1/22/2019 0 Comments HIH in 7 Simple Steps“How do I use History is the Hook in my home or classroom?” Fair question. Here are seven simple steps to learn every subject through chronological history. 1) Choose Choose a subject you’re interested in. Choose works and activities you enjoy. Choose an inspirational and knowledgeable mentor. Choose a motivated group of peers to learn with. Choose a comfortable environment, conducive to learning. Let your students choose topics, activities, and works that excite them. Choose where, what, when, why, how, and who in all your learning to keep the stress low and the passion high—for both you and your students. For example, I knew my young children were already fascinated with Biblical heroes, as well as King Arthur and his knights, so I was able to quickly interest them in the heroes of Greece and Rome, the pharaohs of Egypt, and Gilgamesh, not to mention the tribal heroes of Africa and Ancient America, when we started our ancient studies. They inhaled the myths and fables of the ancient world. We read and discussed and did activities, together and separately, in the family room, the kitchen, and the back yard. Other families embarked on this ancient study with us, so we had built-in peers. But you could hand-pick others to invite to periodic discussions or activities if you are not associated with a bigger group. 2) Study Study the topic or work. Read a book—or several, listen to a song, examine a mathematical concept, observe a performance or sporting event, experiment with a scientific principle, contemplate a work of art. And read, listen, examine, observe, experiment, and contemplate some more. Read, listen, examine, observe, experiment, and contemplate.
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“You’re doing what?” “How interesting!” “Where did you hear about that?” “Is that legal?” As you consider, or begin, using history as the hook for all subjects, you might wonder what makes chronological learning a better choice than topical learning. Maybe your friends or administrator or mother-in-law or colleagues or child’s teacher is asking about your unique method of study. Let’s look at five reasons to use history as the hook. 1. ChooseLearning topics you have a passion for is the best way to learn—and the only way to secure individualized, life-long learning. When you or your student enjoys what you study, seeing a reason for that study, knowledge is tucked into the heart and linked to other knowledge to be useful later. If you add choices about the learning environment and the study schedule, learning increases exponentially. Then you are able to reproduce the ideal study environment later in life, so you can always learn any subject, any time, any where. Why is choice so important? Everyone longs to make certain decisions for themselves, without persuasion or coercion from someone else. Education is vital to each person’s present and future well-being. It is simple to individualize curriculum content by perusing the chronological timeline of the period and choosing to study in more depth topics that attract attention and interest—and connect them all chronologically. 2. ConnectConnections make everything easier to learn. If learners can hook an event, a person, or a topic to a time period, and to other people or events in that time, they will be more likely to remember those facts and connections. Subjects are linked by people and place and philosophy. They are knit together, in many cases so seamlessly it is difficult to separate them. How do you learn the Golden Mean without knowing about art or math? What was the reason behind the American Revolution--government or commerce or freedom? Can Guernica be studied without a knowledge of military history or dictatorship?
Since topics are so interconnected, it makes sense to use those links to aid in the learning process. Tying it together chronologically allows learners to see cause and effect and cycles, and to choose consequences based on their gained experience. |
AuthorBonjour! I'm Bonnie. I love learning, travel, reading, writing, photography, and all things French. I am especially passionate about agency education, the humanities, and using history as the hook for all learning! Archives
July 2021
TopicsAll Agency How To How-to Mentoring |
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