by Meredith Curtis
Believing the Bible is true, inspired, and reliable, this homeschool mom teaches history beginning with Creation. My husband and I are confident in the inspiration of Scripture, which has led us to use Scripture and Creation Science resources in our home school.
How We Begin Ancient History
One of my favorite ways to teach history is to have everyone read the Book of Genesis in the summer. Then each person chooses one person in Genesis, dresses up, and introduces themselves to each other. This is a super-fun way to kick off history! We realize that history began with real people.
A Multisensory Approach to Ancient History
We use a multisensory approach to teaching history. This includes reading, listening, watching, crafts, timelines, projects, and even parties.
Read and Listen
We always start by reading aloud or listening to audios. We’ve found some amazing resources that teach from a young earth perspective. We add biographies and historical fiction, Diana Waring’s audios, Dave Stott’s Drive Thru History DVDs, and textbooks by Linda Hobar and Angela O’Dell. Then comes the hands-on learning.
Timelines
Children love “big picture” timelines. It is especially helpful to see how old the earth is and how long early people’s lives were. This is contrary to what children are taught about evolution in public schools.
One timeline game we play is to pass out timeline figures and put them in order. Whoever is accurate, or the closest to accurate, wins. We also use timeline figures to play memory games. This gives them familiarity with the people and events.
Maps
Maps are awesome. We don’t know what the Garden of Eden or those early years before the Flood were truly like. However with Scripture clues, we can make an “educated-guess map.” As history moves on, overlay maps are wonderful. You can see how political boundaries are constantly changing.
Map contests cause my children to make their maps works of art with neat drawing and a lovely map key. Whoever has the most accurate, beautiful map wins the contest!
History Labs
We add “history labs” to our history studies. Sometimes we make a craft; other times a diorama or model. Here are some of our history labs:
- Make a ziggurat out of sugar wafers or LEGOs®.
- Produce a news show: “interview” folks at the Tower of Babel, before and after the Flood, the dedication of the Temple, and other important historical events. • Make a model of the Temple (or ancient city or building).
- Act it out! Throw a history party where you “act out” Passover, parting of the Red Sea, story of Esther, Trojan Horse, Punic Wars.
- Create a travel brochure (Promised Land, Egypt, Persia, Babylon, Tower of Babel).
- Turn an action figure or fashion doll into a mummy.
- Make a Roman standard.
- Make a Greek mosaic.
- Try “Bull Leaping” like leap frog.
Archaeology Dig
When we have a backyard archaeology dig, we decide first what artifacts we will dig up. We might have the bottom layer be Hittite, then Babylonian, and the top layer be Greek. Then it’s time to make the artifacts. Little clay pots can quickly become unique pottery. Scrolls, jewelry, and tools are easy things to make. Of course, you have to break the pots and tear the scrolls since archaeologists usually find pieces rather than intact artifacts.
We make a big square in the back yard with the deepest layer of stuff being the oldest civilization. A layer of dirt covers that layer followed by a more recent layer of artifacts covered by a layer of dirt. The top layer is the most recent civilization.
On the day of the dig, the dig site is marked off as a grid with string. Each student gets a square. When an artifact is uncovered, they write down the level and describe it. Then the artifact is taken to the cleaning tent where the dirt is brushed off with a little brush.
Our kids loved these archaeology digs because we invited friends and turned it into a festive, fun day. They also learned so much about archaeology by preparing their own artifacts and using the proper tools to unearth the treasures and clean them.
Passover Feast
For our Passover Feast, we invited church friends, too. Each person signed up to bring a specific dish. We spread white linen tablecloths and decorated with candles and the proper Seder dishes, bowls, and cups. It was easy to find a Christian Seder with the entire plan of the meal online. We simply followed the guide and assigned parts for the reading. This was very meaningful, especially since it fell during Holy Week.
We also discovered that Messianic Jews often host Passover feasts in our town that you can attend to learn more about the significance and symbolism about Jesus. What a great way to learn about ancient history!
Ancient Olympic Games
We loved to host our own Ancient Olympic Games. Don’t worry, unlike the ancient Greeks, we all wore clothing! We kept the names of the events and changed the event itself. For example, we shortened the races and used pool-noodle jousting instead of boxing. An Olympic competition is a great learning experience to research the games and creatively adapt them for your unique family or homeschool co-op.
How We Deal with Idols/False Gods
When discussing false religions, I always referred to idol-gods or idol-goddesses. This kept my children clear that they were not in any way similar to or equal to God Himself. We talked about idolatry, fear, and superstition. This opened up many good discussions and for teens, often a rabbit trail on apologetics.
Until next time, happy homeschooling!
About Meredith
Meredith Curtis, pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, and curriculum creator, loves learning along with her kids and grandchildren.
With living books and hands-on projects, Meredith loves the adventure of learning and growing in Christ. Her heart is to invest in Christian families so they can experience joy and success in their homeschooling journey. Meredith is the author of Travel God’s World Unit Study, Ancient History Cookbook, Let’s Have Our Own Medieval Banquet, and Let’s Have Our Own Ancient Olympic Games. You can find Meredith at PowerlineProd along with her blog and store.
Copyright 2023, The Old Schoolhouse®. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the Author. Originally appeared in the Winter 2023-24 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, the trade publication for homeschool moms. Read The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine free at www.TOSMagazine.com, or download the free reader apps at www.TOSApps.com for mobile devices. Read the STORY of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine and how it came to be.