Historical books and movies

Like many homeschoolers, I find that my children do better when they learn about topics using many media. Take history as an example. When we study the Egyptians, I like to do art projects that go along with this study, read non-fiction books, look at and discuss pictures and sculptures, read "living" fiction and watch movies all on the Egyptians.

We haven't started our formal study of Egypt yet because Scott Powell's history class has not yet started. However, we have started reading and doing art projects on the topic already.

When I was looking for books on the subject I discovered that while I could find lists of historical books in chronological order, (like Paula's archives) none of the lists were accompanied by good reviews of the books. This means that I have to place a zillion holds on books at the library and then have to read far too many to find the gems that are worthwhile reading with my children. Talk about a time consuming effort.

Yesterday, I was very happy to see that Scott Powell has started a project that will make my life a lot easier. He has started reviewing juvenile historical fiction. His first set of reviews deal with Lewis and Clarke. Hopefully he'll soon start reviewing fiction dealing with the ancients but while I wait for that, I have ten books that I plan on reading next week while we're in the Poconos.

Another resource that is going to make life easier for me is Patrick L. Cooney, Ph. D's website where he lists historical movies in chronological order. Unlike Paula's archives, he also reviews them. I need to watch some of the movies to see if I agree with his reviews. Hopefully I'll discover that we're in agreement about the movies. If this is so, then I will be able to use the list and not have to prescreen all the movies.

This morning I heard about "Teach With Movies". I spent a while going through the sample lesson plans. I'm not convinced this is right for our homeschool just yet, but I suspect that it is a very worthwhile website for families with older children.

History At Our House - American History

Scott Powell of History At Our House is offering a 50% discount off his American history program.

Incredible savings await homeschoolers who enroll their children in American history with HistoryAtOurHouse when registration opens this Friday, June 27th!

For a limited time only, American history will be offered at 50% OFF!

Normally, American history recordings are offered at the already low price of only $20/month per level. For just $20 you would get unlimited access to three 1/2 hour recorded history lectures per week, along with typed lecture notes. (These exciting lectures aren’t just readings from a book. They are interactive lectures conducted via teleconference with students across America, with lively Q&A that can motivate and challenge your child to learn.)

But, if you enroll the week of June 27th you’ll not only get these great lectures, you’ll get an additional “history through art” lecture each week, as well as geography maps–all included for HALF PRICE! “History Through Art” is a curriculum offered exclusively by HistoryAtOurHouse that combines art appreciation and lessons from history. (Learn more here.) Normally, that’s an extra $5/month, but you’ll get this student favorite at no extra cost. And you’ll get the HistoryAtOurHouse geography program for the Americas–usually an extra $10/month–also included!

But, that’s not just included in the regular, low $20/month tuition. That’s included in the 50% discounted tuition! In other words, you’ll pay $10/month for what would normally cost $35/month! Actually that comes out to over 70% OFF!!!!

You’ll get unlimited access to the digital recordings of the in MP3 format, which you can easily play on your home computer or download onto an iPod for even greater convenience! And you’ll get the informative lecture notes as well.

Whether you’re using HistoryAtOurHouse as the core of your history program, or as a supplement to another program, you can’t lose!

This is an incredibly good deal. We test drove his American history program towards the end of this last academic year and loved it. Scott is a very gifted teacher who has the ability to make the subject come alive for his students.

We're signing up for the live lectures of his Ancient History and his "History Through Art" programs this year. I can't wait to get started. One of the perks of being a homeschooling mom is that I get to listen to his lectures as well.

LB over at 3 Ring Binder says that her 10 year old has been studying with Scott for 2 years already and that her family is incredibly impressed with the program. Her husband has been doing the adult program with great results as well. I've been salivating over the adult program ever since I discovered it last year. I need to convince Marc that it's vitally important, that I, the foreigner, study American history with a master like Scott Powell.