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State history?
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Personally, unless your state requires it, I think that a year for state history is a bit overboard in the scheme of all the important historical items there are to know throughout world history. I DO think the history of our great nation is vitally important because there is so little respect for it and even knowledge of it in the general public and blantant disregard of it by the Supreme Court, many liberal politicians, and of course the beloved media… but I digress.
While I would be interested in reading differing viewpoints on this issue, it’d take quite a bit coaxing to get me to believe otherwise. I think one of the best ways to determine what history is important is by being able to identify WHY that particular bit of history SHOULD be remembered.
Ultimately, our first priority in history should be to point us toward an always increasing closeness with our creator – either by good examples or by learning and recalling bad examples. Biblical history being of utmost importance.
A secondary reason for learning a particular bit of history would be to help us understand civic responsibilities, the value of freedom, and the old cliche of history repeating itself (so being able to anticipate future outcomes based on historical knowledge).
I think the least of our concerns should be to impress others with our knowledge of trivial bits of history and a one-up-manship that is easy to fall victim to, especially in homeschool circles. (do others find it as easy as I do to comparing their own schedule to the rigorous schedules of other homeschool families and wondering how you can be more like them?)
I am constantly trying to evaluate WHY I want to teach my child something – is it for the pride of being able to say that my five year old knows Greek? Or is it because she actually likes Greek and will be able to use this knowledge to read the New Testament in it’s original text – which ultimately will give her deeper insight into her loving heavenly father and draw her closer to him? And NO I’m not trying to teach my five year old greek, but I feel too foolish to give you a real example for then you will truly see how much I struggle with this issue of pride.
I hope this is helpful to you.
Blessings,
Rebekah
It is required of public school in our state but private school set their own standards.
I would study it because it is interesting and fun, and we have many field trip experiences related. We live in CA. I own the Beautiful Feet CA history year and have done it once before (we have been homeschooling 13 years) and it was so much fun to do.
Just trying to evaluate the worthiness of it. Nothing to do with pride. 😉
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying that you SHOULDN’T study state history, I just don’t think it should be the only history you study for an entire year.
I see no reason why a whole year should be exclusive to one state’s history as well. As a matter of fact, I think it could easily be inserted anywhere within it’s role of American History, depending on when your state became a state, then pause there for awhile. Then you get the “connective tissue” of history so-to-speak.
However, Another idea is to go indepth on all the states; but it can be done differnt ways. Within their roles of the emerging American nation, or finish your American History your in and take a hiatus to do the states, or do it side-by-side. It’d still be American history, just more of a micro-study on the contributions of each state.
For example, did you know Illinios is the reason why they pushed through the unconstitutional Income Tax Amendment? Chicago politics/corruption created the environment for progressives to push it through. Figures- It’s Chicago.
Each state has alot to offer us as to the mosaic whole of America’s History; plus I think my children, seeing all the states, not just ours, as the individual gov’t.s that they are and learning of the individual contributions historically and culturally, that reinforces our Republic form of gov’t made up of states rights (at least originally).
I hope that made sense and I think this was more than you asked for, but it’s an idea rumbling through my mind. Out society, through the school system seems to have succeeded in the view that we are just a central federal gov’t. and not a United States, origianlly designed as such. Of course, that makes it easier to then teach that we are part of the “world community”, too.
Anyway, so I at least want to get it across to my children of part of that original intent for our states to be sovereign in their own right, not just our national sovereignty.
Sorry for rambling and happy schooling!
Rachel
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