Homeschool Recap 2021/22 – The Playful Pioneers
To say we loved our year studying early American history with The Playful Pioneers would be a gross understatement. Pierce was in the 2nd grade, Aliza in Kindergarten, and I knew I wanted to do all of our studies outside of math and reading together as a family.
Now, before I continue on, I know many of you will think that perhaps Aliza got put into all this a bit young, but let me tell you – there would be no keeping her from it – Playful Pioneers was her favorite part of the day and she would tell everyone she knew that little fact.
A small piece of proof…
Yes, that is a homemade harmonica.
While the curriculum obviously covers history; it also covers literature, devotions, geography, writing, and science – so all we had to add was math and phonics! It also includes recipes and hands on activities, which was probably one of their favorite parts.
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s ‘Little House’ books act as the spine that hold the whole year together. I had somehow never read these books, so I had just as wonderful a time as we adventured alongside Laura across the prairie.
When she made butter, we made butter. When the grasshoppers descended on the crops, we studied grasshoppers. When Pa’s horse gives birth to a foal, we drew one in our nature journals. We read about pilgrims, Native Americans, and cowboys! We mapped out Lewis and Clarks’ journey westward… we whipped up some ice cream in a jar and made some homemade bread.
Adding in some fun field trips – the Trail of Tears, a Civil War battle site and cemetery, visiting a couple historic plantations, and a few excursions out to local farms – helped bring it all to life!
The most exciting part for me, was finding a style of learning that all three of us could thrive in. That, my friend, is no small feat!
And I am so thankful.
(If you are interested in learning more about our year in The Playful Pioneers, check out my Instagram account @homeschoolinbloom).
