Catholic Schoolhouse Tour 1 Week 20

•  I know you already have the Maple Leaf Rag on your CSH CD but this youtube video of it is pretty cool.  The balls bounce on the keys that are being played.  I’m not sure why this is so entertaining… but it is.
• Did you know The Maple Leaf Rag was the first piece of sheet music to sell over 1 million copies?  If you have a piano at home, invest in some Rag sheet music of your own.  For your experienced musicians get a collection of the complete original rags:

Joplin – Complete Rags for Piano (Schirmer’s Library of Musical Classics) Vol. 2020

(Using this affiliate link to make a purchase helps CSH continue it’s mission!)

For your younger musicians I really like this book below.  It has easy versions of Maple Leaf Rag, The Easy Winners, and The Entertainer, among other great (easier) versions of rags and marches. I still have my copy from when I was a kid.

FunTime Ragtime & Marches: Level 3A-3B (Funtime Piano)

(Using this affiliate link to make a purchase helps CSH continue it’s mission!)

History

• In Chicago, there is a National Veteran’s Art Museum with an exhibit on the Vietnam War.  If you live near by (or are planning to be in the area), it might be worth a visit, as they have military gear your students can touch and even put on to experience what it was like.  Even if you don’t live anywhere near by, they have several educational guides available on their website here. I haven’t read them all, but if you’re looking for one to explore with your students consider The Things They Carried guide which shows what a Vietnam ‘Grunt’ would have to carry and how much it weighed.  You could even assemble your own at-home versions of all the gear and see how easy it is to get around.
• NASA has a wealth of resources, both about historical missions, like the Apollo 11 moon landing, and current missions.   Moonwalk montage   Moonwalk video clips  If you want to watch the entire unedited landing.   NASA TV is a great place for your space buff to catch current events.
• Try this cute Landing on the Moon craft with your younger students!
• “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Those famous words by Neil Armstrong have gone down in history and are known by many.  If you are looking for a writing exercise, have your students finish this sentence “If I were the first person to land on the moon, my first words would be _________ because_______.”
• If you are traveling south at all this semester, consider making a stop in Huntsville, AL or Cape Canaveral, FL to visit the Space Centers.  We happen to live near the Space Center in Huntsville and get to visit it often.  Or you could start planning now to visit for the space unit in Tour 2 Science! It is definitely worth it!

• There are a million crafts and activities you can find on the internet to go along with Earth Day.  I say take advantage of homeschooling and put a more religious spin on it.  God created the earth and everything in it.  Just as we are to take care of ourselves by eating healthy, exercising etc, we should take care of God’s creations. Try this craft on Catholic Icing as you teach about Earth Day this week.

• Roe v Wade is a highly controversial topic in the public school system.  The good news is that you chose to homeschool.  Teach your students about the Roe v Wade decision in whatever depth suits their age. For your youngest just discuss the value and dignity of life.  Students may be introduced to the concept of abortion if you feel they are ready.  You can help them make a list of all the reasons we should no longer allow abortions.  Older students can research both sides and have a debate.  (maybe you have a student who doesn’t mind playing devils advocate) Older students would benefit from knowing both sides of the argument, that way if confronted in the future about this topic by someone with differing opinions, they will be prepared.
• If your family is able, attend the March for Life in Washington DC, January 19, 2018.  It is a worthy cause, and will be memorable to your students, no matter the age.  Coming together in a peaceful protest is a great way to teach your students!

Geography

• Part 2 of the Pacific and Southwest States Lapbook is ready!