What is a Lifestyle of Learning?
Read about our homeschooling philosophy and the other posts in this series HERE!
I’m going to start with an easy one…at least easy for me. History seems to mesh quite well with a Lifestyle of Learning environment and has required very little thought on my part, but still I want to speak to it because there may be some out there who need a few ideas on how to make it work to its fullest potential.
Do any of you remember history in school?
For me, it was the most boring subject out there, taught by teachers who were really coaches who didn’t actually like history. I was blessed with 2 teacher/coaches who at least sort-of liked history and tried to make it interesting, but for the most part, it was just dull and dry, taught from a textbook that was equally dull and dry.
Then, I went to college.
As an English major, I was required to take massive amounts of history from professors who actually liked history. I had one professor who made British history come alive simply because he was passionate about it. So passionate, in fact, he would often end up on top of a chair illustrating some point he thought could only be made from atop a chair.
However, it wasn’t until I began homeschooling…really homeschooling…that I learned to truly love history.
When my son was a 1st grader, I began using Tapestry of Grace for our history curriculum. We dove into the ancients and had a blast! There were wonderful books to read and fun projects to do. It was amazing to me that history could be taught without cumbersome textbooks, yet the proof was in the pudding as my son was learning a ton about history without ever needing to crack one of those dull, dry texts.
But, you don’t have to have a curriculum to turn history into a living, breathing part of your homeschool!
Here’s how:
1. Get your hands on a list of good, living books that are history based. A great resource for this is the book All Through the Ages
. There are also some great lists on the internet.
2. You can choose to do history chronologically or based on your child’s interests. According to Marcia Sommerville {Tapestry of Grace author}, children really do not get chronology until they are junior high age, so until then you don’t need to worry too much about making sure they are getting everything “in order.”
3. Choose books to read as a family and books for your children to read on their own. In addition to these, find books from your own personal library or the public library that reinforce that time period. Have these books laying around in easy-to-see places where your children will be likely to pick them up.
4. Supplement as needed. This can be everything from hands-on activities, to YouTube videos, to field trips. You can do a simple internet search for whatever time period you are studying followed by the words “hands on activities” and find a million and one things to do. Tapestry of Grace has their own list called “Supporting Links” found on the right hand side of each year plan on their website. However, as a mom who can easily become overwhelmed by hands-on type stuff, let me tell you that planning out hands-on activities does not make or break the lifestyle of learning process. Encourage your children to explore further, but never let that part of things stress you out. You are not a bad mom if you don’t do a ton of hands-on activities. (Also, read my post on creative play in the homeschool to get ideas on how to encourage your children to take their history lessons to a hands-on level!)
5. Reinforce what they are learning by discussion. All this means is that as your children read and explore, you ask questions about what they are learning. As a product of the public school system, I am still amazed to realize my children are understanding history without needing to regurgitate a test from a textbook. It is so neat to discuss history with them and know they are “getting it” without the drudgery of boring texts!
I have to say, of all the homeschool subjects I “teach” {and I use that term loosely}, history has become my favorite! My children would say the same thing, which speaks volumes to the impression living books leave on the mind. So, I would encourage you that if you are teaching history via textbook in your homeschool, consider ditching it and making history a part of your life, rather than something that happened in a book filled with boring dates and stale accounts of disconnected events. Your children will thank you!
Read more Lifestyle of Learning posts HERE!
Clara says
I was fortunate enough to have had teachers in High School who made history come alive… besides which I had a natural interest in history anyway, so it was never a difficult subject for me. I look forward to making it just as interesting for my children over the years – they already have a keen interest! Last October we took a vacation and almost every day of it was at least partly wrapped up in history from the 1800s – like period houses and people dressing in period clothing – and my children just soaked it up – it came alive for them! I’d recommend going to museums and other places where children can see history reenacted or displayed for themselves. I think the visuals really help 🙂
Lisa~ says
That’s my experience also. I never cared for history in school, but now I can see that it was because it was taught from dry, lifeless textbooks. We use AIG “History Revealed” and it has brought history to life AND teaches how it relates to Scripture. We get so caught up in our history classes that we forget to eat lunch! But don’t worry too much, someone usually realizes it around 1:00. 🙂 Lisa~
Renee Harris says
We found a little golden nugget to supplement our history: http://www.myaudioschool.com/
For $14.99 a YEAR (not a month!) you have access to hundreds of audio stories to listen to online that a homeschool mom has pre-screened. This has been wonderful in the evenings (or during nap time) when my husband and I want a couple hours alone – the kids are in bed listening to fairytales, classics, stories organized historically, etc…. all types of stories that really come alive to them.
(And I know how well they listen to the stories when they wake up the next morning speaking with a British accent.)
Great topic Amy!
Renee Harris (also an English major, but who never really got into history until I homeschooled)
Amy says
I’ve heard of that site and tried the free side of it I think. Thanks for the reminder! I’ll have to check into it again! (btw, I also have British children! 😉 )
Elizabeth says
Hi Amy,
I am not quite your typical homeschool blog reader. I am a young, single woman who lives in New York City. I don’t remember the path I took on the Internet that landed me on your blog, but ever since I’ve been reading! Your remarkable story has touched me deeply, and I consider you a woman of remarkable grace and strength. I think that’s why I keep reading 🙂
Also, we don’t have a whole lot in common in terms of beliefs and lifestyles, but I can say that I am on a sort of faith journey myself. I was raised Christian, and I still consider myself a Christian. I am just trying to figure out what that means in this crazy world.
Blessings to you and your family, and congratulations on your new little one.
In Christ,
Elizabeth
Amy says
Welcome, Elizabeth! Sorting things out is good…like the Bereans studying the Word and figuring things out according to what God says rather than what man says. Good for you! Thanks so much for the congrats and well wishes 🙂
Celee says
I love Sonlight because it takes the boring out of history and helps it come alive through the many works of historical fiction. Just today I asked my 7 yr old if she was learning anything in school right now. She said, “Oh yes! Mainly, I’m learning about Indians right now.” We went to a local museum to supplement our reading and they’ve been working on Native American leather-crafts to help history come alive. Hopefully we’ll keep up with the extras after baby arrives.
Celee
Amy says
Celee,
I’m hoping to add more hands-on this year. We’re doing Core 5. If ever you run across other Sonlight hands-on websites, let me know! I could use the ideas!
Amanda says
I absolutely love Sonlight ! This is now our third year. I just wish I had found Sonlight at the very beginning of our homeschool journey.
Grace Wheeler says
Amy~I’m not a big “History” fan because I was made to memorize dates, names, places that just didn’t stick with me…it always seemed like it was more about the facts than about the story and effect…but this approach makes me feel excited about implementing this into our home!!!
What age do you recommend starting a lifestyle of learning History…I mean, really being purposeful with it?
(and your sentence “You are not a bad mom if you don’t do a ton of hands-on activities” was something I needed to hear today…not with History, but just with our general school day–I see so many moms going above and beyond…but i just don’t have the time or energy right now and can start to feel really guilty about what my kids are missing out on. So thanks! 😀 )
Amy says
Grace,
I’d start now with the lifestyle of learning atmosphere simply because the sooner you show them learning is fun, the sooner they pick up the notion that they can find all sorts of interesting topics to research for themselves. I have a friend who went on a 2 month geography binge after her 7 and 5 year olds showed interest. They now know almost all their countries due to listening to a geography CD over and over! That kind of learning sticks. 😉
Tina O'Connor says
Great pic 😉