All Those Secrets of the World

If you’ve stumbled here from Pinterest, or some other site … welcome! While each of these books/lessons can stand alone, they are also a part of a year-long series that we have taught at our homeschool co-op. Each lesson builds in part on the one before. Some stories also have similar themes with the books that go before/after them. If you are interested in more information, or to see the complete booklist, check out our main page, More FIAR – Inspired Literature-Based Homeschool Lesson Plans, especially for homeschool and homeschool co-ops. Thanks for looking around, and welcome to the site! 

All Those Secrets of the World

by Jane Yolen

Things I Need for Class:

Review from Last Class:

Introduce the Story:

Introduce World War II:

Sugar rationing

“In 1942 a rationing system was begun to guarantee minimum amounts of necessities to everyone (especially poor people) and prevent inflation. Tires were the first item to be rationed in January 1942 because supplies of natural rubber were interrupted. Gasoline rationing proved an even better way to allocate scarce rubber. In June 1942 the Combined Food Board was set up to coordinate the worldwide supply of food to the Allies, with special attention to flows from the U.S. and Canada to Britain. By 1943 one needed government issued ration coupons to purchase coffee, sugar, meat, cheese, butter, lard, margarine, canned foods, dried fruits, jam, gasoline, bicycles, fuel oil, clothing, silk or nylon stockings, shoes, and many other items. Some items, like automobiles and home appliances, were no longer made. The rationing system did not apply to used goods like clothes or cars, but they became more expensive since they were not subject to price controls.

To get a classification and a book of rationing stamps, one had to appear before a local rationing board. Each person in a household received a ration book, including babies and children. When purchasing gasoline, a driver had to present a gas card along with a ration book and cash. Ration stamps were valid only for a set period to forestall hoarding. All forms of automobile racing were banned, including the Indianapolis 500 which was cancelled from 1942 to 1945. Sightseeing driving was banned.”

Also, for older students, (or just to refresh yourself), this is a good overview of what happened during World War II. It may be a little too much for a younger student though, and I chose not to show it in our 5-7 year old class. But the quick refresher was helpful to know how to summarize WWII to the kiddos

For our class, I shared:

• World War II was a yucky, messy war. Many people died. It’s called a World War because almost the whole world was involved
• German, under an evil man named Hitler, began to take over Europe. He wanted to steal other countries. And he wanted to kill all the Jews. He joined up with other countries in what was called the Axis powers.
• Eventually, The United States was Bombed at a Place called Pearl Harbor.
• The United States and several other countries (Russies and Great Britain) said – this CAN’T KEEP HAPPENING and they finally joined the war.
• Eventually, the bad guys were defeated. But during the War time, everyone made sacrifices. Dad’s went off to war, Mom’s went off to work. Food was rationed. Cars stopped being made. New clothes or parties were a rarity. The world was at war, and everyone paid the price and gave something to help.

To share before or after the story:

Click here to print Images from World War 2

• Picture 1: Make do and Mend, Mrs. Sew and Sew – fabric was rare, new fabric hard to find and afford. People were encouraged to sew and sew again. Today if we rip clothes or get a stain on it, we quickly throw it away. But then, most everyone knew how to sew and repaired instead of replacing their clothes
• Picture 2: Ration List – Supplies were limited and rationed. Everyone got a ration book which allowed them a small amount of bread, sugar, butter, etc. You waited in lines to get these items. You couldn’t just go to the store and pick up whatever you wanted. Sweets were a rarity because of so little sugar or butter. People began to eat plain meals, especially from their home grown Victory Gardens.
• Picture 3: Victory Garden’s were encouraged to help with the war effort. Plant your own food to eat and share.
• Picture 4: A party dress, created like a quilt from left over materials because her mother couldn’t afford (or find) the needed fabric. New dresses were a rarity because no one could work in the factories to produce clothing
• Picture 5: A simple meal from your garden, with just a bit of canned meat. A typical WWII era family meal. You ate what you were given with thankfulness.
• Picture 6: Coins. Pennies were coated with Zinc instead of Copper, because copper was needed for war efforts.
• Picture 7: Metals were scarce. Any old iron, copper, etc was asked to be donated to help with guns, munitions, and other war parts.
• Picture 8: A bullet factory. Young girls were asked to come work making bullets in 8 hour shifts. They would share houses near the factory, 3 girls to a bed – and each take an 8 hours shift sleeping in the bed after their shift in the bullet factory.

Read the Story:

Virginia Geography:

• We discussed the differences between a BAY, a RIVER, and an OCEAN.
• They located the three on the map below, and cut out the labels and glued them on.
• They traced the word, “Virginia”
• Some kids (the more advanced writers) labeled the names of the Rivers.

We found our city on the map, again emphasizing it is located on a river – something we discussed the significance of when studing The Little Red Lighthouse

Click here for printable version

Handwriting Sheet:

Finally, we finished with our handwriting … just remember to start your letters at the top.

The verse was a reminder that the Lord watches between us and our families when we are apart.

Click here for printable version