What Your Child is Learning in Unit 3, "Settling the Land"

In this unit your child will focus on the history of our nation and how settlers used the land to build farms, towns, and cities. He or she will discover how some settlers grew food with the help of Native Americans and learn how other settlers traveled over mountains, prairies, and deserts to the West. Your child will also come to see how Abilene, Kansas grew because of cattle brought there to be shipped, and how Leadville, Colorado grew because of silver mining.

Activities You Can Do at Home to Support Your Child's Learning

Chapter 7 Settling the Northeast

• The early settlers in New England declared special days of thanks when they felt they had something special to give thanks for. Tell your child this, and work with him or her to make a list of three things, events, or moments which were special for your family and for which you would declare a day of thanks.

• Share with your child any information you know about the early history of your state or your community. Work with him or her to gather more information by visiting a local museum, contacting a local historical society, or by finding a book in the library.

Chapter 8 Beyond the Appalachians

• Pretend that you and your child are settlers in a wagon train traveling west. Take turns talking about the experience as though you are there. One of you might say, "The wagon's too heavy for the animals to pull. What should we take out?" The other might answer, "Let's see. What items do we need to have to set up a new life in the West? We'll need the tools, for sure. What else?"

• With your child, watch a television program or movie that shows a realistic version of early pioneer life. Talk with your child about the daily activities of the pioneers. What kinds of things did they have to do every day to survive?