History Days

This year we are studying WW II. I love to do history as a hands on unit study and the Konos curriculum (love it) taught me how to do this.
We formed a small co-op with 3 other families who we meet with monthly. {We've tried the big co-op thing and found that creativity and interaction was diminished and the kids don't learn nearly as much} We are also planning all our field trips together. We each continue our studies at home as desired but then come together for reports, activities and projects. This was our first get together.











We began our background information with stories, discussion and map work. (Yes as I prepare I am learning as much or more than the kids !)

We made passports.

At home we are busy gathering all the things for military uniforms for the boys. So far I've found some really great stuff. The girls are researching clothing trends and hair styles for that time period. You know the fashions changed to reflect the shortage of cloth. Then they will sew/gather and put together their outfits. (Were do you find nylons with a seam up the back?)




So what would you have taken with you if awakened at 2 AM and given an hour to leave your home with your family?






Matthew and I are reading A Father's Promise aloud together. It's written about a young Jewish boy and his father living in Warsaw during Poland's take over by Germany. Good stuff.


Susan was our first boarder guard as we were leaving for the museum. She stamped each child's passport.

Anna was so cute/serious. She was thinking about all that we had talked about to explain passports and check points etc. Susan asked her if her name was Marie Something-or-other. Anna stood there for the longest time trying to figure it out and finally told her full name with a huge sigh. Our "boarder guard" then said it was a good thing that her name matched the info in her passport. Now she could go with the others on the field trip. =)



You just can't imagine the fabulous books, videos, pictures, tapes and materials out there about WW II. "drool" (Andrew, do you remember when you studied this listening to speeches from that time . . . . . . . . .over and over again ?)

Haley is about to read Never Give In: The Extraordinary Character of Winston Churchill. I thought this quote from Henry Kissinger about Churchill was particularly poignant for today.

"Our age finds it difficult to come to grips with Churchill. The political leader with whom we are familiar generally aspire to be superstars rather than heroes. The distinction is crucial. Superstars strive for approbation; heroes walk alone. Superstars crave consensus; heroes define themselves by the judgment of a future they see it as their task to bring about. Superstars seek success in a technique for eliciting support; heroes pursue success as the outgrowth of their inner values."