How a Unit Study Happened

So I was never interested in Robin Hood as a little girl.  I don't know why exactly, but I just wasn't.  But my children are, and I am now as well, and this is how it happened.

I became interested in European royalty.  I began reading books on Isabella, Eleanor, Elizabeth I, Marie Antoinette, "Bloody Mary", Henry VIII, etc. 

Clara noticed this and also wanted to read about royalty.  So, we checked out "To Be a Princess," "Extraordinary Women," and many others.

 In one of these books, King Richard and the Crusades was mentioned, and Robin Hood.  Simon, especially, found the short story and pictures interesting. 

Then in one of those American Girls movies (they really are great!), the one about Kitt and The Great Depression, there was talk about taking from the rich and giving to the poor.  This became a topic of conversation, the idea of it was fascinating to us (why would someone do that?  how could there even be a need to do that?  what would that time look like?  is it like that now?, etc. etc. etc.)

We soon found ourselves looking for books on Robin Hood from the library.

We have read these stories over and over this fall, looking at the pictures, learning about the characters, learning about items from that period of time, when these stories took place in relation to Elizabeth I and where, begun practicing British accents, etc.  We found a kids' version of Robin Hood on video just recently.  It was somewhat different in the storytelling, so we enjoyed discussing the differences in the versions of the story.

There has been so much study of Robin Hood that the kids' play often consists of pretending to be Robin Hood of Loxley, Maid Marion, Prince John, Little John, etc., acting out the story with cosumes and props and storylines, and adding to the story as well.  There has even been some piano playing background music that has been added to the play for dramatic effect.  I see the making of bows and arrows in our future possibly.

So we have ended up in the middle of a Robin Hood unit study without ever planning it.  It just happened.  Because one thing of interest led to another.