Lesson Plans:
Time Capsule Project
Ancient cultures, myths and legends
Geography: Continents, Europe and America
Geopolitics: Monarchy, democracy, dictators
Practical Math, budgeting.
Money, trading, borrowing, bartering
Geometry: Drawing and architecture
Physics: Gravity, forces. Stephen Hawking, astronomy.
Chemistry: Mixtures and solutions. Probiotics.
Biology: Puberty. Plant studies.
Cinderella Study:
Cinderella - China, ancient Greece, and France
"Have courage and be kind."
Chores: farm life vs. suburban life
Work first, party later
Create your own version of the Cinderella story
{The French version introduced the fairy godmother, pumpkin, and glass slipper and is the one Disney chose as inspiration.}
What makes Cinderella an admirable character?
What makes the story stand the test of time?
Royalty
I asked Early Girlie what she wanted to study this year, and she said, "Royalty".
She was not the only one - 2018 was a big year for royals!
I admit it is nearly impossible to study the forming of America and our government without also studying the role of monarchy in the Old World. They were the ones financing the trips, claiming "new territory" as their own. They were the ones who set up the socio-economic system, taxation, land ownership, rules about religion and punishments. Most of how we live today traces back to our roots as a people looking to leaders to guide them, and revolting when it got to be too much.
In 2018, there are still 28 royal families who rule over 43 countries!
The British Royal Family
Queen Elizabeth II, from the House of Windsor, has been the reigning monarch in England since 1952. AT age 92, she is also queen to 15 other countries: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua, Barbuda, Belize, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Her son, Charles, Prince of Wales, is 70 years old, and is heir apparent to the throne (first in line).
We watched Queen Elizabeth online take Queen Victoria's train ride this year, and watched her handle her crown, giving pointers on good posture and not looking down - that heavy thing will fall right off of your head if you're not careful! Her smile and proper matter-of-fact yet comedic ways make her fun to watch - you never know what she will say or do next.
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was held on May 19, 2018 in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. It was a media frenzy from the UK to the US over the $42 million wedding. Meghan is a biracial, non-royal American actress, which added controversy for some, but for others this wide-eyed view that Disney was right - dreams of becoming a princess can come true! As princess of the United Kingdom, she is addressed as "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex". Meghan Markle is considered one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the world (Time Magazine, 2018). The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting their first child Spring 2019.
We have been studying immigration, the founding of America, and slavery. Duchess Markle has maternal ancestors who were Africans enslaved in Georgia, and on her father's side German, English and Irish settlers. She is beautiful enough to be cast as a Disney princess, and has won many hearts with her charity work as an outspoken advocate for equal rights, and the arts. Her first solo project as a royal is a cookbook showcasing recipes from women whose community was affected by the Grenfell Tower fire (the second worst fire in London's history, which happened in Sept 2017). Together: Our Community Cookbook celebrates the power of cooking to bring communities together. #CookTogether pic.thttps://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1041614858150703104witter.com/XEclxgQjR4
The Russian Royalty Family {Past}
That story is rather tragic. It was made into an animated feature called Anastasia by some of Walt Disney's animators, though the company does not yet own the rights to it. We watched the film and then did some research about the real Anastasia and her family. Russia has a long history of rulers, all the way back to Rurik in 860A.D.
Anastasia's Album features the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, and the last ruling family of Russia. The Romanovs had ruled for 300 years (from 1613) until being overthrown in 1917. The legend of Anastasia's survival is still a mystery. We are comparing the facts, and the fiction surrounding a princess who found school boring, but loved to paint, put on shows, laugh and play. Anastasia took photos and wrote letters to her family, and kept scrapbooks, some of which are preserved from the early 1900's.
Grigori Rasputin was known as a mystic and healer for Tsar Nicholas II's son, Alexei, who suffered from hemophilia. The royal family trusted him, but others thought he was a con man. Some believe that he helped to discredit the Romanov dynasty. In the animated film, he was made into the villain.
We have not studied Communist Russia, the USSR, or the Soviet Union. Those ideas are resurfacing in the modern tensions between world powers, and Putin's takeover of the Ukraine.
House of Saud
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, so the king does not have have any laws or rules to restrict him. King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud (House of Saud) became the 7th King of Saudi Arabia in 2015 when his half-brother King Abdullah passed away at age 90. He is also known as His Highness, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, or Protector of the Two Holy Cities. He lives in Al saud palace. His son, Prince Sultan bin Salman became the first person of royal ancestry, Arab and Muslim to ever fly in outer space. The Prince flew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in June 1985 (House of Saud Official Website). He has married three times and has many sons.
House of Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is in between Switzerland and Austria in Europe. Hans Adams II is the current prince, and constitutional ruler. His Serene Highness, The Prince of Liechtenstein, inherited the throne in 1989. His wife is Marie Aglaë, Princess of Liechtenstein. Marie was born a royal and is from The House of Kinsky in the Czech Republic, (the former Kingdom of Bohemia). They have three sons and a daughter. Prince Alois is married to Princess Sophie (born Duchess Sophie of Bavaria, from the German/Bavarian House of Wittelsbach).
House of Orange-Nassau:
The Monarchy of the Netherlands
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander was born in Utrecht as the oldest child of Princess Beatrix and diplomat Claus van Amsberg. He became Prince of Orange as heir apparent when his mother, Beatrix, became queen in April 1980. He succeeded her following her retirement in 2013. The Kingdom of the Netherlands has been a constitutional monarchy since at least the 1800's. The House of Nassau has been ruling since the 1500s.
Beatrix of the Netherlands was queen from 1980-2013. She met her husband, a German diplomat Claus von Amsberg, at a wedding-eve party of Princess Tatiana and Prince Moritz. She decided to give her son the throne on Queen's Day in 2013, since she was 75 and the oldest ruling monarch in Netherlands' history.
The House of Grimaldi, Monaco
Albert II is officially His Serene Highness, The Heredity Prince of Monaco. He began his reign in 2005. He is the son of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace (American actress Grace Kelly). Princess Charlene became his wife and Princess of Monaco in 2011. She was an Olympic swimmer for South Africa when they met at a swimming competition in Monte Carlo. They have twin children, a boy and a girl. Hereditary Prince Jacques is first in line for the throne, followed by Princess Gabriella, Countess of Carladès. Jazmin Grace Grimaldi and Eric Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste are also Albert's children.
Modern Royalty
There are different types of monarchy, or the way a king or queen rules. Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, which means people have to do whatever the king says. In a constitutional monarchy, the royals have to follow a lot of rules. In countries such as Monaco, Japan, Sweden, and Britain, the royal family is more of a diplomat, meeting with leaders from around the world, hosting balls, and doing charity work.
Over time, many royal families changed the laws to allow daughters and sons equal lineage to the throne. It used to be "boys first" and now it is eldest to youngest child. There are strict rules about who can take over, how old they have to be, and when a coronation can take place.
In the United States, the President has to do everything a king or queen does. He must follow laws and not use too much veto power. He must meet with leaders from around the world, host parties and events, and help decide how to spend money. The First Lady of the United States sets up special causes and charities to work on as well. She also entertains people from other countries and helps decorate the White House. They are elected. They are not born into their presidency. They are only allowed to rule from 4 to8 years total. They are not royalty, but they are the symbols and face of our nation.