Yule: Age of Exploration
Europeans sail into the unknown, connecting continents and changing the world forever. As Yule brings light to darkness, we explore the courage—and consequences—of discovery.
UU Principle Focus
1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person
🎯 Learning Goals
- • Understand the motives and methods of European exploration
- • Analyze Columbus and exploration from multiple perspectives
- • Study the Columbian Exchange and its global impact
- • Solve systems of linear equations using multiple methods
- • Understand ecology: ecosystems, food webs, cycles, populations
- • Connect Yule themes of light and hope to exploration of the unknown
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: Why Explore? Motives for Exploration
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Europeans set out to explore for gold, glory, and God. What drives people to explore the unknown? What would you risk everything to discover?
📚 Language Arts
Study the motives for exploration: trade, religion, glory, curiosity. Read primary sources from explorers. Write about the ethics of exploration.
✖️ Math
Systems of equations introduction. What is a system? Solving by graphing.
🌿 Science: Ecology
Introduction to ecology. Ecosystems, biomes, and habitats. The web of life.
✏️ Form Drawing
Navigation charts and compass rose designs
🧶 Handwork
Begin Yule crafts; evergreen decorations
📖 Story
The Spice Trade and the Dream of the East
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Age of Exploration
- Ecosystems Introduction
Shows:
- Mankind: The Story of All of Us
Audio:
- Exploration history
Week 2: Portuguese Pioneers
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Prince Henry the Navigator never sailed himself but made exploration possible for others. How can we support others' dreams even if we don't share them?
📚 Language Arts
Study Portuguese exploration: Henry the Navigator, Dias, da Gama. Map their voyages. Write a ship's log entry.
✖️ Math
Solving systems by substitution. When graphing isn't practical.
🌿 Science: Ecology
Food chains and food webs. Producers, consumers, decomposers. Energy flow.
✏️ Form Drawing
Portuguese caravel ship designs
🧶 Handwork
Continue Yule crafts; star ornaments
📖 Story
Vasco da Gama Reaches India
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Portuguese Explorers
- Food Chains
Shows:
- The Explorers
Audio:
- Age of Discovery
Week 3: Columbus and the 'New World'
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Columbus's voyage changed the world forever—for better and worse. How do we evaluate historical figures who did both good and harm? (2nd Principle)
📚 Language Arts
Study Columbus: his voyage, his beliefs, his impact. Read multiple perspectives. Write a balanced assessment.
✖️ Math
Solving systems by elimination. Adding and subtracting equations.
🌿 Science: Ecology
Ecological relationships: predation, competition, symbiosis. How organisms interact.
✏️ Form Drawing
Maps of Columbus's voyages
🧶 Handwork
Create a Yule log; candle making
📖 Story
Columbus: Hero, Villain, or Both?
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Columbus Documentary
- Symbiosis Explained
Shows:
- 1492: Conquest of Paradise
Audio:
- Columbus biography
Week 4: The Columbian Exchange
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The Columbian Exchange transferred plants, animals, and diseases between worlds. How do our actions create ripple effects we can't predict?
📚 Language Arts
Study the Columbian Exchange: what moved between Old and New Worlds. Research one item's journey. Write about unintended consequences.
✖️ Math
Special cases in systems: parallel lines (no solution), same line (infinite solutions).
🌿 Science: Ecology
Population dynamics: growth, carrying capacity, limiting factors. How populations change.
✏️ Form Drawing
Illustrations of Columbian Exchange items
🧶 Handwork
Cook with New World foods; prepare Yule feast
📖 Story
The Columbian Exchange: A World Transformed
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Columbian Exchange
- Population Ecology
Shows:
- Guns, Germs, and Steel
Audio:
- 1493 audiobook excerpts
Week 5: Magellan and Global Circumnavigation
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Magellan's crew completed the first trip around the world, though Magellan himself died. What does it mean to start something you may not finish?
📚 Language Arts
Study Magellan's voyage. The first circumnavigation. Write about perseverance and legacy.
✖️ Math
Applications of systems of equations. Real-world word problems.
🌿 Science: Ecology
Cycles in ecosystems: water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle. How matter moves.
✏️ Form Drawing
World maps showing circumnavigation route
🧶 Handwork
Complete Yule gifts; decorate the home
📖 Story
Magellan's Voyage Around the World
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Magellan Documentary
- Biogeochemical Cycles
Shows:
- The Circumnavigators
Audio:
- Over the Edge of the World
Week 6: Yule: Light in the Darkness of the Unknown
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Explorers sailed into unknown darkness, trusting they would find light. At Yule, we celebrate light returning. What unknown are you willing to explore?
📚 Language Arts
Write a reflection on exploration, risk, and hope. Complete Age of Exploration projects.
✖️ Math
Review systems of equations. Create a real-world project using systems.
🌿 Science: Ecology
Review ecology. Create a presentation on an ecosystem of your choice.
✏️ Form Drawing
Solstice sun designs; light emerging from darkness
🧶 Handwork
Complete all Yule preparations; decorate the home
📖 Story
Solstice Stories: Light Returning
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Winter Solstice
- Ecology Review
Shows:
- Planet Earth
Audio:
- Winter stories
❄️ Yule Celebration
- 🟡 Light candles to welcome the returning sun
- 🟡 Hold an exploration-themed feast with foods from the Columbian Exchange
- 🟡 Display maps and navigation projects
- 🟡 Share ecology presentations
- 🟡 Reflect on courage, discovery, and hope
- 🟡 Decorate with evergreens, symbols of eternal life