It is important that the children learn about their native state and it’s rich history. Being that it’s not the state I learned about in elementary school, it will be a learning experience for me as well. We are not using a textbook although there are several available. The local library even has the one that our public schools uses to teach 3rd graders.
Seriously, no textbook. We are going to learn about the state bird and flower in nature. We are going to incorporate some Florida artists and composers in our art and music studies. We are going to read books with Florida as the setting like Because of Winn Dixie. Books about Florida folk tales like Cracker Tales, which is our current read a loud. Some part of Florida history will be touched on in every subject.
My favorite part of this new way of learning is the field trips. Yup, we are going to take field trips around the state to learn hands on. Field trips about history, agriculture , government, nature, along with local customs and food. It’s no secret that my children are visual learners. The memories that go along with these field trips will forever cement Florida history in their minds. All while having fun and spending time together as a family.
Our local news station has these great books called One Tank Trips. They are little day trips that one can take to lots of places in Florida that are simply one tank of gas to take. With the price of gas the way it is , this is an important factor. We can’t break the bank while learning about Florida. The great part about living in Central Florida is that we are smack dab in the middle of the state. We can go north or south usually on one tank. This makes it easy to learn about the complete state. There are 52 trips in each book so theoretically you could one per week. Our budget nor our car will allow that schedule for us. We take what we can when we can.
Finding Florida Through Field Trips
Finding Florida Through Nature
Reading Our Way Through Florida
Literature Selections for Homeschooling Using Disney Parks
