Comments on: Don’t Know Much About History Resources

By: Paula

Paula

We use a classical approach and are going to start Story of the World with my first grader next year. I also teach at a classical program one day a week and use Mystery of History, which is a great option if you are teaching from a Christian worldview, especially if you are teaching multiple levels (she specifically includes info on how to translate activities and such across levels).

Also, NEVER underestimate the power of great historical fiction novels in teaching history. Sonlight’s catalog has a lot of great ideas and you can talk to your local librarian and just peruse different titles. Pulling kids into the context by using great stories is invaluable. I love history!

By: Sammy Beuker

Sammy Beuker

In my homeschool, we use Tapestry of Grace for our history guide. I love the ability to focus most of our assignments around the history that we are learning. To that end, my favorite resource has been (and promises to conitue to be) some historical activity books. We have worked our way through Old Testament Days: An Activity Guide and Classical Kids: An guide to life in ancient Greece & Rome. For next year we already have similar books on Mideval times and colonial times.

These books are great as a secondary resources as they give ideas for a lot of hands on activitys, including crafts, costumes, games, recipes, and other stuff set within their historical context. My Kids are 7, 6, & 4 and they all love the activities. It gives them a better idea of what life may have been like back then.

By: Denice

Denice

loved your ideas! maybe I’m truely an unschooler……

By: Suanna

Suanna

My son who just finished 1st grade. Loved history. Whenever he was asked by someone while we were out and about what he likes about school his answer was always “History is my favorite part”. He has learned through stories. We do use a curriculum, but we don’t sit down and read through a whole textbook, we also have activities that go along with history that he has really enjoyed. The curriculum we use is from heartofdakota.com.

By: patricia

patricia

I loved this line, Amida: For my own part, I avoid history textbooks like the plague and try to engage my children in ways that they will respond to through books, games, and projects.

I am right there with you! When I hear people say that they or their kids don’t like history, I feel a little sorry for them–and I wonder if they’re limiting themselves to textbook learning. History has always been one of the highlights of our homeschool life.

I’ve always simply asked the kids what era they want to explore, and then we dig in. I get every good book on the topic I can find in our library system, including everything from comics to biographies to original documents to mythologies to fiction set in the time… We read many together, but the kids also read them on their own, and often wind up knowing so much more than I do on any given historical topic! I search out movies, documentaries, music, websites, games and we just immerse ourselves. My kids have always come up with their own creative projects: models, stories, essays, costumes, meals…whatever!

And tying in with the last post: history has always been an area that we’ve explored together as a family. We’ve done lots of reading and creating together, but each kid also delves into their own books and projects, according to age and interest.

I’ve never worried that we’ve learned history in any sort of order, or even that we’ve “covered” it all. Because we’ve dwelled on fewer time periods, but explored them deeply, my kids have really learned about the nuances of these periods–not just a bunch of facts. They make all sorts of insightful connections between them.

My older son opted to go to high school as a junior, and my daughter went this year as a freshman. I’ve had two different history teachers comment on my kids’ knowledge and interest in the subject. One was pretty shocked to learn that my daughter was homeschooled until now; he didn’t mean it in an insulting way–but I think we gave him a new perspective on homeschooling!

By: Diana

Diana

We are using (and loving) Story of the World as our spine, but adding in many many books on the subjects. We use the activity guide of SOTW as a start, but usually come home from the library with more than that.

We love the You Wouldn’t Want to Be… series. They are definitely fun. In fact, my ds has started just reading them on his own – which I love! They are one of the first things he pulls out of the library basket. Sometimes they don’t make it home before he dives in!

By: Mab

Mab

I had a similar experience except it is with science and not history. It is a great opportunity to dive into a subject that left us weary as adults and become students ourselves alongside our child/ren as we learn and have fun.

By: Sarah Bradbury

Sarah Bradbury

In reply to Angela @ Homegrown Mom. How long have you used Sonlight? For what grades and subjects? I am thinking about using them but still undecided

By: Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith

Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith

I really like the idea of incorporating art with history! I think my tomboy would like the Horrible Histories. The fold out timelines are wonderful too. Thank you for sharing!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer

Reading about the teachers who were inspirations to you caused a flood of warmth as I remembered the first teacher that made me WANT to go to class. She taught Western Civilization by leaning against her desk and telling stories. She’d sometimes walk to the board to write a date down but it never interrupted her flow of the tale. I’d leave the class with pages of notes I never remembered writing. Today, my kids’ favorite subject is history. We use The Story of the Word and love it. The kids say it is like story time and that is exactly what I am aiming for.