Inspired by the opportunity to enroll the kiddos in one week of half-day horse camp, we did a unit study on the Pony Express.
I chose Riders of the Pony Express by Ralph Moody for our read-aloud book. This book was excellent and we all enjoyed it immensely!
We also read the picture book, They’re Off!: The Story of the Pony Express by Cheryl Harness.
The National Pony Express Association has an annual re-ride in June from San Francisco, CA to St. Joseph, MO. We followed the riders (virtually) and we pre-ordered special stationery to write letters and have the letters sent in the mochila along the journey with the riders. The letters were stamped and mailed to us after the re-ride was completed. So cool. 😎
The kiddos each chose to write a letter to “their future selves” and asked themselves several questions. There was about one month between writing the letters and receiving them back. We all enjoyed a good giggle reading the letters aloud.
Of course, we completed a National Park Junior Ranger Workbook too! You can get a badge by printing and completing the 2-page workbook here.
The Pony Express was active for only 18 months. There were over 190 stations. Here is a map of Pony Express stations. Perhaps you live near one of them!
We hope you have a wonderful summer full of fun and learning!
Happy homeschooling! 💛 heavenstobetty
heavens to betty 
So good you did the Ponw Express letters! By the time I wanted to do the letters, I had missed the deadline. How fun you did this and read those good books. Toy always hand good reading lists.
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It was a fun unit study! We enjoyed it very much.
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I want to try it! It’s a lazy summer for us. I don’t want to do any lessons 😕
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Rejuvenating and Relaxing not lazy! Sounds wonderful to me! Besides you’re researching geckos and setting up a habitat. Sounds like science class to me! 😎
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I’m taking that project as learning this summer. U have the math workbooks starting at me, but I’m like “oh, we’ll do it tomorrow.” That tomorrow has turned into 2 weeks.
Lol… you’re right. We all need time to relax and rejuvenate and summers are fun to do that. Hope you are enjoying the summer so far!!
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I meant “you,” not “toys.”
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And “have,” not “hand.” What’s up with all my typos?!
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Oh it happens to everyone now and again! I usually don’t even catch mine!
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Yep! I hear ya. Typing on our phones is challenging
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You are so cool!
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I love this experiential learning activity. So glad everyone enjoyed it.
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Such a clever lesson!
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