I first learned of Home School in the Woods when beginning our formal history studies, including keeping a timeline. Their timeline figures are the most highly recommended – and rightfully so. They are beautiful! A few years ago, we reviewed their Olde World Style Maps (and still use them). One look at their site, and you see they do so much more. We have been blessed to receive one of their latest Lap-Paks, Hands-On History the 20th Century in America for review.
Lap-Paks are a complete study into a topic. A booklet with the study information is included for us to print out. There is even a plan to keep this booklet as part of the lapbook. Full instructions for each element let you know what should be printed on cardstock or regular paper, colored or plain, etc. As you study each topic of the Lap-Pak, these various elements are assembled to record what is learned. We put these elements/mini-books into a gallon size ziploc-style bag to keep each child’s together. When your study is complete, you begin putting the lapbook together. We really like this way (assembly after versus as you go) of study because our momentum is not broken. Our focus is on the study, not fitting the bits into their folders.
The 20th Century in America Lap-Pak is an overview of events throughout the busy 1900s. We’ve looked at the major wars, political events, and the stock market crash. We’ve looked at artists, music and architecture. So many advances were made in science and medicine. There are 22 topics in all and you can check them all out on the webpage.
You can do this study as a quick overview of the time period, or really dig into it. We have been really digging into it. I did not initially plan to spend so long but my children have wanted to learn more, so we have. There have been some topics in the study we just used the included booklet while others we chose books from the library and movies to round out our studies.
I always like studying history chronologically. I set that aside to jump into this more modern study of history. We have been referring to timelines quite a bit to keep the when in place and in relation to other time periods we have studied. My children have had no problem with this jump in time (it’s just this slightly OCD mama). My children have enjoyed this look at history that also includes their parents’ childhoods. They find it very amusing that we have first-hand remembrances of some of these historical events.
In going through this Lap-Pak, we are seeing that this study of history is much more than just history. We are spending a lot of time reading about notable people and their lives as well. We are listening to music, looking at art, reading literature, and watching movies. We are also enjoying sampling some of the foods. Surprisingly, many of the items mentioned and discussed in the menu-style mini-book are commonly found on our menu. I generally don’t buy processed cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches or macaroni and cheese, but in the name of homeschool studies we did once. I was relieved when most of my children preferred our real cheese versions. *big grin* There are even some recipes for you (or your children) to make. We still need to make the caramel apple pie.
This has been a rainy month, so the time forced indoors, watching movies has been an enjoyable diversion. We have been watching the Adventures of Young Indiana Jones. While knowing (and re-iterating) that he was not a real person, he had encounters and spent time with many people throughout the early 20th century. This look at the times and some notable people has added a fun element to our study.
The 20th Century in America is just one topic in the Hands-On History series. You can choose either download ($21.95) or CD ($22.95). Other topics in the Hands-On History Paks include Artists, Composers, Old Testament and New Testament. These are all recommended for grades 3-8. We have been using this with our eldest girls – 6th, 4th and 3rd. The younger children have been tagging along for the learning, but not making their own lapbook.
