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Thursday, December 29, 2011

China Unit Study

Wow!  China!  I can honestly say that I have learned more about China over the past several weeks than I have in a lifetime.  I am so pleased that my children have a much greater understanding of China than a great deal of the U.S. population.  More importantly, they have a heart for the people of China which I believe is every bit as important to their education.

Here is a sampling of our reading for this unit: 

God's Adventurer: Hudson Taylor by Phyllis Thompson
Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze by Elizabeth Foreman Lewis
Eric Liddell: Something Greater than Gold by Janet and Geoff Benge
Mission to Cathay by Madeleine Polland
The House of Sixty Fathers by Meindert DeJong

We read all of these books aloud together, which was quite an undertaking,
but well worth the time and effort.  

We also watched videos:

Chariots of Fire (to complement our reading on Eric Liddell)  *Netflix
China From the Inside: Power and the People (a look at communism in modern-day China)  *PBS Home Video
Modern Marvels: The Great Wall of China  *Netflix

My children built a replica of The Great Wall of China for their project.  The wall itself is constructed entirely of Legos.  It is approximately 40 inches long.  My daughter sculpted and painted the landscape and added sprigs of greenery, rocks and sand to add a realistic touch.




One of the interesting things that we learned about in this unit was Calligraphy.  The essential elements of this art are called the Four Treasures of the Study.  They are the ink brush, ink, paper and inkstone.  We received  a Chinese calligraphy kit in our Sonlight Eastern Hemisphere curriculum package.  Our friends, Sam and Susan, who are Chinese and own Buffet City, were kind enough to join our family for an American-style holiday dinner and then demonstrate this ancient art.  Sam and Susan both learned this very intriciate skill as schoolchildren in China.


Sam writing 'China' in calligraphy.

Susan grinding the inkstick with water on the inkstone.

Sam, David, Sarah and Susan
The characters say "Happy Family"

My favorite observation about this study came from my son who noted. "When I think about China, I don't think of the Great Wall, I think about Sam."   To me, that is the greatest measure of success.  We have acquired a good foundation of knowledge while establishing a personal connection with our international friends. We are, indeed, a Happy Family!

Friday, December 23, 2011

The Legend of the Christmas Rose


This story draws on the legend of the Christmas Rose, an actual flower—Helleborus niger—that blooms in winter conditions.  A fun way to combine our study of botany and the celebration of the birth of our Saviour!

A little girl, the sister of three grown shepherds, desperately wants to see the newborn baby. Despite being forbidden to go, she follows her brothers, who, having heard from heavenly angels the news about the baby, take their prize lamb as a gift. Suddenly she realizes she has no present for the baby. When she begins to cry, an angel appears waving a small white flower, and soon the ground is blanketed with the little flowers. The little girl carries these to Jesus, who is pleased and touches them, turning them pale pink.


This version of the tale is written by William H. Hooks and is published by Scholastic, 1999.  The book is out-of-print, but can still be found with a little effort.  Start here to find it!

Here is a photo of Helleborus niger:



Finally, for your listening pleasure;)


Merry Christmas to All!!!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Christmas Cookie Contest!!!

Announcing my first annual Christmas Cookie Contest!!! 
Win a plate of my legendary homemade Christmas cookies and candies!
Open to anyone who lives within 30 minutes of the Temple/Belton area.
Tell me why you should receive this highly coveted tray of treats.
Submit your entry of 50 words or less
via e-mail at luvnachos@gmail.com or message me on facebook.
The winner will be selected by a highly qualified, impartial judge.
Entries due by 12:00 a.m. CST on Wednesday, December 14, 2011.   
Cookie tray will be awarded on Wednesday.
Ready, Set, Go!!!


Congratulations to Misty Herrington,
winner of the Christmas Cookie Contest!!!
Thank you to all those who entered!!!
Merry Christmas!!!