Hist/Geog/SS: General
Living and Moving History
Beyond the books - although we read a lot of historical fiction:
Movies are great for learning history. Discussions before and after help students process the information so it becomes more than entertainment.
If an event or period is of particular interest, try a play or a day. Everything from dress up, food, or children's activity can be part of learning history.
Living history museums, re-enactments, and events at historical museums are great! Several of our vacations have included these.
Historical markers - some are more interesting than others. We came across one in Coppell, TX that speaks of it being the capitol for a short time while the leaders were camped there. | | cmassoth |
Other
Time with your Child is Never a Waste
Sometimes I feel overloaded with all the tasks I have to complete as wife, teacher and mom. Laundry, mending, cooking, cleaning, yard work, gardening; the list never ends. The other day my youngest came to me in the laundry room, which is in our basement. I was busy scrubbing stains so I could FINALLY put the load in the washer. My child was filled with joy and excitement because he had been up-upstairs building with Legos. He asked me if I would come and look at his Lego creations. I told him I was busy doing laundry and asked if he could bring the creations to me. He told me that was impossible because they would fall apart. I looked up from my scrubbing and his eyes met mine. I immediately stopped scrubbing and told him the laundry was an important chore, but he was more important; so I followed him up-upstairs to spend just a few minutes admiring his Lego creations. I need to do that more often, we all do as busy home school moms. Our children are what makes all the effort worth while. We are extremely blessed to play a very important part in God's creation. | | marylovestoteach |
| | Hist/Geog/SS: US
History
I did not really learn history in my schooling years. I passed my history tests with flying colors but the information had gone into short-term memory. I did learn history with my children.
In modern history I learned what the major wars were about and what lead up to them. Then I learned the dates. Even without the dates I could tack other events only to those time periods or periods between them. For example: Western expansion - once I understood more about the war for independence it made sense that western expansion would follow the colonies joining together as a country.
Teach your students the major events and fill in with other around that. BTW, we LOVE the Chronology game! | | cmassoth |
Other
Summer!
Summer in Texas, it can be hot!! So much for the ''lazy days'' of summer, sleeping in and getting out for the afternoon. It is just too hot. Obviously the school year with a summer break was developed by folks in a different environment.
Make the best of it. Have school in the summer and take more breaks, filed trips and travel during the fall and spring. Put the ''class'' time when you really don't want to go outside! When the school districts are back in session hit the zoos, parks, science museums, etc. For older students add an extra day to explore on the way to the college visit. Travel during off peak season - fewer people, fewer costs. Start your school days now and plan for a great Fall! | | cmassoth |
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