The Quest (knightly character for boys)

A True Knight must always rely on the “words of the Scroll” and lessons taught to him throughout the course of his Knightly career when deciding right from wrong.

A True Knight Shows Excellence
A True Knight must commit to excellence, and seek the highest level of excellence

in all aspects of his life.
A True Knight must always excel in his education, putting forth his best effort in all his lessons.
A True Knight must always excel in bearing, keeping his or her attitude and conduct above reproach, that others may have an honorable opinion of those “who follow the light

 and the author of the scroll”.

A True Knight has Courage
A True Knight must have the courage to stand up for those principles which he believes are right, especially in the presence of those who oppose the cardinal virtues of the Order of the Light.
A True Knight is never afraid to respectfully defend their own rights and those of others.
A True Knight shall always stand to defend the rights of the weak, the oppressed, and the downtrodden.

A True Knight is Loyal
A True Knight shall always remain loyal to the Order of the Light and the Scroll

by which we know truth.
A True Knight shall, at all times, remain loyal to his brothers.

A True Knight is Generous
A True Knight shall be generous with his time, always endeavoring to share his knowledge and experience with the younger Knight.
A True Knight shall always offer to help and assist whenever the need should require it.
A True Knight shall demonstrate his generosity anonymous and by example, placing the needs of others above his own.

A True Knight is Well-Spoken
A True Knight shall not engage in vulgarity.
A True Knight shall always be heard speaking favorably about the Order of the Light, the Scroll and his kingdom in general.

A True Knight is Discreet
A True Knight shall maintain all confidences entrusted to him.
A True Knight shall not engage in any conversation that demeans any woman in particular or women in general.
A True Knight shall not engage in slander, realizing that that which is unseen is unknown.
A True Knight shall keep to himself those things which are seen, but may cause physical or emotional damage to another.
A True Knight shall keep his relationship with his lady private, and not hold their relationship up to public scrutiny.

A True Knight is Pure
A True Knight shall not, in any manner, bring shame upon himself or the Order of the Light.
A True Knight shall not consume anything that hinders their fighting ability or thinking ability to the point of being useless to the land in which they serve.

A True Knight will keep his mind pure by taking every thought captive and filling his mind with the words of the Scroll.

A True Knight is Wise
A True Knight shall endeavor to use the tenets of the Scroll, the Order of the Light and the lessons of life to prevent foolish actions.
A True Knight shall always hold the tenet " Think twice before speaking once" as the basis for all his dealings with others.
A True Knight shall always attempt to apply practical knowledge to all of the situations he faces.

A True Knight is Courteous
A True Knight shall always take the time to display those courtesies which we all are entitled to,

remembering that familiarity does not serve as an exception.
A True Knight shall always attempt to make others feel welcome and appreciated when visiting the Knight's Lodge.
A True Knight shall be patient and understanding when working with a younger Knight or Squire.
A True Knight shall respect the fact that others have their own opinions, and not require them to adopt his own.

A True Knight will at all times respect the authority of those over him with attitude and actions.

A True Knight is Just
A True Knight shall not value himself above others or feel that he should be singled out

 for special treatment.
A True Knight shall refrain from judging others based on outward appearances or characteristics.
A True Knight shall treat all people with fairness and honesty, regardless of their station in life.
A True Knight shall, when asked to, mediate a dispute between two Knights,

judge fairly, honestly and without malice, taking into consideration the effects of his decision on his fellow knights and the Order of the Light.

This is our school name and logo:

Bible verses we have put on other shields on the wall are (each will be memorized in time):
Philippians 4:4-9
Ephesians 6:10-18
Galatians 5:22-26
2 Corinthians 10:3-6

I am putting other verses we memorize on small shields. Some of those are:
Philippians 2:14,15
Deuteronomy 5:16
The 10 Commandments in Exodus 20
Psalm 119:9-11
Psalm 1
Hebrews 4:12,13
Micah 6:8
Deuteronomy 6:4-6
2 Timothy 4:3-4
Matthew 6:22
Psalm 101:3
Psalm 119:1,37,105,9-11
Psalm 121
Psalm 139
Psalm 23
Psalm 25
Proverbs 3:6
and more I am quite sure!

So, the boys are in Squire training (late elementary and middle school). They have to pass several quests to get to knight training (which would be around the start of High School). Then after more quests their goal is to be knighted at graduation.

Dave created a quest game board on which their plastic knights achieve objectives toward the completion of the quest. These things are basic behaviors and skills they are working on. Such as doing their school work well, personal hygiene, getting along with others, honesty, respectful attitude, etc. If they achieve it but don't hold on to it with making it a habit then the dragon takes the castle or fortification and they have to get it back with real life actions. When they complete this quest (ie they have made these things habits) then they move on to another quest on a new game board. This moves them closer to completing their squire training and moving on to knighthood training.
 We use this book as an illustration of our mission.

 There is also a devotional to go with it. I am waiting for it to come.

This is a good book to go with this theme for parents:

 

You can read one of these at various stages of childhood. The first for younger children is The Dangerous Journey. Then the Little Pilgrim's progress for elementary readers. Then moving on to the full Pilgrims Progress in Modern English for the teen. 

Africa In the Middle Ages

Africa in the Middle Ages is something that most curriculum either skip or gloss over. There are some reasons for that, none of which I find convincing or acceptable.
Since I was not able to find a previously written curriculum that adequately covered Africa in the Middle Ages, I put one together on my own.

Some resources I used:
African Studies at Boston University
Africa Success (reading and teaching resources)
Book list 1
Book list 2
Book list 3
PBS Africa- first people
History Chanel- Mankind the Story of All of us

Here I am outlining my unit only on Middle Ages in Africa. I did a previous unit on Ancient Africa not using these books, however if these books have sections pertaining to Ancient or Early Modern/Modern I have noted it in parentheses. The previous Ancient Africa unit does go some into the Middle Ages, but it is an overview, so this is more in depth. You can find the Ancient Africa unit  here.

Books:
African Kingdoms of the Past. This book series is my spine. The historical accuracy and scope is fantastic and on the level of a kid in grades 4-8 (and even older kids can use this).
I bought them all used on Amazon. You can buy them new as well. You might consider library or hard back bindings. My soft cover ones have the pages falling out after one read here, though they were used and in fine shape when received.
This series will cover Africa in the Middle Ages well. You will need more to cover Ancients or Early Modern/ Modern.

Egypt, Kush, Axum/ Northeast: pp 77-95 Middle Ages -Ethiopia- (pp 1-76 Ancient Egypt, Kush and Axum); (Modern day Ethiopia is begun in the Epilogue section p 96).


Zenj, Buganda/ East: pp 1-58 Middle Ages -Zenj, Suaheli states. pp 69-81 Middle Ages- Buganda (Ancient: not in this book); (Early Modern and Modern: pp 58-68 and pp 81-97).

Monomotapa, Zulu, Basuto/ Southern: pp 1-23 Middle Ages- Monomotapa; pp 24-34 Middle Ages- Great Zimbabwe; pp 35-40 Middle Ages- Bantu; pp 50-56 Middle Ages- Zulu. ( Early Modern and Modern pp 40-49, 56-99); (Ancient: not in this book).

Kongo, Ndongo/ West Central: pp 1-64 Ndongo and Kongo Middle Ages; (Early Modern and Modern pp 65-97); (Ancient: not in this book).

Oyo, Benin, Ashanti/ Guinea Coast: pp 1-33 - Oyo Middle Ages (Early Modern, Modern pp 33-36);  pp 36-48 -Guinea Middle Ages ( Early Modern, Modern pp 49-59); pp 60-69 - Benin Middle Ages (Early Modern, Modern pp 69-92); (Ancient: not in this book).

Ghana, Mali, Songhay/The Western Sudan: pp 1-57 -Ghana Middle Ages; pp 58-79 - Mali Middle Ages; pp 80-89 Songhay Middle Ages. (early Modern, Modern pp 90-96 Epilogue); (Ancient: not in this book).

The notebook pages I created to use with this specific book series can be found here. 

This is also a good book for younger kids or a shorter unit: 
African Beginnings by James Haskins

Just for Fun:

• Trouble in Timbuktu by Cristina Kessler  
• Ashanti to Zulu; African Traditions by Margaret Musgrove 
• Africa Is Not A Country by Margy Burns Knight
• Moja Means One by Muriel Feelings   
• Jambo Means Hello: Swahilil Alphabet Book by Muriel Feelings
• Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Botswana (Travels With Gannon & Wyatt) by Patti Wheeler

Folk Tales:

• Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters (several versions available)
• Aesop's Fables by Beverley Naidoo and Piet Grobler (African Version)
• The Rat-Catcher's Son, and other stories by Carolyn London
• The Lion's Whiskers and other Ethiopian Tales by Brent Ashabranner and Russell Davis
• The Girl Who Spun Gold by Virginia Hamilton
• The Twelve Dancing Princesses by Rachel Isadora
•  The Princess and the Pea by Rachel Isadora 
• Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears: A West African Tale by Verna Aardema
• There are SO many great folk tales. Check out Amazon and your local library and don't forget the funny Anansi the spider stories which are sure to entertain. 

Biographies:

• Sundiata by DT Niane  (several versions available)
• Nzinga by Patricia McKissak (The Royal Diaries series)
• Mansa Musa: the Lion of Mali by Khephra Burns and Leo & Diane Dillon  (several versions available)
• Traveling Man; The Journey of Ibn Battuta by James Rumford  (several versions available)

I would suggest one of these books with biographical sketches in it:

• Africa's Great Kings & Queens (Just for You Productions)
• Great Queens and Kings of Africa (real African Writers series, vol 1,2) by Pusch Commey
• 100 Great African Kings and Queens by Pusch Commey
• The Glory of African Kings and  Queens by Pusch Commey
• Biographies of the Great Kings and Queens of Africa and Notable Black Men and Women by Lee John Smith O. and DeAnna Williams
• African Princess: The Amazing Lives of Africa's Royal Women by Joyce Hansen 

OR this entire series:

Kings and Queens of Central Africa (Watts Library)

Sylviane A. Diouf

Kings and Queens of Southern Africa (Watts Library)

Sylviane A. Diouf

Kings and Queens of West Africa (Watts Library)

Sylviane A. Diouf

Kings and Queens of East Africa (Watts Library)

Sylviane A. Diouf

Protestant Reformation Study unit

The Protestant Reformation Study Unit:

Religion component studies:

I used this study for kids on the 5 Solas of the Reformation.
http://catechismforkids.com/faith_first.html
(But this one is free and is also a very good option.  http://transformingkidsministry.com/2012/07/26/big-group-lesson-plans-on-the-five-solas-bible-faith-grace-jesus-god/   ).
Sola Scriptura
Sola Christus
Sola Fide
Sola Gratia
Soli Deo Gloria
I used this study for a study on the five points of Calvinism.
http://www.northsidepcaonline.com/tulip.pdf
T- total depravity
U- unconditional election
L- limited atonement
I- irresistible grace
P- perseverance of the saints

Historical and literature based component of the study:

I used parts of this notebooking page set.
http://notebookingfairy.com/2012/10/protestant-reformers-notebooking-pages/

You could also use these:
NotebookingPages.com You will have to sort out which ones you want.  http://notebookingpages.com/search-results?wpfb_s=Reformation
http://homeschoolnotebooking.com/membership/join/
This one is a lap book  http://www.homeschoolshare.com/reformation.php

I added these pages of my own.
set one. 
set two.

Main history books used:
Famous Men of the Rennaisance and Reformation (Greenleaf Press)
Story of the World book 2 with activity pages, maps and tests.

Literature books we read:
Morning Star of the Reformation (Wycliff)
The Man Who Laid the Egg (Erasmus)
Thunderstorm in Church (Luther)
Fine Print (Gutenberg) OR Ink on His Fingers
The Queen's Smuggler (Tyndale)
After Darkness, Light (Calvin)
The Sharpened Sword (John Walch)

Heroes of the Faith is a good series that has several books on reformers, though not as interesting as the above books, which may fall into the category of historical fiction, they add fictionalized scenarios along with the known information. 

For older readers I would suggest (Calvin) The Betrayal by Douglas Bond, it was an excellent read and gave a great picture of the times, though it is Historical FICTION. He also has one on Luther, though I have not read it. The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day (Tyndale) by Scott O'Dell is good for older readers also.

For younger kids I would suggest the following books, (that we have read in earlier years):
Gutenberg's Gift (pop up book)
Martin Luther, A man who changed the world by Paul L. Maier
The Adventures of Martin Luther by Carolyn Bergt
John Calvin by Simonetta Carr

Torchlighters has a series of cartoon videos for kids on various reformers as well.

This page had some fun activities. I adapted some for older kids.

World focused history and literature

When we study history and literature (including scientific discovery) we give attention to every people group and continent. I try hard to find materials that are NOT from a Western perspective. This is hard. It is the hardest when it comes to Africa. We study Africa every year.
This page on Ancient Africa Unit Study is our first Africa unit. It was a flyover which we will go back to in depth for each era. It was great for Ancients in the four year history cycle.
I am currently working on Africa in the Middle Ages. I am currently very frustrated in that there are very few historical fiction books written for kids reading chapter books in grades 4-8. There are lots of picture books and a fair number of books for the older audience. So, I have decided to make a post for each era that we study with books we found that are actually good on Africa.
See the Africa in the Middle Ages unit.