We started with Amelia Earhart: Adventurer in the Sky. Then, while I was online, I came across The Adventures of Amelia the Pigeon. It's an online game that takes you around New York City.
The story is about a little girl who has a pigeon named Amelia who is named for Amelia Earhart. She receives a package from her great-grandfather who had been in WWI. He hadn't fought with guns. Instead, he'd used pigeons! He'd trained pigeons to fly with tiny cameras strapped to their chest to get a look at the enemy from above.
Now, her grandfather was giving the camera to her! So, she straps the camera on Amelia the Pigeon, and sends the pigeon out in NYC. It's a great adventure and actually teaches you not only about NYC but a little about the history of photography. Like, did you know that people used to send cameras up by kite to get a bird's eye view so the could paint it?
Tonight we read about Cher Ami, a WWI pigeon hero who saved the lives of about 200 American soldiers! It is a very touching story with a happy ending - including a new wooden leg for Cher Ami. At the bottom of the page I linked to, there is a poem about Cher Ami by Harry Farrington. We really enjoyed the poem, and then Alexandra realized it was in AABB form!!! How cool is that???
After the poem, there is a link to a coloring book about Cher Ami. I just used the book to print off the poem as Alexandra wants to read it again. And, we both want to go to the Smithsonian to see the real (preserved) Cher Ami and his French award! You can see a photo of him on the site.
I just found another (Charlotte Mason) site here that will lead us into further adventures with these amazing pigeons! Until next time...
Other resources:
- A Picture Book of Amelia Earhart by David A. Adler - we always enjoy these books
- Pigeon Hero! Based on the True Story by Redmond - this book is pretty simple as a Level 2 reader, but the story is about a pigeon named G. I. Joe in WWII who "saves the day" and a lot of lives, too
Sounds like fun times in your house.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I will have to remember to come back here someday when we do a Amerlia Earhart/pigeon study...
ReplyDeleteSince GB is all rabid about World War II stories, I may pass this site on to him and see how he likes it. Thanks for the link!
ReplyDeleteI think it's wonderful that Alexandra just spontaneously noticed the AABB pattern! Good for her!
Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed reading about your adventures with Amelia Earhart and pigeons. What fun! I also enjoyed the AABB poems. :)