History fun with American Girls

We have been learning about Colonial America by reading the American Girl books about Felicity. This is such a fun way to learn history!

We are reading all six Felicity books, but we are also using this book.

It is a picture book full of information about the late 1700s presented in a fun and interesting way. I love this book! We have learned about everything from how they cooked their food, to politics of the time, to crafts that the little girls did in that day, lifestyles, and lots of stuff in between.

We made breakfast puffs from the Felicity cookbook, just like the little girls in the 1700s used to help their moms make!

They were so yummy!

Today we had some friends that are also studying Colonial America with Felicity over for a Colonial garden tea.

Last night Riley and I made Raspberry Flummery, a dessert served in the 1700s after an elegant meal, for our tea party.

The girls came over and we made a craft. We talked about the hot clothes and corsets the girls had to wear and we made fans for them to take to their garden tea.

I bought some music online from the 17oos for us to listen to as we did our activities. The girls figured out what instruments were used and we talked about how different it was from what we listen to.Check out the pinky.

Felicity! The guest of honor!

We had a great time with our friends!

Eating a rainbow 2008

In Healthy Snacks class at co-op we learned how to make fruit rainbows on a stick, granola, zucchini brownies, smoothies and lots of other great snacks that are good for you.

Making pioneer food

When learning about the land run we made some recipes that were common among the pioneers at that time.

Strawberry Jam

INGREDIENTS
2 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled
4 cups white sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice

DIRECTIONS
In a wide bowl, crush strawberries in batches until you have 4 cups of mashed berry. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, mix together the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to high, and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil, stirring often, until the mixture reaches 220 degrees F (105 degrees C). Transfer to hot sterile jars, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch headspace, and seal. Process any unsealed jars in a water bath. If the jam is going to be eaten right away, don't bother with processing, and just refrigerate.

Baking Powder Biscuits(from a 1933 Recipe)

Ingredients:

2 cups sifted flour

2 tsp. baking powder

4 tablespoons butter or shortening

1/2 tsp. salt

about 3/4 cup milk

Sift Flour once, measure, add baking powder and salt, and sift again. Cut in shortening or butter. (this is where I use my hands by rubbing the butter into the flour). Add milk gradually, stirring until soft dough is formed. Turn out on slightly floured board and lightly "knead" for 30 seconds, enough to shape. Roll 1/2 inch thick and cut with 2 inch floured biscuit cutter. Bake on ungreased sheet in a 400 degree oven for 12-15 minutes. Makes 12 biscuits. You can also make tiny tea biscuits that are only 1 1/2 inches wide with a small cutter or glass bottom. These are great served with tea, jam or honey. Makes 24.

Cherokee fried corn

We made this after reading a book about the Cherokee Indians. It was soooo good!

Cherokee Fried Corn

6 ears of fresh corn

2 slices of bacon

salt to taste

1/4 tsp sugar

1/8 tsp pepper

Shuck corn and cut from cobs into bowl. Fry bacon in large skillet until crisp. Set aside. Add corn to bacon frease in skillet and add salt, sugar and pepper. Cook on medim heat. Stir until corn begins to brown. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 3 minutes more. Crumble bacon and add to corn.

Indian Fry Bread

During the Native American section of our Oklahoma History unit, we made Indian

fry bread. It was amazing. Kind of like a sopapilla, but heavier.



Indian Fry Bread

3 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1 1/3 cups warm water

oil for frying



Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the water and knead the dough until soft. Roll out dough until 1/4 inch thick. Cut out rounds. Heat 1-2 inches of oil. Fry until puffed. Brown on both sides. Serve with honey.

Pilgrims

We made sea biscuits when we were learning about the pilgrim's voyage to America. They were a staple in the diet of people at sea because they don't spoil. We found out why they don't spoil! They are pretty tasteless and hard as a rock. But I suppose if you were starving...



Sea Biscuits


2 cups of flour
1/2 to 3/4 cup water
6 pinches of salt
1 tablespoon of shortening (optional)


Mix all the ingredients into a batter and press onto a cookie sheet to a thickness of ½ inch.
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (205°C) for one hour.
Remove from oven, cut dough into 3-inch squares, and punch four rows of holes, four holes per row into the dough (a fork works nicely).
Flip the crackers and return to the oven for another half hour.

The Moon Might Be Milk

Riley and Cole did the book The Moon Might be Milk. Such a cute story! We followed along in the story and made giant moon sugar cookies.

Cranberry Thanksgiving Bread

Riley and Cole did Cranberry Thanksgiving and many activities that went with the book. We learned all about cranberry bogs and we made delicious cranberry bread from scratch.

Polar Express Day 2006

Our first year of homeschooling we started our tradition of Polar Express Day. We wear pajamas all day, read the book, watch the movie, make Polar Express inspired snacks and do train and Christmas activities.
Making hot cocoa "as thick and rich as chocolate bars."

The Story About Ping

While reading The Story About Ping, we learned all about China and ducks. Here we are at some duck races at the fair.



At the end of our unit we cooked a big authentic Chinese dinner together, complete with decorations.

Homer Price

We read Homer Price and made doughnuts after reading the doughnut making chapter!