Beltane: Revolution & Connection
Modern World & Ecology
🔥 Unit Overview
Beltane celebrates fire, fertility, and community—the creative spark that drives change. This unit explores the Industrial Revolution and its global impacts, leading to World War I. In biology, we return to ecology with a focus on conservation and our responsibility to the web of life. Students complete major research projects, demonstrating their growth as scholars. In algebra, we work with radicals—finding roots and making connections.
📚 Learning Goals
English I
- • Conduct independent research
- • Evaluate and cite sources properly
- • Write a formal research paper
- • Present findings effectively
Algebra I
- • Simplify radical expressions
- • Perform operations with radicals
- • Solve radical equations
- • Connect radicals to rational exponents
Biology
- • Compare world biomes
- • Analyze human environmental impact
- • Evaluate conservation strategies
- • Propose sustainability solutions
World History
- • Explain Industrial Revolution effects
- • Analyze imperialism's global impact
- • Identify WWI causes
- • Evaluate war's consequences
Weekly Lessons
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Community and connection; fire of creativity
📖 Language Arts
Introduction to research projects; choosing topics; source evaluation
🔢 Math
Introduction to radicals; simplifying square roots
🔬 Science
Ecology review; biomes of the world
🌍 History
Industrial Revolution in Britain; factories, inventions, urbanization
🎨 Art
Industrial-era art; steam and machinery themes
🏃 Movement
Factory simulation; assembly line activity
😫 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
When the full lesson feels like too much, try these lighter alternatives:
- 📺 Watch Planet Earth or Our Planet documentaries
- 🎧 Listen to Hardcore History podcast on WWI
- 🎮 Play ecosystem or city-building simulation games
- 📱 Explore biomes with National Geographic virtual tours
- 🌿 Spend time in nature; observe local ecosystems
See the supply list for optional "Just Can't" Day purchase suggestions.