The Opportunity in Presidents' Day

My six children used to joke about all the subjects they studied during the twenty-four years we were a homeschooling family.

You see, every time I thought they should know more about a particular topic, I created a course.

We studied old math (and some really old math). We used Abeka and Ray's Arithmetic. We conducted timed math drills once a week and solved plenty of word problems daily.

Language Arts was broken into six separate subjects: Reading, literature, grammar, spelling, penmanship, and writing. Most (not all) of the materials came from Abeka.

We studied history (old world history, new world history, art history, music history), current events, and geography. We used Abeka for the first two and supplemental materials for the last two.  We used The Herald-News for current events and labeled LOTS of maps.

We studied science from textbooks and did LOTS of science experiments. We used  Abeka, Bob Jones, Backyard Scientist, and quite a few supplementary texts.

Drawing was its own separate class as was art and art appreciation. We had workbooks for these.

We studied the Bible, the saints, church history, catechism, and the church councils. We used children's Bibles, the One Year Bible (once the kids could read well, about third grade or so), several saint books, and a fairly comprehensive book on church history.

We listened to classical music nearly daily (on cassette tapes, mostly). 

My children knew all fifty states and capitals (Sarah and Christopher won a contest on WCSF 98.7 for their knowledge when they were kids).

And they could name all U.S. presidents.

In order.

And give a brief biography about each.

So maybe President's Day has a different meaning for us.

My rationale for all of this?

1) Math teaches indisputable facts and how to tackle problems.

2) All the different components of Language Arts helps children be fluent in their own language; every person should be able to communicate well in his or her own language. Anyone who can read can learn just about anything - and enjoy just about anything.

3) History teaches us where we've been; current events teaches us where we are. Geography orients us, in context, and helps us to understand the physical makeup of our planet.

4) Science helps us to understand the entire world in which we live (including the bodies we inhabit).

5) Drawing teaches hand/eye/mind coordination.

6) Art allows us to express our creativity.

7) Art appreciation allows us to appreciate the creativity of others - as does classical music.

8) Studying our faith helps to develop our souls, without which the rest has no meaning.

Now, I'd be surprised if any of the six could still name all the U.S. presidents in order (well, maybe Christopher can).

But they could brush up on it fairly quickly.

And talk about any one of them quite knowledgeably.

If this doesn't seem very important, watch this video.

The point is not to brag about what we did, but to make this point: the world is filled with so much knowledge just waiting to be explored.

A day like President's Day gives the opportunity to do just that in a very focused way.

Last night when I showed Timothy this blog, he immediately launched into the details of James A. Garfield's horrible death and the time Teddy Roosevelt was shot while giving a speech, complete with his famous quote.

There now. Aren't you curious to know more?

Pictured below is my son Joshua Paul in 1994.