Woven History Series: Exploration - Early Settlement
Step into the past with Cottage Schoolhouse’s Woven History & Geography Series: A Tapestry of Stories. Designed especially for older elementary learners, this guide brings history and geography to life through engaging lessons filled with meaningful connections, creative projects, and hands-on exploration.
Exploration - Early Settlement
Follow the journey of the earliest known travelers to North America, sail the seas with brave explorers, and get to know the first settlers. The lessons are organized into the following key categories:• Geography: We begin each lesson with a focus on geography by exploring maps, landforms, navigation and exploration. Students will engage in hands-on mapwork to better understand the physical world, setting the stage for deeper learning. Additionally, we will incorporate the artwork to enrich our study of geographic tools.• Living Literature: Throughout the journey, students will engage with a blend of compelling nonfiction and high-quality storytelling. The carefully curated book selection is engaging, well-written narratives that spark curiosity and imagination.
• Timeline Cards: To help students visualize historical context, each lesson includes a timeline card focused on key events leading up to and during the Age of Exploration. Your child will illustrate each card and add it to a growing timeline, creating a beautiful, chronological display.• Explore and Connect: This journey is full of hands-on adventures that make learning come alive. From nature study, to creative STEM projects, and science experiments, each activity is designed to spark curiosity, ignite wonder, and help your child connect deeply with history and geography.• Create: Encourage creativity with integrated art, crafts, creative writing, cooking, and imaginative play. These activities are designed to deepen understanding and make learning fun and memorable.Units Included:Unit 1. Life in the Americas Before Exploration - Meet the first peoples of the Americas and learn how archaeologists uncover stories from the past.
Unit 2. Early Exploration - Discover early explorers and their influence on the Age of Exploration, plus dive into ships and sea navigation.
Unit 3. The Voyages of Columbus - Follow Columbus across the Atlantic, explore life aboard his ships, and consider the perspectives of the native peoples he met.
Unit 4. Explorers - Meet daring explorers and trace their global journeys as you embark on your own around-the-world adventure.
5. Indigenous Peoples of North America - Explore Native American life and culture through The Song of Hiawatha and the Great Law of Peace.
6. The Powhatan & Jamestown - Meet Pocahontas, explore Jamestown, and learn how the Powhatan people helped settlers survive in a new land.
Scheduling:
This guide includes 6 units with 4 lessons each, for a total of 24 engaging lessons. A suggested daily plan and easy-to-follow unit overview are provided, but the flexible structure allows you to move at your own pace. Some lessons may span two days depending on depth. You might spend 6-12 weeks with this guide based on your preferred rhythm.What You’ll Receive:• Woven History Series Exploration and Early Settlement Guide PDF - The Guide is approximately 100 pages and includes thoughtfully laid out lessons, supply lists, art, and resources.
• Printables PDF - Printable pages that correspond with lessons are available in a digital pdf document. Before printing, consider the intended use of the printable page. Most pages are best printed on cardstock, while some resources can be laminated for repeated use.⚠️ Important• This is a printable PDF. NO PHYSICAL PRODUCT WILL BE MAILED TO YOU.• PERSONAL USE ONLY - You may use this resources in your home or your classroom but please do not redistribute digital or printed files. This product should not be resold or redistributed in any way.A Note from Kessler at The Cottage Schoolhouse:Thank you for exploring history with us. My hope is that this guide brings beauty, joy, and meaningful connection to your homeschool days, and helps your children fall in love with the stories of the past.
Woven History Series
Each guide in this series weaves together storytelling, geography, art, literature, and hands-on activities to help your child deeply connect with the people, cultures, and events of the past. It’s a gentle, immersive approach that nurtures curiosity and wonder, while also developing important academic skills.
Suggested Ages
The Woven Series is thoughtfully designed for elementary learners, ideal for 3rd–6th grade. Lessons, books, and activities are tailored to support this age range with depth and creativity.
Books Needed
Throughout the journey, students will engage with a blend of compelling nonfiction and high-quality storytelling. The carefully curated book selection is engaging, well-written narratives that spark curiosity and imagination. The book list is small but very important to the guide.
To complete the guide you will need:
- The Discovery of the Americas by Betsy Maestro and Giulio Maestro
- The World Made New by John W. Glenn and Marc Aronson
- Over and Under the Rainforest by Kate Messner
- North American Indians by Marie and Douglas Gorsline
- Full Moon Lore by Ellen Wahi or Thirteen Moons on a Turtles Back by Joseph Bruchac
- A River Ran Wild by Lynn Cherry
- The Settling of Jamestown by Marylee Knowlton and Janet Riehecky
- A biographical story about Pocahontas
A list of additional titles you might enjoy is included with the guide.
Supplies Needed
Keeping supplies simple and affordable was an important part of creating this guide. You will find that most supplies listed are general art supplies and things that you might already have around your home. Everything else can usually be found at a dollar store or grocery store. Many supplies are repeated throughout the guide.
This is a Digital Product
⚠️ Important
• This is a printable PDF. NO PHYSICAL PRODUCT WILL BE MAILED TO YOU.
• PERSONAL USE ONLY - You may use this resources in your home or your classroom but please do not redistribute digital or printed files. This product should not be resold or redistributed in any way.