Why we homeschool… July 4th Edition

We have spent the past month reading several books on the history of our country.

I love that we school all year ’round for lots of reasons. (Can I confess – One of them is the fact that there is no guilt when we end up going for a few days without having formal “school lessons”  because I know we’ll be doing school many days on Saturdays or Sundays or during the summer or winter breaks. And you know that we believe that each day provides opportunities for learning so why would I confine myself to a calendar of days?)

Another really fantastic reason for schooling all year is that we do school during times when other students are on vacation. I think that certain times of the year really lend themselves to great unit studies. For example, we do a lot of history during December. We do an advent activity each day and we spend an entire month learning about Christmas meanings and traditions. June and July are also really great times to harness a child’s curiosity of American History.

This month, we have spent the majority of our school time (minus math and science) doing activities and reading books about The Declaration of Independence, The Revolutionary War, and The Constitution.

Abby has shown much interest in the topic and has devoured many books in her silent reading time – Her favorite of which was the Magic Tree House book “Revolutionary War on Wednesday.”

Her imaginary play time has long involved George and Martha Washington or fighting the British Redcoats. I am excited about celebrating the 4th of July tomorrow with her. It will have a deeper meaning and I hope that we are building a foundation for her that will rest upon the foundational truths for the beginnings of this nation that we have the honor of living in.

Another reason that we homeschool is because I want to make sure that I teach my child these things because as you can see in the video clip below – the public at large has not been taught these things in a way that they were able to retain!!

A little while ago when I saw this clip from Jay Leno asking American citizens (one of whom was a COLLEGE PROFESSOR!) about the history us the U.S., I called Abby over to the computer and had her listen to all of the questions. I’m happy to announce, she scored a perfect 100%! (Which is more than I can say for these folks in the video. If it weren’t so horribly sad and shameful, it would be hilarious.)

Happy 4th of July!

May it be filled with a true appreciation of our freedom and of the uniqueness of this great nation!

(Click the image below to read the Declaration for yourself!)

This part always gives me chills:

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.