It has taken my mind quite some time to get back into the 21st century swing of things after a wonderful vacation to the 18th century. It has helped getting back into the history and literature books (my favorite part of school).  When we finished studying the American Revolution last year, I was really sad.  I felt that everything would be down hill from here historically.  I wasn't getting excited about this school year like I usually do.  This year in history we'll study 1800-1900.  As we have read our books and had our discussions, I am seeing that I still sort of have a foot in the door of the 18th century.  After all, we've been studying the presidencies of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson...the Marquis de Lafayette is still around...and James Madison's presidency is around the corner.  

To top it all off, I have found a wonderful opportunity for homeschoolers via Homeschool Buyer's Co-op.  They are offering a reduced price to access the award winning Colonial Williasmburg Electronic Field Trip series.  I've been eyeing this for years, but it costs $500 per school!  (gasp) Through the homeschool co-op, I was able to sign up for $50! (yea!) This window of opportunity closes on Oct 6.  At that time, depending on the number of homeschoolers that join, I might get in for even cheaper!  Last I saw it was down to $49.  Those who wish can also purchase individual series for a reduced price.

About once a month for seven months, we can access streaming videos on-line that are produced and acted out by the fantastic Colonial Williamsburg  actor/interpreters.  Then some of the actor/interpreters will answer questions live from students around the country! (My young historian has already started forming questions!) Lesson plans, on-line interactives, etc will also be provided.  These videos can be accessed at any time after the original session.  Also there is a forum where the students can ask questions that will be answered by one of the wonderful historians at Colonial Williamsburg.  We watched some samples on a series on slavery.  During the question and answer session, I was extremely impressed with how this sensitive subject was handled and quite pleased with the stance that was taken.   We even recognized a few of the actor/interpreters whom we met last month. 

The first one in the series will be Oct 16. Called "The Will of the People," Thomas Jefferson will discuss bitter presidential elections. Ahem, anyone know about those???? A few weeks ago we had studied the brutal presidential campaign between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.  Connections will be made between the past and the present.

On November 13, "Yorktown" will air.  The kids are hoping the Marquis de Lafayette will be in this one.  We think we heard his voice in the preview.

"Making History Live" will premiere on December 11.  We'll go behind the scenes to learn how Colonial Williamsburg prepares their actor/interpretors.  This one should be a lot of fun, since we posed lots of questions amongst ourselves while we were at CW in Aug.

Then "In Pursuit of Science" will be aired on January 15.  From seeing the previews, this one also looks like a lot of fun.  We recognize some of the science from our books on Benjamin Franklin last spring.

On February 19, "Freedom Bound" will premiere.  Covering slavery and the Underground Railroad, this will be perfect timing for our studies on the same subject leading into the Civil War.

"Remember the Ladies" will air on March 26.  My daughter, especially, should enjoy this one.  Something she and I have realized in the last couple of years, is that history is full of lots of "guy" things.  It will be fun to get a lady's perspective!  ;)

Finally, "Soldier of Liberty" will air on April 23.     

I plan to accomodate the rest of our subjects around this.  It should be a terrific way to interject a little fun of a different venue each month.  I like the fact that this isn't "canned" but provides an opportunity to use higher level thinking skills. Additionally it will give the kids (and me) a chance to relive some great memories while making new ones, making connections between yesterday's history and today's.