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Social Studies/History
As a kid, I remember Social Sudies and History classes to be about the most boring. I don't remember much about them except for boring texts which we would read, then answer the questions in the back of the chapter and turn in. Of course, we didn't really need to read the assignment , we could just scan the pages looking for keywords to answer the questions in the back. They were always in chronological order. Maybe the teachers hoped that we would pick something up while scanning the pages. Reading about the people that make history is interesting. Here are some Biographies for Kids, you can expand your reading to a higher level if you need to. Here's a nice site about the first voyage of Columbus. it might be a nice jumping off point for further studies. It includes maps, etc.
Here's a site from the BBC with history links that your kids (and you) might like. I'm just about to explore it myself....
I just read my first Uncle Eric book and started another. I HIGHLY recommend these books for getting a better understanding of economics, history, and government. They're interesting and lead to great family discussions.  My eyes have been opened. It never ceases to amaze me how much I don't know! I've also enjoyed and recommend books from the National Center for Constitutional Studies.
I truly think it's necessary for our families to learn our country's history, the constitution, and what's happening now. Our constitution has become so corrupted over time.
As an adult I find that I, and many of my friends actually like history! We read historical novels and marvel at all that we missed growing up! Besides reading books from the times we can learn by watching the History Channel, or other Public Televisionprograms. We visit historical sites and participate in living history programs. We learn history as we read about great people (and not so great people) from our pasts.  You can find reading lists on many homeschool sites on the web.  If you order a Sonlight catalog for $5.00; you can find lists for every grade level. Having a time line or a study guide helps too. If you want to check the homeschooling methods on my home page you can find some great ideas on those lists.
     I just bought a great set of books at a library used book store.  I'm missing one volume but they're called Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great by Elbert Hubbard.  It includes biographies of great authors, writers, presidents, musicians, religious leaders, etc.  It's probably out of print but I feel so lucky to have found them quite by accident that day.  So far I've been reading about Patrick Henry-if you can find a set, check it out.  (I need to find volume 8).
             One idea I like is that of a centuries book.  I've adapted the ideas for my own use after reading about them on other lists, I think it was Charlotte Mason's method.  Anyway, I'll share it with you.  Hopefully I'll be clear enough.
  
CENTURY BOOK
Here's what you'll need:

1.  A three ring binder (decorate it if you like.)
2.  Clear sheet protectors.
3.  8 1/2 X 11 paper.
4.  Pencils, pens, glue, maps, charts, etc. that you want to use to personalize your pages....it's YOUR book!
5.  Page dividers if it starts getting really thick.

The idea is to separate the book by centuries (that's where the dividers come in, of course).  As you read about great people, events, etc. take note of the dates.  Maybe you can summarize what it is that happened.  These pages could be narrations, reports or essays, pictures, articles that you or your kids have made or found that happened at this time period.  Maybe it's a copy of a famous artists work, such as Michelangelo-you then could include as much information
as you wanted to about Michelangelo.  If you were reading about Pascal, you might include a copy of Pascal's triangle and a little story of how it came to be.  Was a discovery made in that time period?  Was there a disaster, a war?  Make
a simple or detailed page about it.  You can insert your own family history stories, scriptural accounts, whatever!
Place the pages in your book in chronological order and add as you learn.  The whole family can be involved and
make contributions.  The possibilities are great.  You could really include pages from all areas of your studies.  Well, my friends, that's all I have for now.  Check back again.                                    <----Go Home! :)