When I first heard about Thomas Jefferson Education, I was intrigued. Growing up, he was my favorite president after all. I loved how he knew so much – things that are completely unrelated to each other. He enjoyed learning new things; I was inspired to always learn new things. I think this can make a difference for so many children throughout their “learning years” (not that learning should end at any point in life): loving to learn. That is just what is behind Thomas Jefferson Education (TJEd).
I have been receiving the e-newsletter from the DeMilles (the family behind TJEd.org) for some time and enjoy the bits shared about This Week in History. That was always one of the things I enjoyed reading in the newspapers my Daddy brought home each day, too. What happened that day in history. Some things would be very interesting, while others would be “Some Treaty” signed between two nations that don’t even exist anymore. And for those interesting tid bits, what if I wanted to know more?
Well, the DeMilles have taken that simple little listing I remember from the newspaper and made it so much more rich and dynamic than I could have imagined. When you subscribe to This Week in History, you will receive an e-mail each week packed with information. This information goes beyond simple history. History may be the “when” and how things are organized, but this ties in nicely to virtually all other subject areas. Just this week we have played with magnets. Last week we listened to big band music and learned about Louis Armstrong. Another, we learned of the birthday of Elwyn Brooks White, better known as E.B. White, author of Charlotte’s Web (yes, we had to read it). Each week there are so many things to choose from, all linked right there in the e-mail. You can pick and choose what fits with your other studies or let your children pick what interests them.
For those rare days when nothing much really happened, there are many suggestions for “making your own history”. Check out historical sites in your area, make a coloring book of stories from your family, make your own crossword puzzle or wordfind relating to historical or current events. There are so many more ideas, you need to check it out for yourself. The activities listed are good for all ages, better for older children, ideal for youngers and everyone in between — truly something for everyone.
There are samples available on the website. You can also read more about “What is TJEd?” and how to get started. For only $9.99 a month, you can subscribe to This Week in History. No matter your schooling style or educational philosophy, I think you will find something to like in this easy to use resource. Check out the other reviews to see how this resource has worked in different families.
