Revival to Revolution:
"Florence Nightingale" has been such a great read for Wyatt in Storytime! He has been loving reading it each day. I've thoroughly enjoyed hearing his oral narrations about this amazing lady as well. There is much to be learned from those who have gone through difficult times, walking with the Lord by their side, and accomplishing great things! This book has been inspirational. Likewise, reading the stories of "The Signers" and what they went through, gave up, and sacrificed for our country is incredible. I love the cards Wyatt is making for the signers. Their portraits, signatures, and bio info are so neat to read on the cards, and I enjoy reading Wyatt's notes and what he chose to write about each of them from his readings in "The Signers" book. He has such a new understanding and appreciation for these American heroes now...
Speaking of American heroes, it has been incredible to read about the Underground Railroad. Wyatt's respect and compassion for those who lived through this part of history and triumphed against all odds began back in HOD when he first read "Freedom Train" about Harriet Tubman back in BHFHG. It's continued through the years with various books and history readings. "Amos Fortune, Free Man" was yet another amazing book that Wyatt read at the start of this year in RevtoRev, and that he has reread since at least several times. Now he is reading "Hearts and Hands", and his oral narration of the meeting of Sojourner Truth and Harriet Beecher Stowe was so moving. I can't wait for him to read "Gabriel's Horses" and "George Washington Carver" later this year in RevtoRev. I know he will love them. I am so thankful for the way my ds is learning history in HOD. The people he meets in HOD's history are amazing; they are incredibly memorable, and they strike a chord in his heart. Such a better way of learning history than I had in ps. What is not to love about HOD's history! It is impossible not to retain history in this manner. It makes an incredible impact on the heart and mind.
Wyatt is enjoying putting together his history project, which involves cutting out various shapes to make a quilt like those used to give messages for the Underground Railroad. The picture of it in the History Notebook was lovely, and so helpful as he makes his quilt. He will assemble it next week, but here he is cutting his shapes for his quilt...
Here is the section of Wyatt's history notebook that includes his written narration of his history reading, and the copywork of an excerpt from his primary document...
Wyatt's Map Trek Maps continue to be an excellent resource for understanding the geography of the history he is reading about. Each of the maps matches perfectly to what he is reading, and he enjoys seeing his maps come together. Again, such a better way to learn about history mapping than what I did! I remember memorizing facts instead, and of course, I have quickly forgotten them after receiving the "A" on the tests. Wyatt is remembering so much of what he learns from year to year with HOD. It truly is like seeing a mental portfolio of history in the making. He is connecting more and more from year to year, and it is sticking. I think it is because it is all inter-related, and the living books truly make the events and the people come to life in Wyatt's mind...
The Inventor Study History Notebook is so neat. I like how an inventor's life is told within the pages of Wyatt's own written narrations and timeline he wrote himself. The pictures and portraits further bring these inventors to life. Just the other day, Wyatt and my dh had to move a container that weighed about 1000 lbs. My dh used a long large wooden timber as a lever to prop up the container and put a wheeled mover under it. He then angled a board into a trailer to use as a ramp, and after wheeling the container over to the trailer, he and Wyatt used 2 timbers to lever it in. Wyatt was talking about inventors and science concepts like levers, fulcrums, ramps, etc., and my dh was impressed. My dh is quite knowledgeable about how to use these concepts in solving day to day problems, and he enjoyed Wyatt being able to apply the science terms to it as they worked. Wyatt sees scientists as problem solvers and incredibly intelligent "out of the box" thinkers. He is right!
This week in our Bible Worldview Study, we read a story about 2 families planting crops and placing their faith in different things for their crops to grow. One family prayed to God for provision, and another family prayed to their ancestors/wore beaded necklaces for luck/and placed lava stones in the corner of each field to help their crops grow. When the 2 fathers of these different families talked, they shared their different views. Their dc then had a talk about it as well. The talk was short, but the Christian family had an opportunity to share their belief in one living God, and it made an impact on the son of the other family. Following the format of HOD's plans, Wyatt and I each put a sticky tab on the sections we wanted to talk about with one another and had an awesome discussion!
My parents just went to a week-long Christian quartet concert and told the story of how they were walking into their hotel laughing together and full of the joy of the Lord when a man stopped them and said, "May I ask you a question?" They told him, "Sure!" He asked, "Why are you so happy?" in a very serious tone. My Dad said, "Well... we're Christians, and we have the joy of God right here in our hearts! I guess we are just happy and content because of it." The man paused and said, "I have inner peace too, because I am a Hindu." This conversation so mimicked the conversation the 2 families in our Worldview study that the tie-in was evident. I LOVE this about our Bible times in HOD. They parallel real life, and give such precious opportunities to share with our dc in real ways that make such a difference in their lives. We had a great talk about how many different ways Papa could have responded to that question, "Why are you so happy?" For example, "We saw a good concert", "We're from IA, and we're vacationing in FL - it's so nice and warm here", "We just ate a good meal at a restaurant", etc. But, my Dad responded with the more significant, timeless answer of why he is happy, and maybe that will make an eternal difference in this man's life someday. I believe God uses all moments like these in His amazing plan.
What a week steeped in deep learning - hope you had a good one too!
In Christ,
Julie