I decided once again to do a Beatrix Potter/Peter Rabbit Study. I have had a little help- from these three sites, and I have adapted them for a slightly different crowd.
Homeschool Share Unit Study:
This is a nice, fairly comprehensive study using the Potter books. I would venture that you would work from topic to topic, using the recommended books, and each topic (i.e. rabbits/mice) would take approximately a week to do. The age range is diverse, about 2nd grade and up.
Elizabeth Foss' Unit Study:
This study is aimed at a much younger audience, with a few things thrown in for the older students. I would say the age range is Pre-K through about 3rd or 4th grade.
Nevertheless, it is a lovely study, well scripted. It needs a few adjustments as it is not in a final format and you will have to adapt the reading suggestions to your own family.
Mary's Potter Study Links:
Mary has not really made a study you can follow here, but she has shared a wealth of links that are truly very useful. Worth the browse :)
So, now my adaptation.
Week 1: Peter.
Books:
My Dear Noel - The Story of a Letter From Beatrix Potter by Jane Johnson
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter
The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies by Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Mr. Tod by Beatrix Potter
The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
Read Aloud: The Fairy Caravan by Beatrix Potter
Biography: The Country Artist by David R. Collins and Nothing is Impossible by Dorothy Aldis
Mama Craft: making Tams like Benjamin Bunny's tam stolen from Mr. McGregor's garden.
Teatime: Currant buns. Try this hot cross bun recipe, just leave off the cross :)
History: mark the main events of Beatrix's life on a timeline. Add in the publishing dates of each book as you read it.
Art: Read one of the biographies for Artist study. And then for picture study, choose a favourite picture from Peter Rabbit and work with it.
Play with watercolours for an art project.
Language Arts: the homeschool share unit has a few language arts suggestions, either use these or Primary Language Lessons which can be found in Google Books.
Have your child read from your selected reader each day, or alternatively, alternate readings from one of the Beatrix Potter books with your child.
Elizabeth Foss suggests William Blake's the Lamb as this week's poetry selection. Walter de la Mare and Christina Rossetti are also contemporary poet's of Beatrix Potter's that you might enjoy reading instead.
Science: the homeschool share unit has a few science things relating to rabbits. Try to meet some in person- either at a pet shop or with a friend who owns them if you don't have any of your own.
Nature Study: Beatrix is well known for taking walks around the countryside near her home- and she painted it often. Why not do the same for your garden or local area you walk in.
Gardening: it is not too late to plant some salad vegetables. The homeschool share unit has some good vegetable related activities.
Geography: Working with maps, mark the areas in which Beatrix lived or stayed. Look at the book Beatrix Potter's Lakeland for lovely visuals. Google maps the area in which she lived.
Extras: watch the video versions of the Beatrix Potter books- your local library will probably have them.
Take a look through this site which is well worth looking at :)
More later!
