A few years ago we used Footprints On Our Land, a literature-based, Charlotte Mason approached education suited for ages 7-12-years. Footprints On Our Land explores the rich heritage, culture, history, fauna and flora and geography of South Africa.
Our family was fortunate enough to have a year and a half to travel around South Africa. As we travelled and explored, we discovered and created our own Footprints in South Africa.
Our Footprints map (which comes with the package) shows all the places we visited, photos of people we met, and also features the picture discs (also supplied) of all the Footprints books we read, placed in their geographical locations. Summaries of each child’s “Best of Footprints” experience on the top of the map are wonderful reminders of our amazing experience.
This curriculum was a perfect way to fully appreciate the diverse and interesting aspects of the culture and history of South Africa. But even without travelling at all, the Footprints curriculum package is a wonderful, rich learning experience for those who read the amazing ‘living-books’, do some research online and go on relevant outings!
One of the blessings of this period in our homeschooling with Footprints On Our Land was that I could use one package for all 3 girls. My eldest, then 12-years-old, and my middle daughter, then 7-years-old, managed and mastered the content and activities at their respective ages. My youngest daughter was only 5-years-old, and enjoyed all the stories and hands-on activities! (Little Footprints is an ideal curriculum for her age group!)
Girls find garnets in the gravel at Kimberley Big Hole museum.
This curriculum provides Bible, Social Studies, Geography, Biology, Science, Language, Life Skills, Art and Crafts lesson ideas = a complete middle school package! You would need to find a grade-appropriate maths and phonics program to complete your full schooling requirements.
Read my review on the high school South African curriculum Footprints into the 21st Century for 12-16-year-olds.
I highly recommend Footprints On Our Land!
Blessings, Nadene
Practical Pages 
Pingback: Khoikhoi House & Village 3D Model | Practical Pages
Pingback: San Bushmen House & Village 3D Model | Practical Pages
Pingback: Xhosa House & Village 3D Model | Practical Pages
Pingback: Zulu House & Village 3D Model | Practical Pages
Pingback: Letter 24 – Failure | Practical Pages
Hi Nadine,
I see that creating ‘Footprints’ has filled a need for your family and fellow South African home schoolers.
I am from New Zealand and wondering if you could offer any tips or suggestions on my being able to do a similar thing.
Do you have any general questions you use in creating a IG so you don’t have to formulate separate questions and activities for literally every book you assign?
Do you start with the lit then match inquiry to that or figure out what direction you want then get the lit?
I realise that it probably took many years to put together but any guidance would be appreciated.
Kind regards,
Bek
LikeLike
@Bek Motley, such an interesting question! Footprints is such an incredible curriculum! It is a literature-based curriculum that flows in chronolgoical themes through our South African history. Footprints covers mostly history, geography and natural science topics that emerge from the books selected.
I would imagine that you could build something similar based on good New Zealand children’s literature and highlight your country’s history, culture, geography and nature.
I have created my own eclectic curriculums, based around excellent books. I use a unit study planner and assign research, projects or activities for each chapter. I then selecte texts for language arts and dictation for each chapter. Sometimes maths topics and Bible themes also jump out of the literature.
I hope this helps inspire you! Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Letter 1 – Learning Not School | Practical Pages
Pingback: What 3 Ingredients? | Practical Pages
Pingback: Learning Through Living Books | Homeschool HUB
Pingback: Learning Through Living Books | Practical Pages
Pingback: Our Journey into Homeschooling | Practical Pages
Pingback: Closure and Review of our Year | Practical Pages
Pingback: Read Alouds – The Homeschooling Glue « Practical Pages
Thank you for your information about Footprints. We are Afrikaans, but I am planning to use Little Footprints for our sons ( now : 2.5yrs and 4.5yrs resp.) from about middle next year or so, and then on to Footprints on our Land. Just from the little I have read about it, there are a lot of places here in Natal that we can go to.
LikeLike
@Elize, I’m absolutely sure you and your family will enjoy your Footprints journey! May I humbly advise: Take your time with these packages and follow any and all the “side paths” and interests! Soak up all the subjects along with the stories! Do as many hands-on activities as you can too – it really adds a real fun and learning opportunities to your experiences. Even if you tour other areas of South Africa later, your children will still connect their Footprint stories to the places!
@Steenkamp, I’m so glad you take joy in all the small things – they fit together in the great gift of homeschooling! 🙂
LikeLike
We are planning to use Footprints next year and I hope to be able to do a lot of traveling too!
LikeLike
Pingback: School Outings ~ What I Miss Most « Practical Pages
Pingback: School Outings ~ What I Miss Most « Practical Pages
Pingback: Frugal Timeline Book « Practical Pages