Welcome to Addy’s World 1854:
Growing Up During America’s Civil War

*This is such a deeply emotional topic of study that will surely create much discussion and perhaps some sadness, anger, and confusion for children. I hope to convey some positive points (stories of courage, faith, hope against all hope, and the deepest expressions of love) that will help sort out what can be learned, so that in our personal lives and in the life of our communities and our countries, we will never repeat a history such as this.

* Core Reading:

“Welcome to Addy’s World 1864“

*Week 1: “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864”- Life in the South

1. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- Meet Addy (p. 1-3)
2. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- Intro to the Civil War & Slavery (p. 26-29)
3. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- Addy’s Family (p. 30-31; 34-35) 4. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- Addy’s Faith (p. 32-33)
5. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- Songs to Freedom (p. 36-37 )

*Week 2: “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- North to Freedom

1. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- The Underground Railroad (p. 38-39)
2. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- New Beginnings in the North (p. 8-11; 20-21) 3. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- Children Still Played (p. 14-15; 12-13) 4. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- Fashion (p. 16-19)
5. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- The Church Family (p. 22-23)

*Week 3: “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864”- America’s “Civil” War

1. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- The Nation at War (p. 4-7)
2. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- The Homefront- South (p. 42-43)
3. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- The Homefront- North (p. 44-45)
4. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- The War Ends ! (p. 46-49)
5. “Welcome to Addy’s World 1864″- Moving On! A New South (p. 50-58) Continue reading American Girl Addy Civil War Unit Study →

Ancient World History Book List –
Part 5 (Middle Ages & the Renaissance)

Welcome back!
If you’ve been following this series, thanks!
This is the last section in the Ancient World History Curriculum.
The Middle Ages have SO many amazing people and places and events that it is really difficult to narrow it all down… but I’ve done my best, and here are my favorite books for the Middle Ages & the Renaissance Unit.

If you’ve just joined in, you may like to check out the first post for these units
–> Free Ancient World History Curriculum and the supplemental book lists for the previous sections as well. These books are NOT required for the studies… they’re just my favorite resources (most I’ve personally used). You will find the few required books for the curriculum included on each unit’s curriculum page.
Section 1: Ancient Civilizations & the Old Testament & Book List
Section 2: Ancient Egypt (includes Ancient China) & Book List
Section 3: Ancient Greece & Book List
Section 4: Ancient Rome & Book List
Section 5: Middle Ages & the Renaissance & Book List

Be sure to follow my Ancient History Pinterest Boards too !
I will be adding the best of the best FREE ideas to them frequently.
* Ancient Civilizations Board
* Ancient Egypt Board
* Ancient Greece Board
* Ancient Rome Board
*Middle Ages & the Renaissance Board

–> This post contains affiliate links. There will NOT be any additional charge to you if you click to Amazon through these links, but I will make a small commission if you do! So thanks ahead for supporting my work ! 🙂

Middle Ages Book List

Hope this list is helpful !
I’d love to know what YOU are using too !
Leave a comment.
HAPPY LEARNING !

Free World History Curriculum

Part 5: The Middle Ages

Welcome back to the final post on Free Ancient World History Plans !
This is the last section of the “Ancients Units”. In this unit, we will cover all the exciting people and places of this period. Knights, kings and castles, battles, intrigue,
the black death, inventors, incredible art and lots more !
For an introduction to this curriculum and how you can adapt it to all your needs, start below with the first post in this series-
“Free Chronological World History Plan” .
You can find the daily plans for the following as well-
Section 1: Ancient Civilizations & the Old Testament
Section 2: Ancient Egypt (includes Ancient China)
Section 3: Ancient Greece
Section 4: Ancient Rome

Continue reading Free Middle Ages History Curriculum →

5 SIMPLE STEPS TO A SUMMER NEIGHBORHOOD MOVIE NIGHT

Someone once said,
“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing,
the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken”.

YES ! THOSE are the kinds of days I’m looking forward to!

The lazy days of summer somehow seem more acceptable. People sit on their front porches. Kids play across the yards. Neighbors seem to have time to stop and chat. There’s just something about this season that draws people outside.

Recently, over a long weekend, my neighbors put together a Neighborhood Movie Night.

It wasn’t anything fancy or over the top. Invites were sent out by their boys on bikes, and texts to moms, and to all who happened to pass by as the movie was starting. You wouldn’t believe how many people came. People with kids, people without kids, and people and their dogs that were just walking by. It was great ! Popcorn and laughing and chatting and meeting new neighbors.

It felt like community. It felt like summer.

It was so much fun, I thought I’d share some of the great ideas with you !

1) Select the Showing Method

Don’t let this scare you away! You don’t have to have a projector and a big screen. My neighbors showed their movie on a sheet hung on their garage door. You could even just use your TV and DVD player, or computer. Do be sure you try the arrangement out before the movie night. Set up before dark 😀

*Things to Consider: long enough extension cords, outlet placements, etc.

2) Select the Scene

Once you decide on what equipment you’ll use to show the movie, you can decide on WHERE you want to show it. Our neighbors chose their front yard. I think if your goal is to really include as many people as possible, this is a great place! If you’d rather keep it small and cozy, the backyard may be a better choice.

Be creative! We even watched a movie while in a swimming pool for my daughter’s birthday one year (probably not the best neighborhood party lol). I’ve listed it below as well, but I personally would notify/invite close by neighbors as a courtesy and also watch a few days ahead (or check your local weather app) for times of sunset. Note what time the sun sets and what time it gets dark.

*Things to Consider: neighbors, proximity to busy streets, bright street lights that might interfere with picture, time of sunset.

3) Select the Seats

Be sure to think ahead about seating. If you don’t have enough chairs, just put out what you have. Pass the word with the invite for everyone to bring a campchair. A basket of blankets for the kids to sit on works too. Also, keep in mind that some of the adults may want to be chatty. You might like to station some chairs farther back, away from the movie area. This could also act as a bit of a barrier for any of the littles that might be roaming around and get too close to the road (depending on your yard).

*Things to Consider: how many people, an area for the adults who aren’t watching the movie to chat, set up

4) Select the Movie

There are some great movies to choose from. The hardest part will be picking a movie that people of all ages will enjoy. Any family friendly (PGish) movies are probably appropriate. If you are feeling extra energetic, you could choose a theme and plan the movie and snacks around that !
*The highlighted links below are my Amazon affiliate links. You will NOT be charged anything additional if you click on them & buy… but I do get a small commission for any sales through my site. Thanks for supporting me 🙂

*Some of our favorites: Despicable Me! , The Chronicles of Narnia movies, All Saints, Finding Nemo, Wonder, Akeelah and the Bee, Cars, Toy Story, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, The Parent Trap, Home Alone or Elf (Christmas in July theme?), Inside Out, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cheaper By the Dozen movies, and Frozen (maybe that would make us forget it’s 109* here this week!)

*Things to Consider: Ages of kids, and if adults are a big part of the crowd too

5) Select the Snacks

Now for the fun stuff! What’s a movie without SNACKS ?!?

This step can be as simple as a BYOS (bring your own snack) or making some brown paper sacks or big bowls of popcorn ! If you’re feeling especially energetic, here are some ideas to make the popcorn extra special (from Food Network- 50 Flavored Popcorn Recipes)

OR you could get the kiddos involved by letting them create some themed snacks
(LIKE THESE) around whatever movie you chose. Be sure to have some bottled waters or juice boxes to wash all the popcorn down too!

*Things to Consider: trash can/clean up, known food allergies

PS…I think there are two secrets to keeping it fun for everyone…
1. KEEP IT SIMPLE
2. Get your whole family involved (kids can do invites and make snacks!)

And VOILA ! A Perfect Neighborhood Movie Night !

Super simple way to create some sweet summer memories !

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Mercy !
What do you do when God is silent ?!

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest.”
~ Psalm 22:1-2

Is there anything much worse than God’s apparent silence when your heart is breaking,
or terrified, or wounded and betrayed ?

Where is He, the One who promised to never leave your side, when life is spinning out of control, and your heart is pounding in your mouth,
and your mind is screaming with what-if’s ?

Have you ever prayed until you had absolutely nothing left…and then, still…only silence?

Mercy !!!
I give up!

I’ve been here. This is where David was when he wrote the words of this psalm.
Maybe you’ve been here too?

I’m so thankful David was honest about his struggles!
What a relief it was to read his words one morning, and know that I wasn’t the only one that had ever felt this way and had cried out to God with these same scary, bold questions.
And David, a man after God’s own heart!

Mercy!
And literally.

So I sat. I cried. I said the word out loud.
Mercy !
Maybe just to break the silence.

Have you ever had a eureka! moment ?
Ohhhhhh. Now I get it!

Sheesh. Some of us (me!) are slow learners.
After months of lament and frustration and doubt and tears, it dawned on me.
God had not been silent at all.
His answer, everyday ?

Mercy!

All those dark days, I had misread His beautiful mercy for terrible silence.

Yet He had walked me through each day pouring out an unfathomable amount of grace.
On me. On my loved one. Over my brokenness. On my home and on my family.

And I had completely missed it.

Have you ever completely missed it with God on something?
OUCH! Big ouch!
But again, the Word reminds us we aren’t the first. Phew!
Our family, His people, have been “missing it” for a very long time. Imagine how fervent and sincere the prayers were for the Messiah to come! So long… hoping, watching, and waiting. Yet many totally missed it because He didn’t come in the way they had expected Him to.

I missed the way He came to me too. Completely.

But in the missing it, I have gleaned a treasure.
“The Lord is near. Be not anxious about anything.”
God is not far or deaf to your cries.
“Call to me and I will answer you…”
Prayers aren’t always answered in the way you’d expect.

So, at the point of giving up…look up.

Don’t just say it…Shout mercy!

Open your eyes to see.

Maybe you’ll begin to notice the grace you’ve had to get up and face each day,
or a new friendship, or a beautiful flower that has sprung up in your yard,
or even the kindness of a stranger…His answer and Presence in an unexpected way.
Don’t miss it!!

The Lord has comforted me so tenderly with this revelation. In some way, somehow,
may these words help you see… and hope again. Apologies for this lengthy post. 🙂
May the Lord bless and keep you~

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles,
SO THAT
we can comfort those in any trouble with the
comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

And just in case anybody has read this far, I also wanted to share this song, “Mercy”, by Amanda Cook. 🙂 So good!

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Ancient World History Book List –
Part 4 (Ancient Rome)

Welcome !
If you’ve been following this series, thanks for coming back!
I’m so excited to share all my favorite books for the Ancient Rome Unit.

If you’re just jumping in, you may like to check out the first post for these units
–> Free Ancient World History Curriculum and the supplemental book lists for the previous sections as well. These books are NOT required for the studies… they’re just my favorite resources (most I’ve personally used). You will find the few required books for the curriculum included on each unit’s curriculum page.
Section 1: Ancient Civilizations & the Old Testament & Book List
Section 2: Ancient Egypt (includes Ancient China) & Book List
Section 3: Ancient Greece & Book List

*Literature :

* Ancient Rome: An Interactive History Adventure
* Mystery of the Roman Ransom and Detectives in Togas
* Roman Diary: The Journal of Iliona
* The Bronze Bow
* The Thieves of Ostia (good series for the older kids)
– The Roman Mysteries Series
(Above is a link to the main page that shows the books in order)
* Vacation Under the Volcano and Ancient Rome: Fact Tracker Companion
*Twice Freed

*Resource/Informational Books:

* Galen and the Gateway to Medicine
* Where is the Colosseum ?
* What Was Pompeii ?
* Who Was Julius Caesar ?
* Augustus Caesar’s World
* Science in Ancient Rome
* Journey Through the Bible
* You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Roman Soldier
* You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Roman Gladiator
* Drive Thru History: Rome If You Want To

*Activity Guides:

* Spend the Day in Ancient Greece
* Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece
* The Roman Empire (Make It Work! History)
* Classical Kids: An Activity Guide (Ancient Greece and Rome) Hands-On History

Hope this list is helpful !
I’d love to know what YOU are using too !
Leave a comment.
HAPPY LEARNING !

Free World History Curriculum

Part 4: Ancient Rome

Welcome back to the latest post on Free Ancient World History Plans !
This section will cover the beginning of Roman Empire, Julius Caesar, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Constantine, and lots more ! 🙂
For an introduction to this curriculum and how you can adapt it to all your needs, start below with the first post in this series-
“Free Chronological World History Plan” .
You can find the daily plans for the following as well-
Section 1: Ancient Civilizations & the Old Testament
Section 2: Ancient Egypt (includes Ancient China)
Section 3: Ancient Greece
Section 4: Ancient Rome
Section 5: The Middle Ages & the Renaissance

Continue reading Free World History Curriculum- Part 4: Ancient Rome →

Ancient World History Book List –
Part 3 (Ancient Greece)

Hello !
If you’ve been following this series, thanks for coming back!
I’m so excited to share all my favorite books for the Ancient Greece Unit.

If you’re just jumping in, you may like to check out the first post for these units
–> Free Ancient World History Curriculum and the supplemental book lists for the previous sections as well. These books are NOT required for the studies… they’re just my favorite resources (most I’ve personally used). You will find the few required books for the curriculum included on the bottom of each unit’s curriculum page.
Section 1: Ancient Civilizations & the Old Testament & Book List
Section 2: Ancient Egypt (includes Ancient China) & Book List
Section 3: Ancient Greece
Section 4: Ancient Rome & Book List

Be sure to follow my Ancient History Pinterest Boards too !
I will be adding the best of the best FREE ideas to them frequently.
* Ancient Civilizations Board
* Ancient Egypt Board
* Ancient Greece Board
* Ancient Rome Board

*Literature :

* The Trojan War: An Interactive Mythological Adventure
* Tales From the Odyssey (Part 1) & Tales From the Odyssey (Part 2)
(This is a 6 Book Series by Mary Pope Osborne if you enjoy them!)
* Hour of the Olympics
and Ancient Greece and the Olympics: A Nonfiction Companion
* Adventures in Ancient Greece (Good Times Travel Agency)
* The Lion in the Gateway
* Tales of the Greek Heroes
* The One-Eyed Giant (Tales from the Odyssey)
* Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Book 1)
(This is a 5 Book Series !)
* Percy Jackson’s Greek Hereos

*Resource/Informational Books:

* Archimedes and the Door of Science and Herodotus and the Road to History
* What’s Your Angle, Pythagoras? and Pythagoras and the Ratios: A Math Adventure
* D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths
* Who Was Alexander the Great ?
* Where Is the Parthenon ?
* Discovering God’s Story: Fully Illustrated Bible Handbook in Chronological Order
* Understanding People of the Past: The Ancient Greeks
* Science in Ancient Greece

*Activity Guides:

* Classical Kids: An Activity Guide to Life in Ancient Greece and Rome
(Hands-On History)
* Spend the Day in Ancient Greece: Projects & Activities That Bring the Past to Life
* Life in Ancient Greece Coloring Book (Dover)
* Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece

Hope this list is helpful !
I’d love to know what YOU are using too !
Leave a comment.
HAPPY LEARNING !

Free World History Curriculum

Part 3: Ancient Greece

Welcome back to the latest post on Free Ancient World History Plans !
This section will cover the beginning of Greek Culture, the first Olympic games, the Peloponnesian War, Alexander the Great, and lots more ! 🙂
For an introduction to this curriculum and how you can adapt it to all your needs, start below with the first post in this series-
“Free Chronological World History Plan” .

Also in this series, you will find the daily plans for
Section 1: Ancient Civilizations & the Old Testament
Section 2: Ancient Egypt (includes Ancient China)
Section 4: Ancient Rome
Section 5: The Middle Ages & the Renaissance

Be sure to follow my Ancient History Pinterest Boards too !
I will be adding to them frequently.
* Ancient Civilizations Board
* Ancient Egypt Board
* Ancient Greece Board
* Ancient Rome Board
* Middle Ages Board
Lots of free ideas and activities to add to these units.

If you have ANY QUESTIONS at all, I’d love to hear from you !
You can either comment at the bottom of this post or you can email me at
chenoah@fieldsofdaisies.com
Enjoy !
Continue reading Free world history curriculum – Part 3 Ancient Greece →

Charlotte Mason on Play…
It might just surprise you what she had to say !

“Let the mother go out
and PLAY !”

Charlotte Mason understood a lot about children….she also understood a lot about moms. I found this to be some advice I need to take to heart!

“If mothers could learn to do for themselves what they do for their children…we should have happier households.

Let the mother go out to play!

If she would only have courage to let everything go when life becomes too tense,
and just take a day, or half a day, out in the fields, or with a favourite book,
or in a picture gallery looking long and well at just two or three pictures,
or in bed, without the children,
life would go on far more happily for both children and parents.”
~Charlotte Mason

Let the mother go out to play !

Don’t you just love those words ?
Children have no trouble playing.
Fun is pulsing through their veins and wiggling out of every limb.
Play just comes naturally to them.
If left alone long enough, children invent the most wonderful games and fantastic stories.
Creativity and imagination are limitless, emotions are being worked out,
FUN is happening !
Think about it…kids generally don’t return from playing outside all stressed out! 🙂

When was the last time that YOU went out to play mom ?

Daily Bread: Thoughts & Prayers
from the Psalms

~ Psalm 36 ~

LORD
It is grievous
to consider
those who don’t know you.

Those who have
no respect
for your Name.
Those whose sins
have hardened their hearts
and caused them to
cease to be wise
or to do good.

OH, that they would
simply
KNOW YOU !

YOU
whose LOVE reaches
all the way to the heavens !
whose FAITHFULNESS reaches
all the way to the skies !
YOU
whose RIGHTEOUSNESS
is like a might mountain!
whose JUSTICE
is like the great deep !

Continue reading Psalm 36 – Daily Bread From the Psalms →