that before the 1850’s no medical training was required by law to declare yourself a doctor?  Yikes!)
Medicine on the American Frontier
Legends of America- “Old Time Cures & Remedies”
Medicine in the 1800’s

Wild West Doctors
(Very interesting, but lots of reading. Best for older students)
Traveling Doctors and Snake Oil Shows
– What is a Lunger?
(An interesting article (intermediate level) about the “lungers” and other people who sought the arid climate of New Mexico for health)
– Doctor Susy
(A story about a frontier doctor & medicine in general during this period)

Martha Jane Cannary, Frontier Nurse

– Pioneer Medicine in the Wild West
(Here is the apothecary of pioneer doctor Henry Hughes.  It might be interesting to read through the common remedies listed to see if any are still used today.)
– Funny Cure Alls
(Humorous cure for sure!  🙂  )
– Snake Oil- For Real!

 

+WATCH:

Going to the Doctor in the 1800’s ???
The WILD West…Going to the Doctor
What Is A Snake Oil Show?!?
(Do not try this recipe at home kiddos!!!  Yikes!)
Who Was Calamity Jane?
(Listen to this short read aloud and find out about this colorful character!)

 

+EXPLORE:

Snake Oil Show Activity
Medicines of the 1850s-1900
Interactive Timeline of Medicine

 

+PRINT:

*Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!

– Apothecary Coloring Page
Snake Oil Ad Coloring Page

*America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack

-Medicine on the Old Frontier
-Who Was Calamity Jane?

 

 

+Day 3:   Art & Music

**Note:
Today’s lesson is FULL!
You could easily spend a whole week exploring the art and music of this period!
Remember that these units are just outlines to give you a platform to DIVE IN to the topics of interest that spark your children’s thirst to learn!  The American Girl Units are written only for a 3 week study, but could EASILY be stretched into one or even two months long, depending on your interest!


+READ:

“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”-  p. 13 (inset)
-“Josefina Learns a Lesson”

We have been learning, there were a very diverse collection of people living in New Mexico during the early 1800’s.  You’ve seen how this meant that there were different types of homes, different kinds of foods, and also different kinds of clothing that made up the culture here.   Art and music were also a beautiful mix of all of those living in America’s Southwestern Frontier!


** ART **

Art of the American Southwest- Facts For Kids
Southwest Native American Art
Native American Pueblo Art
(Scroll down [or print] pages 66-73)
Southwestern American Indians, Baskets
-A complete lesson on the Pottery of the Southwest

Spanish Retablos Art
(This is an entire lesson with activities for different age ranges, so you may want not want to use the entire lesson)
History of art in New Mexico
(Might be a bit complicated for younger children, but lots of good info.)

 

 

+WATCH:

What Is Mexican Folk Art?
– A Mexican Folk Art project & powerpoint
History of Southwestern Basket Weaving
History of Southwestern Pottery
History of Southwestern Jewelry
History of Southwestern Art Weaving
History of Southwestern Painting

 

 

+EXPLORE:

– Painting Santa Fe
Alebrije Art Project
Repujado Craft
Mexican Embossed Tin Art Project
Paper Flowers
(Remember, Josefina had a very special love for flowers !)
Pinch Pots
Alebrijes
No Sew Mexican Rag Doll
Mexican Folk Art Birds
Colcha Embroidered Placemat
Color and Line
(Southwestern Art is FULL of Color and Lines- try this independent art lesson to learn more!)
-Click through this collection of Spanish Colonial Art
(Be sure to click on each artwork to enlarge the image!)

**There is a complete lesson on Georgia O’Keeffe in the “ART” section of this unit study.
Here are a few extra resources!
– Georgia O’Keeffe Lesson
(You might like to do a lesson on Georgia O’Keeffe.  She adored the beautiful landscapes of New Mexico (among other places especially in the Southwestern US)… there are more ideas for this at the end of this unit.  Be sure to scroll down to the bottom page of this link for LOTS of cool activities & printables on O’Keeffe)
– Georgia O’Keeffe Unit Study
(Very nice homeschooling blog with lots of ideas & nice photos!)
Georgia O’Keeffe Art Projects For Kids  (and adults!)
(There are LOTS of ideas to choose from here!)

 

** MUSIC **

 

+READ:

Southwestern Native American Music
(Scroll or print pages 78-79)
What is Mariachi?
What are Corridos?
– Cowboy Songs
(Short history and an entire lesson plan!)
Ballads on The Trails
– Music of the Southwest
(Here are many songs to listen to from an extensive study and collection of music of the southwest during the 1800’s)

 


+WATCH:

Music of the Southwest- Mariachi
‘Dar Los Dias’
(Music of New Mexico!  This is such a sweet tradition!)
Traditional Spanish Folk Music
-‘Old Dan Tucker’  (1843)
Home on the Range
‘Buffalo Dance’
(Music from the Zuni Pueblo)

 


+EXPLORE
:

Instruments of Mariachi Online Coloring Page
3 Mariachis Coloring Page
– Listen to famous corrido,  ‘La Adelita’
– Native Americans of the Southwest Music
(Music of the Indians of the Southwest…this site from the Smithsonian includes music for sale, however, it allows you to listen to short clips of many songs for free)
– Music of the Southwest- Native American


*Lesson plans from the Smithsonian on the history of music in the Southwest

– Music of the Southwest- Jarocho
Music of the Southwest- Mariachi Band
Music of the Southwest- Mariachi
– Music of the Southwest- Fandango       (fandango)

 

+PRINT:

Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!
(Hover over link to see a description)


* Music

– Maracas Coloring Page
– Mariachi Instruments Coloring Page
– Laud Coloring Page
– Musical Fiesta Coloring Page
– Charango Coloring Page
Mariachis Coloring Page
(Cute mariachi printables for younger students)


* Art

– Georgia O’Keeffe Kids Coloring Pages
– Acoma Pottery Coloring Page
– Native American Pottery Coloring Page
– Southwestern Pottery Coloring Page
– Mexican Folk Art Coloring Page
– Santa Fe Coloring Page
– Southwestern Lands Coloring Page
– Southwestern America Coloring Page

 

 

 

+Day 4: Faith


*Note:
Today’s lesson is a bit like a World Religions intro as there are many different belief systems being introduced all at once.  Be sure to review all the links, etc… (as always) for their appropriateness to your family.

 

+READ:

-“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 12-15
-“Josefina Learns A Lesson”

Native Americans Religion
Southwest Native Americans Religion
Navajo Indians Religion
What is Catholic?
(Basic introduction to the religion of the majority of Spanish settlers in New Mexico, including Josefina)
Introduction to Spanish Missions
What is a Spanish mission?

* History of missions in colonial New Mexico
New Mexico Missions

 


+WATCH:

Missions of the Southwest
What is a Spanish Mission?
(This video is about Spanish Missions in Texas, but the explanation of what the Spanish missions were and what they were doing in the Southwest)
PBS Colores – Churches of New Mexico
(Lots of beautiful video & historical photos of the missions and religious art of this area)


+EXPLORE:

New Mexican Missions
(Their history, traditions, and importance in the community)
Explore lots of the Spanish Missions of New Mexico
-Scroll through these pictures of New Mexico Missions
Draw Your Own Spanish Mission
Spanish Mission Art Project
(This project uses the Santa Barbara Mission as a template, but you could maybe choose one of the New Mexican Missions coloring pages instead if you’d like!)

 


+PRINT:

*Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!

Missions of New Mexico Coloring Book
(Scroll down to pages 6 and 7 to find 2 mission coloring pages!)
New Mexico Mission Stamp Coloring Page

+Day 5:  Food & Fiestas!


+READ:

-“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 34-35
-“Josefina Learns A Lesson”

History of Food in New Mexico
New Mexico Chiles

*Josefina’s Christmas- Food, Family, and FUN!
(Hands-On Christmas unit all about Josefina !)

* Some traditional fiestas
Fiesta of Santa Fe
– Fiestas de Taos

Dia de los Reyes Magos
Dia de los Reyes Magos
Brief introduction to some traditional celebrations

*Foods of the Native Americans of New Mexico
Native American Foods and Agriculture   (Overview)
Pueblo Foods
Navajo Food

 

+EXPLORE:

Fun interactive game Josefina’s Fiesta!    (AG site)

*Josefina’s Recipes:
New Mexican Hot Chocolate
 3 Bean Soup
Chicken Enchiladas
Green Chile Stew
Agua de Melon

*Cooking Activities With Josefina

*Decorations, games, recipes, and other activities to have a FUN FIESTA!!
Family Ornaments
– Cinco de Mayo
– Ideas for FIESTA!
– Cinco de Mayo Traditions and Ideas
– Party Ideas For Cinco de Mayo
– Mexican Paper Cutting
– Biscochitos

* A great list of commonly used ingredients and traditional pastries of New Mexico from Cake Spy.
The post is from Monday, June 9, 2014, just in case you have trouble finding it.
– Traditional New Mexican Pastries

* Some traditional recipes of New Mexico
– https://www.visitalbuquerque.org/restaurants/recipes/
– Traditional Rosca de Reyes
– Tamales
Fiesta Food!
Navajo Blue Corn Pancakes

– Try making your own Homemade Tortillas    Yum!


+WATCH:

Foods of New Mexico
Las Posadas in New Mexico
Cinco de Mayo– this video would be great for younger students
Cinco de Mayo– a bit longer and more detailed version!
Too Many Tamales!
(Read aloud)

 

+PRINT:

*America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
– Fiesta!  Let’s Celebrate!
– Recipe Cards


*Coloring pages
 to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!
(Just hover over link to see what the pictures are)

Empanadas Coloring Page
Making Tortillas Coloring Page
Chiles Coloring Page
New Mexico Red & Green Chilies Coloring Page
Mariachi Coloring Page
Spanish Coloring Page
– Baila! Coloring Page
– Los Reyes Magos Coloring Page

 

 

 


American Girl Unit Study Week 3

*Week 3:  Life On the Trail

 

*  American Girl Josefina Series, Book 3, “Josefina’s Surprise

*Week 3:   Life on the Trail

1.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 36-39
(Friends & Neighbors)

2. “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 40-45
(El Camino Real)

3.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 48-49; 54-55
(The Santa Fe Trail )

4.  “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 50-53
(Life on the Trail )

5. “Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 56-58
(Becoming “American”)

+Day 1:  Friends & Neighbors

**NOTE:  This lesson overlaps with the Geography lesson for Week 2.
You will find A LOT of information/activities below.  You could choose one of the days to do the reading, and one to try some of the hands-on activities.

 

+READ:

-“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”- p. 36-39
-“Josefina’s Surprise”

Native American People of the Southwest

*The Pueblo Indians
– The Pueblo
– Pueblos of the Southwest
The Zuni
– Crow Canyon
– The Pueblo- New Mexico


*The Navajo Indians

Kids Facts About the Navajo Tribe
Navajo Tribe
The Navajo Tribe

*The Comanche Indians
New Mexico- Comanches
The Comanche

*The Apache Indians
Who Are the Apache People?
The Apache Indians
– The Apache
Apache Tribe

* A brief Intro to the Wild West
( Some of it’s characters…as it happened in the Southwest  🙂
What is the Wild West?
The West is Wild!
– What Was Westward Expansion?
The Old West
– Lincoln- the Wild Southwest      (Lincoln, still the wild west)
Wild West- Life & Celebrities
– Hometown Hero? Billy the Kid!
– Who Was Kit Carson?
– Kit Carson

 

+WATCH:

Who Were the Comanche?
We Are the Pueblo
The Navajo Nation
If You Were A Kid In the Wild West
The Story of Billy the Kid.
(Please preview!!)
5 Facts You Didn’t Know About the Wild West
Old photos from the Wild West
(Good for seeing a bit more of the whole picture!)
What was it like to be a sheriff in the Wild West?!
All About Cowboys
(Horrible Histories)

 

+EXPLORE:

Map & Links to Josefina’s “friends & neighbors”

How to build and weave on a cardboard loom
How to make and use an adobe brick mold!
Navajo Sand Painting Art Project
Make Your Own Southwestern Tribe Spin Drum!
Apache Games
Pueblo Bowl Art Project
– Pueblo Indians making drums
– Pueblo Indian Woman baking in adobe oven
– Explore Pueblo History

 


+PRINT:

*America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
– Peoples of New Mexico (if you didn’t complete this last week!)
– History Detective- Who Was Kit Carson?
– Favorite People of the Wild West

*Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!

– Apache Warrior Coloring Page
– Pueblo Indians Coloring Page
– Pueblo Indians Coloring Page
Navajo Nation Flag Coloring Page

– Cowgirl Coloring Page
– Wild West Printables
– Billy the Kid Coloring Page
– Kit Carson Coloring Page

 

 

 

+Day 2:  El Camino Real


+READ:

-“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”-  p. 40-45
-“Josefina’s Surprise”

Short Introduction To El Camino Real
–> Also What Is Fort Selden ?
The History of El Camino Real
Short History and Images of El Camino Real del Tierra Adentro
Camino Real del Tierra Adentro

-A complete lesson plan on “El Camino Real”

What is El Camino Real Tierra Adentro

+WATCH:

El Camino Real Video By Junior Rangers
Children Who Lived On the Trail

* Moments In Time Video & Lesson Plan on El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
– El Camino Real
– Take a Journey By El Camino Real

* A play presented by some students of Socorro…a bit hard to hear, but very nice.
–  El Camino Real- A Play

 


+EXPLORE:

Camino Real Photos from the New Mexico Museum of Art
Virtual Field Trip of El Camino Real   (the Texas path)
Timeline of El Camino Real
(Zoom in to see the details)
Explore Places Along the Trail
Interactive Map of El Camino Real

 

+PRINT:

*Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!

Animals of the Trail Coloring Pages
-National Parks Service lesson plans for El Camino Real & The Santa Fe Trail…including printables
– You may like to color this map as well
Ancient Trade Routes Worksheet  (free download)

 

*America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
-Life on the Trail Journal Page
-El Camino Real Mapping Page

 

 

+Day 3: The Santa Fe Trail

 

+READ:

 -“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”-  p. p. 48-49; 54-55
-“Josefina’s Surprise”

What Was the Santa Fe Trail?
Travel on an Interactive Santa Fe Trail

*Who Was William Becknell?

* History of the Santa Fe Trail and lots of links
– Santa Fe Trail
– The Spanish and the Santa Fe Trail
People on the Trail

* National Parks Service Santa Fe Trail printables
History of the Santa Fe Trail
Critters on the Trail
Famous Folks of the Santa Fe Trail
5 Landmarks on the Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe Trail- Studying a Picture

* More sites to check out
What Would You Do Along the Trail?
– Read ‘The Santa Fe Trail’   (Full Book to view online)

 

+WATCH:

Santa Fe Trail Facts!
Travelers On the Trail
(This is set primarily in Kansas, but still on the Trail and very informative and fun!)
Who Was Buffalo Bill Cody ?
Buffalo Bill Cody For Kids

 

+EXPLORE:

Junior Wagon Master… Wagons Ho!
On the Chuckwagon   (Lesson and activities!)
-Nice map of theSanta Fe Trail
Interactive map of the Santa Fe Trail
-Art & old photos specific of the Santa Fe Trail from the New Mexico Museum of Art
Famous Folks Who Followed the Trail!

 

+PRINT:

*America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
-My Favorite People of the Wild West
-Santa Fe Trail Mapping Page
– Who Was William Becknell?

*Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!
Covered Wagon and Trees Coloring Page
Color the National Park- Santa Fe Trails
Santa Fe/Oklahoma Coloring Page
Santa Fe Historic Map (Large) Coloring Page
Santa Fe Historic Map


+Day 4: Life on the Trail


+READ:

-“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”-  p. 50-53
-“Josefina’s Surprise”

*Note:
You can read a lot more about what life was like on a wagon heading west in the Free Pioneer (American Girl Kirsten) Unit Study!  This unit is the next one chronologically, so if you are working your way through the Free American Girl History Units series, you will be reading a lot more on this topic in the next study!

What is a Wagon Train?
Frontier Life-  Wagons on the Trail
Pack the Wagons!   (Part 1)
Daily Life on a Wagon Train   (Part 2)
Riding the Rails and Traveling the Trails
Life on the Trail
(Scroll down to pg. 30 to begin)
Stories from the Santa Fe Trail


+WATCH:

Santa Fe and the Trail
(Old educational movie but fun!)
What Was Inside a Covered Wagon?
Bent’s Fort– around 3 minutes
– PBS Colores series- The Santa Fe Trail
(56 mins.   A bit long, but there are some really nice historic photos and it is well done. )
Wagon Trails West    (about 9 minutes)


+EXPLORE:

Draw a Covered Wagon
*Pioneer life on the trail  (lots of links for reading, activities & games)
– Wagon Trains Game
– Oregon Trail Game
(includes Santa Fe Trail)

* Pioneer Life  (lots of links for reading, activities & games)

* Brief intro to the Santa Fe Trail through art


+PRINT:

*America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
-The Santa Fe Trail
-My Plan For the Trail
-Packing List For the Trail

 

*Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!
(Hover over the link for a description)

* Covered wagons  to color and label and other trail life pics
Covered Wagon Coloring Page
– Wagons West Coloring Page
– Chuck Wagon Coloring Page
– Covered Wagon Coloring Page

 


+Day 5: Becoming American


+READ:

-“Welcome to Josefina’s World 1824”-  p. 56-58
-“Josefina’s Surprise”

*Note:
Today’s lesson is intentionally short, as we will have covered the State of New Mexico quite well already in the Geography section for this unit!

Brief intro to New Mexico history/statehood
Journey from colony to statehood…reading and some very nice artwork !
-New Mexico becomes a state


+WATCH:

The 47th Star
The Story of New Mexico’s Flag

+PRINT:

*Coloring pages to use for notebooking, lap booking, etc…. or just for fun!
New Mexico’s Stamp Coloring Page
New Mexico Coloring Page
– New Mexico Coloring Page
50 States- New Mexico Coloring Page
New Mexico State Symbols Coloring Page
Welcome To New Mexico Coloring Page

*New Mexico Printables

*If you’d like to read the rest of the Josefina series, I’ve included them below (these are affiliate links, thanks for trusting that I never include any resources I don’t love! 🙂)

Reading Comprehension Think!


*Reading Comprehension Ideas:  Show what you know!

*Comprehension Questions, Quizzes, & Activities
-The American Girl website has some nice Josefina Worksheets .
-This AG loving mom has lists of American Girl Comprehension Questions for lots of the books in the series.
American Girl Interactive Quizzes 

*Add to your History Notebook, Lapbook, Scrapbook, or Timeline…
-Keep a running list in a notebook of important people, important places,  important events, and important ideas as you study this period of time. Use these lists later for writing prompts, notebooking, lapbooking, creating a timeline, etc…
-Create a notebook, lapbook, scrapbook, folder, etc…to show what you’re learning.  This is a fantastic way for the kids to articulate creatively what they have learned!
Need some inspiration?
– Notebooking Resources!
American Girl Notebook Templates   and  File Folder Templates

*Book Reports (made a little more fun!)
Don’t just assign any old boring  Book Report… have your students try showing what they’ve learned about their books with a Book Report Cake, a Rainbow Report, or a Pizza Box Book Report!  This family made a book report poster from the Kristen series, but you could easily just adapt this by adding to the poster what we study each week for Josefina.

*Get Creative!  Find whatever creative outlet that excites your kids!
-Try making a  diorama.
You could create one for Josefina’s pueblo, Josefina’s house during a fiesta, a mini Flower Garden with lots of hollyhocks, a scene depicting your favorite Native American Tribe life, or any part you find interesting about the life and times of America’s Southwestern Frontier…OR you could make several and display the many parts of life during this time in history!

-Make
your own history museum!
This would be a great project to work on throughout this unit study, adding the most interesting parts to your “museum” each week.  Here are some ideas on how to make your own history museum (not history specific, but you’ll get the idea)!

-Create a short video showing what you have learned about some aspect of life in America’s Southwestern Frontier.
+You could be a kid on the Camino Real seeing all the scenes along the trail.
+Print out a small picture of Josefina (or other characters you’ve learned about), animals or other sites you’d see around the rancho or on the trail, or whatever else you’d like to focus on, affix them to popsicle sticks, and use the diorama as a background, and film a short video.  Get creative!

 

 

Mad-Libs

*Language Arts/Grammar Ideas-

* You may choose to use your regular grammar curriculum, add just a few of the  ideas below  into the mix, or use all the ideas below.  Isn’t homeschooling wonderful sometimes?

*Vocabulary ideas-

*Vocabulary Notebook
I have included a brief list for each week from the core reading for younger students…BUT it probably won’t fit your student’s needs perfectly, so feel free to add any words you want!  Each of my children kept a vocabulary notebook.   They would add words they chose while they were reading, or any we came across that were new!  The notebooks make it super easy to review, or go back to find a word you’ve forgotten.

*Spanish Vocabulary
It might also be fun to include many of the spanish words that you will find in the reading, songs, etc that we have been studying.   If you already speak Spanish, maybe you could focus on common modern English words with origins from this period.
If your child is old enough to be proficient in using a computer, it might be a fun activity to include copy & pasted images along with some of the particularly “foreign” words. (ex.  fandango, mesas, rebozos, etc…)

*Vocabulary Lists:

*Week 1:

1. tia                      2. revolt                       3. adobe                   4. fortress            5. frontier
6. orchards          7. altar                         8.  drought               9. baptize          10. propose

 

*Week 2:
1. finery                 2. sarape                    3. fandango            4. yucca              5. inoculation
6. expedition        7. saint                       8. rely                      9. minerals       10. raw materials

 

*Week 3:
1. pueblos           2. captive                 3.  caravan              4. bandits            5. plaza
6. trailhead        7. plains                   8.  traders                9. pelts               10. destiny



*Copy Work/Narration ideas-      

*Week 1:

* Page 6 of “Welcome to Josefina’s World” is a lovely description of the “Land of Enchantment” and would be a nice page and addition to your notebook if you are making one for this unit.

*Copy Work From Reading–
Choose a favorite passage from the reading this week to narrate and/or copy.

* This week’s Scripture verses-

*What does God say about worship?
Psalm 150:6       –John 4:23-24     2 Kings 17:38   
Matthew 4:10    –Psalm 100          –Hebrews 12:28

*What does God say about remembering Him?

Isaiah 46:9       –Psalm 111:4       –Deuteronomy 4:9
Psalm 105:5      –Psalm 105:8

*Scriptures of remembrance
Psalm 71:5     – Psalm 78     – Psalm 106      – Psalm 107
Psalm 136      – Ecclesiastes 12:1

* It might be fun to try copying one of the Bible verses in Spanish !
Bible Gateway has the Bible in Spanish (in several translations).  You can easily print the verses out & use them for each day’s copy work.

* You also might like to copy a song you are learning in Spanish, like “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy

*Print:
If you bought the Josefina Printable POWER Pack, there are themed copy work printables for both print and cursive, and extras for your own assigned copy work as well.

 

*Week 2:

*Copy Work From Reading–
Choose a favorite passage from the reading this week to narrate and/or copy

*This Week’s Scriptures-

Nehemiah 8 (*vs12)
Exodus 5:1          Exodus 12              Leviticus 23     – Matthew 26:17-27
Acts 2:46             – Matthew 18:20      Psalm 147        – Psalm 34:3

* It might be fun to try copying one of the Bible verses in Spanish !
Bible Gateway has the Bible in Spanish (in several translations).  You can easily print the verses out & use them for each day’s copy work.

* You could try copying an Old Western Cowboy Song from the 1800’s .

* If you chose to study Georgia O’Keeffe this week, you might like to copy some of her insights into the natural beauty found in nature, and specifically that of New Mexico.

 


*Week 3:

* This week’s Scripture verses-

Genesis 2:9             – Psalm 104: 14-16       – Job 12:7-10         – Psalm 19:1-4
Romans 1:20 – Psalm 148: 7-10        Psalm 33: 6-9         – Acts 14: 15
Psalm 23: 2-3Psalm 147: 7-9

*Copy Work From Reading–
Choose a favorite passage from the reading this week to narrate and/or copy

* It might be fun to try copying one of the Bible verses in Spanish !
Bible Gateway has the Bible in Spanish (in several translations).  You can easily print the verses out & use them for each day’s copy work.

* You might like to copy the poem “The Santa Fe Trail”  (pg. 12-15), or an excerpt of it… or another poem from this collection found on subsequent pages.

* We learned about worshiping God through His creation in this week’s Bible study.
You might like to copy some of the words to some hymns that were part of that lesson.

How Great Thou Art
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze;
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee; How great Thou art!
How great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee;
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

**OR…

* Choose your favorite passage from some of this week’s reading.

* Choose an author that was popular during this period & incorporate them into the unit (copy work, timeline, writing prompts, etc…).  Be sure to add them to your notebook!

*Grammar ideas-

* Here’s a website of very short daily grammar reviews
Fun Grammar  offers interactive online games, and Education World has fun editing worksheets.

* You could also choose a sentence, or photocopy a page of the reading. Depending on what skill you want to emphasize, have your child diagram a few of the sentences, or find all the verbs, nouns, etc…, or whatever grammar skill needs work!

*The story of Pecos Bill and the grammar exercises included in this lesson would make a FUN activity for week 1 !
– Free Pecos Bill Story Map    (from TPT)
Free Pecos Bill Play!
Free Tall Tales/Pecos Bill Language Arts Printables



*
Writing Activities-


*Week 1:


*Rancho Life  

Imagine life on Josefina’s rancho.  What would it be like to live there?
Write about what a day there would be like, from the time you woke up, to the time you go to sleep.  You could choose to write from Josefina’s perspective, or from your own perspective as a visitor there!
Include as many details as you can explaining all the sights, sounds, and even smells and tastes! 

*Feliz Navidad!
Imagine a holiday celebration in Josefina’s neighborhood.  Write about the kinds of traditions you might experience there!  You can find LOTS of information in this post-
A Southwestern Pioneer Christmas

*El Árbol Genealógico     
Create Josefina’s family tree and learn the Spanish words for family members!
You can review the vocabulary and print out a Spanish Family Worksheet.
I’ve included a “Family Tree” template in the Josefina Printable Power Pack, if you’d like to use it, but you could also create your own!

 

 

*Week 2:

 

*Selling Snake Oil!
Try coming up with your own traveling “snake oil” show.
Invent some of your own “cures” for common ailments.  Decide if your “cure alls” will be honest or made up!  Some ideas-  does chewing peppermint gum cure a stomach ache?  Does applying duct tape heal a wart?  Does drinking apple cider vinegar help with itchy skin?
Research and see what other ideas you can come up with!
Create a brochure, then call your family around for the traveling medicine show! 
Can you convince them?

*Home, Home on the Range! 
Try writing your own cowboy campfire song to calm the cows & keep the coyotes at bay!
Write about some things you’ve been learning in this unit, from food, to family, to weather.
You could choose a familiar tune to set your lyrics to, or even create one of your own!

*A Mile In a Missionary’s Shoes   
Research a missionary that lived among the people of the 1800’s Southwest, and write entries in a journal describing your travels into Indian territory to share the good news about Jesus with the natives who have never heard His story.
Tell of your hardships, experiences with the people you encounter, founding and living in a mission, and other important facts about your life as a missionary.  Explore and write about what you are feeling…what you are thinking…what you are seeing…etc…Paint a picture in words !

 

*Week 3:

 

*A Santa Fe Trail Journal   
Imagine that you are part of a wagon train headed for Santa Fe with a load of goods.
Create a journal of your experiences for at least two weeks of the journey. Use the website information to make your entries as historically accurate as possible. You can also include sketches of anything you might see along the way (plants, animals, town scenes, etc…)

*What Is The Best Way To Retrace The Santa Fe Trail?  
Map out your own pathway along the Santa Fe Trail!
Plan your rest stops, select your mode of transportation, and calculate what supplies you will need. Don’t forget to consider the weather and add what you’ll need to your supplies!
Estimate how much time your journey will take and itemize your estimated costs. 
Decide between the northern Mountain Fork or the Cimarron Cutoff.
Your goal should be to make the most economical trip possible and still arrive safely, comfortably, and rested.

*Poetry Trail   
After reading the poem “The Santa Fe Trail  (pg. 12-13), try writing your own poem about some aspect of this week’s study.

 

– Also, you may make up some broad prompts from any topic from our studies so far…

 


Heart Bible 

*Bible Ideas:

american girl unit study


*Week 1:  Worship-  Remembering God


*Reading-
Josefina’s life was filled with daily reminders of her faith.  Faith in, and the worship of God were very important in her culture.   Most often, at the center of small southwestern villages (la plaza) such as Josefina’s, was the community church.  The people of the town gathered there for many occasions.  It was a central part of  the people’s lives.   Everywhere were symbols of faith and reverence.   Art, jewelery, pottery, blankets, and even every day items used by the families were designed to be constant reminders of their adoration for God.   Special occasions such as weddings, baptisms, and holidays were celebrated with great parties (fiestas) showing the people’s joy and thanksgiving to God.  Josefina’s world in the pioneer days of the American Southwest,  was often difficult and dangerous.  These traditions and everyday reminders gave the people comfort and strength when times were hard.  In our reading we learn that Josefina kept a ” box of remembrance”  of some special things that had belonged to her mama.   She took it out when she needed to feel close to her mom and when she wanted to remember her better.   She felt hopeful after doing it.  This week our Bible lesson is about worship.  One way we can worship God is by remembering who He is and all the great things He has done.
I hope this will help you to feel happy and very loved this week!  🙂


*What does God say about worship?
Psalm 150:6       –John 4:23-24     2 Kings 17:38   
Matthew 4:10    –Psalm 100          –Hebrews 12:28

*What does God say about remembering Him?

Isaiah 46:9       –Psalm 111:4       –Deuteronomy 4:9
Psalm 105:5      –Psalm 105:8

*Scriptures of remembrance
Psalm 71:5     – Psalm 78     – Psalm 106      – Psalm 107
Psalm 136      – Ecclesiastes 12:1


*Ideas to Think About & Discuss


* What is worship?
(Be sure to let your child try to answer this question him/herself.  You may be surprised at the depth of understanding children can have!)
What Is Worship?

* Here are a couple of very short lessons/discussions geared toward introducing children to this topic:
Heart of Worship Lesson
Discipline of Worship Lesson

* Can you think of some ways that God’s people have worshipped Him by remembering who He is and what He has done ?  Here’s a few ideas…there’s LOTS more!
– by making a pile of stones                                                                (Joshua 4: 1-7;  21-24)
– by celebrating festivals                                                                      (Exodus 12: 14;17)
– by dancing, singing, & playing musical instruments                 (Exodus 15: 20-21)
– by writing songs & poems                                                                (Psalm 77: 10-20 )
– by sharing a meal                                                                               (Luke 22: 7-8; 14-20)

*Bible Coloring pages and Printable Activities to go along with the Scriptures above.

* What are some ways that God’s people worship Him (by remembering what He has done)  in our culture today?
Here’s just a few ideas to get you thinking…
– by reading the Bible  (full of encouraging stories of God’s faithfulness)
– by singing songs and writing poetry and music, and creating pieces of art
– by gathering together with other people who love Jesus
– by celebrating special days of remembrance such as Christmas or Easter, etc…

* Do you have any personal “Jordan stones” that are reminders to you of a time when you remember God’s presence, or help, or comfort in a hard situation?

* I made a board of photos  of some of my family’s “Jordan Stones”.  I made it so that every time I walk past and see it, I will be reminded that God is always with me.  He has blessed our family so much, but sometimes life is hard.   So when I am feeling sad, or lonely, or discouraged, I can look at these pictures and remember that He has been and is always with me.

"Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! " ~Psalm 98:1
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! ” ~Psalm 98:1

 

*Activities-

*Make a Memory Box like Josefina kept to remind herself of her mama.  You could write your “remembrances” on strips of paper or some smooth stones;  or you might like to add small items that will remind you to give thanks to God.
If you don’t care to purchase a kit, you could easily find things you already have to do this activity or buy something from your local craft store.
Memory Box   (This is a link to buy a wooden box craft kit on Amazon)
Memory Box Craft   (for older kids or moms!)
How to Fold a Box Out of Paper

* Journaling-
Try writing your own song or poem of remembrance.
Perhaps you could add this to your memory box if you made one….Or, you might like to put it in a frame so you will be able to think of it often.   Share it with someone!
(There are printables for this in the Josefina Power Pack)

* Songs & Dancing-
Turn on some music!
Grab a musical instrument if you play one….or even a pot lid and a metal spoon.   Sounds silly, I know, but try it!   Focus on praising God & not on how silly you look.  🙂

– Just for fun!  A young man teaches how to sing “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy” in Spanish.  🙂  )

“En Los Montes, En Los Valles”, a worship song in Spanish.
This was so much fun to watch & be a part of when we lived in South America.  One of my favorites!
Here are the lyrics in Spanish so you can try to sing along if Spanish isn’t your first language…It’s FAST! 
Here is a rough translation in English-
In the mountains, in the valleys,
we exalt him that is worthy of praise.
In the coasts of the seas, we raise a sound of hope.
We acclaim, we acclaim,
We listen to hear the voice of your praise.
With our hands held high we exalt him who reigns forever.
Let us go up to worship at Mount Zion, it is the joy of all the nations.
Where sadness is joy, weeping is happiness.
Let us go up to worship the great king.

 

+PRINT:

*America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
-Let’s Talk About It Pages
-My Jordan Stones
-Ways I Love To Worship
-Let Everything Coloring Page
-Bible Study Notes

*Coloring Pages-

* Some coloring pages on Worship!
Sing! Coloring Page
– Worship! Coloring Page
– I Will Praise God Coloring Page

* Some coloring pages on JOY !
Joy! Coloring Page
Worship Joy Coloring Page

 

 

 

 

american girl unit study week 3

*Week 2: Worship-  Celebrating Together

*Reading-

* You may like to re-read pg. 34-35 in “Welcome to Josefina’s World” for a nice intro to this week’s lesson.

* The community of settlers in Josefina’s town were a very close group of people.  Every family worked hard independently and together to survive in the new frontier.  The community was a very important part of everyone’s life.  Last week we talked about ways that Josefina (and other people throughout history) worshipped God by remembering.   This week we will learn about another way.
Celebrations, or fiestas, were something Josefina and her community looked forward to with great anticipation.  Delicious foods, lively music, dancing, and lots of friends and family gathered all together were a wonderful part of the culture of  the southwest.  There were parties when babies were born, parties when people got married, even a day to remember and celebrate friends and family members who had died.  Josefina’s favorite fiesta was the celebration of Las Posadas, which lasted 9 whole days !!

Las Posadas Celebration
(simple description of this celebration)
– Las Posadas Lesson
(Mommy Maestra shares a lovely & complete lesson plan including many recipes & fun activities !)
5 Fiestas!
(Short article with lots of links for ideas to celebrate with children)

Last week we learned that we can worship God by remembering all He is and all He has done.
Gathering together to celebrate is another way we can worship.  Sounds fun, doesn’t it ?!?

*Related Scriptures for Further Reading-

*Examples of celebrations in the Bible-
Nehemiah 8 (*vs12)
Exodus 5:1          Exodus 12              Leviticus 23     – Matthew 26:17-27
Acts 2:46             – Matthew 18:20      Psalm 147        – Psalm 34:3

*If you’d like extra coloring pages or printable activities to go along with any of the stories from the scriptures listed above, you can find them here:
– Calvary Bible Curriculum (Scripture, Activities, Coloring Pages, and more!)

*Ideas to Think About & Discuss-

* What does it mean to celebrate  ?
What are some reasons that make you want to celebrate?
What are some things that you celebrate with your family and friends ?

* When something really exciting happens to you, what is the first thing you do ?
Do you often want to share the great news with a friend ?
Praise is meant to be shared.  Worship in many ways is incomplete without an outward expression or act involving another human being.

+  I realize the following quote is probably not very interesting to your child, but it was such a revelation to me about worship, that I needed to share it with somebody!  🙂

Praise is meant to be shared.

Worship in many ways is incomplete without an outward expression or act involving another human being.
As CS Lewis was working his way through understanding worship he happened upon a young couple on a park bench watching a sunset.  Though he was enjoying the scene very much, they seemed to be enthralled by it, as they commented on it’s beauty to one another.  It seemed to him that they were enjoying it all the more because they were sharing together in its beauty.
I love the idea and practice of celebrating God, expressing our enjoyment of Him, whether through a lovely conversation with a friend, or through large gatherings of friends and family… both of which were God’s great ideas, of course.
Shared praise is something that actually brings us completeness and great joy !
Err….right.   The quote.   haha

The excerpt is from the book “Reflections on the Psalms” by CS Lewis.
“I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.
It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed.
It is frustrating to have discovered a new author and not to be able to tell anyone how good he is;
to come suddenly, at the turn of the road, upon some mountain valley of unexpected grandeur and then to have to keep silent because the people with you care for it no more than for a tin can in the ditch;
to hear a good joke and find no one to share it with. ”


*Can you think of any examples
in the Bible of a celebration ?
What/Who were the people celebrating?
What did they do to celebrate?
Did they have special food, or songs & music, or dancing?
Did they tell stories or play games?


*What are some ways
you could celebrate God?

*Activities-

* Host a celebration like Las Posadas-
Do you remember Josefina’s favorite celebration Las Posadas?    Everybody in her village got to take part in this fiesta celebrating the birth of Jesus.   Choose a story from the Bible that makes your heart feel full and happy.   Pick a story that makes you want to share it with your friends.  You can dress up like your favorite characters and act out the story as part of your fiesta.   Be sure to include some yummy snacks, colorful decorations, and lively music !

 

* Camp Out !!!!   Enjoying God together-
One of the celebrations God gave to His people was called the Feast of Tabernacles.
You can read about how this festival and others began in Leviticus 23….Leviticus 23:33-43 is specifically about the Feast of Tabernacles.   This week long celebration was one of the most joyous times in the lives of the people of God.  There were many ways they celebrated as a community including making luminaries to light the whole town, music and dancing, singing (Psalms 113-118 were believed to be some of the songs traditionally sung), and of course food!!    Did you know that Jesus also celebrated this special week?  (see John 7:37-38).
During this week, the Hebrew people didn’t sleep in their own houses.  Instead, the whole community built temporary shelters (like tents) to sleep in all week.  This tradition helped them to really focus on God and all the reasons why the week was so special.
Set aside a week, a day, or even an afternoon to enjoy God with some people you love.  Build a tent of your own.  You could camp at a camp ground, in your backyard, or even in your living room.   Try to focus on enjoying God with your family and friends during this special time.

Here are a few places to read some more about this fiesta !
Biblical Fall Feasts
(Scroll down to the 3rd feast section to read about Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles)

– Building the Sukkah
(Really sweet video showing a Jewish child and his family building their tent)

Celebrating Together!
(Ideas on how to celebrate as a family! This is a really nice post!!)

– Celebrate Sukkot!

 

* Songs-

-Super silly song called “Shakin’ the Lulav”…. I LOVE this!
You’ll be singing it all day.   🙂  This is a fun song if you are doing the Feast of Tabernacles activity.
OR
Try moseying on down to your “camp fire” and sing a cowboy song!
Laugh…tell family stories…surely the goodness of God will find it’s way into the evening.  Shared praise.
– Git Along Little Doggies
– Old Dan Tucker

*Learn this song in English and Spanish!
“Celebrate Jesus Celebrate”
– “Celebrad Cristo Celebrad

Israel’s Thanksgiving Feast
(Short Object Lesson)

 

+PRINT:

*America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
-Let’s Talk About It Pages
-Ways I Love To Celebrate
-Fiesta! Planner
-Ways I Can Celebrate
-Celebrate!  Coloring Page
-Recipe Cards
-Bible Study Notes


*Coloring & Activity Pages-

* Las Posadas coloring pages
– Feliz Navidad Coloring Page
Los Posadas Coloring Pages

* Sukkot coloring pages
Sukkot Coloring Page
Feast of Tabernacles Coloring Page
Lulav Coloring Page

 

*If you’d like extra coloring pages or printable activities to go along with any of the stories from the scriptures listed above, you can find them here:
– Calvary Bible Curriculum (Scripture, Activities, Coloring Pages, and more!)

American Girl Unit Study Week 3

*Week 3: Worship- The Beauty of the Earth

*Reading-

* You may like to re-read pg. 6-7 in “Welcome to Josefina’s World” for a nice intro to this week’s lesson.

* Josefina lived in “The Land of Enchantment”.  The landscape of New Mexico is known for its beauty.  From the enormous snow capped mountains, to the crystal waters of the Rio Grande, to the valleys bursting with waves of wildflowers, and even in the barren deserts, God’s creation is shouting with brilliant colors, wonderful smells,  gentle breezes, and the warmth of the sun.   The “awesomeness” of the land did not go unappreciated by the people living there.  The Native Americans and the early Spanish settlers of the Southwest revered it, wrote about it, sung about it, and looked for the Source of it.

Have you ever thought to worship God by appreciating His creation?

It takes slowing down and really seeing what is around you.  I live in Texas.  It is very hot here in the summer.  I am looking out my window.  The ground is dry and cracked…the grass is brown and crunchy, my garden is shriveled, and it hasn’t rained in a month.  As a girl from the coast, finding the beauty in my crunchy, brown backyard takes a minute.  But it’s there.
As I am writing, I’ve been watching a scrawny brown squirrel.  He appreciates my withered garden.  I’ll even guess that at this moment he is thinking it is quite beautiful.  I thought about chasing him away, but then I noticed what he was doing.   He has grabbed my one and only tomato off the vine.  It is misshapen and still green, but he is holding it in his little hands like he has hit the jackpot.  He doesn’t bother to take it home to feast on.   See, what I thought was rather ugly and useless, he has found to be an absolutely wonderful treat!  I imagine that with the drought of this summer, that juicy, green tomato tastes pretty good to him.  🙂
And so I see the lesson in this from the Creator, and I am stirred in my heart to give thanks to God.

 

“Look at the birds of the air;
(or little backyard suburban creatures)…

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?”
~ Matthew 6:2

 

*Let’s read and find out what God has to say!

Genesis 2:9             – Psalm 104: 14-16       – Job 12:7-10             – Psalm 19:1-4
Romans 1:20          – Psalm 148: 7-10         Psalm 33: 6-9         – Acts 14: 15
Psalm 23: 2-3         – Psalm 147: 7-9

*Ideas to Think About & Discuss-

Why do you think God took such care to make the place He made for us to live so beautiful?

Have you ever thought that God created the whole earth with us in mind?
Can you think of some of the parts of creation and guess why He created them the way He did?   (Ex. the moon for quiet light at night)

He created it to provide for us…He created it to remind us of minute of every day of who He is…He created it for us to enjoy…He created it for us to rule and reign over.
WOW!!!
Those are some reasons to rejoice and praise God!
One more way we can worship God is by slowing down, opening our eyes, and SEEING the beauty in God’s creation all around us.

What parts of God’s creation cause you to be amazed?
It could be how a tall tree can grow from a tiny seed, or the beauty of towering mountains, or animals, or babies, or the mighty power of a hurricane, or how huge the ocean is, or how many countless stars are in the night sky, or the way God created the human eye to work…

The Native Americans of the Southwest saw these very sights and worshipped them.  They were looking for the Source of these amazing things.  We know that God Himself made the earth and everything in it.

Do we stop and give Him thanks when we notice the beauty of a sunset or some other lovely part of nature?

What are some ways that nature can remind you to worship the Creator and not the loveliness of the created thing?

*Activities-

* Try keeping a journal (at least for this week) of something in nature that causes you to worship God each day.  It could be some amazing fact about life you’re learning about in science…it could be something you saw in your own backyard (like my little squirrel friend).   Stop and look around you.  Take a moment to think.  Now, draw a picture of it, write a little note to yourself, take a photo & tape it in your journal.  Be creative. When you are finished, take a few minutes to give thanks to God.
-IF you purchased the Printable Power Pack, there is a printable mini-journal to use for this activity!

* We have learned about Georgia O’Keeffe this month.
She noticed the tiniest details in objects.  She appreciated every small part of things.   Pick an object that you find lovely.  Take the time to examine it closely.  Now focus on one small area.  Try looking at it under a magnifying glass.  Notice the smallest details.   See how it is put together.  You might like to take a photo of it at up close.   If you enjoy painting, use your photo to paint the magnified object as Georgia O’Keeffe was known for doing.
(There is an entire lesson on Georgia O’Keeffe in the ART section of this unit study!)

 

“Nobody sees a flower,
really — it is so small —
we haven’t time,
and to see takes time,
like to have a friend takes time.”
~Georgia O’Keeffe

 

 

 

Here’s an example~
Georgia O’Keeffe Art Lesson
Georgia O’Keeffe Big Flowers art project

* Many of the hymns and worship songs we sing refer to the beauty of God’s creation.
Take some quiet time to think about one part of creation that makes your heart want to sing.   Maybe you could go sit outside on a sunny afternoon…or look up at the moon and stars in the night sky…  Write a song if one comes to your mind.   If not, maybe you could take the time to choose a few of your favorite songs.  Find a quiet place outside and read them aloud…take time to think about the words.   If you play an instrument, you could learn to play one!  Whatever you choose to do with this activity…PRAISE the Lord for the beauty of His creation!

 

* Songs-

“Let Everything!”
-‘Creation Sings the Father’s Song
-‘All Creation
– ‘How Great Thou Art’
-‘Great Is Thy Faithfulness

* Here is an interesting devotional about nature and God’s purpose…lots of good thoughts!
Might make you want to camp out tonight!
– Family Camp Out!


*PRINT:

*Josefina Printable Power Pack
-Let’s Talk About It Pages
– Beautiful Things
– My Favorite Parts of Creation
– Let All The Earth… Journal Mini-Book
– Bible Study Notes

*Coloring/Activity Pages-

– Squirrel coloring page
– Creation coloring pages
Flowers coloring pages
– How To Draw Flowers
(Ebook on how to draw flowers… be sure to “flip” through the book.  Really fun!)

**If you’d like a coloring page or printable activity to go along with any of the stories from the scriptures listed above, you can find them here:
– https://calvarycurriculum.com/nt-matthew-john/

 

 

 


*Southwestern Frontier Science Ideas:

Free Unit Studies week 1

*Week 1:  Wild Weather !

* As you are learning about the desert geography of New Mexico this week, you may be surprised to know how turbulent the weather can be there.  There are monsoon type rainstorms that cause flash floods and mud slides, wild fires, tornadoes, and even blizzards in the higher elevations!  The settlers in the southwestern United States had many adventures with wild weather!

*Before you begin, do you know what kind of scientist studies weather?

+Watch-

The Great American Southwest
What Is a Natural Disaster?

 

+ Read!  Watch!  Learn!

* You may like to read pg. 28-29 in “Welcome to Josefina’s World” again as an intro to this lesson.

*Floods!
– Rain to Floods!
(Nice intro with lots of links)
Science- Flood!
– A Story of the Flash Flood!
(Pioneer story of flash floods in the southwestern US)
Wild Weather- Floods!
Why Do Floods Happen?   (video- about 4 minutes)
Understanding Floods
(Although this video is made specific to Australia, it is really informative!  Best for older kids)

*Wild Fires!
– Wildfires
(Nice intro with lots of links)
Smokey the Bear interactive game
Wildfires For Kids
(From the NPS… lots of reading to explore fires!)
– Santa Fe Trail Dust- Prairie Fires!
(Story of wild prairie fires faced by settlers of New Mexico)
All About Wildfires
(Video about 5 minutes)
Wild Kratts- Wildfires!  (2 minutes)
How Wildfires Can Actually HELP!
(Video about 4 minutes)

*Tornadoes!
– Weather- Tornadoes!
(Nice intro with lots of links for activities too!)
Tornado Science
Tornado Questions!
– Tornadoes!
– Old West Tornadoes!
Wild West Tornado Stories
(Some thoughts & information about what the early settlers might have thought about tornadoes)
What Is a Tornado?
(About 4 minutes)
What Causes a Tornado?
(About 3 minutes)
Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm!
(About 25 minutes)
Storm Chasers!  Tornadoes and Hurricanes
(Just something extra if your kiddos are extra interested in this topic!)

*Blizzards!
– 
Wild Weather- Blizzards
–  Blizzard!
Blizzards!  Facts For Kids
– Snow Games Online!
What Is a Blizzard?
(Video- about 4 minutes)
Science of Blizzards!
(Video about 3 minutes)

 


+Discovering & Doing-

Wild Weather Interactive Game
Wild Weather Disaster Plan Coloring Book For Kids
Wild Weather Printable Trading Cards

Make Your Own Barometer

* Wildfire activities-
– Wildfire Prevention Detectives
(Smokey Bear for intermediate age groups…lots of printable activities, etc…)
Fire Safety
(Printable Coloring/Activity Fire Safety Book!  Although this is about house fires, not wildfires, it is always a good lesson to teach especially younger children!  This would be an easy tie in!)
Fire Prevention Games and Activities

* Tornado activities to try-
Magic School Bus Experiment- Tiny Tornadoes
(Great to go along with the Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm video linked above!)
– Make Your Own Tornado
– Tornado Science
Tornado Activities
(Lots of printables about tornadoes)
Tornadoes! Printable Book

* Flood activities-
Don’t Flood Game
Floodwaters in the Desert Activity
Printable Flood Preparedness Activity Book
Flood Safety Activity Book

* Blizzard Activities
Snow Storm In A Jar
Snow Science!
Science of Winter Weather
Frost In a Jar Experiment
Instant Ice Experiment

 

+PRINT:

*America’s Southwestern Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
-Wild Weather!
-Wild Weather Prep Page
-Family Preparedness Planner

*Coloring Pages-
–  Tornado Coloring Page
Snow Coloring Pages
Wildfire Coloring Pages
Flood Coloring Page

 

american girl unit study week 2

*Week 2:  Natural Beauty

 

*Before you jump into your science lesson this week, find out what kind of scientist would study cosmetics!
What Kind of Scientist Studies…
What is a Cosmetic Scientist

 

+Reading-

*
You may like to read pg. 24-25 in “Welcome to Josefina’s World” again as an intro to this lesson.

*  “In Josefina’s day, few people in Mexico or the United States bathed, brushed their teeth, or even changed their clothes daily.  But the women of New Mexico, despite the lack of water and the ever-present dust, worked hard to keep their homes, their families, and themselves clean and beautiful.”  – “Welcome to Josefina’s World”
It is interesting to learn how girls that lived in the time of Josefina’s story liked to dress…or fix their hair…or make their own beauty remedies.

– 1800’s Beauty
Make Up, Creams, Balms, and Lotions- Recipes From the 1800’s
– Native American Beauty Secrets
What Are Cosmetics?
Make Up Science

* Here is an entire Unit Study on Beauty and Makeup to explore!

 


+Discovering & Doing-

*Before you complete any of your experiments… Find out…What is Scientific Method?

*Make your own “primrose” perfume 

* Why not try making some of your own beauty products using natural ingredients like Josefina and her friends may have done?
Make your own Beeswax Lip Balm like the ladies on the Frontier!
(This recipe is super easy and kids can do it themselves!)

There are recipes for all kinds of fun things here, not just makeup.  So get a few friends together and have a beauty party!
DIY Lotion Bars   (These make great gifts too!)
Make your own sweet smelling shampoo
-This is a cute step by step video by “The Glitter Girls Club
– How To Make Homemade Lip Gloss
Make Your Own Beauty Balms
– Make Your Own Vanilla Hand Lotion
(Another cute video by “The Glitter Girls Club” on how to make sparkly vanilla hand lotion)
– Fizzy Bath Bombs Recipe
– Rosewater Toner Recipe
(Rosewater toner recipe)
Cosmetic Chemistry

 

+PRINT:

*America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
-Scientific Method
-Recipe Record Sheets
-Beeswax Lip Balm Process Page
-Note Taking Sheet
-Wildflowers Perfume

*Coloring Pages-
(You may like to use these pages for clip art, to record your recipes, etc…)
Cosmetics Coloring Pages
Making Perfume Coloring Page
Perfume Coloring Page

 

 

*Week 3:  Flowers of the Southwest

* One of the things that reminded Josefina so much of her mama was the primroses that she so loved to grow.  Even though much of the area surrounding Josefina’s home was desert, there were plenty of lovely flowers that grew there.
What’s your favorite ?

*First, learn what kind of scientist studies PLANTS!

+Read!  Watch!  Learn!
– Desert Plants
(Links to lots & lots of desert plants all with BEAUTIFUL colorful pictures)

What Is a Wildflower?
Early Wildflowers of New Mexico
(Wildflowers of New Mexico and some of their traditional uses)

Celebrate Wildflowers US Forest Service
(Lots of kids activities…parts of a wildflower classification, dissection and labeling pages, etc)
-Lesson Plan All About Wildflowers
What’s Inside a Flower?
(Video about 4 minutes)
New Mexico Desert Flowers
(Video about 2 minutes)
The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush
(Video about 8 minutes)


+Discovering & Doing-

 Desert Plants
(Videos of desert plants…very interesting)
Butterfly Gardens 
Try making your own special butterfly garden area of wildflowers.  Find what wildflowers grow best where you live!
Backyard Smart: Know Your Zone
Zone Maps By State
What Grows In Your Zone?

* Wildflowers grow, well….WILD!
Most come from seeds and droppings from birds and other animals.   Why not try growing a surprise garden.   What’s a surprise garden?  Read on…
– Wildflower Surprise Gardens 

*Josefina saved her mama’s dried primroses in her memory box.
Maybe you’d like to try drying some wildflowers yourself.   You can keep them just to look at, or use them to make a craft such as notecards, bookmarks, etc…
How To Preserve Wild Flowers
Pressed Flowers Bookmark
Make Seed Balls
Wildflower Observation Journal Page

 

+PRINT:

*America’s Southwest Frontier- Josefina Printable Power Pack
-Flowers of the Southwest
-US Garden Zones
-Gardening Coloring Page

 

*Coloring Pages-
Wildflower Coloring Pages
(Beautiful coloring pages of wildflowers with descriptions of each flower)
– Flower Parts Coloring Page
Flowers Coloring Pages  (Color By Number)

* Here are some ideas for printables to record your experiments and findings!
– Science Experiment Worksheets
Plant Tracking Sheets

 

 


 I Want to See the World

*America’s Southwestern Frontier
Geography Ideas-

american girl unit study

*Week 1:  New Mexico

+READ-

New Mexico Facts
All About New Mexico
New Mexico
 A to Z Kids Stuff- New Mexico
Fun Facts About New Mexico
50 States FACTS! New Mexico

Spanish Exploration of New Mexico as told by the explorer Villagrá

-Very brief intro to The Settlement of Santa Fe & Exploration of the Southwestern United States

 

+MAP-

Mapping activities on early history of New Mexico
(Entire lesson plan for teachers & students)
1768 Map of New Mexico
(Includes geographical features and Native American tribes)

Interactive Map of New Mexico and Online New Mexico Scavenger Hunt

*Make a map showing the four corners states.
Highlight the state of New Mexico.
Be sure to label rivers, mountains, the capital and any other important things you’d like to note.
New Mexico Map


+HANDS-ON-

-Find out what the 4 major biomes of New Mexico are.
Choose one or more to create a mason jar biome!

*New Mexico Flag Projects
-Eraser Dot Flag
Make a NM flag by dipping a pencil eraser in red paint, copying the pattern of the flag onto a yellow sheet of construction paper!
-Bean Art New Mexico Flag
Make a NM flag using some of the common beans (Pinto, kidney, red beans), dried corn, and/or spices found in New Mexico to make New Mexico’s Flag, or create your own design representing the state of New Mexico!  Example of the idea behind this Bean Project.

Paper Hollyhocks

+PRINT:
*Coloring  and Activity Pages-
New Mexico Wildlife Coloring Book
New Mexico Printables
New Mexico Coloring Pages
(Nice variety of coloring pages from the New Mexico Historical Preservation Society)
New Mexico Printables and Activities
(Links to all kinds of free printables about New Mexico)
New Mexico State Symbols Coloring Pages
New Mexico – State Coloring Pages
Printables For New Mexico

*From The Southwestern Frontier (Josefina) Printable Power Pack

-All About New Mexico
-New Mexico Map It!
-Places I’d Like to See In New Mexico

 

+ Start a diorama.

You may like to create several, one for each week’s theme, or just add on each week to make one larger diorama.  I have included lots of links to coloring pages & paper dolls that would be good to use.

 

american girl unit study week 3

*Week 2:  People of New Mexico
(National Parks of NM) 


**NOTE:  
This lesson overlaps with the reading on Day 1, Week 3.
You will find A LOT of information/activities below.  You could choose one of the days to do the reading, and one to try some of the hands-on activities. 

+READ:

History of the Peoples of New Mexico
People of the Southwest
– New Mexico’s Ancient People
(This is a lesson based on another book…however, there’s some nice reading & printables included in the lesson that do not require the book.  Scroll down to the section entitled “Ancient Peoples” for a nice intro to this unit.)

* The Pueblo (Anasazi People)
– Introduction to the Pueblo People
– Who Are the Anasazi?
– Native Americans- Pueblo
– The Ancient Pueblo People

* Navajo and Apache People
– Who Are the Navajo?
– The Apache People

*Mogollon People
– Meet the Mogollons
(‘Meet the Mogollon’ intro and project)
– New Mexico Mogollons


+WATCH:

The Puebloans
Musical instruments of the Pueblo People
‘Spider Woman Teaches the Navajo’ story read aloud
‘Baby Shark’ in Navajo!
‘Fry Bread’
(Sweet story, ‘Fry Bread’, read aloud!)
-Can you make the ‘Two Coyotes‘ ?  Try this fun string trick!

 

+MAPPING-

– New Mexico Geography

*Add to your New Mexico map from week 1 (or make a new one!).
Map out Josefina’s “neighbors” in New Mexico and the other “three corners” states…or print out one of these new maps to use in your notebook
– The Four Corners

 


+HANDS-ON-

– Make Your Own Pueblo Coil Pot
– Pueblo Pottery
(A complete lesson with lovely historic photos of Pueblo art and activities to try at home)
– Sand Painting
– Navajo Fry Bread
(Navajo Fry Bread recipe with a nice history….Yummmmmm!)
Pueblo Piki Bread
(Free TpT printable recipe for Pueblo Indian Piki Bread!)

*Try making a woven basket
– Native American Basketry
– Make your own Basket!
(How-to weave a newspaper basket!)


* Add
items studied this week to your diorama
(You could add paper dolls this week… make a southwestern family, or perhaps you may like to include some of their “neighbors”… or interesting people they may have met along the trails!  Why not add in some of the indigenous animals too?!)


+PRINT:

*America’s Southwest Frontier- American Girl Josefina- Printable Power Pack

-All About New Mexico
-New Mexico Map It!
-Places I’d Like to See In New Mexico

*Coloring Pages:
Navajo Nation Flag
Navajo Coloring Page
Navajo Blanket Coloring Page
Native Americans Coloring Page
Pueblos Coloring Page
Pueblo Indian Coloring Book
(This is from the ruins in AZTEC, New Mexico… but NOT about the Aztec Indians 😀  )
Southwestern Native Americans Coloring Pages

 

American Girl Unit Study Week 3

*Week 3: On the Trail…Exploring New Mexico
Through  State Parks

+Reading & Watching-

– What is a National Park?
(Complete Lesson Plan…just in case you need one.    🙂  )
How the National Park Service Got Started
Live Web Cams in the Parks
(Scroll down the “locations” list on the left to take a virtual tour of some of the US National Parks)
   

* Carlsbad Caverns
– Explore the Caverns!
– Carlsbad Caverns
(NPS main page…look to the left for links to the history, people, and nature of the park)
Lesson Carlsbad Caverns
(Various related lesson plans from the NPS)
Carlsbad Caverns Interactive Fun
– NPS Caves Coloring Book

* Bandelier National Monument & the People of New Mexico
– Video Tour of Bandelier National Monument
– Bandelier National Monument
– Bandelier National Monument- Lesson Plan
– Nature at Bandelier
– Bandelier- People of New Mexico
(Links for LOTS of activities to teach about the people of New Mexico)

*Aztec Ruins National Park
Aztec Ruins National Park
(Kids discover the park interactive)
– Take a Tour of Aztec Ruins National Park
(NPS video tour of this ruin by young park rangers)
– Aztec Ruins National Park- Lesson Plans
(Lesson plans about the plants, people, history, etc…)

* Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument…the meeting of the Spanish and Pueblo
– Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
– Take a Tour of Salinas Pueblo National Park!
(Video tour by young park rangers )
– Video Tour of Salinas Pueblo National Park!
– Nature at Salinas Pueblo National Park!
– The People of Salinas Pueblo National Park!

*  Pecos
– History and Tour of Pecos!
(Nice video history/tour of Pecos National Monument by the NPS)
– What is the Pecos National Monument?
– The People of Pecos
– Spanish History and the Pecos
– Pecos and the Santa Fe Trail

* Chaco Culture National Historic Park
– Take a Tour of Chaco Canyon!
(Video virtual tour of Chaco Canyon National Park by young park rangers)
– History of Chaco Canyon
– What’s at Chaco Canyon?
Chaco Canyon National Park- Lesson Plan
(Lesson plans for all ages centered around this National Park)

*Gilla Cliff Dwellings
– Gilla Cliff Dwellings Printable Activity and Coloring Book
– Nature at the Gilla Cliff Dwellings
(Be sure to look at the bar to the left for other links!)
– Take a Tour of Gilla Cliff Dwellings
(Nice, short video tour of the site)
– The Gilla Forest
(The Gila Forest…short video from PBS)
Cliff Dwelling coloring page


+Mapping-

* Watch this short tutorial on reading a map by the National Parks Service
– How To Read a Map

* On a blank map of New Mexico, map out these National Parks/Historic Sites
– Mapping New Mexico

* Make a comparison chart listing the geographic location (North, South,Central, etc…), the indigenous people group, any special landforms found there, wildlife, or anything else you’d like to compare).
Sample Comparison Chart
(Here’s an idea of the type of chart I had in mind, although the columns would be comparing different items & the rows would be each of the National Parks)

 

+Hands On-

Santa Fe Trail National Park Activities
Become a Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Junior Trail Ranger!
Design Your Own National Park and Logo
Become a Virtual Mesa Verde Junior Ranger

*Add to & finish up your diorama
(It might be fun this week to add some of the famous landmarks or landforms that  we have studied this week to your diorama….)

* Create a journal page for each site highlighting the diversity and beauty in the landscape that is found there.
– National Parks- Landscapes


+PRINT:

*You will find lots of the printables this week under each National Park!

– America’s National Parks
(scroll to the bottom for a printable to record info for each park)


 

American History and Art

*Art-   Georgia O’Keeffe

* Reading-

*Who Is Georgia O’Keeffe ?
*Georgia O’Keeffe Short Biography 

*Read an introduction and then watch a  video HERE about Georgia’s New Mexico
(About 14 minutes…from the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum)
*Take a virtual tour of many of Georgia’s works    HERE  
* “My Name is Georgia”    (Read aloud on YouTube- about 5 minutes)

* Discovering and Doing-

*Try creating color  O’Keeffe style with this ART LESSON   (from Dymphna’s Song)
*Super FUN Georgia O’Keeffe Art History Lesson   (from Happy Family Art – love this site!)
*Creative Chalk Art Project  (YouTube instructions )
*Paint a landscape !  Step by step how to  (Great lesson from Painted Paper Art !!)
*Try making these Georgia O’Keeffe Flower Bowls  (from The Crayon Lab)

* Coloring & Notebooking-

*Be sure to check out the artist note booking pages in the Josefina Power Pack!

*Georgia O’Keeffe coloring page
*O’Keeffe Ram’s Head and Hollyhock
*Lawerence Tree
*Great tips to make your OWN printable artwork coloring pages (for any artist)


Georgia O'Keeffe for kids

*Misc. Crafts, Cooking, & Creative Ideas-

You can find TONS of ideas for hands-on projects and recipes in this post-
A Southwestern Frontier Christmas- Hands-On History
southwestern Christmas history

 

 

*I hope you have enjoyed the
America’s Southwestern Frontier – American Girl Josefina Unit Study !

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This unit took me about 6 months to create, and I’m SUPER excited to share it!
If you have been blessed by these FREE unit studies, would you share some love and help me keep offering them to other homeschooling families for free?   Many thanks friends!


Follow us through history with
Pioneer America,  Kirsten’s Unit Study !  ***

Pioneer Activities for Kids

 


*Other FREE American Girl History Units from Fields of Daisies~

 

*Overview of All American Girl Unit Studies
(An outline of the scope and sequence covered in each of the AG Units)

*FREE Native America Unit Study-  AG Kaya
+Kaya Printable Power Pack  (Free!)
+
Native America (Kaya) Unit Study- PDF Version
+Kaya Native America Pinterest Board

*FREE Colonial America Unit Study – AG Felicity
+Felicity Printable Power Pack
+Colonial America  (Felicity) Unit Study-  PDF Version
+A Colonial America Christmas-  Hands-On History  (Free)
+A Colonial America Christmas-  Printable Power Pack
+Felicity- Colonial America Pinterest Board
+Colonial America (Felicity) Christmas Pinterest Board

*FREE Southwest Frontier America Unit Study – AG Josefina
+Josefina Printable Power Pack
+Southwest Frontier  (Josefina) Unit Study-  PDF Version
+Christmas Southwestern Frontier- Hands-On History  (Free)
+Josefina- Frontier America Pinterest Board
+Southwestern Frontier (Josefina) Christmas Pinterest Board

*FREE Pioneer America Unit Study – AG Kirsten
+Kirsten Printable Power Pack
+Pioneer America (Kirsten) Unit Study- PDF Version
+Kirsten-  Pioneer America Pinterest Board
+Pioneer America (Kirsten) Christmas Pinterest Board

*FREE Civil War America Unit Study – AG Addy
+Addy Printable Power Pack
+Civil War (Addy) Unit Study-  PDF Version
+Addy- Civil War America Pinterest Board
+Civil War (Addy) Christmas Pinterest Board

*FREE 1900 Turn of the Century America Unit Study – AG Samantha
+Samantha Printable Power Pack   (My FAVORITE yet!!!)
+Turn of the Century (Samantha) Unit Study-  PDF Version
+Samantha-  Turn of the Century Pinterest Board
+Turn of the Century (Samantha) Christmas Pinterest Board

*FREE The Great Depression Unit Study-  AG Kit
+The Great Depression (Kit) Unit Study-  PDF Version
+Kit Printable Power Pack
+Kit- The Great Depression Pinterest Board

*FREE World War 2 Unit Study-  AG Molly
+World War 2 (Molly) Unit Study-  PDF Version
+Molly Printable Power Pack
+World War 2 (Molly) Printable Game
+World War 2- American Girl Molly Unit Study-  BUNDLE
+Molly- World War 2 Pinterest Board

 

 

girl christmas holiday homeschooling
*American Girl Christmas School-  Homeschooling Through the Holidays

–> Check out all the American Girl Printables in the Book Store!

If you loved this Unit Study, check out the Printable Power Packs and the live PDF Versions of the American Girl History Units all in a neat BUNDLE!
And nicely DISCOUNTED of course!

american girl unit studies fields of daisies    American History American Girl PDF Versions Bundle


*FINAL NOTE:
Remember these unit studies (scroll down, they’re all listed below) are designed so that your family can enjoy them for FREE anywhere there is internet access !  No additional books necessary.  There are so many wonderful books that you could add to these studies, please by all means use as many as you have access to. 🙂
These units could stretch out for months if you’re having fun learning!


Remember to check out my favorite books, movie suggestions, craft books, and more for each of the unit studies HERE

American Girl History Books for unit studies

If you decide to purchase any of these extra books, I would appreciate it greatly if you could click directly from my links. Amazon will pay me a small commission for it, and it will NOT cost you anything additional. This will help keep the rest of my content completely free !
THANKS FRIENDS !!

 

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