History, How Shall We Teach It?
It is my strong opinion that History should be taught in chronological order, clearly and simply, that our children will retain what lessons our History should have taught this great country. Abstract facts and memorization of dates and names will not suffice, especially when, as home educators, we can do far better with our children. The statistics, standardized test scores and retention levels of public schooled students easily proves this method does not work.
I have long searched and prayed for a History book with the same qualifications that I've found with Edward Eggleston's writings. At one time, it was even my desire to write and create my own---- from collections of other writers such as Hillyer and others. I personally searched for the following:
- A bibliographical approach to identify names/persons instead of abstract dates and facts that are chronological and not introduced at random.
- Short, easy or interesting lessons because I personally feel, in my experience, that History was the most boring subject in school. My younger days in commenting... "Why do I need this" have been heard by my children and other children across the country.
My search was unsuccessful until I got my hands on Eggleston's History Books. Hillyer has come closer than any History book we can find on the market today but in my opinion lacks interest and contains so much unnecessary "filler" information that is not valuable or important and a lot of its content are, in fact, mythological and anti-Christian.
Share my excitement as you gleam below these few excerpts from the preface of one of Eggleston's books.
".... It is a manifest waste of time and energy to require these (children) to learn, in a lower class (or grade), the facts that must be restudied in a higher grade. Moreover, primary histories which follow the order of larger books are likely to prove dry and unsatisfactory condensations. ........ a lifelong aversion to history is often the main result produced by the use of an unsuitable textbook at the outset. ...... In teaching pupils by means of biography, which is the very alphabet of history, we are following a sound principle along the line of the least resistance.
....... It has often been lamented that no adequate provision is made in a school course for teaching the principles of morality. But the teaching of abstract principles is generally unavailing to produce good conduct. In the preparation of the present work, I have been surprised to find how abundant are the materials for moral instruction by example in the careers of our great men. ..... No intelligent pupil will follow the story of Franklin's industrious pursuit of knowledge under difficulty without a quickening of his own aspirations. What life could teach resolute patience, truth-telling, manly honor, and disinterested public spirit better than that of Washington? And where will a poor lad struggling with poverty find more encouragement to strictest honesty, to diligent study, and to simplicity of character than in the history of Lincoln?.... It would be a pity for a country with such examples in her history not to use them for the moral training of the young. The faults as well as the virtues of the persons whose lives are told here will afford the teacher opportunities to encourage right moral judgments.
...... If the pupil is taught to give the substance of the narrative in his own words, it will make him assimilate what he has studied, and prove a valuable training in thought and expression. ... Several superintendents of schools in large cities have declared in advance their desire to introduce this book as a class reader, thus securing an elementary acquaintance with American History without overcrowding the course of study. "
Where are writers like this today? Why can't our Christian writers produce what is needed! Quality -vs- quantity--- it worked well in the past and at the 8th grade level, turn of the century students were ready for college! Not just local state schools but Harvard and Yale. Why do our books keep getting thicker and more boring! And our children are not learning more or are half as educated, in fact far less educated while studying more! I suspect that money and greed are the major reasons why the educational systems and publishers encourage writers that more is better. With a bit more than 200 years, how much is required to teach American History? This is where vintage books prove to be our asset in home schooling---skipping the twaddle and unnecessaries. What our children retain and how they can explain our country's history is their own words in the CORRECT order is far more important to me than memorization of abstract facts, dates and names without placement or meaning.
Our youngest son, at the time of this writing, is in the 8th grade level. We will finish Eggleston's First Book in American History and A History of the United States and be done with American History in less than one year. What more is needed except current events? These books contain short chapters, each with work to be done at the end.
"Tell in your own words about....Tell all you remember about... ,
Geographical notes to look up locations on maps, etc." Each with given facts to be covered.
There are several options of use. Our children can write essays and include the stated facts, narrate in their own words what they have read, book reports or further research. Vocabulary words are also included in each chapter. Black and white picture sketches with maps are also included in his books. Why waste money on the teacher's editions, answer keys, student texts, grading books, etc...?--- Year AFTER year! Not to mention the waste of money, what about our child's natural- God given desire to learn, that is wasted on endless repetition and needless facts that will not help them in their future and bore them silly. Again--- quality-vs-quantity. Retention-vs-fact memorization to be replaced each week with a new set of boring facts. It is our choice!
We are so pleased and grateful to finally offer a set of American History books that will cover all your needs, for all grade levels, except current events. All are durable hardback. Book #2 does include hands-on clipping of maps for lesson plans, which can be copied, leaving the book intact. It is my opinion that Book#3 is all that is needed for any high school student. Further lessons on 20th Century History would, of course, be necessary.
Click Here to find out more about Eggleston's Books we carry.
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