Weeks 19-27 • Exploring American history, measurement, and the natural world
The third quarter shifts focus to the history of the United States, exploring its early conflicts, westward expansion, and the spirit of invention that defined the era. This historical narrative of exploration and building provides a perfect context for scientific investigations into less visible forces like electricity and magnetism, and the intricate systems of insects and the human body.
Academic Skills:
Content Knowledge:
Learning about a pivotal conflict in American history while exploring standard units of measurement
CKLA Domain 5 Selections:
"Mr. Madison's War," "The British Attack," "Dolley Madison and the White House," "The Battle of Baltimore"
The Star-Spangled Banner
by Peter Spier (picture book version)
Introduce the War of 1812 with the CKLA read-aloud "Mr. Madison's War". Discuss the main causes in simple terms: trade issues and impressment (the British capturing American sailors). Locate the U.S. and Great Britain on a world map. 2.6b
Introduce measurement with standard units. Start with the inch. Use a ruler to measure various small objects around the house (crayon, book, spoon) to the nearest inch. Emphasize starting at the zero mark. NY-2.MD.1
Read about Dolley Madison saving George Washington's portrait. 2.6b
Discuss her brave actions. Write a short explanatory paragraph describing the steps she took. 2W2
Introduce the foot. Show that 12 inches equals 1 foot. Practice measuring larger objects in feet and inches. NY-2.MD.1
Explore static electricity. Rub a balloon on your hair and see it stick to a wall or pick up small pieces of paper. Discuss the idea of invisible forces. CKSci Unit 4
Read about the Battle of Baltimore and Francis Scott Key writing "The Star-Spangled Banner." Listen to the song and read the lyrics from a picture book version. Discuss what the words mean. 2.6b
Introduce metric measurement with the centimeter. Compare the size of an inch and a centimeter. Measure the same object with both units and discuss why the number of centimeters is larger (the unit is smaller). NY-2.MD.1
Explore magnetism. Use a bar magnet to test which objects in a collection are magnetic and which are not. Sort them into two piles. Discuss that magnets attract objects made of iron or steel. CKSci Unit 4
Solve measurement word problems. "A blue ribbon is 24 inches long. A red ribbon is 18 inches long. How much longer is the blue ribbon?" Model solving with a tape diagram. NY-2.MD.5
Build a simple circuit. Use a D-cell battery, two insulated wires, and a small light bulb in a holder to make the bulb light up. Draw a diagram of the closed circuit. This is a powerful, hands-on demonstration of electricity. CKSci Unit 4
Have the child retell the story of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in their own words.
Play a measurement game, like "I Spy an Object" where you give clues about its length ("I spy something about 6 inches long").
Math & Science Materials:
Supplemental Resources:
Following pioneers and explorers across the American continent
CKLA Domain 7 Selections:
"The Louisiana Purchase," "Lewis and Clark," "Sacagawea," "The Trail of Tears," "The Oregon Trail"
A Picture Book of Lewis and Clark
by David A. Adler
Introduce the Louisiana Purchase using the CKLA read-aloud. On a map of the U.S., show the original 13 colonies and then color in the vast area of the Louisiana Purchase. Discuss why Jefferson wanted this land. 2.6b
Introduce adding three-digit numbers. Start with problems that don't require regrouping (e.g., 345+212). Use base-ten blocks on a place value mat to model the process: add the ones, add the tens, add the hundreds. NY-2.NBT.7
Read about the Lewis and Clark expedition (CKLA and Adler book). Trace their route on a map from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. 2.5d
Discuss how the maps and illustrations in the book help us understand their long journey. 2R7
Introduce adding three-digit numbers with one regrouping (e.g., 456+127). Again, use base-ten blocks to make the abstract process concrete. The physical act of trading 10 ones for a ten rod is key to understanding. NY-2.NBT.7
Read about Sacagawea's crucial role in the expedition. Discuss her contributions as a guide and translator. 2.6b
Write an informative sentence about Sacagawea.
Read about the Oregon Trail (CKLA). Discuss the motivations of the pioneers (land, a new life) and the hardships they faced. 2.6b
Introduce subtracting three-digit numbers, starting without regrouping (e.g., 584−231). Use base-ten blocks to model taking away hundreds, tens, and ones. NY-2.NBT.7
Address the difficult topic of the Trail of Tears in an age-appropriate way, focusing on the concept of forced relocation and its unfairness to the Cherokee people. This is a crucial part of understanding the full story of westward expansion. 2.6b
Introduce subtracting three-digit numbers with regrouping (e.g., 342−125). Use base-ten blocks to model trading a ten for 10 ones. Use Zearn for digital practice, as its visual models are very effective for this skill. NY-2.NBT.7
Write an informative paragraph about the challenges pioneers faced on the Oregon Trail. Use information from the read-alouds to supply facts about weather, food, and dangers. 2W2
Social Studies Materials:
Supplemental Resources:
Exploring leadership and character through iconic American figures
A Picture Book of George Washington
by David A. Adler
A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln
by David A. Adler
Martin's Big Words
by Doreen Rappaport
Read A Picture Book of George Washington. Discuss his role as a general and the first president. Focus on the character trait of leadership. Create a simple timeline of his life. 2.6b
Read A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln. Discuss his role in keeping the country together and ending slavery. Focus on the character trait of honesty. 2.6b
Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast Washington and Lincoln. What was the same? What was different?
Practice mixed three-digit addition and subtraction problems. Use word problems related to the theme: "In 1860, a train trip from New York to Illinois took 2 days, or 48 hours. Today it takes about 18 hours. How much longer did the trip take in Lincoln's time?" NY-2.NBT.7
Read Martin's Big Words. Discuss his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. Focus on the character trait of courage and his message of peaceful protest and fairness for all. 2.6b
Pose the question: "What is the most important character trait for a leader to have?". Brainstorm ideas (honesty, courage, fairness, kindness). Have the child choose one, state their opinion, and begin to write reasons. 2W1
Continue the opinion paragraph. Help the child develop their reasons with examples from the leaders studied (e.g., "Honesty is important. Abraham Lincoln was called 'Honest Abe.'"). 2W1
Dedicate time to solidifying three-digit addition and subtraction. Use a mix of MWC workbook pages, Zearn missions, and hands-on games. NY-2.NBT.7
Complete the opinion paragraph by adding a concluding sentence that restates the opinion. Share the finished piece. 2W1
Create a "Famous Americans" trading card for one of the leaders studied. Include their name, a picture, key dates, and a sentence about why they are significant.
Social Studies Materials:
Supplemental Resources:
Exploring the fascinating world of insects while introducing array-based multiplication
CKLA Domain 8 Selections:
"Insects, Insects Everywhere!," "The Life Cycle of the Butterfly," "Helpful and Harmful Insects"
The Very Impatient Caterpillar
by Ross Burach
Introduce the world of insects with the CKLA read-aloud. What makes an insect an insect? (Three body parts, six legs, antennae). Go on an "Insect Hunt" outside and observe any bugs you can find. Draw them in a nature journal. 2-LS4-1
Introduce arrays. Use counters to build a simple array, like 3 rows of 4 counters. Explain that an array has equal rows. Write a repeated addition equation to find the total: 4+4+4=12. NY-2.OA.4
Read about the butterfly life cycle (CKLA). Create a diagram showing the four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. 2-LS2-2
Use the glossary in the CKLA reader to look up words like metamorphosis and pupa. 2L4e
Connect arrays to insects. "An insect has 6 legs. If there are 3 insects, how many legs in all?" Draw an array with 3 rows of 6. Write the repeated addition equation: 6+6+6=18. NY-2.OA.4
Read The Very Impatient Caterpillar. Discuss the feelings of the caterpillar. How does this humorous story teach us about the butterfly life cycle?
Read "Helpful and Harmful Insects" (CKLA). Discuss the important job of pollinators like bees. Create a T-chart for "helpful" (bees, ladybugs) and "harmful" (mosquitoes, termites) insects. 2-LS2-2
Practice creating arrays and writing repeated addition equations. Use graph paper to draw arrays for different equations (e.g., 5 rows of 3, 2 rows of 4). NY-2.OA.4
Conduct a "shared research" project. Pose a question: "What do honeybees eat?" Use a provided kid-safe website (like National Geographic Kids) or a nonfiction book to find the answer together. Write down the answer in a complete sentence. 2W7
Discuss how understanding science leads to innovation. Talk about an inventor like Thomas Edison. How did his understanding of electricity (from Weeks 19-20) allow him to invent the lightbulb? 2.6b
Play "Array Bingo." Create bingo cards with arrays drawn on them. Call out a repeated addition equation (e.g., "5+5+5") and have the child find the matching array.
Science Materials:
Math Materials:
Exploring basic body systems while reviewing key concepts from the quarter
CKLA Domain 10 Selections:
"The Body's Framework," "The Digestive System"
The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body
by Joanna Cole
Introduce the human body with the CKLA read-aloud on the skeletal system. Look at the diagrams of the skeleton. Discuss how the diagram helps us understand the text. 2R7
Trace the child's body on a large piece of paper and have them draw in the major bones (skull, ribs, spine, leg/arm bones).
Read about the digestive system (CKLA or Magic School Bus). Work together to write a one- or two-sentence summary of the system's main job. 2R2
Create a simple model of the stomach using a plastic bag, some crackers (food), and a little water/vinegar (stomach acid) to show how it breaks down food.
Play "Array Bingo" or use graph paper to practice drawing arrays for repeated addition equations. Then, switch to a game reinforcing three-digit addition/subtraction, like "Target 1000." NY-2.OA.4, NY-2.NBT.7
Play "Who Am I?" Give clues about a historical figure from the quarter (Washington, Lincoln, MLK, Lewis & Clark, Sacagawea) and have the child guess who it is. 2.6b
Conduct informal assessments. Check their ability to solve a three-digit subtraction problem with regrouping, draw an array for a repeated addition problem, and measure an object correctly. Ask them to explain the job of the skeletal system. Gather work samples for the portfolio and complete the third quarterly report.
Science Materials:
Assessment Materials:
| Title | Author | Week(s) Used |
|---|---|---|
| CKLA Domain 5 Selections | Core Knowledge | Weeks 19-20 |
| The Star-Spangled Banner | Peter Spier | Weeks 19-20 |
| CKLA Domain 7 Selections | Core Knowledge | Weeks 21-22 |
| A Picture Book of Lewis and Clark | David A. Adler | Weeks 21-22 |
| A Picture Book of George Washington | David A. Adler | Weeks 23-24 |
| A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln | David A. Adler | Weeks 23-24 |
| Martin's Big Words | Doreen Rappaport | Weeks 23-24 |
| CKLA Domain 8 Selections | Core Knowledge | Weeks 25-26 |
| The Very Impatient Caterpillar | Ross Burach | Weeks 25-26 |
| CKLA Domain 10 Selections | Core Knowledge | Week 27 |
| The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body | Joanna Cole | Week 27 |
Continue your homeschool journey with Quarter 4: Conflict, Change, and Our World, featuring the Civil War, life cycles, Earth's systems, and conservation.
Continue to Quarter 4