History Lessons

A few weeks ago, I launched into something new that has been fun. The girls wanted a story at bedtime. Since we've already done the regular storybook stuff, I remembered we have a few wonderful stories from our family ancestors. They could make a hit movie out of one of the sagas, which was the one I chose. It was fun to tell and the kids loved it.

The story gave birth to a series of questions about how things were "back then", and those responses evolved into discussing American history (as Gram remembers it from 4th period American History class in high school.) The next night we talked about Paul Revere. That prompted questions about George Washington. Then Thomas Jefferson. You wouldn't believe the domino effect of interest and questions!

I found the book, "The American Story". It tells the most famous, pertinant and interesting stories (plus a few Gram didn't learn about) throughout the building of the United States, in chronological order, and in two-four page stories, just long enough to read a story each night. It is written in language an elementary student can understand yet is very interesting to adults, too. Meg now is looking forward to bedtime because of these stories, and I have to admit I love them, too.

Of course, it is a new publication and therefore has plenty of bias and secular PC slant. You KNOW Gram will be editing and interjecting so they will learn the truth as we go along...never fear! I am lauding the idea, not the book itself. The book is simply a guideline.

This experience is wonderful in so many ways. It gives bonding time, it helps with reading skills (hers, not mine...I read fine), especially if I can get Meg to read a paragraph or more, it teaches history they may not get in school and gives a base knowledge, interest, and appreciation of how the freedoms we take for granted were earned through great hardship. It is just thrilling to know by her participation and questions that this info is "getting through". I hope it will instill a sense of patriotism and love of freedom. Perhaps someday my grandkids will be teaching their own children and grandchildren about the building of a democracy.