This page contains the books and materials (plus reviews) used in our American history curriculum topic 8. In this topic of our history curriculum you will learn about the Vikings, Leif Ericson, Iceland, Greenland and more.

Books and Materials for Topic 8

Icon Key and Explanations

Iceland and Greenland / Pilot Productions.
This video gives a pretty good idea what Iceland and Greenland are like in modern times. You "travel along" with a young man and visit various areas learning about the people, food, culture, landscape and more. There is a scene where a caribou is shot and butchered as well as some innuendo about some immoral behavior in a very short scene. You may want to be present to fast-forward through the small reference to immorality part or be available for discussion / comment. Also, if you are opposed to seeing an animal hunted (we're not), this is not the show for you. Otherwise, the DVD is entertaining and informative.

The Discovery of the Americas (Betsy and Giulio Maestro)
This is a beautifully illustrated book that examines possilbe discoveries of the Americas by Irish monks, Japanese fishermen and Phoenician explorers. It also talks about the Vikings and more. It makes an excellent foundational book for this topic and for understanding that it wasn't just "Columbus" who "discovered" America.

Leif the Lucky (Ingri & Edgar D’Aulaire)

I LOVE the D’Aulaire books. I remember reading them as a child and was thrilled to discover them again as an adult. The D’Aulaire books we own are family treasures that have a permanent place in our home library. This particular book is about Leif the Lucky and the Viking’s discovery of America. The illustrations are beautiful. Our copy is getting worn out!

This Country of Ours Selection 1
*This is an optional read-aloud from a free online text
1. How the Vikings of Old Sought and Found New Lands

Viking Treasure Chest

This fun treasure chest will help make this particular topic memorable! It comes with a booklet describing the lives of the Vikings (with plenty of illustrations), a model ship to put together, maps and stickers, a poster, runic alphabet press-outs, a sundial and pieces to play the Viking game Hnefatafl.

Christian warnings:
There is a little book that tells you to "Put your cardboard runes in a bag and when you come across a situation that you are unsure of, pull one out and let its meaning be your guide on how to act." We skipped this activity but did discuss how the runes are like modern day "fortune cookies" (a load of B. orax S. oap).

There is also a poster of Viking mythology (which is additionally mentioned in the little book). We treated this just like Greek myths. They are fun to read, but not true. The book does talk about how the Vikings gave up their "old gods" for Christianity.

This was the highlight of the week for my son. He loved this kit!

Note: When you make the ship model...just remember "tape is your friend"!

Plus previously mentioned on the page for Topic 1 books and materials:

Wee Sing America Book and CD

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