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Making the Most of Your History Curriculum:(From a homeschool parent with a BA and Master’s degree in history) Go big, first.If you’re learning about Henry Hudson, don’t just learn about Henry Hudson—cover a brief “big history” first so your child can place Hudson in the larger picture. Otherwise, Henry Hudson is just some guy that… Continue reading Go big, first.

“Does anyone remember what that word, ‘historiography’, means?” I don’t expect them to know, so I’m not surprised when our eldest grimaced, embarrassed, and replies, “I know you’ve told us before but….” “Oh it’s no big deal. It’s a fancy word that means something really simple.” I survey the moods and demeanor in the room,… Continue reading Queen Leah

Five Things You Should Know About History(If you’re new here) “The past” and “history” are NOT the same thing. The past is what actually happened and can be confirmed by historical fact (records, archeological evidence, etc.) In my classes I mention the example of a receipt from a grocery store: the receipt proves what the… Continue reading Five Things You Should Know About History

The generation of people who want to cancel historical figures are the same ones who score the absolute lowest in historical literacy on every survey and national report card over the past twenty years. They’re floating out on an island with no idea there’s an entire continent not far away. The problem, as I’ve written… Continue reading Canceling historical figures

“Ok so now you tell me the story.” Her lips pursed and she tried to remember what I had said using the poorly drawn illustrations. I always doodle when I talk, thinking that maybe others are visual learners like myself. (Days like today I wonder if it’s a help or a hindrance.) “There was the… Continue reading A history lesson

Tomorrow begins our 10th year homeschooling.After tomorrow, this kitchen won’t look like this.Why? Because we live here.I don’t mean “we live here”, as in “this is our house”.No—we LIVE here. This is where we cry about math. (Ok just me.)It’s where I teach the kids about cooking.It’s where I clean up the messes after we… Continue reading 10 years

It’s time to forgive kids for having the audacity of being born after us.It’s time to let it go. Generations have always shamed the generation that followed them—that’s been happening for decades, ever since humans have had that kind of time on their hands. “Well, when I was a kid—-“ “I’m so sad these kids… Continue reading Kids today.

The hyphen in the stone: largely ignored by passersby, who tend to look for interesting or old stones—maybe with funny names—yet it’s the most important part. Despite the status, race, gender, or generation of the person’s name chiseled into the headstone, the content symbolized by that little slash is absolutely monumental. It contains an entire… Continue reading The hyphen in the stone.

“What will your children’s grandchildren say about them on the day of their burial?” It’s heavy, I know. Dark, even. But maybe this is the question we need to ask ourselves—especially those of us in the Modern West. Not “Do they have what it takes to play professional ball,” and not “How much money can… Continue reading Raising Grandparents.