Daniel Grace Learning Academy is the throws of learning all about the animals on the continent of China (Sonlight Core B-Science B). We zoned in on Pandas, specifically giant Pandas. one of the main reasons homeschooling was a desire for me was to allow my kids to take these rabbit holes of learning when something peaked their interest.
While reading facts and watching non-fiction documentaries are important, and we have watched and ready many on Pandas, I also find that fictional children’s books and movies help to reinforce information as well as add a fun element to the learning.
We recently moved to a post outside of Savannah, GA and on of the first things we like to do when we get to a new duty station is find a library and get to know librarians and books offered. A few days ago we visited the on post library and found several books on pandas as well as Chinese culture and fairy tales, poems, and short stories that are based on Chinese culture. We will study China and Chinese history a little later this year also so these books and activities will serve as something to look back on.
As we read the books we checked out I’ve asked the kids to rate the books on a 5 point scale and I will give those “scores” along with a little critique.
The Dragon Prince:
Charlotte: 4: ” I liked that Seven saved her dad and I didn’t like that Three was trying to replace her sister”
Clayton: 4: ” I like that there names were numbers and I didn’t like the mean way Three treated her sister”
Lon Po Po:
Charlotte: 3: “I liked that the kids were nice to the wolf at first but I didn’t like that the wolf tried to trick them”
Clayton: 5: “My one thought was why did the wolf make an excuse about making the kids things, yet brought the materials in the bed”
Three Pandas:
Charlotte: 5: “I liked their names”
Clayton: 5: “How was one of the Pandas singing and talking but I liked the one named Yep”
After reading so many books about Pandas and learning about all of their animals friends in Asia, we decided to turn our studies into a family night. We picked up some orange chicken (I tried to add something peach, because of the peach tree in Kung Fu Panda) from Panda Express and watched Kung Fu Panda.
We finished up the unit with a few more panda inspired books and of course funny panda videos on YouTube!
Army of Readers 