Found Denmark on a wall map, globe, and in an atlas. Discuss name, capital, and major cities. Discussed how Denmark is part of Scandinavia.
Learned about Danish islands Zealand, Funen, North Jutlandic Island, Lolland, Falster, and Bornholm.
Read the book Number the Stars (Lois Lowry), a story that takes place in WW2 Denmark
Labeled a map of Denmark (Enchanted Learning)
Discussed terms from Geography from A to Z: shore, bay, inlet, archipelago, peninsula, strait, sea.
Colored the flag of Denmark (Coloring Castle)
Listened to the national anthem and also the Scandinavia Song (from Geography Songs)
Studied Hans Christian Andersen; read The Ugly Duckling (Jerry Pinkney)
Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale selections from this book:
Week 2
Discussed Danish history (Jutes, Vikings, WW2).
Read The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark (Carmen Agra Deedy) and discussed Christian X.
Discussed language, currency, government and royalty, religion.
Fun stuff about Denmark: Dyrehavsbakken and Tivoli Gardens (the world’s two oldest operating amusement parks); places to see: Amalienborg, Christiansborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle, Nyhavn, and The Little Mermaid statue (it is nude, fyi).
More fun stuff: Royal Copenhagen (famous porcelain manufacturer) and Lego (originated in Denmark)
Began a study of Greenland, which is part of the kingdom of Denmark; discussed name, capital, history and people. Also located Greenland on a map and globe.
Listened to the Greenland Song.
Watched Greenland videos.
Read from Geography from A to Z: ocean, sea, bay, island, glacier, fjord, basin, ice sheet, Arctic, tundra, mountain, coast.
Read about Gunnbjørn Fjeld, Greenland’s highest mountain.
Labeled a map of Greenland (got outline HERE) and used THIS online map to help label the one below:
Talked about animals of Greenland (including muskox, polar bear, and walrus)
Learned about the Faroe Islands, also part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Located on map.
Filled out our notebook page (Homeschool Creations) for Denmark, Greenland, and Faroe Islands.
Discussed Danish Christmas Traditions (we did this unit just before Christmas 2011).
Made Danish heart baskets (idea from Radmegan: In Words & Pictures)
We also read books The Hat and Hedgie’s Surprise, both by Jan Brett (and both take place in Denmark). You can read Brett’s background information on The Hat at The Hat Newsnotes webpage.
When Isaac was a tot, we visited Elkhorn, Iowa, a Danish town with a real Danish windmill. We even got to tour the windmill (which really came from Denmark). I went to THIS website to show the kids (as Isaac does not remember it).
Denmark Links:
Denmark Travel Guide (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
Visit Denmark (video)
Denmark Coloring Pages (I wish I had found this before!)
I'm linking this post to "History and Geography" at All Things Beautiful.
I think it is smart to do Denmark and Greenland together. This is a very thorough country study.
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