History Extensions

Resources We Love and Subjects We Tie In

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It’s no secret that one of my favorite things about homeschooling is the flexibility it give us- with our schedule, with our family time, and with the kids’ interests.

With G’s ADHD, she is able to hyper focus on areas of interest, with the flip side being that if the topic doesn’t interest her, it’s hard to get her to get things done. Homeschooling allows us to lean into those areas of interest, and to find ways to use them to her advantage.

Her current favorite topic is history. We are studying US History using the Early American History curriculum from Beautiful Feet Books. I’ve found it to be wonderful- it is just the right combination of clear cut and open ended. The well thought out lessons give me enough frame work, but there are so many opportunities for extensions, which we are taking advantage of.

Since history is her favorite, I use it as an academic treat, to be given at the end of the school work. History lessons come last, after math and reading and grammar at the very least. This way, she is motivated to work through subjects she has more trouble focusing on (math right now is a bear with G).

I also use history as a vehicle for other skills. For example she keeps a history notebook, in which she practices handwriting skills, and summarizes what we have learned.

And we haven’t been bound by the curriculum- oftentimes her questions launch us into learning about a person or an event that is only briefly mentioned. G loved learning about Leif Erickson, and so we traced his voyages, studying geography and culture along the way with the use of our amazing Atlas.

When we began to study Jamestown, G was struck by Native American culture, so we’ve added other books to our reading lists, and have dug deeper into what life was like before the Europeans arrived.

It also became an opportunity to delve into the lives of the saints: We studied St. Kateri: listening to a biography about her on Formed, and coloring her picture from Adalee Hude’s beautiful coloring book. Then G sewed a gorgeous St. Kateri Doll (PS Jen is having a sale on these through tomorrow!!!)

We take field trips too- Greenfield Village is close by, and we have a family membership, so we have been going regularly, visiting different parts each time, but focusing on the homes from colonial America. This is a chance for G to see the time period up close and personal.

She absorbs so much that way. She came away wanting to learn about drying herbs (we now have our own rack modeled after the one from the Dagget House) and cooking (we’ve been making snowballs, a pastry filled with a baked stuffed apple). This book was recommended to us by the lovely ladies at Greenfield Village, so I think it will go on our Christmas list. G already loves the Little House series, and will even more once we hit that stage of history.

I’ve started a Pinterest board to keep track of all of our history extensions- favorite historical recipes, books we’ve found and loved, activities we’re using. So check it out and keep up with our journey. And if you’re also studying American History this year, drop a comment with your favorite resource, I’m always on the hunt for more!