Field Trip #1 of 2011

One of the greatest things about homeschooling is the freedom it gives us to learn what we want and explore it as much as we want. We are starting a unit study on California History and the first part of that we will be focusing on Native Americans, experiencing things first hand is a great way to learn, so we took a field trip to a local Indian museum at Lake Perris.
You should go and visit it... http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=24699I wasn't sure about the local museums, but after some research I found this one. I had never heard of the museum, but it turned out to be great!!! We invited another homeschooling family along and learned allot, but had a great time in the process. Zach had Micah over for a sleep over the night before (another bonus if homeschooling-sleep overs on school nights), so Jo and her other 2 came to our house. Being that we have a bus, we all drove together, which is always fun ;) 6 Oates & 4 Holmes, we stopped by our local drive-thru Starbucks on the way and everyone was happy!
The staff at the museum was fabulous and gave us a full on field trip. We were the only people there, so we got their undivided attention.


hunting for rabbitsWe learned all about the local tribes then and now, got to do some hands on stuff and brought home some pretty cool papers to do some additional learning. After the museum, we headed to the picnic area and had lunch, played on the play ground and then played on the shore of the lake. Jo & I talked (what else?) while the kids searched for shells, Sarah & Grace walked along the water and chatted away, Micah & Zach were digging for treasure, Hope & Seth ran back and forth between the others and the little 2 were having a blast getting wet (Grady thought he was at the ocean and got soaked in the water.)All in all it was a great day! Everyone came home tired and ready for a rest :)
Thanks Holmes family for joining us on our little "Indian" adventure!