Beltane: Celebration of Life & U.S. Geography
Explore all five regions of the United States while reviewing geometry and celebrating spring's abundance.
UU Principle Focus
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process
🎯 Learning Goals
- • Learn all five U.S. regions: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West
- • Understand landforms, climates, and ecosystems across America
- • Master geometry: angles, perimeter, and area of various shapes
- • Review botany: plant adaptations across different climates
- • Connect geography to democratic values and diverse perspectives
- • Celebrate community through Beltane traditions
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: U.S. Geography: Introduction
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Our country is vast and diverse. What makes a place feel like home? How do we belong to the land? (5th Principle)
📚 Language Arts
Introduction to U.S. geography. Write about your state. Vocabulary: region, landform, climate, population.
📐 Math & Geometry
Review decimals: all operations. Apply to map scales and distances.
🗺️ Geography & Science
Botany review: plant adaptations to different U.S. climates.
✏️ Form Drawing
Map designs and compass rose patterns
🧶 Handwork
Maypole ribbon weaving; flower crowns for Beltane
📖 Story
Native American origin stories of the land
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- U.S. geography overview
- 50 states song
Shows:
- America's National Parks
Audio:
- My America anthology
Week 2: The Northeast Region
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The Northeast is where our nation began. What does it mean to start something new? How do beginnings shape us?
📚 Language Arts
Study the Northeast: New England and Mid-Atlantic states. Write about colonial history. Create state profiles.
📐 Math & Geometry
Geometry review: angles and angle measurement. Find angles in architecture.
🗺️ Geography & Science
Northeast ecosystems: deciduous forests, coastal habitats. Plant identification.
✏️ Form Drawing
Colonial-era designs and patterns
🧶 Handwork
Continue Maypole preparations; spring flower crafts
📖 Story
Stories of the American Revolution
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Northeast states tour
- Angle measurement
Shows:
- Colonial America
Audio:
- Johnny Tremain excerpts
Week 3: The Southeast Region
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The Southeast has a complex history of beauty and struggle. How do we honor difficult histories while celebrating culture?
📚 Language Arts
Study the Southeast: states, capitals, culture. Write about Southern traditions. Compare to Northeast.
📐 Math & Geometry
Perimeter of polygons. Calculate perimeters of state borders (simplified).
🗺️ Geography & Science
Southeast ecosystems: wetlands, swamps, coastal plains. Unique plant life.
✏️ Form Drawing
Southern folk art patterns
🧶 Handwork
Garden work; pressed flower projects
📖 Story
Folktales from the American South
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Southeast states tour
- Perimeter explained
Shows:
- The South documentary
Audio:
- Southern folktales
Week 4: The Midwest Region
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The Midwest is called America's heartland. What does it mean to be the 'heart' of something? How do we nourish others?
📚 Language Arts
Study the Midwest: Great Lakes and Plains states. Write about agriculture and industry. Vocabulary: prairie, agriculture, industry.
📐 Math & Geometry
Area of rectangles and squares. Calculate farm field areas.
🗺️ Geography & Science
Midwest ecosystems: prairies, grasslands, Great Lakes. Plant adaptations to plains.
✏️ Form Drawing
Quilt patterns from the heartland
🧶 Handwork
Weaving projects; prepare Beltane decorations
📖 Story
Laura Ingalls Wilder and pioneer stories
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Midwest states tour
- Area of rectangles
Shows:
- The Dust Bowl
Audio:
- Little House excerpts
Week 5: The Southwest Region
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The Southwest has ancient cultures and dramatic landscapes. How do we respect and learn from those who came before us?
📚 Language Arts
Study the Southwest: desert states, Native American heritage, Spanish influence. Write about cultural blending.
📐 Math & Geometry
Area of triangles and parallelograms. Calculate areas of mesa shapes.
🗺️ Geography & Science
Southwest ecosystems: deserts, canyons, mesas. Desert plant adaptations (cacti, succulents).
✏️ Form Drawing
Native American geometric designs
🧶 Handwork
Clay work inspired by Pueblo pottery
📖 Story
Native American stories of the Southwest
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Southwest states tour
- Area of triangles
Shows:
- Grand Canyon
Audio:
- Navajo stories
Week 6: The West Region
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The West represents exploration and new frontiers. What frontiers are you exploring in your own life? (5th Principle: Right of conscience)
📚 Language Arts
Study the West: Pacific states, Mountain states, Alaska, Hawaii. Write about diversity and innovation.
📐 Math & Geometry
Area of circles. Pi introduction. Calculate areas of volcanic craters.
🗺️ Geography & Science
West ecosystems: mountains, rainforests, volcanoes, tundra. Incredible plant diversity.
✏️ Form Drawing
Pacific Northwest Native art patterns
🧶 Handwork
Finish Beltane crafts; nature mandalas
📖 Story
Stories of westward expansion and immigration
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- West states tour
- Introduction to Pi
Shows:
- Yosemite
Audio:
- Island of the Blue Dolphins
Week 7: Beltane Celebration & Review
🕯️ Hearth Circle
We've traveled across our whole country! How are we all connected despite our differences? (5th Principle: Democratic process)
📚 Language Arts
Complete U.S. geography project. Write a 'tour of America' piece. Review all regions.
📐 Math & Geometry
Review all geometry concepts. Assessment and games. Apply to real-world problems.
🗺️ Geography & Science
Complete botany review. Create a 'Plants of America' nature journal section.
✏️ Form Drawing
Complete U.S. map with artistic borders
🧶 Handwork
Finish all Beltane projects; prepare celebration
📖 Story
E Pluribus Unum: Stories of unity in diversity
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- 50 states review
- Geometry review
Shows:
- America the Beautiful
Audio:
- American tall tales
🌸 Beltane Celebration
- 🟡 Dance around the Maypole with ribbons
- 🟡 Crown a May Queen and King
- 🟡 Create flower crowns and garlands
- 🟡 Share a feast featuring foods from different U.S. regions
- 🟡 Display U.S. geography projects and maps
- 🟡 Celebrate the abundance of spring and community
📚 Recommended Resources
Read-Alouds
- • This Land Is Your Land by Woody Guthrie
- • Island of the Blue Dolphins
- • Little House on the Prairie
Reference
- • National Geographic U.S. Atlas for Young Explorers
- • DK Eyewitness: United States
- • Scholastic Atlas of the United States