Help Kids Not Hate History (...Maybe They'll Even Enjoy It!)

One of the biggest challenges that any teacher faces is the challenge of making history fun. Although it takes an innovative approach that goes beyond the textbooks and dates and names, teachers (and homeschooling parents!) can make history engaging and interesting to their students.

Make it a Mystery

Choose a story from history and turn it into a mystery. This works very well with stories that have a clear "who," "what," "when," "why," or "how" answer. Lead into the exercise with the background of the story to catch your child's attention. For example, you can explain how everyone thought the was unsinkable. Describe how excited people were to travel on it and the safeguards that were in place to prevent disaster. Then state that somehow, it managed to sink on its very first voyage. Ask the child why.

By this time, you should have his attention and he should be engaged. Then you can proceed with the rest of the lesson, saving the answer for the very end. If the child is old enough, have him conduct his own research and find the answer.

You can also use online tools such as HSI: Historical Scene Investigation for an easy, pre-planned adventure. HSI includes the case, links to the "evidence" documents and assignments. HSI has a teacher and student view, and is free to use.

Make it a Game

Games -- especially computer games -- are always a popular learning choice. There are many interactive online tools and games for teaching history. Have Fun with History has some great links for online games.

Act it Out

If your kids can't sit still, don't make them! Dress up and act out the historical events. Assign everyone a part and get moving.

Learn about Relatives

Learning about your ancestry can reveal many adventures and ties to historical events. Did you have a relative cross the Oregon Trail? Fight in the Civil War? Finding a personal tie to these events can make it more interesting to children.

More recent events can be investigated by interviewing family or community members who remember the events. A first-hand account is often more interesting than a textbook.

Watch Movies

Watch recent movies about historical events and investigate their accuracy. Discuss the truths and the misrepresentations presented in the movie. In addition to teaching historical lessons, this teaches children to be critical of what they watch and the messages the media shares. These skills benefit children later in life, as it encourages them to think for themselves and investigate the truth.

Take a Field Trip (Even if it's Only Online)

Although it would be infinitely more fun to visit the Smithsonian in person, you can still take a virtual tour from the comfort of your home. Travel if you can -- but if you can't, find websites that have virtual tours. Many museums and other popular locations have these features.

Making the Most of Power Outages

Four days without power last week proved that there are plenty of homeschool lessons you can do in the dark! Of course, most homeschoolers recognize that learning is about more than the fundamental curriculum--it's about learning for life. In addition to "traditional" learning, power outages offer a plethora of opportunities in "life" learning.
Here are some ideas that can make the most of a power outage:

Emergency preparedness is the first and most emphasized lesson that can be learned during an extended power outage. After a day or two without electricity, you suddenly realize with clarity what you should have done to be more prepared. Thankfully, we had a generator, rechargeable batteries, food, bottled water and a lot of the essentials. This gave us an excellent opportunity to teach our children why we have those things--and to teach compassion for those who don't.

The older children also learned some survival skills, such as how to build a fire.

When the lights came on last night, we discussed things that we should have done to be more prepared--like having an electric griddle that we could cook on (stove/oven didn't work on the generator) and having more water (we started running out on Day 3 and had to drive into town to buy more -- we found some, but not much was available since more than 250,000 other people were also out of power).

History can come alive during power outages, too. Our children were shocked to learn that not everyone who lived had access to the television, lights, and flushing toilets that they enjoy every day. We discussed many aspects of history and looked through books to learn about how people lived before all of this technology was invented and made a mainstream part of our lives. We discussed log cabin construction as we built with Lincoln Logs. We went without the generator for long periods due to a lack of gas, which gave us the opportunity to cook on our wood stove. The kids enjoyed that, too.

Learn about electricity. Now that the power is gone, it's a great chance to learn about what power is used for. My children were surprised when the power outage meant we couldn't flush our toilets or have running water at the faucets (no pump for the well!).

Learn about power outages. Discuss what caused this specific power outage and other potential causes of power outages -- storms, falling trees, earthquakes, animals, lightning, digging, high power demand, vehicles colliding with utility poles, etc. Learn why power goes out and how we can prepare for those outages.

In addition to learning about what power is used for, you can learn about how it works. We were blessed to be able to keep our smart phones charged throughout the outage. In addition to helping us get regular updates to the status of the restoration, our local utility provided a lot of information about how the restoration process works. We were able to watch their videos about how power is restored, which helped the children understand why the company couldn't just flip a swtich and fix our power.

Learning games. We used games to pass a lot of the time. We have a very large game collection, including games that reinforce writing, math and other learning skills. I love learning through games, because the children learn without even realizing it.

Reading practice. We read a lot of books together. Our five year old practiced reading to us, and the younger children worked on recognizing letters and words.

Language skills. We played pretend games and I taught the kids how to speak different phrases in Spanish and French.

Perhaps the most important lesson my children learned through the power outage was gratitude. In an age where it is so easy to become tangled up in technology, it was a great opportunity for them to unplug and unwind. It taught them a lot about being grateful for what they have. As my five-year-old exclaimed this morning, "I love it when the power comes back on! I flushed the toilet and it actually worked!!"

School in the Snow

We are currently snowed in, but there's no reason why the school has to end. While "normal" students might get the day off, we are busy learning here at the homeschool house. Of course, that doesn't mean the children have to know that... They think it's all good fun!

Here are some ideas on snow lessons:

• Learn how snow forms. This link has a lot of good information on this subject.
• Make a snow gauge. Use a large can, bucket, or two liter soda bottle with the top cut off. Attach a ruler to one side and set it in a visible place. If you don't feel like trudging out to check it very often, you can set it near a window as long as there are no overhangs that can interfere with the snowfall. Measure the snow and create a chart from the data you gather.
• Focus on snowy areas in a geography lesson. Point out how these cultures adapt to the snowfall and go outside for a brief lesson on living in the snow.
• Make history interesting. Talk about record snowfalls and what it was like to live through. Dicuss the effects that the snowfall had on the area.
• Go outside and play! When you come back in, teach the children how to properly care for wet clothing.
• Teach them how to safely and successfully start a fire.
• Teach them to plan and serve a warm meal (such as soup).
• Identify animal tracks. We had a lot of little visitors last night, judging by the tracks outside. Find out what is visiting your house. Learn about those animals and how they survive in the snow.
• Discover how much water is inside a certain volume of snow. Fill a cup with snow and bring it inside. After it melts, measure what remains.
• Make snowshoes. Here are some simple instructions.
• Prepare for a power outage. Explain possible causes of power outages and what the family will do in the event of a power outage.

I could go on and on, but I've got four eager kids waiting to go discover the winter wonderland outside. Have a wonderful day! Happy learning!

In Defense of Unschooling

I’ll admit it. I love unschooling. It’s a method I've used with all of my children, especially when they were very young. Unschooling harnesses the child’s natural curiosity and allows the child to direct their own learning. Done properly, unschooling can be very encouraging for children.

I will never forget the day when a friend of mine began posting anti-unschooling comments on Facebook. She described a situation that had been highlighted on the news the night before. The reporter had focused on a family that claimed to be “unschooling” when they were really just letting their son sit in front of the television all day.

That is absolutely not what unschooling is. Unschooling is child-directed learning. It is allowing the child to take charge and learn. My oldest boy chose to learn about trains, but his little brother focused on dinosaurs. They both learned, but they learned differently.

I stand in support of unschooling, but it does not work for everyone. Children who are not motivated or who have lost their natural curiosity may find unschooling very difficult because they do not feel driven to learn. Parents who thrive on structure or schedules may also find the unstructured learning environment of unschooling unnerving.

However, unschooling is a perfect fit for most young children and for certain children who are starting to homeschool after an unsuccessful "real" school experience. Young children are naturally curious but can quickly burn out on structured learning. Similarly, unschooling can give a child who has felt like a failure in a traditional, structured classroom the opportunity to feel successful and happy while learning. A love of learning creates a foundation and a motive for a good education. 

Ultimately, there are no "one size fits all" education solutions. The homeschooling method you use should depend solely on your preferences and the preferences of the child you teach--but that doesn't mean that an alternative method is bad or wrong. Judging a homeschool method by its name is as ignorant as judging a book by its cover. We must learn to do better.

We're Back!

Hello again!

It's been months since I've posted and I am very, very sorry. The end of the year was a busy time for me, but with this New Year comes a new resolution -- keeping up with the blog no matter what it takes!

Moving forward, I hope to have updates for you at least twice a week with ideas on everything from educational games, lesson plans, product reviews, homeschool resources, homeschooling news, homeschool statistics, studies and other homeschool information.

Legal Organizations

The following is borrowed with permission from Homeschool Skills (http://homeschoolskills.com/). Learning at Home - Home School Guide is seeking guest posts to publish as Saturday features. If you're interested in providing guest posts, please leave a comment below! Thanks!

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On March 28, Homeschool Skills featured an article about a New Hampshire homeschool student who was ordered to attend public school. While this case was certainly unique in many cases, it is nonetheless alarming.

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. However, state laws vary in complexity and, just because it is legal, doesn't always mean that homeschooling is easy. Although there is a brief overview of each state's homeschooling law on the Laws page of this website, the laws for some states are extremely complex.

While this may seem overwhelming, it doesn't need to be. Several different organizations exist to help homeschoolers with the legal aspects of homeschooling.

The two most prominent of these organizations are HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association) and HLA (Homeschool Legal Advantage). Both of these organizations are dedicated to defending homeschooling.

Below is a brief overview of each organization for your consideration.


Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) (http://www.hslda.org/)

HSLDA is a nonprofit that defends and advances homeschooling. Tens of thousands of homeschool families maintain membership in this organization. Membership is paid for in one year, two year, five year, lifetime or monthly increments.

As a nonprofit, all of the membership fees are directed toward operational expenses. HSLDA uses the fees to directly defend homeschool members in legal cases, monitor and influence federal legislation, assist state legislatures in creating homeschool-friendly environments, advocate in the media, research and present information about homeschooling.

The cost of membership is the only price that members pay. If a legal situation arises and the family seeks help from HSLDA, there are no further charges. All attorneys fees, travel expenses, and other related charges are paid by HSLDA. Legal advice is available 24/7 via telephone.

HSLDA membership also offers additional benefits, such as access to an Online Curriculum Market, HSLDA PerX program, and access to coordinators that specialize in high school homeschooling, homeschooling struggling learners, and homeschooling younger children (preschool to middle school).

HSLDA does not accept families who use charter schools, public school independent study programs, or similar distance-learning courses as members. Membership discounts are available to discount groups, full-time pastors, full-time missionaries, or active/retired/disabled military service members. Special membership offers are available here: http://www.hslda.org/join/offers.asp



Homeschool Legal Advantage (HLA) (http://homeschoollegaladvantage.com/)

HLA has defended more than 8,000 cases and maintains a network of full-time and affiliated attorneys throughout the United States. As an outreach of the Christian Law Association, HLA offers its members free legal representation in cases that involve religious liberty but are not directly affiliated with homeschooling (such as workplace discrimination).

Membership fees for HLA are based on suggested donations instead of flat fees. The suggested donation for membership is $65 for the first year and $51 per year after that. Would-be members who cannot afford the full suggested donation are welcome to pay less. According to the HLA website, "If you cannot afford any donation at this time, but would still like to join, please contact us and we'll be glad to provide you with a complimentary membership. Whatever your circumstance, we want to be of service and will never let finances stand in the way." (Widows and widowers can enter "James 1:27" in the registration code field for a complimentary membership at any time.)

HLA members also receive a last will and testament drafted by an attorney, a 20% discount on resources from the Christian Law Association and 10% off admission to the Creation Museum (near the Cincinnati airport). HLA also operates a 24-hour emergency legal help line.

Spontaneous Teaching Moments

Teaching in the moment is the most powerful tool in a home school family’s arsenal. Because you learn together, play together and live together, homeschooling parents and children have countless opportunities for impromptu lessons about anything and everything. For example:

·         Cooking dinner can become more than a chore—it can become a lesson in home economics.

·         Going grocery shopping can be more than an errand—it can be math practice.

·         A trip to the playground can become a crash course in gravity (pun intended).

Children learn best when they are taught in the context of their interests. As natural learners, teaching children in the moment helps them absorb and remember the lessons. When learning is fun, there’s no limit to what your children will do.

What are the best spontaneous teaching moments you've had? Please share your experiences below.

3 Most Common Reasons to Home School

There are countless reasons to home school, but there are three that are cited more often than others. These are discussed below.

School Environment

In 2003, 85 percent of parents surveyed by the National Center for Education Statistics cited concerns about the school environment as a major factor in their decision to home school. These concerns include the student’s safety, exposure to drugs, and peer pressure.  

These concerns are very legitimate. Recent studies have shown that there are significant detrimental influences in schools. Consider the following statistics:

·         Nearly three quarters of students (72%) have consumed alcohol (more than just a few sips) by the end of high school, and more than a third (37%) have done so by eighth grade.NIDA

·         In 2009, 11.1% of youth in grades 9-12 reported being in a physical fight.CDC

·         Five percent (5%) of students did not go to school on one or more occasions during the past month because they felt unsafe at school or on their way to or from school.CDC

·         One in five (19.9%) students reported being bullied on school property during the past year.CDC

·         In 2009, 46% of high school students had sexual intercourse and 13.8% had four or more sex partners during their life.  Prior to the sexual activity, 21.6% drank alcohol or used drugs.  Only 38.9% used a condom.CDC

·         In 2009, 34% of currently sexually active high school students did not use a condom during their last sexual intercourse.CDC

Schools are becoming dangerous places for our children. Learning at home gives children the opportunity to learn in an environment where they do not need to be afraid for their safety or be pressured to make bad decisions.

Religious or Moral Instruction

The desire to provide religious or moral instruction is listed as the second most common home schooling motivator. As schools become increasingly agnostic, parents feel that their religious viewpoints are belittled and demeaned. They prefer to instruct their children in an environment where other ideas are discussed and explored, but within the context of a religious or moral setting.

Consider the case of Chad Farnan and his history teacher, James Corbett. Farnan sued Corbett over 22 statements that Corbett made while teaching his history class that were offensive to Farnan’s Christianity. These statements included calling creationism “religious, superstitious nonsense” and “When you put on your Jesus glasses, you can’t see the truth.” Although this case was dismissed by the appeals court, it proves that students often face animosity instead of support for their religious preferences.

Academic Quality

There can be no argument that academic achievement in America is failing. We frequently hear stories of cheating in schools, on behalf of the students and the teachers. Class sizes are increasing. There are many barriers to a quality education in the confines of the school system.

Homeschoolers capitalize on the freedom to learn what they want, when they want. Parents organize the curriculum and work independently with each child, or with all of their children together in a small group setting. They are able to focus on the subjects that interest them and customize the child’s education to the child’s needs and interests.

·         Between 75% and 98% of college students who confessed to cheating reported that they set such a personal standard in high school (The Ad Council and Educational Testing Service)

·         SchoolSucks.com founder Kenneth Sahr states that his website receives around 8,000 hits a day. (http://oedb.org/library/features/8-astonishing-stats-on-academic-cheating)

Why do you homeschool? Feel free to share your comments below!

Welcome to Easy Homeschool Guide!

Homeschool is a rising trend with 1.5 million students currently homeschooled in the United States.
This blog has been created to address homeschooling topics, such as:

• How to homeschool
• Reasons to homeschool
• Homeschool lesson ideas
• Homeschool laws
• And more!

If you have questions/comments/concerns/ideas, please contact me by posting a comment below.