Exploring America-History Curriculum For Homeschoolers — High School

Finding a good history curriculum for high school was one of the greatest challenges I faced when I was being homeschooled. It seemed to like most of the good history books stop at the Civil War or World War II. What about modern history? It's hard to find a history book from a Christian perspective about modern history. Have you run into this problem, too? This difficulty has been organization connected with a high school history curriculum from Notgrass Company. By Ray Notgrass Exploring America is an amazing curriculum that is exciting as well as educational. It begins with Christopher Columbus and ends at the present time. Each day is broken up into short, concise lessons.

Sometimes history books seem to make the exciting events sound like nothing more than boring facts, Mr. Notgrass has an engaging writing style that makes the events come to life. There are also daily assignments that encourage the students to dig deeper. Sometimes they will read a document, speech, or hymn from American Voices, which is a 400 + page companion book that comes with the curriculum. Other times they will look up relevant Bible verses and also memorize verses. Writing assignments (including writing a research paper) are also part of the assignments. Students who finish the course will have three credits, one in history, one in English, and one in the Bible. How's that for hitting 3 birds with one stone?

This book is essential for every high school student and will give them the tools to take an in depth look at American history from a Biblical perspective. If you are looking for a really good American history high school curriculum look no further. Exploring America has filled a big gap in the history curriculum for homeschoolers —. Exploring America is the best high school curriculum for American history I have ever seen! I wish it had been around when I was in high school.

By Ray Notgrass Exploring America

Reviewed by Amy Puetz

Do you want the really exciting history with accurate facts presented in an interesting way? Uncover Exciting History: Revealing America's Christian Heritage in Short, Easy-to-Read the Nuggets by Amy Puetz offers a snapshot view of America's history from Columbus to World War II. Each chapter is short and easy to read. Find out more at http://www.amypuetz.com/

Amy Puetz is a homeschool graduate, a self-taught by, and a servant of Jesus Christ. History has been a passion for her since childhood. Years of in-depth study (both in modern and old sources) have equipped her to write a historical books. She especially loves to dig for little-known stories that show God's providential hand.

Why Short Lessons Work in a Charlotte Mason Education

How many times during a home schooling day, have you found yourself still trying to plug along to get every subject done that you feel "has" to be done before you can end your school day? Before you know it, it is 3:30 ... 04:00 ... 05:00 ... And suddenly you realize that not only is your spouse on the way home, and supper is not done, but you never even remembered to get it out of the freezer it, let alone start it?!

Plus, added to this, your house has PokerRoom.com become an upheaval in the meantime, the laundry you started before school this morning is still waiting to be thrown in the dryer, or hung on the clothesline. Your kids are grouchy and just want to go outside to play. You have a headache and can't wait to just sit and do absolutely nothing but stare at the television. But, in your spouse drives, honking cheerfully as he sees his children playing outside. He has had a long, hard, hectic day at the office, and he is so looking forward to a nice home cooked meal. He walks in, looks around, sees the upheaval of things and then has the nerve to ask, "So what's for dinner?" At this point, all you can do is sit down and cry. Your husband is at a loss as to what is wrong, let alone what he can do, or should do, to help in your situation. To top it off, he is afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing, no matter how carefully he tries to word things. Did ' school ' get done today? Yes, it did. Thank God for that! But it was done cheerfully, with anticipation, looking forward to what tomorrow will bring? Sadly, your answer would have to be an emphatic "NO!"

Well there are specific reasons why Charlotte Mason felt strongly that it was imperative that children be given ' short lessons "in a variety of subjects throughout each day. Not only is it a ENORMOUS help to the parent in not becoming overwhelmed, but it also helps you, the parent, to be able to maintain a calm, peaceful learning environment, giving you ample time to get your daily household necessities accomplished. However, ultimately, it is for the sake of your children.

Miss Mason has three simple, basic reasons for short lessons where children are concerned. Firstly, the idea that there is only so much time to get the math lesson done, or his reading finished, keeps the child's comprehension levels fixed and alert. Secondly, your child has only so much of an attention span for any one subject that he can absorb, without going in to overload. And thirdly, your child gets through his morning routine without getting bored or tired, feel exasperated by.

Now, what better reasons are there than these to continue to learn and follow more of Charlotte Mason's wonderful, yet simple lessons, that can be used in our personal, every day lives? Go to Charlotte Mason Made Easy website to see more about simple and short lessons.

Article by Kelly Benedict, the longtime homeschooler of 17 + years, wife, Mama of 9 and grandmother of 6 (so far), dog breeder and writer.