Friday, November 16, 2012

Homeschool Literature

Where are all the books by and about homeschoolers? Great question! HomeschoolLiterature.com is a super place to investigate. They offer book reviews by and about homeschoolers. They also offer resources you can use with your child.

You might want to begin building a library full of books by and about homeschoolers. You might even find books that tell how a homeschooler wrote their own book. I hope that it will encourage your child to write. I know my daughter did not really enjoy writing until I told her a homeschooled kid was the author of one of her favorite books, Eargon. That was all it took for her. She was suddenly determined she could write a book too. She has started and stopped several times. I am thrilled she tries. Right now, she keeps busy writing anime stories because she LOVES anime!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Turkey Time

"Gobble, gobble, gobble...." Almost a century ago, the wild turkey just about became extinct. Their habitats were destroyed when forest areas were being cleared. But don’t cry just yet…the wild turkey has fought his way back. You will now find them in 49 states--all but Alaska.

Benjamin Franklin was a big fan of the wild turkey. In fact, he was very sad when the bald eagle was chosen as a symbol of the United States of America. He was rooting for the wild turkey. Franklin called the wild turkey a "...more respectable Bird..." and "...a true original native of North America."

Interesting Facts About Turkeys:

  • Turkeys are large birds, related to pheasants. Wild turkeys are native to wooded areas of North America. (Turkeys were not mentioned by name in original accounts of the 1621 Plymouth Thanksgiving celebration. Wild turkeys would have lived in the surrounding area and may have been included in the fowl eaten at the meal however.)
  • Male turkeys are called toms. Female turkeys are called hens.
  • Only male turkeys make gobbling sounds.
  • Wild turkeys eat seeds, acorns, and insects.
  • Wild turkeys can run and are good fliers. Domesticated turkeys cannot fly.
  • Wild turkeys are not as fat as domesticated turkeys.
  • Domesticated turkeys are related to Mexican turkeys.
  • Spanish Conquistadors took Mexican turkeys to Europe in the 16th century. Turkeys were raised in Europe before the Pilgrims left there.
  • In this country, the average person in the United States eats almost 19 pounds of turkey each year.

Help your child learn what Benjamin Franklin had to say about the national seal of the United States of America. Ask your child to explain why Franklin thought the turkey was more appropriate than the bald eagle. Challenge your child to design a new seal -- using a turkey instead of the eagle.