Sep. 23, 2007 - Principled History Lesson Plans
My guide is the Chain of Christianity. I usually teach each link throughout the year (in order, except for this year which I've decided to teach according to US holidays). I spend more time on the last three links. I've collected books over the years that I want to use to teach. So, I see which book I want to use then think of an activity to do. I usually do the notebook work for my kids. As far as activities, I just rely on Jesus or internet for ideas. Some I've gotten from the FACE resources. All in all, I think teaching all the links each year is based on a principle that history should be taught as seen in light of God's big picture-how He's used and is using character of men, the causes, purposes, and impact of events, and the individuality of nations to further his kingdom. The second principle that guides the way I teach is that more emphasis is placed on America in the early grades because they should be grounded in their understanding of their nation before getting to in-depth into other nations, although that is covered in literature and geography. One of my other main principles that guide my focus when I read a book aloud or plan an activity is thinking governmentally. Who or what is governing actions, events, etc. I try to mix teaching methods like word study, key charts, and outlines for the reasoning part of our study and I ask lots of questions for comprehension. The goal for me is that they understand why things happen and why people are the way they are (besides using words to identify and describe those things). History is mainly a story that gives the purpose and meaning for life. That's a big question we all have and history is a great way to learn that.
This year's plan: Wks 1-2 we colored pictures for a new timeline. Wks 3-5 we will build a ship (not sure how yet) and discuss causes, purposes, and impact of exploration through the study effect of Columbus' voyage using Ch 4-5, 9-19 of Meet Christopher Columbus (short chapter book) by James T. de Kay and ending with Peter Marshall's The Light and the Glory Ch 2. I'll also do one science experiment comparing magnetic north and true north from Janice Van Cleave's Science Around the Year p.12. For wks 6-9 we'll read The Pilgrims at Plymouth and practice and perform a drama for homeschool kids (one of my loves) (focus on individual enterprise v. socialism. For Quarter 2 wks 1-2 Biblical Foundations of History (mostly notetaking); wks 3 Moses and Jesus (mosaic of Christian symbols); Wks 4-9 read America in the Time of George Washington and end with a patriotic oration (try to have other homeschoolers join us) (focus on becomeing familiar with events that led to independence). Quarter 3 wks 1-3 read Mighty Works of God Divine Providence Ch 14-19, 25-27 (focus on Rev War providential events); wks 4-5 read The Story of the Constitution and focus on key document and underlying principles; wks 6-9 reformation from America's Providential History focus on literacy and impact of God's word. Quarter 4 wks 1-5 focus on our form of government using pictures books from White House trip we did in 2005; wks 6-presidents and states overview (some history of how we got the states and contributions each state has made to the Chain of Christianity); wk 7-New York/Jedediah Smith from Mighty Works of God Liberty and Justice ch19; wk8-California same book Ch 20-21; Wk 9 Hawaii read Attack on Pearl Harbor (focus on Queen's conversion to Christianity and impact on Hawaiian culture/literacy).
Thanks for reading, Raquel Werk
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Sharing Principle Approach ideas and help. Blazing a trail in the Pacific.
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