History is unique, in that all things come to us through history.
By relating other subject areas to the study of history we begin to
understand that all knowledge is related, that nothing comes to us
in a vacuum. I have found that my children's interest in other
subjects has been enhanced by their study of history.

American philosopher William James put it: "You can give humanistic
value to almost anything by teaching it historically.
Geology, economics, mechanics, are humanities when
taught with reference to the successive achievements of the
geniuses to which these sciences owe their being. Not taught
thus, literature remains grammar, art a catalogue, history a
list of dates, and natural science a sheet of formulas and
weights and measures."

Integrating several subject areas in your home has many benefits for
student and teacher alike. For students it helps them build an
understanding of the relationship and unity of all knowledge.
Modern schools compartmentalize subjects to the point where many
people today never consider the connection between mathematics and
music, or science and history. And of course, religion is not just
compartmentalized it's altogether banned in public schools! The
majority of people I meet today, outside of home education circles
don't think that religion has anything to do with their life other
than on Sundays.
That's the worst effect of compartmentalization in education. All
subjects need to be examined through the lens of Faith, not
separated from it, but permeated by it.
It has been said that true education is the building of
relationships, making connections between seemingly unrelated facts
and subject matter. How can this happen in a school where all the
facts are tied up in neat boxes with little or no overlapping
allowed? How can we call that education?"

One last point I want to make is that there are two general
categories of school subjects:
Skills Subjects (e.g. reading, mathematics, grammar, spelling,
handwriting, composition, art and music skills): These involve
incremental, progressive acquisition of particular skills. These
are best learned through practice and drill. Their historical
development can be studied to give insight into their importance and
to increase interest in learning, but the actual skill needs to be
taught systematically

Content Areas(e.g. history, geography, literature, science, fine
arts appreciation): This is a body of knowledge that is not
particularly ordered to a particular age-related progression. They
don't have to be studied in a particular order, although I highly
recommend a chronological approach. These are best suited to
formally including in your history studies. Many of the skills are
needed in order to study content areas and put them to use.

These two areas are not mutually exclusive, they complement and
strengthen each other. And one thing I've learned through 14 years
of home educating is to take the long view of things. You won't
pack everything into every school year. Do not dismay! Every
school year (or semester!) is an opportunity for new beginnings.
It's the cumulative effect, the year after year building up of
knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that will show in the long run.