10 Ways to Encourage Your Gifted Artist

An article I wrote for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is featured on the front cover! This is the annual print edition and it just came out. My article is linked from the big yellow "10" on the cover. If you have a budding artist in your family you might want to check it out... the digital version is FREE online! :-)

www.thehomeschoolmagazine-digital.com/thehomeschoolmagazine/2013Annual#pg1

-- Heather

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Your feedback is always welcome! Just send your email to heather(at)familyclassroom.net

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Winning Website
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www.DIY.org

"Encouraging kids to do more with their hands than play video games is important, and finding activities for them to do just got much easier. DIY takes the idea one step further by creating an online community for kids to share their own projects with other kids in a completely safe, anonymous setting that parents can monitor. The kids get their own 'portfolios' to show off what they make and can earn stickers for completing certain projects." -- Caleb Gardner

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Helpful Tips
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Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series

Right now you can get the entire digital edition for only 99 cents! :-)

Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series

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Homeschool Connections - Free Online Conference

Hi Everybody!

Homeschool Connections (the Catholic online curriculum provider, not the East Michigan co-op) is hosting the Second Annual Refresh Virtual Conference, which is a series of free online webinars for homeschoolers. We offer it in February since it has come to be known as 'Burnout Month'. We hope to instead make it a time to refresh and renew.

Other talks will include practical advice on teaching writing, how to homeschool a houseful, how to get your homeschooled child into college, and much more. Speakers include Joseph Pearce, Mary Ellen Barrett, Rita Munn, and many others.

We're able to offer these talks for free thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, including Celtic College Consultants, Behold Publications (Little Flowers Girls Clubs), and American Chesterton Society.

Here's the website to see all the talks and/or register:

www.homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/webinar-catalog/refresh-midwinter-homeschool-conference

Please feel free to share this information!

Maureen Wittmann, Homeschool Connections

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Last Issue's Reader Question
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"Hi! I'll be starting history next year with my then 3rd grade daughter, but I'm having trouble settling on American History or World History. I've narrowed the curriculum down to Story of the World or Trail Guide to Learning: Paths of Exploration. I'm leaning toward American History because I think it will be better retained as it is more personal and also because my daughter will probably be put off by all the wars and conflict in World History. Can anyone give me some advice on starting with one or the other? Thank you for your help!" :-) -- Traci

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Our Answers...
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"Traci -- I would recommend starting with World History for your 3rd grade daughter. The story of America's founding is very dependent on European history (and feudal history in general).

Story of the World is the curriculum we used for our early elementary boys and found the curriculum engaging and the activities fun. I created a small group of like-minded folks (some private school, some homeschool) by talking with friends about the idea and placing an ad in the local homsechool support newsletter and we ran our own mini co-op (3 or 4 families). This allowed a few things: first, many of the activities are better done with a small group, and unless you've got a fair number of kids may not be as much fun; second, allowed social time for both kids and me (important on those cold winter days when you're tired of seeing the same folks day in and out); third, allowed kids to be exposed to different teaching styles and interests. So the person hosting was generally not the teacher, unless cooking was involved. This allowed the host to concentrate on hosting, the teacher on teaching and the other parents on crowd control and behavior. Worked well!

Because Story of the World is in four books, that would put her completing an overview of history at the end of 7th grade. In our state, American history is in 8th grade with a Constitution test at the end of 8th grade. Then she could review history in high school in a more 'adult' perspective. It truly is amazing what kids retain." -- Jennifer in Illinois

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"Traci -- I know that you have it narrowed down to those two, but have you considered Truth Quest History? They offer American History as well as World History. In their guide, the author, Michelle Miller offers a lot of books that go with each topic that you are studying. There are more books than you could possibly read. Third grade is, in my opinion, too young to discuss topics such as war and conflict. Even as an adult, I find it hard sometimes to understand.

Also, I did use Story of the World when my children were younger and we did get some great ideas. The only problem with it is that it doesn't focus on American History, but what was going on in the world at the same time. It was hard for me to get into one country in one chapter and then in the next chapter, be in a different country. It didn't seem to bother my children, but it annoyed me. Also Story of the World is more secular and not focused on God's hand in what was happening.

Truth Quest is more God-centered. Michelle's commentary in the guide(s) is exceptional and worth its weight in gold! Also along with the curriculum, there is a Truth Quest Yahoo group that is simply wonderful! It is the best Yahoo group that I belong too. You get so many creative ideas and encouragement that help you along your journey through each guide." -- Jennifer in California

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"For my oldest I did American History first and world history in middle school. However with my youngest we are doing a chronological study of history. Since she was in 3rd grade when we started, we kept it simple and used lapbooks from Hands of a Child. When she thought she was 'too old' to do lapbooks, we went into Story of the Middle Ages, which brings you from the dark ages to early explorers. After that it was easy to get right into American History. At the younger ages, with World History, you can keep it more about the people of that time and the culture and customs while leaving the heavier topics (like wars) for high school." -- Kris

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"Traci -- Your daughter is the perfect age for unit studies! Some of my best memories of homeschooling are from our unit studies. One time we spent about a month on the Gold Rush; we read books about it, ordered a gold-panning kit and panned for gold, drew pictures of gold miners and wrote a poem. It was fun! KONOS has a lot of great ideas for unit study activities for history.

I always have found that when I try to follow a published unit study, I find areas of interest that we want to delve into further. So we do! Trying to stick with someone else's interests and schedules just frustrates me, so I preferred doing my own unit studies.

I would also suggest just reading good books from each period of history, whether you start with world history or American history. We studied the American Revolution for about 6 months one year by just reading through a lot of books, both fiction and non-fiction. There is a book called All Through the Ages that lists books according to time period. Another book like this is Let the Authors Speak: A Guide to Worthy Books Based on Historical Setting.

If you do American history, there are probably some nearby places that would be great for field trips. Don't forget art and music! Diana Waring has a CD of American History songs, and there are others out there, as well. Schoolhouse Rock has the old song to memorize the preamble to the Constitution as well as other history songs.

Either American or World history would be fine at this age, but go with what you think she would like. Or do a little of both -- there's nothing wrong with that!

Your daughter is such a wonderful age; really enjoy your homeschooling with her!" -- Alise

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"Traci -- you might consider checking out a variety of materials from the library and see what area of history your daughter seems to enjoy more. I would suggest biographies of significant historical figures, books which are fictional but set in a historical place or time, audio or video documentaries, etc. When your daughter asks for more of something, you'll have a better idea of what she might respond to favorably. Be very vigilant as you use library materials, and be ready to point out inaccuracies to your daughter. Libraries are sometimes not as selective as we might wish they were, but teaching your daughter to read and listen with discernment is a valuable lesson as well." -- Mary Beth

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"Traci -- I can't give any advice on the specific curriculums you mentioned, but I just wanted to encourage you to go with what you are already feeling; I think you've answered your own question! You know your daughter and your household best, and it sounds like going with the American history would be great for you. I agree with your assessment that American history is more personal, especially for younger children, and the last thing you want to do is give your daughter a negative connotation regarding world history! I have been teaching American history this year to my 3 youngest children, including my daughter who is in 3rd grade, and they have greatly enjoyed it -- and have become quite patriotic! Whatever you decide, have fun doing it!" -- Mindy

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New Reader Question
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"I'd like to hear advice from those homeschooling their kids who have Auditory Processing Disorder." -- Krystal in Louisiana

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Send YOUR Answer!
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Email: hn-answers(at)familyclassroom.net

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Our 13,000+ readers have a wealth of experience and wisdom. Would you like to have YOUR question featured in an upcoming issue? Please ask it! :-)

Send your email to: hn-questions(at)familyclassroom.net

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