Inside the Guide: Beyond Little Hearts Reading About History Box of Plans
This “Inside the Guide” series provides a quick snapshot of Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory. It’s a handy “how-to” reference, just one box of plans at a time. Have you ordered Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory from Heart of Dakota? Or, are you considering ordering it? Well, either way, here’s your quick-start “Inside the Guide” for your Beyond Little Hearts Reading About History box of plans!
Quick Start Info
Time It Takes: 10 minutes
Days It’s On: Days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Description: Beyond Little Hearts tells early American history through the incredible true stories of those who lived it. Each weekly unit has its own history theme. The themes go in chronological order from 1565-1865. Parents read aloud the history resources chronologically throughout the year. The daily history stories emphasize God’s plan throughout history using the following resources: American Pioneers and Patriots, Stories of the Pilgrims, Boys and Girls of Colonial Days, and a Bible of your choice. All the rest of the daily Learning Through History boxes of plans link to the history stories.
A Handy How-To for American Pioneers and Patriots
American Pioneers and Patriots is a large hard-cover book that narratively tells each story from the perspective of young Americans. Small colorful or black pen drawn pictures/maps adorn most pages. There are 36 chapters, and parents read aloud this book spread throughout the bulk of the year. As children imagine themselves in the place of boys and girls who lived during this time, they see how God’s gifts of faith, courage, and determination transformed pioneers and patriots.
American Pioneers and Patriots includes 10 units. Each unit ends with a “How Pioneers…” page, such as how butter was made, how people lived in covered wagons, etc. The rotating history box includes short hands-on history, science, art, or geography activities that often directly connect to the “How Pioneers…” pages. These connections help kiddos feel like they are living the pioneer life themselves! The plans do not schedule the unit reviews, as they often include lengthy less connected “Things to Do” that would take over the homeschool day.
A Handy How-To for Stories of the Pilgrims
Stories of the Pilgrims is a chapter book that helps children see how faith in God helped common people like the Pilgrims through persecution, hunger, and hardships. It also shows how young people lived during the early to mid 1600s. Each chapter includes a few colorful pictures and a lively narrative that is sure to hold your kiddos’ attention! Longer chapters are divided over several days of reading, so no one day’s reading gets too long for little ones’ attention spans.
Stories of the Pilgrims ends with vocabulary and oral comprehension questions. Kiddos can easily find vocabulary words because they are bolded in the chapter’s reading in the order they are listed. Likewise, the comprehension questions are listed in the order of the reading, with #1 being from the first part of the reading, #2 being from the next part of the reading, and so on. This makes it easier for kiddos to look back with you if they need help answering the questions. The occasional “Time to Write” section may be done orally or omitted.
A Handy How-To for Boys and Girls of Colonial Days
Boys and Girls of Colonial Days conveys the spirit and determination that boys and girls had during the colonial period to support the cause of liberty. You will notice fewer pictures and longer sentence structures in this book, as you will use it primarily towards the end of the year. This helps prepare kiddos for the higher level readings coming in the next guide, which is Bigger Hearts for His Glory.
About every other chapter of Boys and Girls of Colonial Days ends with comprehension questions to discuss orally. Unlike Stories of the Pilgrims, the questions don’t always go in the order of the reading. If the reading was longer and divided over several days, you can help with the answers.
Box Specific Notes
We read on the living room couch, and I like to tuck my little one under my arm or under a cozy blanket right next to me. Having the book open between us encourages my child to focus, follow along, and visualize the story by looking at the illustrations, maps, and historical memorabilia. After reading the story, I like to read aloud the Key Idea in my Beyond Little Hearts guide. It sums up the reading so nicely!
The rest of the history boxes on the left side of the Beyond Little Hearts guide utilize all learning styles and help little ones respond to the reading to show what they’ve learned. Be sure to ask the questions – from any of the books – in a conversational way rather than in a quizzing sort of way. This keeps history alive and enjoyable, as it is meant to be!
A weekly Bible passage wraps up each unit by focusing on an example of Godly character that corresponds with the history stories. So as far as the Bible, you may use any version you prefer. However, I’d keep the same one all year! That way your child owns it personally, and it becomes theirs to attach to, to love, and to enjoy!
Finally, I like to do the bottom left rotating box of plans after we finish the Reading About History box. This rotating box of plans involves movement and/or hands-on activities, and it links to the history story. Pairing these boxes together is a winning combination!
