Jamestown

I take for granted the fact that we live in such a historically rich area, at least in terms of American history. We migrated from the midwest to the greater Washington DC area over a decade ago.

Of course we take our out-of-town guests to all the usual haunts: the monuments and memorials of DC and Baltimore.

That's my oldest when he was 1 (circa spring 2004)
--oh, my heart! Was he ever that small?

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception - DC
My second oldest at 11mos (circa summer 2006)

And yes, we've been a number of times to Philadelphia, New York, Gettysburg and the Colonial Triangle in Virginia. Heck, we even honeymooned in Williamsburg.

Colonial Williamsburg

But my knowledge of US history has always been rather...fuzzy. The last time I studied - really studied - American history in earnest was I think 4th grade. I admit that my ability to explain the significance of certain historical landmarks, people, battles etc. has been shaky at best. I've embarrassed myself by my pitiful lack of knowledge more times than I can count.

So imagine the joy - relief! - in finally immersing ourselves into a subject that has held a certain amount of mystery for me especially in recent years. I am once again able to study this topic in depth and with great interest--this time, right along with my children. And the beauty of homeschooling allows us the ability to follow whatever rabbit trails our interests may take us.

I have no specific goals for this year in terms of topics or particular event or time in American history we must cover. We'll go at our own pace and get as far as we get. We've simply cast our sails and will go as far as the wind blows and interest remains until May/June 2013.


We decided on a chronological approach to history beginning with the European discovery of the American continent. Since we subscribe largely to a Charlotte Mason approach to learning (focusing on people and events through the use of living books rather than textbooks) we are loosely following the literature recommendations from Beautiful Feet as our history spine this year.

We began our year by reading together the following books:

...and watched a number of historical documentaries on the Vikings, Columbus and Jamestown on Netflix. 

They narrate (oral retelling) daily and dictate (I type what they tell me) weekly the events and stories we're reading in their own words. They do this rather than worksheets or tests as a means of gauging what and how much they are learning and understanding. (Plus, it makes for some fun reading in later years!)

We consults maps and a globe to see just how far the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria traveled in 1492. Their daily copywork (handwriting practice) is tied into the people we're studying. I just make these up on the fly using clipart or images I can find on google.

They draw pictures or color prints. 

I keep all these loose papers in a 3-ring binder with the hope (ideally) that they will create their very own homemade "textbook" by the end of the year.

Then last Thursday, we packed the van and drove south on I-95 to visit and see up close and firsthand the site of the first successful English colony: Jamestown. 

Now make no mistake...we've been here before. Several times in fact.

circa 2007

But this was the first time they really saw Jamestown. Lived it. Breathed it. Imagined themselves in the moccasins of Pocahontas and the armor of John Smith (who by the way, was NOT romantically involved with Pocahontas, no matter what the Disney film suggests.)

September 2012

My baby turned 7 on the same day we visited historic Jamestown

As we walked away, my 9 year old held my hand and said, "Mom, every other time we came here, I never really understood why you brought us all this way. I understand now! Jamestown is awesome!"

I don't think I'll ever forget those words. 

I hope they never forget this experience.

I look forward to re-discovering with them all the many other sites that we live near as we work our way through the story of the birth of our nation.

And now...on to the Pilgrims...