Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
Now that summer is upon us, we have been really into unit studies. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to review Exploring the U.S. Life-Saving Service 1878-1915: 17 Student Workshops with 120 Activities by Rebecca Locklear.
Since my husband’s great grandfather was a lighthouse keeper and his grandfather was in the Coast Guard, we were excited to learn more about the history of the predecessors to the Coast Guard–the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
We learned all about the lives of these courageous men, who risked their lives, time with their families, and general comfort to ensure the safety of those who sailed the treacherous seas.
The book includes group activities, as well as individual assignments to help the student gain a well-rounded knowledge of the curriculum. One project included printing some old pictures from the U.S. Life-Saving Service and identifying things that made them know that they were old photos.
The curriculum also includes skits for children who love drama. Each skit gives the students the opportunity to experience what a day might have been like for the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
One of the most interesting parts of the study for my kids was learning about what the service men ate on a daily basis–most importantly (at least to my kids), molasses. They especially loved following the recipe for Gingerbread Muffins, which they devoured before I could get a good picture!
Rebecca Locklear also includes games and activities to reinforce the lesson. One of those games included the kids matching up the sea creatures with the descriptions I read to them. The children had a lot of fun trying to guess which of the pictures belonged to the description of animals that the service men often encountered.
The kids also enjoyed learning about the different types of ships and actually did really well on the oral quiz they had to take.
Overall, I think the kids really enjoyed spending time focusing on maritime history. The curriculum is well-researched, beautifully illustrated, and well-written. The kids enjoyed the stories and the dramas, and the games and extra activities helped to enhance what they were learning.
Rebecca Locklear doesn’t just offer one unit, however. She has several different history skits available, as well curriculum for music, art, and Latin. She also offers “blog and book news seasonally” to her email subscribers. If you want to get encouragement and updates on her products sent straight to your inbox, simply subscribe to her email list.
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