A History Gathering.....

History = the branch of knowledge dealing with past events; a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc.; acts, ideas, or events that will or can shape the course of the future – taken from Random House Webster’s College Dictionary

I really enjoy gathering with other moms to discuss homeschooling.  This evening we gathered and discussed teaching history.  The beauty of homeschooling is that everyone can put their own spin on the best practices for teaching.

I must confess we have never used a traditional history text in our homeschool.  We read literature, sometimes supplementing with a spine book.  Last year, I read aloud The Mystery of History Volume III and this was as close as we got to a history text.  Any of our kids will tell you, history is one of their favorite subjects.

I recently read notes from a Rainbow Resource video called Sorting Out Social Studies.  Janice Price, a Rainbow Resource Consultant, did a wonderful job explaining the concept of Social Studies and how teaching it differs among various homeschoolers.  I have posted in the past about Various Methods of Homeschooling.    I feel four of those methods that really apply to history are Traditional Textbook/Workbook; Classical; Unit Study; and Charlotte Mason/Living Book/Literature Study.  I created a table sorting a variety of history resources and publishers by approach/method.

History Resources & Publishers by Approach/Method

**See also Rainbow Resource list**

Textbook	Unit Study	Charlotte Mason/Living Book/Literature	Classical
A Beka Book Accelerated Christian Ed. Alpha Omega Bob Jones University Press Christian Liberty Press Christian Light Education Landmark’s Freedom    Baptist Curriculum Rod & Staff Notgrass Company	Konos My Father’s World Sonlight Cadron Creek Christian Curric. Geography Matters Lessons From History Weaver Five in a Row History Links Amanda Bennett In the Hands of a Child Tapestry of Grace History Pockets Time Traveler CD’s WinterPromise http://www.homeschoolshare.com/	Simply Charlotte Mason Heart of Dakota Living Books Curriculum Lifetime Books & Gifts Ambleside Online Queen Homeschool Lamplighter Publishing Nothing New Press Bethlehem Books TruthQuest Yesterday’s Classics Higher Up and Further In Beautiful Feet My Father’s World Sonlight BiblioPlan Veritas Press	Classical Conversations Story of the World Tapestry of Grace My Father’s World Bright Ideas Press Veritas Press Greenleaf Press Memoria Press BiblioPlan Nothing New Press IEW

  

This is certainly not an all inclusive list, but it will give you some ideas and a place to start if you are researching curricula based on a certain methodology.  Rainbow Resource also has a list of history curriculum they carry.  Their list is broke down in a similar fashion as the one above.  

I personally teach history using a variety of methods.  We study history chronologically broke into time periods that would qualify as unit studies.  We draw from spine and living books.  Our kids narrate and complete notebooking pages.  Each student keeps a timeline.  I also try to incorporate a variety of hands on activities and take advantage of historical field trips whenever possible.  

How do you teach history?  I'd love to read your comments below......