My 5 year old son is really into Wars. We recently read a story about the birth of our flag and came across the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Now I'm trying to find interesting ways to learn about it. He likes the fighting scenes, so the history documentaries don't last too long. I'm looking for any information of creative things or fun computer games. I haven't made it to the library yet, any books/movies I should consider trying?
I really hope to home school him...there are just so many things on the internet, I don't know how to narrow things down. I like the freedom and less pressure home school offers, but I still need some guidance to stay on track.
Thank you for the responses. I'm really thankful for your ideas. I've watched Liberty's Kids before...I completely forgot about that. I think it's a wonderful cartoon and he might enjoy it. The museum is a fantastic idea, I can't wait to take him. There is also an Aviation museum in Sugar Grove (Air Classics) that I would like to take him to. Schoolhouse Rock has been on my mind, I think I'll just go buy my own dvd instead of borrowing the library's. I also like the idea of starting at the beginning, so I'm going to see if he's interested. Thank you again for this help! History is not my subject, so I had no idea where to start.
I second the cartoon, Liberties kids. It's a great cartoon and is also very accurate!
There is a cartoon series called " Liberty's kids" that used to come on PBS.
It focuses on everything from the revolutionary war. Has battles and historical figures that were central figures during the war. The main characters are 3 kid reporters.
Ok I had written a long huge post, but then I was stupid and went to a different page.
Baisically I said- My family is are Colonial reenactors and I'm thrilled that your son loves history! Especially when several school districts are taking out history from the curriculum. What I'd suggest doing is learning about a specific battle and them go and visit that site if your schedules allow. If not I'd suggest reenacting the war with either a wrapping paper tube gun or even a nerf gun. If you aren't into violence at your house (or if you are I'd suggest this too) go to a Mountain Man Rendezvous. They are so much fun! That's were reenactors go to trade, sell, buy goods,just visit with one another and camp even camp in tepee's and canvas tents. They are some of the nicest people that love to spread the word about history. There are more than just mountain men, there are people that do other periods of history. Anything pre 1860's.
If you google Mountain Man Rendezvous i'm sure you could find one near you.
I highly recommend a visit to Cantigny in Wheaton, IL. You'll want to tour the First Division Museum and allow your son to climb on all of the tanks on the grounds. Its a fabulous place to picnic and enjoy a beautiful day. I don't think you will be disappointed.
My 5 year old nephew (also a war/military buff) loved his visit to Cantigny and is anxious to return when he is in town again next month.
we love School House Rock. I think they have a couple about the revolutionary war.
The Library does have some great resources!
One reader suggested sonlight- If you do sonlight as a full curriculum as some do, it can get very pricy. Only some recommended readers are in the library- the rest you have to buy from Sonlight! I just get the catalog, which is a great book list, and see how many I can get from the library, as I cannot afford the program.
If you are really planning to homeschool, I suggest you find a History program that encompasses all four periods of history: Ancients, Middle Ages, Early Modern and Modern. History is a story, and many feel the best and most understandable way to teach it is in order of occurence. The public school teaches social studies/history from the point of the child 'outward.' So first about 'the child',then the family, the neighborhood, the city, the State, the country,and finally the world. This can present history in chopped up sections and not in the order a story would be. Many homeschool curriculums do not teach from the child out- but world history forward through time, from the start of creation onward towards the present day.
My history program is called 'The Story of the World.' I love it because it has the reader (one reader encompasses one of the time periods I listed above) and also an awesome activity book to go along with it that has coloring pages, quizzes, mapwork, games, crafts and a library book list for more reading. The activity guide really makes the history come alive. The program is written with a small child in mind , and the kids really do love it. Ancient history was fun to learn about in first grade - mummies and pyramids, the Romans/Roman army, the Greeks, the olympics...reading 'the Oddesy" written for kids. Buying both books together on Amazon typically runs around 40 bucks or so. If you do a program like this- you would be hitting the Revolution and world wars around 4th grade. A perfect time to bring in documentary War series like "The World at War" set from A and E , and "America at War", a 14 volumn set produced by the History Channel.
Sonlight.com is a homeschool curriculum that has awesome books that you'd love. You can request a catalog from their website because trying to search things aren't easy. You can get the books from the library. Usually, you can request the books online and your library will have them ready for you.
My hubby is a huge history buff. He suggested that you check out Greenfield Village's website to see when the have their civil war reenactments. Greenfield Village/Henry Ford Museum is located in Dearborn, Michigan. It's an awesome place for history buffs. We go there several times a year. They also have a rides in old time cars, a carousel, and a train ride. Check it out. It would be a wonderful trip for your son. Another great place to visit is Gettysburg. My hubby and 15 year old daughter both went there and they loved it. My daughter insists that I should take a vacation to Gettysburg.
M
there is a TV series called Liberty Kids - it's on DVD and very interesting
Check out www.chinaberry.com they have a great and carefully reviewed selection of kids and adult books and toys. Also, a word about home schooling. It is natural to want to keep your child close to you and not send them out into the big , scary, world. I seriously considered homeschooling my own children, so I totally understand. However, I sm soooooo glad I didn't. My oldest is in highschool now, and both kids are doing well and have positively benefitted from being in school with other kids and other wonderful caring adults. I have friends who homeschool, and not only is it a daily struggle to get the kids to do their work, the kids are not socially mature, if you know what I mean. So please, go visit your schools, give them a chance. It really is the best thing for kids to learn to get along with others, and have some positive discipline and experiences that you can't provide or may not think of. Good luck!
We haven't used it yet (we're currently in Ancient Greece) but we're also working on The Story of Science; Aristotle Leads the Way, by Joy Hakim and are becoming fast fans of her works.
http://www.amazon.com/Story-Science-Aristotle-Leads-Way/d... (Aristotle leads the way)
She has another series (that's in my amazon cart saved) which is really where she made her name... in US History. Johns Hopkins University has also made teach books/ study guide to go along with the series plus there are many lesson plans linked. Here's the series and her site :)
http://www.amazon.com/History-US-11-Set/dp/0195327276/ref...
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