MFW ECC Weeks 21-22 Saudi Arabia

After a long break for Christmas we are finally getting back into the swing of things.  This week we boarded the plane for our next continent - Asia.   Our first stop - Saudi Arabia. We exchanged our dollars for riyals. The first thing that stood out was the signs. The girls were amazed at how detailed the Arabic language is. Next we tried copying a few words into Arabic.  "Writing backwards is a bit tricky." (Arabic is written from right to left).

As they colored the flag we discussed it's phrase - There is no god but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet." We prayed for God's truth to be revealed to the people of Saudi Arabia  The Islam reading was very discouraging for us.  It's so hard to believe that families will kill their children if they convert to Christianity.  

 The girls enjoyed our warm winter afternoon in the sand box.  We use our "clothespin camels" (Click here for template) to demonstrate the usefulness of camels having large feet. Our clothespin camel’s small feet quickly sank into the sand. Next we attached a flat pebble to the end (representing a camel's large flat foot) and showed how the 'large foot' did not sink as easily in our sand dunes.  Rachel felt the need to demonstrate her feet sinking in the sand.

For science we discussed ways to be good stewards of the earth that God has given us.   Our readings included Man's Impact on the Environment, Endangered Species, Extinctions, Pollution, Acid Rain, and Global Warming. In our science experiment, we were shocked at how quickly the effects of acid rain appeared.   

We began the Amy Carmichael read-aloud.  The thing that really stands out about her is her willingness to please God rather than man.  She is a woman of truth - even when Christians aren't happy with her and wish she would give missions a happier tone.

"Sacrifice includes being willing to give up something for God."

Mom's Media Links:

Acid Rain Tale	Change in Ecosystem	Greenhouse Effect Fun

 
What We Learned:

• Geography
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh.  
• The official language is Arabic.
• The Saudi Riyal is the currency of Saudi Arabia. (print Riyals here)
  
  
• The National Anthem of Saudi Arabia
  
• Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest oil-producing country.
• Exploring World Geography:  Bodies of Water(36-37) 
  
• Geography From A to Z Vocabulary: Gulf    
  
  

  

     


• Science


• As people clear land it changes the habitats. Recycling, crop rotation, organic farming are some ways to become more friendly to the environment. 
• Preserving habitats and captive breeding are ways people can help endangered species.   
• Pollution is the any contaminant that harms the environment.  
• Acid Rain contains a higher level of acid and causes harm to plants and animals.
• The greenhouse effect  is when the atmosphere traps some of the sun's energy.  It keeps the earth from being too cold.  
• Book of Animals - Asian Animal  Pages 66-82: Chevrotain, Giant Panda,Gibbon, Malayan Tapir, & Orangutan
• Bible


• Memory Verse: Matthew 6:33 & Matthew 6:9-33
• Read Matthew chapters 16:5 - 18:14
• Saudi Arabia & Islam  & Kurds - Window on the World
• We started reading the biography of Amy Carmichael   
• Art


• Global Art No-Ruz centerpiece (58) "Families place a damp piece of cloth in a bowl and sprinkle it with lentil or wheat seeds, which then grow into a lush centerpiece for the holiday table."
• Clothespin Camel (Click here for template)


• Spanish


• We use Duolingo.com  
• Duolingo is a fun, free, & fantastic learning tool. 
• Much of the learning happens in the form of quizzes, which switch between testing speaking, listening, and writing. The grammar and sentence constructions become progressively difficult as you go along. It keeps reviewing previously learned words, allowing you to progress from basic words all the way through various verb tenses and abstract ideas. 
• We love that we can compare progress with our friends.



• Book Basket/ Read-Aloud


    


    

    
Curriculum for Exploring Countries & Cultures