Isn’t 6 weeks too long of a time span to be focused on one explorer?
The Reader and Read-Aloud books for each unit relate directly to either that particular explorer or period in American History. Each book is portioned out in 24 easy-to-accomplish sessions (4 in each of the 6 lessons) and, as importantly as providing biographical and historical information, they effectively serve as springboards for other topics. For instance, the Columbus Unit covers specific vocabulary, directions, the globe, mapmaking, map labeling, mental maps, giving directions, the senses, bazaars, Marco Polo, spices, journaling, descriptive writing, character qualities, worldviews, oceans — and that’s just a partial list from the first two weeks. Because this curriculum is a “unified” approach to learning, and is geared to the elementary ages, it is focused on the “springboard” and deliberately doesn’t pull in much (if anything) that can’t be in some way related to what is being read.
