PHILOSOPHY.
History, is one of the most important subjects in a Living Education to focus on. Charlotte ranks Bible lessons as paramount, with history coming in next. It pairs with Literature, Bible, Geography, and to a degree Science, Math, Art, and Music. This is why Charlotte Mason said it was the pivot on which her education turned. So many subject areas are touched by history.
History is more than just memorizing dates and names. It is an excellent teacher of morals and character. This is why in a Living Education stories are used rather than textbooks. Whether the subject has heroic and virtuous qualities or has blunders, flaws, or even complete failure, history can teach students valuable aspirations and lessons with positive or negative outcomes for their own lives.
For a Living Education approach, there are four basic components to history.
Living Books.
Narration.
Hands-On.
Keeping time.
METHOD.
Depending on your time, energy and abilities, you have choices. See this post for an explanation on your choices.
Keep it Simple.
__1. See this post.
__2. Some of our favorite history books. (coming)
Foundation.
__1. Narrate the Living Books you are reading.
This is in essence, how a student moves what they read into their deeper remembering-mind, out of mere surface knowledge. This takes the place of questions, quizzes, and tests. A Living Book will often move its way into the deeper remembering-mind just by sheer force of its intrigue and interest. But adding intentional narration will add to deeper and more thoughtful remembering.
Spread.
__1. Hands-on history – Go places, do things
a museum
historical site
time period cooking
meaningful period crafts
Field trips do not have to fall in line with your time period of study. This is part of the atmosphere concept in a CM education. Any exposure to history in your area (or on a trip) is valuable.
__2. Keeping time.
Century charts
Book of Centuries
Wall charts
Timelines