For the next 3 weeks of summer, I have decided to incorporate a theme into the fun. Citizenship. We have not really had a history lesson on citizenship per se, at our homeschool, so summer is the perfect time to do it.
My son Chase needs 3 required merit badges that all deal with Citizenship in the Community, Nation and the World. He has to fill out packets and work on various projects, including service to complete these merit badges. By the way, the worksheets for the merit badges are all online, and are great lesson tools. I have incorporated almost every merit badge into our school program. The worksheets are fabulous and a good way to keep him writing throughout the summer, with some incentive of earning something.
Observing Archeology Dig at Ancient Rome Site
Each week we will work on one of the themes. This week Citizenship in the Nation requires a visit to your State Capitol and National Historic Landmark- which we will be going to the Poet Robert Frost’s Farm. That perfectly aligns with my summer list. Last night, we discussed the Gettysburg address and what duties a citizen has. Other great assignments include writing your senator and reading the front page of newspaper for 5 days.
Next week for Citizenship in the Community, he has to make and present a presentation of our community with photos, do a 6 hour service project, attend a town council meeting and interview a politician etc. These are all great homeschooling ideas.
So whether you are in scouts or not, these worksheets are great ways to incorporate a lesson into your child’s life or homeschool. There are tons of merit badge categories, worksheets to choose from, for instance we worked environmental science, right into his 4th quarter science program. Weather was a cinch and worked nicely with our visit to the Weather Station at Mt. Washington last fall. Since we were studying Weather for fall, the worksheet for the merit badge became part of the assignment. Same with art, sculpture and reading etc.
Visit to Mt Washington Weather Station last fall
So as you can see I love the scouting for a variety of reasons, not only for the outdoor time that it promotes but for all of the hands on learning that is involved. I didn’t think I would love the program so much, because most parents made me feel if it were drudgery to have their son get an Eagle Scout award. But I absolutely love the program.
Stay tuned for our citizenship highlights coming up!
2 Comments
July 13, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I think this is a fabulous idea!
July 13, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Wonderful!!