Bearden Family Homeschool Adventures

I’m half-way bothered by all the adults bagging on the kids wanting a Stanley. There’s always been a must have item as a pr***en. No matter your age… be honest. But it reminded me that my grandpa (45th infantry) took his Stanley with him to war. He fought in Italy, met the Pope and was a part of the group that liberated Dachau concentration camp in Germany. It’s my most prized possession of his. And it still keeps the coffee warm.

We were in OKC for soccer so we made time for a field trip. And one that’s related to our study of Oklahoma history. My kids and husband are related to Jim Thorpe. His mother (Charlotte Vieux) and my husband/kids great+ grandmother (Mary Ann Vieux) were sisters. The kids know about their shared Native history and heritage but we haven’t delved into his sports accomplishments as much. It was also a chance to learn more about other famous Oklahoman hall of famers and their athletic successes. It’s a free museum and right by the ball park. 10/10 Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame

We had the best time today at Battle of Honey Springs. It was the perfect field trip since we are on this Oklahoma history journey. I had no idea it was the most racially diverse battle of the Civil War. Saturday and Sunday they are hosting the re-enactments if you have some free time. I highly recommend attending this education day in the future if you are studying Oklahoma.

This is our advent calendar this year! I maybe more excited than the kids 🤪

We are continuing our Oklahoma History journey by studying the fur trade in Oklahoma. I encourage anyone doing Oklahoma History to research the Chouteau family. I’ve learned so much. They established a trading post at what’s called 3 Forks here in Oklahoma (Chouteau, OK is named after them) and also the trading post that later became St. Louis, Missouri, in 1764. All of that to say, the kids picked an animal whose pelt/skin was sold in the trade. They researched the habitat, what they ate, etc and how the pelt was used after it was sold.

We had such an amazing time Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve today. I never tire of visiting there. The artwork is our favorite along with the BBQ buffalo burgers!!!!

Today, as part of our Oklahoma history journey, we are learning about the Louisiana purchase. Most of Oklahoma was included in the Louisiana purchase, which led to the Lewis & Clark expedition. We have decided to add the book, Seaman (the dog that was on the expedition) as a read aloud. We are also learning about the fur trade in present day Oklahoma, the tribes involved and the impact it had across the country, both food and bad. Lastly, I specifically learned that CHOUTEAU, OK was named after the the Chouteau Family. The Chouteaus were a prominent family of fur traders that had a great economic impact upon the American West, particularly from the mid-1700s until the mid-1800s. They also founded St. Louis. Part of this homeschool journey is that I’m also learning along my children. We rushed so quickly though Oklahoma and US History. And it was always presented in a way that was far from meaningful.

Side note: A few weeks ago we were on a sports trip and stayed close to the Arch. They have a wonderful free museum all about STL and it’s history. From the mound people, Lewis and Clark to the creation of the arch. I highly recommend if you visit.

So last year we did a combo Route 66 and Art Deco study and my son discovered his love of both architecture and Frank Lloyd Wright. Another reason homeschooling rocks. Today for the last of his birthday activities, he toured the Price Tower in Bartlesville. He said it was amazing!

A few people have asked what we are doing for Oklahoma History. First of all, we’ve always done some sort of OK History, whether it be Route 66 or the Art Deco movement and impact on Tulsa. But this is the first year we are really delving deep into the history. Starting at the ‘beginning’. We aren’t using a specific curriculum but are using the book Oklahoma: A History (W. David Baird & Danny Goble) and another homeschool (resource http://oklahomahomeschool.com/OKHistoryOL/OKHonline.html) as guidelines. We are going very slowly and adding field trips, videos, books and art activities along the way. Especially for the topics we find most interesting. We are currently still on European Explorers. I’m hoping to make a trip to Black Mesa (Oklahoma Panhandle) to see the dinosaur footprints, petroglyphs and carvings of explorers past. I’ll be posting on here all of our OK specific trips and adventures on here. More resources in comments.

We are doing Oklahoma History this year (and possibly next year). There’s so much to learn and I remember being rushed through it in high school. I really want them to learn it well and appreciate it (the good and the bad) so we are going slowly and thoughtfully through it all. Today we continued learning about the European Explorers. We are currently learning about Coronado and the death and destruction he left along his North American route. He even has his name carved on a rock in Oklahoma Panhandle. I highlight recommend this book (Oklahoma, A history, by W. David Baird and Danney Goble). We use it as a guideline along with lots of supplements I’ve been collecting along the way.

Mushroom prints never get old. We found one in our yard yesterday and after doing the print we followed it with watching Literally Everything We Know About Mushrooms on YouTube. ✔️Science

This summer our family decided to delve into Oklahoma History this school year, starting with the very first people of Oklahoma. We just finished studying the mound builders and Spiro (hope to visit once it cools down). Petroglyphs were the main interest this week, in particular, the ones found in the panhandle. The kids decided to create (and paint) their own on shards of terracotta and hid them throughout our garden. We are trying not to rush but really get into the meat of our state’s history, both the beautiful and horrific.

After a whirlwind weekend of soccer in Texas, we took a quick trip down to La Porte to see the ocean. It was a first for them and nothing can replace the feeling of the ocean spray and wind on your face.

We haven’t official started ‘school’ at the Bearden homeschool so we headed to the creek for another last hurrah. I anticipate that we will have a few more before the summer officially ends.

One of the most important things (in my opinion) that I can teach my kiddos is the art and love of writing. I never want it to feel like a chore but also know it’s something you have to practice. This year I’m implementing journaling but not the usually kind. They each have their own composition notebook where we will be writing to each other. Sometimes it might be a short paragraph of their day or maybe feelings they can’t put into word except on paper. But I’m also going to be asking them questions where they’ll have the chance to really dig in and maybe even do research. I also know these will be books I’ll treasure forever. Long after these busy days…

My absolute most favorite homeschooling book. It’s short, succinct and not too much fluff. It’s free for kindle readers and $9.99 for a paperback. I recommend it for both newbies and seasoned homeschooling families.

The Unhurried Homeschooler: A Simple, Mercifully Short Book on Homeschooling https://a.co/d/6M5vAh5

My youngest has dyslexia. It’s a challenge and has stretched me to the furthest recesses of my teacher self. Especially after my first born taught himself to read at the age of 4. Literally, he picked up the Bible and started reading scripture. So I got cocky and thought, “Look at me. This homeschool thing is so easy.” Well, God humbled me and then entered my 3rd born. She’s amazing but she learns differently. Not just reading but everything. She’s a kinesthetic learner so I’m always looking for new ways to ‘teach’ her. This summer she expressed interest in baking so we’ve decided to make it part of her math and science components this year. I’ve been collecting vintage kid cookbooks and I now get to utilize them. Our first project was ‘applesauce and chocolate chip almond flour muffins’. And they’re amazing! Just a reminder to look outside of the box. Don’t replicate the classroom at your home and you don’t need a boxed curriculum for your children to learn.

We’re continuing on this amazing interest led adventure this ‘school’ year!

On our most recent sports related trip to KC we decided to visit The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Let me say, that it is amazing. If you love miniatures and retro toys (and some history) make a plan to stop by the next time you’re in Kansas City. I was in awe of the workmanship and artistry of it all. The miniatures are definitely a labor of love.

One of my favorite parts of starting a new ‘school’ year is getting a new planner and new Micron pens. Can’t wait to fill it up with all new adventure ideas and plans.

Creek days are our favorite days of our summer break!!

Yesterday, we saw a Mark Rothko original at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art so we decided to do a short art study about him. We watched a few documentaries about his life/art and then made our own pieces! Sweet and simple 🖼️🎨.

We’ve been wanting to go to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art ever since we studied Frank Lloyd Wright and Dale Chihuly. And today was the day! Words can’t describe how amazing it was. Last year we had the chance to see the Frieda exhibit at Philbrook so it was equally fantastic that we got to see Diego Rivera’s exhibit today. We toured a Frank Lloyd Wright home, which was the highlight for my son. He’s become a fan favorite ever since we learned about Art Deco earlier in the school year. There were so many things to see and just not enough time. If you’ve never been, it’s free admission to the museum though the Diego Rivera exhibit did require a ticket, but only for adults. We will be back soon! Maybe next week 😁

Yesterday we made a trip to visit the 45th Infantry Division Museum. My grandfather served with the 45th during WWII and helped liberate Dachau. So we have wanted to visit for a while now. It’s a free museum with wonderful volunteers that will give you a tour if you want. Not only is this a great museum to visit if you are studying WWII but also Oklahoma history. The 45th has a rich history here in OK. I will say the Dachau portion is not for little eyes. I only allowed my teenager to view that part. Give yourself a couple of hours to see it all.

Our spring break camping plans changed because of 🥶⛈️so we took the day to visit Pawhuska and Osage County. Two of our favorite places. We hit up Big Rain Gallery first. It’s a Native owned art gallery that carries native work. My husband has been blessed to have several of his pieces there. If you’ve never been, GO! Jewelry, fashion, books, paintings, etc. It’s a jewel of a place. After that we headed to the Osage Nation Museum. I’ve never been so I’m so glad that we made time. My husband and kids are Citizen Band Of Potawatomi but my husband grew up with the Osage so he feels a connection to them and is very knowledgeable of their culture and history. We discussed with the kids how the Osage ended up there, allotments, the murders that followed, etc. There’s so much to learn and teach. After that we headed to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. We hadn’t been since the -Vid lockdown so it’s been a minute. We saw some historical markers along the way (one being the former location of an Osage girls school) that I plan to research more about. All in all, a great day and I have our week of Oklahoma history loosely planned out. What better way to learn than to step into the actual places and locations that hold the history.

Today we ventured to OKC to visit the Myriad Botanical Gardens. We havent been there for years and it’s still amazing. Before we left home, we watched a quick video about its history. Apparently it took over 30 years to build 😳. We love Route 66 so we stopped at Pop's 66, Arcadia Ok and then took it most of the way home. We stumbled across a historical marker about the ‘89 land run (East Boundary). So now we have our history subject for the week!

Homeschool yesterday! We are so ready for spring!!! Anyone else?

I want to discuss a student-led activity that my daughter (and her close friend) have undertaken. They decided (all on their own) to each write their own books and share them through Google documents so that they could edit and help each other. She has become completely immersed. There is no other school situation where she could completely dedicate herself to this love of writing and illustrating. You DO NOT need to recreate public school at home. You don’t have to check off a list of things they need to learn every day. Let them engage wholly in what they love, that’s when their gifts really shine. I can’t wait to share the finished product. It’s amazing.

Today, after studying Lent, we watched some documentaries about the history of Mardi Gras and the different celebrations around the world. We also learned about Mardi Gras symbols and traditions, including the King Cake. Yum. Now we are ready for Lent ❤️❤️