Geography Travels: Denmark & Greenland

Week 1

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)

Famous Wonders

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.

Kindergarten Fun

We've just finished our 4th week of school, and Moriah is really enjoying kindergarten! She picked up the workbox system quickly, and she is settling into a routine and loving all the fun stuff scattered throughout the schedule. Here are some things she's done the past few weeks:

1. Fun with pattern blocks...she made the design herself!

2. Science experiment...how many fish counters can you fit into a foil boat before it sinks? We used all 200 counters before it began sinking!

3. Another science experiment where she had to test her sense of smell and try to guess what the scent was. Isaac and Daddy both tried it too!


4. History--We're learning about Joseph and Moses in Egypt, so Moriah made an "Egyptian collar" out of a paper plate.

Charity Shops and Yard Sales

I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a yard sale junkie! I have been addicted to yard sales since I was a child in Oklahoma, when our normal Saturday activity as a family was going to yard sales! I was so disappointed when I realized that yard sales aren't big in England...what was I to do??? Some friends suggested car boot sales, but they're one morning a week (while I'm doing school), and they're really more like American flea markets. My fix? Charity shops! Charity shops in England are just like thrift stores in America, except that there are way more of them! Because people don't really have yard sales, they give all their unwanted items to charity shops, which resell them at yard sale prices. I can't even begin to tell you all the educational bargains I've found at yard sales AND charity shops! I have loads of educational toys, games, puzzles, and kits of all types, and very few of them were purchased new. Yet, nearly all of them are in good condition and contain all their pieces. I love, love, LOVE yard sales and charity shops! Okay, well, anyway, here is my "find" for the day. It's an Ultimate Explorer kit on Ancient Egypt. I paid 1.99 at Oxfam...and it's like new! I just wish Isaac could have had it last year when he studied Ancient History.