CHAPTER 8 – Tucker’s Life Savings

BIBLE:

FIAR Bible Supplement:

Parker read both the scripture and the lesson material for this chapter, from the FIAR Bible Supplement Guide.

Bible Verse:

Parker wrote and memorized Exodus 20:16 as his Bible verse for this chapter.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

History & Geography – Coney Island:

While exploring new places, I like to find new picture books to combine with each unit. I found a book about Coney Island and candy. I think learning about candy near Christmas is fun and exciting.

Parker read Ben Goes into Business by Marion Hirsch. This quickly led into a fun holiday science unit on candy.

He read The Story of Sugar on our EPIC app.

Parker also read The Sugary Sweets Behind Candy.

This theme worked out beautifully since we had a “Kingdom of Sweets” birthday theme for Haley’s 18th birthday.

History – Learning More about the U.S. Legal System:

For this unit, Parker read What is the Judicial Branch on his EPIC app.

Life Skills – Honesty:

When talking about honesty, A Pair of Red Clogs came to mind. I remember how young and excited the boys were when we rowed A Pair of Red Clogs.

We read A Pair of Red Clogs, adding us to reread another FIAR book we rowed in our Elementary years.

We made so many wonderful memories with each FIAR book we studied.

Life Skills – Dealing with Stress & Anxiety:

This is a hot topic in today’s culture. Anxiety shouldn’t be a label we wear. It’s an emotional response that is a part of life. Everyone experiences it to some degree, some more than others. God wants us to always view things from His perspective.

Parker read The Whatifs on our Epic app. This wasn’t a Christian book, but it had good content. The story text was relatable for kids who struggle with fear and anxiety. It gave good insight into not allowing the “what-ifs” to grip us. The topic of fear and/or anxiety always need a Biblical perspective.

Spiritual Application for Anxiety:

Anxiety shouldn’t define who we are nor limit us as God’s children. God’s word teaches us how to handle anxiety – times when we are fearful, worried or troubled. Just study the life of David.

God tells us to call on Him and He will answer, be with us and come to our rescue (Psalm 91:15). He also says we can cast all our cares on Him (Psalm 5:7). This is a reminder that our cares, anxiety, fears and troubles aren’t burdens God wants us to carry. Instead, He asks that we bring them to Him in prayer and leave them there.

Practicing this discipline takes time. We need to form a new habit of letting go and letting God work. Laying our burdens down at God’s feet takes time and practice. No sooner have we left our burdens with Him that we take them back and worry over them again. Forming a new habit may be hard, but it is not impossible as God’s children.

The moment God saves us, He gives us His spirit to live inside of us. This happens immediately, but the transformative work of His Spirit has just begun. In time, the Holy Spirit will help us change to become the person God designed us to be.

God promises to help us in all our weaknesses. The Holy Spirit teaches, instructs and helps us learn to follow God’s ways, forming new patterns and better habits. This is not a one and done work. We can be confident that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6). Let’s remember to be patient as He transforms us in His time and His way.

LANGUAGE ARTS:

Writing & Discussion Question:

Parker answered this chapter’s writing and discussion question in his FIAR notebook.

ACTIVITIES & OTHER FUN STUFF:

Christmas in New York:

Parker read The Twelve Days of Christmas in New York City book. We actually found an electronic copy we could read online on the Internet Archive.

Parker completed a worksheet about Christmas in New York from our Christmas in the Northeast printable.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Chapter Book GRAB BAG:

I started creating a GRAB BAG for The Cricket in Times Square Chapter Book Unit. The Grab Bag series is a collection of worksheets and/or activities that I create while studying the FIAR Chapter Book units with my children. I will post it as soon as it’s available for purchase.

*NOTE: Please be aware that any printable from the Grab Bag series may have worksheets that are similar and/or the same as those available in our other printables. We try to include anything that could enhance a student’s learning experience while rowing the chapter book series.

Pinterest Board:

You can find most of the books, activities, ideas, and printables from this post on our The Cricket in Times Square Pinterest Board.

Youtube Playlist:

As with our other rows, we created The Cricket in Times Square playlist.