Wizard of Oz Lesson Plans

If you're like me and are just a bit fond of The Wizard of Oz, you'd be amazed at the homeschooling lessons you can do based on this old favorite. Firstly, if your kids are not familiar with the original story or movie you'll want to read the free e-book (link below) and check your TV stations, cable service, local library or video store for the movie. Want to watch it over? You can obtain your own movie copy, and lots of other Wizard of Oz stuff besides at Amazon.com.

I looked through some of the study options and picked out these favorite resources:

• WizardofOz.info - has a huge array of ideas which includes every conceivable subject from science and math to psychology and language arts. Armed with this you could spend the whole year on The Wizard of Oz if it sustained your attention.
• Reach some highbrow discussion and college level assignments from Web English Teacher.
  
• LiteraturePlace.com offers a downloadable guide for grades 4-6 at a cost of $12.95.
• Download the original story on e-book from Project Gutenberg.
  
• A 7th-8th grade drama unit from Yale.edu.
  
• Oz artifacts at the Library of Congress.
  
• Party ideas for 1-9yr olds at BirthdayPartyIdeas.com.
  
• More lesson plans from LitPlans.com.
  
• Items selling on Ebay.
  
• Usborne's Young Reading Wizard of Oz - perfect for 1st and 2nd grade young independent readers
• Teach with Movies - Wizard of Oz - suggested by Julie.
  

We all need a little magic in our lives. Enjoy!

Brought to you in association with Amazon.com - home of Amazon Video on Demand.

Over the Rainbow

If you'd have told me when I was six years old that I'd end up living in Tornado Alley, I'd likely have thought you were 'Over the Rainbow' yourself! What were the chances of a wee Scot who's biggest adventure was exploring a weed patch at the end of her street ending up living in the place that Dorothy was whisked away from?

Well, somehow I ended up Over the Rainbow, but in Kansas, not in The Land of Oz. Yesterday I spent over an hour in my basement watching radar pictures and storm commentary on our emergency TV. I feel fortunate though, whilst I would not have to worry about tornadoes if I'd stayed put in Scotland, I'm glad I moved somewhere with tornadoes and not hurricanes! I've not seen the news today, but I'm guessing it's not pretty - I hope the help this time is what these people need.

It's amazing how every topic can turn into an exploration. A google search on "wizard of oz" lesson plan turns up a whole host of ideas for further learning. I'm going to take a look at them later today and make a note of the best ones here.