I’m putting together our Florida History living history curriculum. I believe that it’s important to learn about your heritage. For my Cracker family, this naturally means learning about our state . My children are 3rd generation Floridians. That means state history and family history goes hand in hand. I, on the other hand, am not a native Floridian. Not to worry though. An in depth study of New Hampshire will be next on the agenda. I’m an equal opportunity torturer, teacher.
The great part of this is that some of the wonderful books that we are going to read are part of the Newberry Challenge. Sort of double duty reading. Coupled with our Finding Florida field trip, nature studies, and Florida’s place in our history studies, I do believe we will have a well rounded Florida education when we are finished without a textbook. I love it when a good plan comes together. An added bonus is that most if not all of these books can be located at the library. Of course, I will have to pay the massive fines that we have built up. Tell me I’m not the only homeschool mama that forgets to bring the books back to the library. If I am then don’t mention it ever again.
Here’s our list so far:
A Land Remembered by Patrick Smith ( a must read book about Florida through the years)
Forever Island by Patrick Smith (great tale about the Everglades)
Allapattah By Patrick Smith (great tale about the Seminole Indians)
Angel City (a great tale about migrant camps)
Cross Creek by Marjorie Rawlings
The Yearling by Marjorie Rawlings
Freddy Goes to Florida by Walter Brooks
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate Dicamillo
Weird Florida by Charlie Carlson (it’s always fun to read and visit spots off the beaten path)
Gladesmen: Gator Hunters, Moonshiners, and Skiffers by Glenn Simmons and Laura Ogden
Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
Cracker Tales Vol. 1 & 2 by Annette Bruce
The Barefoot Mailman by Theodore Pratt
Some of these we will read together and some I will put in a basket for the children to read at their leisure. Formally, we will do Florida History for one school year . It may take us more than a year to get to all of it. But really, learning never ends does it? That’s the beauty of homeschooling. We can take as short or as long as we need. Want to know more about what we’re seeing and learning about in our Sunshine State? Follow my Pinterest board where I pin our future adventures and books! Tell me, what are you doing to learn about your state.
