History masters....=]?

Question

my question is what are some ways i make history fun...i really want to learn and enjoy it, but it just seams boring ...help? just some notes: i'm a visual lean in most ways; i'm home schooled 12th; and going to be going into college in the fall....please help me. thanks a lot =]

Answer 1

Rather than doing a text book style curriculum, make sure you use "real books." Just make sure you check for accuracy. You can practice writing papers by doing a report on important people from the years you are studying. Each segment we do in history, I have my daughter write at least one report like this. We use Life Pacs as a guide, not that I recommend them all together though.

Do as many field trips as possible to historical sites as well.

Hope that helps some!

Answer 2

History is fun, and you can find it anywhere.   Read good historical novels and research all the references.  It makes the story come alive.   We rented "Pan's Labyrinth" and spent two days researching the Spanish Civil War before we saw the movie.  It made the movie so relevant.   Twig into the daily news.   What are they reporting, who are those people and why are they doing that?  We read Pearl Buck and learned about China.   We read the Poisonwood Bible and researched the Congo.  Read Biographies of famous people and research their times.  

     When I was going to school history was so dry and boring.  I could not understand it because I love the subject.   I unschool history now and my 13 year old can take a pointer and name a goodly portion of the world's countries and their history for the last 100 years or more.   We read encyclopedias and use the internet for research.   We also are documentary junkies with the TV.  It's really fun to do the research and cross reference what we learn to other countries at the same time and discuss the impact of history on the world today.    Don't stop learning.

     I am utterly shocked when I speak to degree holding adults who have no idea about basic history and geography, not only of the world but of their own country.

    We tried a few canned curriculum courses on history but they were so biased and ludicrous with their fill in the blank-this-is-how-it-is-and-memorize-the... approach.  They literally sucked all the life,relevance and fun out of history.

Answer 3

I agree with Melissa C regarding real books. Biographies are one of the best (and most interesting) ways to learn history.

However, getting a perspective of a time-line is also important. Knowing where in time this event or person (that your are studying) occurred is helpful in bringing to light what was happening in the world at that time. Remember that God is in control of all events in the world. I ask my children "what was God doing in other places of the world" during such a time as we are studying or reading.

Also, listening to others tell of history is a great way to learn.

I recommend the following:

A set of biographies by YWAM..Christian Heroes Then and Now. (ex. http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/B... ).

This is a great series and very exciting.

http://www.visionforum.com/booksandmedia... (this is a great source for various history CDs and Books - most are very exciting).

What in the World's Going on Here? - by Diana Waring

(Diana Waring has a great way of telling stories of history and making come alive. She has many volumes to choose from).

Also, look at historical fiction books with a christian perspective. They are a great way to learn without falling asleep. Many to choose from.

Hope this helps,

Greg Pirch