Ostara: Balance & Change
Enlightenment & Human Body Systems
🌸 Unit Overview
At the spring equinox, day and night stand in perfect balance. This unit explores the Age of Enlightenment—when reason illuminated old darkness—and the revolutions it inspired. In biology, we study the human body's remarkable systems and how they maintain balance (homeostasis). In algebra, we master quadratic equations, finding balance points where parabolas cross the axis.
📚 Learning Goals
English I
- • Write persuasive/argumentative essays
- • Develop strong thesis statements
- • Use evidence effectively
- • Address counterarguments
Algebra I
- • Factor special cases
- • Solve quadratics by factoring
- • Apply the quadratic formula
- • Interpret the discriminant
Biology
- • Describe major body systems
- • Explain how systems interact
- • Understand homeostasis
- • Connect structure to function
World History
- • Explain Enlightenment ideas
- • Analyze American Revolution causes
- • Describe French Revolution phases
- • Evaluate Napoleon's impact
Weekly Lessons
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Balance of light and dark; reason and intuition
📖 Language Arts
Introduction to persuasive writing; Enlightenment thinkers' essays
🔢 Math
Factoring special cases; difference of squares
🔬 Science
Human body systems overview; levels of organization
🌍 History
Scientific Revolution; Galileo, Newton; new ways of thinking
🎨 Art
Scientific illustration; anatomical drawing basics
🏃 Movement
Body awareness exercises; yoga
😫 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
When the full lesson feels like too much, try these lighter alternatives:
- 📺 Watch Crash Course videos on Enlightenment or body systems
- 🎧 Listen to Revolutions podcast by Mike Duncan
- 🎮 Play anatomy games (Human Body Odyssey)
- 📱 Explore BioDigital Human 3D anatomy
- 🎨 Color anatomy coloring pages
See the supply list for optional "Just Can't" Day purchase suggestions.