Our hands-on homeschool history adventures took us to Olympia Greece this week. Each week since last year we are learning something new from the timeline. In our homeschool timeline is a separate subject. Our deeper dive into history happens with our focused history study. Our timeline is exactly about learning historical events in the history timeline.
Ancient Egypt, Rome, Solomon’s temple and Ancient Africa have been covered. Each week we go through the hands-on project they have been assigned, then listen to the papers written on the topic, following that is participation.
Homeschool History Project
First, we always start with projects. My homeschoolers’ are so excited to present what they have made each week. Our homeschool project for this week was to re-create the Olympic rings, or make a leaf crown. Two of mine chose the Olympic rings, and they were very good. Each of them took a different perspective, but that is why I chose this route. One of my favorite parts of the hands on projects is the creativity and representation that they see.
Homeschool history is one of my favorite subjects to teach. All of my life history has been one of my favorite subjects to study. Now, I hope to pass that love of learning about the past onto my children. I allow them to have the topic, project, and guidelines. Then it is up to them to create.
Ancient Greece First Olympics Report
Next in our timeline we work on a paper with research for the topic. In this case it is the first olympics. My oldest son is required to write his paper in the format for high school. My middle son is working on his paper at a 7th grade level, and finally my fourth grader has his expectations. Many year’s ago I found it easier to operate in a one room schoolhouse style. Then, everyone is on the same page, yet operating at their level. Of course this is only the group studies. Math, language arts, science and health are independent studies.
Reports are to be researched well, and we use the encyclopedia, historical encyclopedia and a timeline book from the creation museum. From the three resources they are able to freely write about what ever they find interesting on the topic. As I child in school many year’s ago my best subjects were the one’s I found interesting. Now, I know they will not like them all, but subjects with wiggle room allow them to study what they like.
Presenting Skills for Homeschoolers
Homeschoolers are very good at presentation skills. Presenting each week the information they derived from their research and project has helped my homeschoolers’ grow. I see them many times in our co-op where they are not timid, bashful or shy about speaking in front of their peers. Likewise, my goal here at home is to help my homeschoolers’ not be timid or shy to speak to their family. Therefore, we hold this weekly presentation session so they are used to discussing and relaying information back and forth. Most of the time it goes well, but there have been a few debates that started over a topic. I do allow a healthy debate as long as it doesn’t get heated. Real world social skills 101 says this is going to happen in college, the workplace or in the general public.
Presentation skills to focus on this week was being relaxed. Prior to presenting we watch a video to learn how to be good at this and get better. Knowing how to speak in front of others’ is a talent and one best developed early. Additionally, presentation skills are good training for job interviews’ and work if they so desire to become an entrepreneur.
Homeschool Participation Ideas
Participation is the comprehension part of our history timeline activities. Participation is easy, and the pages for them to study is given well in advance. For example , we were working on the first olympics and gave them three references they could use. On top of that they were also allowed to use the internet, but had to cite their resources.
Participation is important because it teaches study skills, research skills and organization skills. In conclusion participation binds together the information and how to retain it. Homeschool history timeline projects, presentation, the paper and participation have been one of the activities we all enjoy in our homeschool.
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