Sunday, September 6, 2009

Going on an Expedition


Our trunk is packed, and we are heading to Africa this year! Here is a look at our geography/continents box - don't you just love that trunk? I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't live within 30 minutes of an Old Time P*ottery Store - can't beat the price on the coolest boxes and baskets! What kid wouldn't be excited about exploring a trunk like that?
So, are you curious? Want to peek inside?

Here is a look at much of what our box contains. The crocodile hunter graciously loaned us a selection of animals from his zoo, and I pulled books from our shelves (plus a few new purchases :). I found African textile design paper at a school supply store, with directions for creating paper doll clothes. I also included an Ancient Egypt T*ob, and picked up a hand carved gourd from Kenya at TJM*xx. Not in this picture, but included in our studies will be the lives of several saints of Africa - St. Moses the Ethiopian, St. Tekla, St. Anthony the Great, St. Mary of Egypt . We will also spend some time exploring St. Catherine's Monastery in Egypt. We will have a heavy emphasis on Egypt because we are studying Ancient history, but plan to explore other parts of Africa too. I also do not store our maps and general geopgraphy books in the trunk - but the crocodile hunter is learning to identify all of the countries of Africa right now. To see what others put in their boxes, check out these sites:

Close Academy's North America Box
Serendipity's Continents and Cultures
LaPaz - entire collection of continents boxes

Montessori Blog - another look at a North America Box

5 comments:

Michelle M. said...

I just came across your blog for the first time tonight. I already love so much of what I have read and look forward to reading more.

It looks your children are going to have a lot of fun learning this year.

Erin said...

Email my dad for some ideas about St. Catherine's and some of his great photos from his trip there!!

Gae said...

I just found your blog and I think you have some very similar ideas as we have. We also are studying Africa at the moment.

I totally love that box. I would love to have it too.
God Bless

Christy said...

I love your trunk. Now I have to go and find a small suitcase instead of using a clear plastic box.

The links are great too and I love your laundry idea.

Thanks for visiting me and inviting me over.

happyalaskan said...

I love the idea of the travel trunk! My boys would love this also. Thank-you for the good ideas and nice materials. :)