Hideaways in History, Week 1

 For this school year, we're doing a whirlwind tour through world history! Though we're focusing on the Middle Ages in the Classical Conversations program we're a part of, I wanted to back up and cover the Ancient times more intentionally this year, too. So, here we go!!
Our first official week of school was last week, and let me tell you- we kept ourselves mighty busy!! I'm hoping to keep our blog updated weekly with pictures from the week's history focus. Last week we learned about the Early peoples- the cave people who hunted mammoths, lived in caves or tents, were nomads that moved around based on food supply, and presumably first lived in what's known as the "Fertile Crescent", where the Nile Delta, the Euphrates & Tigris River and the Mediterranean Sea all are. The week brought a great deal of fun through learning, the highlight being this week's "Hideaway": our own cave, and all the wonderful imaginative play that it inspired. Enjoy a peak at our first week of school-

First Day of school, right after daily morning Mass:

My boy, in my 'class' at Classical Conversations:

Adding wall paintings to their 'cave':

   

   

Going on a Mammoth hunt (playing the role of 'Mammoth' is Liam's T-Rex, "Sully"), using ivory tusk spears from a previous mammoth and bows/arrows, made out of wood from the forest, hair from the mammoth's fur, and arrows made from flint rocks. (Disclaimer: No animals or stuffed animals were harmed during these events)

 

Starting a fire with flint rocks, and cooking their mammoth over the fire, followed by festivities to celebrate their successful hunt (Liam on the ivory tusk flute) and topped off with a dessert of freshly picked berries by the women in the village (today's dessert finder: Chiara).

(Take special note of the intricate face paintings, a ritual done before every hunt).

 

  

Finally, hanging out with their family in their cave, for shelter, warmth, and protection from the elements and any of the strange creatures out there looking for a tasty snack! As you can imagine, they all slept mighty well each night after so much fun! L didn't even want to take off his 'Adventure Backpack" one night, as he wanted to be all set and ready in the morning for a 'new adventure'! 

Finally, though Caedmon isn't in any of the above pictures, he was often 'right along' for the fun, usually in Mama's arms observing everything going on and being ever-amused by his brother and sisters! 

Our little laughing leprechaun. :) Always smiling!

Alright- that about sums up last week's History adventures. Stay tuned for this week's Hideaways in History: The Egyptian Pyramids!