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Unfortunately, there
are many individuals attempting to make a fast buck at the expense
of others. So, before purchasing a book, be sure to take
the Nickel Test.
The Nickel Test is very simple. Take a nickel and run it across the page of a written text in a book a couple of times. If the book has not been printed, the words and ink will come off on the Nickel. This book is a shoddy, poor quality text and will not last. It is virtually the same as burning your money!
One woman has posted on the
Love
to Learn Place Message Board, "My stepson brought
home his math book from school and we were helping him with it
and noticed that where his arm had been resting it had transferred
to the underside of his arm. "
Now take your nickel and test the quality of your Bible, recipe book or another book in your home. If the words and ink will not come off on the nickel, the book has been printed and, most likely, will last another generation of readers. A REAL book is printed. This means that the ink is imbedded into the paper.
A very helpful place to begin for very young children, especially the pre-homeschool set, is teaching them the history behind their nursery rhymes.
Find out what timeframe really interests your children (e.g., Ancient Civilizations? Middle Ages? Great Reformation? Colonial America? Victorian? Post Modern? etc.) and gradually expand outward.
Do your children have any particular concerns? Read to them the following Scripture verses:
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— Philippians 4:13 |
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Bullies Learning disabilities Physical problems More interested in animals
than history? Prefer math over history? Curious about natural disasters? |
In short, studying history while tailoring it to your scholar's personal tastes is only limited by your imagination. An extra benefit to this process is that other family members will be aware of the historical interests a particular scholar in your household has and will assist in finding useful information.
Why
do you think God allowed that to happen?
What Scripture verse(s) does this event
/ individual remind you of? Why?
Does this remind you of something else?
As your children become more knowledgeable in history, various events, situations, societal rules, clothing, etc. will remind them of something else. Take, for example, the fascinating and remarkable similarities between the ancient Egyptian's bead work and hair plaiting to that of the American Indian. In this way, you are training your young scholars to be observant to what many would overlook while comparing and contrasting various cultures and periods of history.
HEROES
If your children have not yet developed heroes within history, help your scholars to discover them. If your children already have heroes, identify who they are and why. Try to isolate the character traits that attracts your children ... chivalry, bravery, courage, standing for the right even when it was difficult and others backed down, perseverance, determination, kindness, mercy, etc. Next look for other individuals throughout history with those same or similar character traits in various vocations and throughout time.
G.A. Henty books, Charlotte Yonge books, C.D. Baker books, and The Captain magazine published by PrestonSpeed Publications are excellent sources to find heroes that will thrill your scholars and encourage them to model their behaviors after such noble heroes! Moreover, PrestonSpeed Publications publications pass the Nickel Test with flying colors!
SPECIAL DAYS AND HOLIDAYS
Take advantage of the Special Days and Holidays throughout the year. Not only will history be associated with fun, but your children will begin to memorize dates.
DATE MEMORIZATION
Discover what events occurred on your children's birthdays. Believe it or not, this is a BIG help for the memorization of dates. What child does not remember the date this birthday falls on? Not only will your children remember events on their birthday, but they will begin to learn various historical occurrences on their siblings' birthday, parents' birthdays/anniversary, grandparents' birthdays, etc.
VIDEOS & MOVIES
Old movies or videos are a good way to have a brief synopsis of a particular time, individual, event, etc. Even though most movies are not that historically accurate, they do tend to help with gaining a feel for a particular time (food, clothing, housing, political events, battles/wars, family life, etc.).
However, a note of caution must be given here. Prior to 1934 Hollywood did not have any censor boards. Currently, film preservationists are putting those things back in the old movies that were once spliced out by the intervention of the Hayes Censor Board (how VERY unfortunate), so you may need to preview old 1930s-1940s movies PRIOR to allowing your scholars to view same.
Tip: Watch the videos in historical order for the time period you are studying, when possible, so that your scholars gain an appreciation of chronology. This will be of invaluable assistance for the Time line Game described below.
HISTORY TEXTS
Many are VERY opposed to utilizing history texts. Nevertheless, in all fairness, there are history texts that are available to homeschoolers and private schools that may be employed to great advantage as a basic way to get started on your history adventure or scavenger hunt (e.g., Streams of Civilization, Vol. I & II) . Even if one IS proficient in history and loves the subject, these history texts are helpful in giving the basic background of a particular period/culture/time era. Why reinvent the wheel? In short, use the history text as you would a church bulletin and do not have the history text use you!
There has been a great deal of discussion with respect to the deplorable state of history texts within the government school system for several decades. Many adults remember the long hours of boredom due to the inappropriate use of these government school texts books during their State school daze (days?). Therefore, do NOT use these government school textbooks during the basic instructional phrase of the education process. However, you may want to consider using them as your scholar becomes older in preparation for graduation for spontaneous testing purposes, i.e., assign an article or subchapter within the government school text as a pop exam for your scholar to identify: (1) factual errors; (2) subjectivity of the government school textbook authors that attempt to sway the reader to humanistic worldview presuppositions; (3) blatant recruitment for various humanistic sects and doctrines; etc. Granted, these government school history texts were NOT prepared for this purpose; however, they can be VERY useful for the Christian scholar in basic apologetics.
G.A. Henty books, Charlotte Yonge books, C.D. Baker books, and The Captain magazine published by PrestonSpeed Publications are excellent historical stories that will thrill your scholars and encourage them to delve into history more deeply than superficial history texts. Moreover, PrestonSpeed Publications publications pass the Nickel Test with flying colors!
TIME LINES
There are many time lines on the market which are helpful with respect to passive learning, i.e., placing the time line strategically within the homeschooling environment where it may be viewed several times per day. Moreover, many homeschooling and private schooling educators make their own time lines complete with illustrations, color coding, etc.
Remember to begin your Time line with Creation (7,000 to 10,000 years) and with a large question mark (?) above the line prior to the end of the Time line that is labeled Judgment Day.
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Materials needed:
Object: Alteration
the Family Team: Rules: (2) Looking about the homeschooling environment for more data is acceptable (e.g., book authors, clocks, computers, style of furniture, dishwashers, sewing machines, etc.). (3) Stay within the agreed upon time limit. (4) BANNED: History books or those books utilized for the study of history. Frequency: So what do
we do with the Time line when we are done? Discussion: The Christian worldview (just like a church bulletin) indicates a beginning (Creation), middle, and end (Judgment Day) to time. (Remember: Time was created). The humanistic worldview has many variations to it with respect to time. However, this may also be indicated on this Time line as well. Take the cyclical view of history, for example. The cyclical view may be indicated by taking a colored pencil and drawing attached and unattached circles on, above, below, backwards, forward, etc. on the time line to show the constant circular reasoning and/or fixation of the humanists (sometimes referred to as the "bouncing off of the walls" humanistic method). Reminder: |
LITERATURE
Use books written during the time and about the timeframe you are currently exploring.
For younger children many have used the simplified versions of the classics. The Bullseye Step-Into-Classics series are a good resource for children that are just learning how to read as they are around the 1st to remedial 3rd grade reading level. Even though some of the titles within this series are not written as well as others, they are a grand way to begin to introduce your children to the wonderful world of literature.
Great Illustrated Classics are written around the 3rd to 5th grade reading level, but with a richer vocabulary than the Bullseye Step-Into-Classics series.
Childhood of Famous American biographical series are also another resource written for approximately the 3rd to 5th grade reading level; however, these stories can be read aloud to and enjoyed by younger children.
Another fun thing to do is to look for old movies / videos of the classics. Viewing old movies prior to reading the simplified classic books or the actual classics assist with understanding the basic plot, characters, setting and so forth in the child's mind. Then, after your child has completed the classic book, watch the old movie / video once again and compare / contrast it against the book.
Audio books are absolutely wonderful as your child is exposed to well-trained craftsmen that KNOW how to read a story aloud. Many audio books include the proper accents of the various characters that may be difficult to duplicate in a "traditional" educational environment, i.e., homeschooling or private schooling. Actually, what is EXTREMELY fascinating is to listen to various readers perform one particular title as each will emphasize various parts of the book differently.
Most people know it was PrestonSpeed Publications that brought the classic writings of G.A. Henty back into print. Entire families are once again enjoying Mr. Henty's work. The oral story telling abilities of Jim Weiss is teamed up with PrestonSpeed Publications' demand for excellence makes a wonderful combination! Demand the best by demanding PrestonSpeed Publications audio books. Accept no substitutes!!
G.A. Henty books, Charlotte Yonge books, C.D. Baker books, and The Captain magazine published by PrestonSpeed Publications are excellent historical stories that will thrill your scholars and encourage them to delve into history more deeply than superficial history texts. Moreover, PrestonSpeed Publications publications pass the Nickel Test with flying colors!
FIELD TRIPS
Has your family ever been to an historical re-enactment? Re-enactors tend to be very open and encourage children and families to ask questions (not to mention that they tend to be extremely inexpensive ... $2 for parking ... or free). Since re-enactments generally occur during the warmer months of the year, they to make a wonderful get-away for your family (and your children do not have a clue they are educational !).
One may also re-enact historic events in the home. A costume closet / box where the children have easy access is a wonderful treasure chest for children to re-enact those things that they have learned in history or literature. Costumes can be VERY inexpensive by scouring yard sales or making your own costumes. For more accurate costuming go to The Book Page clicking on a timeframe under Classic books and going down to the bottom of that page. You will find many costuming ideas there.
Also, do not forget field trips to museums, historic villages and farms, etc.
HANDS ON PROJECTS
Historical hands on projects are only limited by one's imagination. One can make sails that Columbus would have had on his ships via sheets and a broomstick without damaging your sheets, the Nile for ancient Egypt with sand/dirt in an old rectangular cake pan, the pyramids via sugar cubes (wait for summer and do this outside to keep those pesky ants out of your home), castles from the packing boxes large appliances come in (for specifics, go to the Reformation Day section on the Special Days/Holidays Page for instructions), etc.
The Captain magazine published by PrestonSpeed Publications offers excellent hands on projects that accompany G.A. Henty, Charlotte Yonge, and C.D. Baker books and will thrill your scholars and encourage them to delve into history more deeply than superficial history texts. Moreover, PrestonSpeed Publications publications pass the Nickel Test with flying colors!
MUSIC & THE ARTS
Get some music (both highbrow and common) from your library and play it during dinner (also known as lunch) and supper. Usually, this can be had from your local library even IF they have to do an inter-library loan.
To locate some of this music for FREE over the internet, just go to The Book Page . When there go to Classic Books under the Table of Contents selecting the time frame you desire. Go to the bottom of that page for music.
For paintings, sculpture, and various artistic mediums, go to the library checking out huge coffee table type books placing them around your home or private academy in strategic, highly trafficked areas for easy access.
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Materials needed:
Object: Preliminaries: (2) Either inform your scholars or have them look up in an encyclopedia where and when the composer was born as well as any other information you want your scholars to know. (3) Have your scholars locate the country the composer was born in on the globe or atlas. Game: (2) The first person to indicate the name of the composer wins that round. Special Note: Variation: "Name that
Tune!" Game Obviously, the "Name that Tune!" Game has the same rules, object and preliminaries behind it as the "Name that Composer!" Game. Again, start concentrating on ONLY one composer (preferably the composer your scholars are VERY good at) and only the names of 2-3 of this composer's pieces per week. "Name
that Tune!" Game Variation Rules: (2) The first person to indicate the name of the composer AND the name of the tune wins that round. |
FOOD
Eat your way through history ... Again go to the Book Page clicking on whatever timeframe you are interested in under Classic Books under the Table of Contents. At the bottom of this page, you will discover recipes.
Another important area is the General Homeschooling Board. Post and ask for help!
GEOGRAPHY
Have your children locate
on a globe or atlas the location of the country as well as having
them color and label outline maps.
Frequently, travel agencies will allow potential customers to borrow their travel videos for various countries as well as give away old brochures (which are great to use in a scrap booking format for a specific country). Another option if one lives close to a military base, is to contact the social worker for the base, as social workers tend to brief military personnel for overseas assignments. Invite the social worker to your homeschooling group to do a presentation. However, if you decide to utilize this option BE SURE TO SEND A LETTER OF APPRECIATION to the commander of the base citing the social worker and his/her technician (if she brings one along) for the wonderful job they did in their presentation. Why? Rank in the military is also determined on community involvement.
WEATHER
Plot the weather for a particular country for a week or so either from the Weather Channel.
SCAVENGER HUNTS
Create your own historical scavenger hunts for your home schooled scholars is not only entertaining for the creator of the hunt, but for the participants as well.
SCIENCE
Not only may one follow the weather for a particular country, but discover the scientists that were prominent for the timeframe you are studying. Going to your local library to hunt for science experiments that were done historically is also another option.
LEISURE / EDUCATION / TRANSPORTATION / CIVICS
Go on a scavenger hunt with your children to the local library and begin to dig up how folks enjoyed leisure time, what their transportation was like, how education occurred, what type of government they had, etc. Did your scholar's heroes have anything to say about these things?
The Captain magazine published by PrestonSpeed Publications offers excellent ideas that accompany G.A. Henty, Charlotte Yonge, and C.D. Baker books exposing your scholars to leisure, education, transportation and civics for differing timeframes. Excellent resource! Moreover, PrestonSpeed Publications publications pass the Nickel Test with flying colors!
Most people know PrestonSpeed Publications brought the classic writings of G.A. Henty back into print. Entire families are once again enjoying Mr. Henty's work in books, audio books, and in The Captain. Demand the best by demanding PrestonSpeed Publications. Accept no substitutes!!