Wrapping it Up with a Bow

We are well past the preschool flashcard phase.. but sometimes you just have to go back to basics when you are learning something new right? Every year when it is almost time for our homeschool standardized tests, it means its time to go back to the beginning and review, review, review. Now like most states NC, requires that you test at the end of your school year/grade and even though,unless you are audited, you don't have to show anyone the test scores. I personally like to know where the boys are at, and see if there is anything that we can work on during our lighter months of the summer.

 Usually over the summer we tend to do anything that we didn't have time for during the year. This summer, I am planning a geography course and religions study that I will combine together. As we study a certain place in the world we will also study the major religion of that area. After much searching on my favorite secular site, I came up with this list of books for teaching both religions and geography. Because to be honest I am a member of A LOT of different forums and online homeschooling groups, and they are are very helpful. But I always seem to get more out of the discussions and trust their options more when it comes to a secular way to teach my boys.

Books on Religion
My Friends' Beliefs
The Usborne Book of World Religions
The Usborne Book of World Religions Internet Linked (newer version)
One World Many Religions

Books and Courses on Geography
The Complete Book of Maps and Geography
Trail Guide to World Geography
Trail Guide to US Geography
The Geography Coloring Book
The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide
Mapping the World by Heart

I am hoping to make this a fun but VERY educational summer, giving the boys an intense look at geography and the religions that are out in the world:)

Origins of my Favorite Bunny

History Channel's Short History of Easter 

As a child growing up.. we celebrated almost every holiday with decorations, special foods or candies. I was always excited about three holidays in particular, (funny the boys also loved these three could it be... that there is candy involved!) Easter,Xmas and Halloween were holidays that we celebrated and my mother had decorations a plenty for all of them! Being raised as a christian, now a non-religious mama, I wonder how to explain these holidays to my boys. I do feel that the boys need to know the "story" behind all the holidays so that they will have a better understanding of other cultures. BUT it is a little strange to me that one holiday that is SO religious in its nature would incorporate things that have pagan beginnings.

Let's talk about the easter bunny and the eggs and treats he leaves behind....can you tell me a passage in the bible that talks about this long ear rabbit? Or why most churches do an easter egg hunt? (well now I know since I did some research:) Now, if I had not started homeschooling my boys I don't know whether or not I would have even thought about the history behind the holidays. Not in any kind of depth, anyways.

My research on the subject found several great sites that talk about the easter bunny and why he leaves us those yummy chocolate eggs. So if  you don't already know then check them out and let me know if you are surprised or not.

One of my favorite resources for anything history is the.....
The History Channel and once again they do not disappoint with their Easter Symbols and Traditions.

If you type into YouTube "the history of the easter bunny" you will get a LONG list of videos made by people who show the pagan origins of this holiday.

Here is the short and sweet version of my long ear friend...from this article

According to University of Florida's Center for Children's Literature and Culture, the origin of the celebration -- and the Easter bunny -- can be traced back to 13th century, pre-Christian Germany, when people worshiped several gods and goddesses. The Teutonic deity Eostra was the goddess of spring and fertility, and feasts were held in her honor on the Vernal Equinox. Her symbol was the rabbit because of the animal’s high reproduction rate.

Spring also symbolized new life and rebirth; eggs were an ancient symbol of fertility. According to History.com, Easter eggs represent Jesus' resurrection. However, this association came much later when Roman Catholicism became the dominant religion in Germany in the 15th century and merged with already ingrained pagan beliefs.

 Yet another site aimed at kids gives you a simple explanation for easter, that bunny and the eggs he leaves behind. But I have a question for you???? Why is the easter bunny a male??