Rubber boot homeschool – history alive

I have decided to start writing my rubber boot homeschool posts again. Why, you might ask?

Well, because I want to.  And I missed writing them. And I’m excited about the new approach we’ve been using of late. And I want to show you that I really do have an understanding of grammar, no matter what the last few sentences suggests to you.

So, this week, I’d like to share a few things about history. History provides an incredible opportunity to teach your children Torah. You have the entire scope of human history at your feet. You can evaluate every person, event, time period, and custom in the light of Torah. You might be surprised at what you discover.

For example:

• You may find good guys fighting for the wrong cause.
• You may find heroes with really bad habits.
• Many events can be traced back to a pattern of sin in a culture.
• History is rarely black and white and tied with a pretty bow.

Lately, we have been studying the Middle Ages. (Can I just say yuck?) I know everyone wants to glamourize the time with damsels in distress and knights in shining armour and castles with moats. Well, that ship has sailed! Just read A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court and you will be cured of any sappy daydreams.

The only thing that has gotten me through is my children’s unexpected obsession with Robin Hood. (Just to be upfront, my efforts to evaluate him in the light of Torah have been a bit frustrating. He’s robbing the mean nasty sheriff to give money to the  poor peasants, what do I do with that?) But, anyway, my kids love Robin Hood. Two of our lambs are named after him and his second hand man. We have been watching a TV series all about Robin Hood that is eagerly anticipated each week. And now, they have begun crafting their own bows and arrows.

Yes, I will openly admit that I have gotten in on the action. I actually shot a stick thirty feet! The kids found nice green twigs and strung them with baling twine for the bows. Finding nice straight sticks for arrows has been a challenge. Doug used to compete in archery, so he got out one of his old bows and they loved watching him shoot a target in the barn. We now shoot our way back to the mailbox and fight over the best arrows. (Well, Holly swiped the best one! I had to chase her!)

When I figure out where Robin Hood stands, I will be sure to let you know. In the meantime, here are a few things you might want to add to your study of the Middle Ages.

Additional Resources – Middle Ages

• Horrible Histories: Measly Middle Agesby Terry Deary
• Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
• A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Courtby Mark Twain
• The Adventures of Robin Hoodby Howard Pyle, also available as audio
• Photos of Notre Dame Cathedral
• Robin Hood on Ebru TV (helpful to understand the lifestyle, and Robin’s struggle to help the people without unnecessary bloodshed) Please preview.
• Oh, and consider getting a Kindle, it has revolutionized our homeschool. I get lots of classics free to read on my kindle.

Until next time…..