Celebrating Thanksgiving: Christ-Centered Traditions & History

Making Biblical Family Life Practical with Hal & Melanie Young

Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays that still says what it means—giving thanks. But how do we move it beyond food, football, and stress, and turn it into a joyful, Christ-centered family tradition?

In this episode, Hal and Melanie share how you can reclaim Thanksgiving as a time of purposeful remembrance, gratitude, and witness to your extended family—without losing the fun or the feast.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

Why Thanksgiving is worth “reforming”

How Thanksgiving is uniquely suited to be a God-centered holiday in modern culture

The biblical pattern of feasts and memorials (like Passover) as models for our celebrations

Why Christians should be known for joyful feasting, not just “saying no” to everything

The real story behind the first Thanksgiving

The suffering and “dying time” the Pilgrims endured their first winter

God’s providence in Squanto’s story and the empty land where they settled

Why reading William Bradford and Edward Winslow in their own words gives a truer, richer picture than the typical school version

How the character of the Pilgrims and Puritans still shapes the American mindset: conviction, courage, and willingness to do hard things

Making Thanksgiving Christ-centered at your house

Why hosting the celebration yourself lets you set the tone, pace, and priorities

Using history, Scripture, song, and simple traditions to turn the day into a living testimony

How these practices can gently impact even very “worldly” or skeptical family members

Practical Ideas You Can Use This Year

1. The Thanksgiving TreeA simple, powerful gratitude habit:

Tape or pin a paper tree trunk to the wall

Put a basket of paper “leaves” and a pen on the table

Every time you sit down to eat, everyone writes one thing they’re thankful for and adds it to the tree

Over time, the tree fills up and helps your family see just how much God has done—even in hard seasons like job loss or uncertainty

2. Five Kernels of Corn Tradition

To remember the Pilgrims’ real hunger and God’s real provision:

Place five kernels of corn on each person’s plate

Have the youngest confident reader read the poem “Five Kernels of Corn”

As you eat, each person shares five specific things they’re thankful for—one for each kernel

This tradition humbles us, reminds us of what our ancestors endured, and helps us appreciate God’s daily mercies

3. Reading and Singing Together

Bring back the old, good traditions:

Read from primary sources about the first Thanksgiving (Bradford, Winslow, historic proclamations from Washington or Lincoln)

Share the story of God’s providence in the Pilgrims’ lives in their own words

Sing classic hymns of praise and thanksgiving as a family after the meal

Don’t be surprised when even very “sophisticated” or non-religious relatives are deeply moved—many people quietly long for meaning, ceremony, and reflection

Resources Mentioned

We Gather Together (Thanksgiving e-book) UPDATE 2025: This resource is not titled, "Christ-Centered Thanksgiving"A complete guide to celebrating a Christ-centered Thanksgiving:

True accounts and quotes from Pilgrim history

Thanksgiving proclamations

Songs and hymns to sing

Planning pages, charts, and forms for stress-free hosting

Tried-and-true recipes (including how to cook the best turkey ever!)

Scripts and ideas for what to say and do at your celebration

👉 Learn more at: RaisingRealMen.com

Pollyanna (Unabridged Audiobook by Melanie Young)The original, funny, thoughtful story—not the syrupy version!

A pastor’s daughter who always looks for God’s blessing in every circumstance

Perfect family read-aloud or listen-together in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving

Helps cultivate a “gratitude habit” in your home

👉 Find it at: RaisingRealMen.com/Pollyanna

Takeaway

You don’t have to settle for a holiday that’s all about food and football. With a little planning and a bit of boldness, you can:

Turn Thanksgiving into a family tradition your kids will treasure

Offer a gentle, powerful witness to your extended family

Reclaim a holiday that’s already about thanking God, and point the gratitude clearly back to Him 🙌

Listen & Share

You can listen to this episode and others in the series at:HalandMelanie.com/radio or by searching “Making Biblical Family Life Practical” on your favorite podcast app.

If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review on iTunes? It helps more families discover the show and recapture their holidays for Christ.

Name of Episode: Homeschool Sanity: Discover How to Find It with Melanie Wilson

Episode Summary:

In this heartwarming episode of the Homeschool Curious podcast, host Morgan Bergstrom sits down with Dr. Melanie Wilson—a former clinical psychologist turned homeschooling veteran and curriculum creator. Melanie opens up about her unexpected leap from a thriving career in psychology, writing, and speaking to homeschooling her six children for over 20 years (all of whom graduated and pursued college).

She candidly shares how she initially resisted homeschooling but discovered profound fulfillment in it. The secret to her success? Structure and routines that kept chaos at bay while juggling family and her growing passions.

Melanie dives into the passion behind Grammar Galaxy, her story-based language arts curriculum designed to make learning fun and engaging for elementary kids. She also reflects on launching The Homeschool Sanity Show, her podcast packed with practical parenting and homeschooling tips.

The conversation tackles real homeschooling challenges—like discipline, teaching multiple ages, and overcomplicating things—while offering hope: kids are resilient, parenting mistakes don’t define outcomes, and reading aloud remains one of the most powerful tools in any homeschool.

Key Takeaways:

Melanie transitioned from clinical psychology to full-time homeschooling—and never looked back.

She was once homeschool curious herself.

Structure is non-negotiable, but homeschooling can (and should) be simpler than we make it.

Grammar Galaxy turns language arts into an adventure.

Discipline trips up most parents—Melanie shares how to stay consistent without losing joy.

The Homeschool Sanity Show is your go-to for sanity-saving advice.

"Kids are very resilient." (Yes, even after our parenting fumbles.)

"Reading to my kids is the best." — A daily habit that builds bonds and brains.

Enjoy the journey—homeschooling works best when it’s fun for everyone.

Whether you’re burned out, just starting, or simply curious—this episode is a masterclass in keeping homeschooling sane, simple, and joyful.

 

Resources and Links:

Get Grammar Galaxy and start training your aliens at Fun to Learn Books

For your weekly dose of sanity, listen to The Homeschool Sanity Show

Follow Melanie on Instagram

 

You can watch this podcast on Spotify or YouTube

Ever wondered why holly is associated with Christmas? What even is holly, really? Learn more about holly symbolism, its roots in pagan traditions and beliefs, and its beneficial uses on this episode on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Holly Symbolism and Historic Roots

Ilex aquifolium, or the Holly tree, is a small evergreen tree with deeply lobed, waxy, prickled leaves native to Europe. Its leaves somewhat resemble oak leaves. It has light colored bark and deep red, toxic berries. It has long been considered sacred in Celtic mythology and ancient druidic beliefs. They believe holly symbolizes peace, goodwill, and good luck. Therefore, they also believed that holly protected them from evil spirits and bad luck. Chieftains wore a wreath of holly as a sort of good luck charm.  And, because it resists lightning, they would plant it near their homes to protect themselves from lightning strikes.

The ancient Romans believed holly was the sacred plant of Saturn, the Roman god of the harvest. They gave sprigs of holly as gifts during the Saturnalia festival, which led up to the winter solstice of December 25, the birth of the “Sun.” As Christianity spread, December 25 became a celebration of the Son of God instead, but the holly tradition remained. In addition, Christians adopted holly symbolism into their beliefs. They claimed that the thorny leaves of holly symbolize the crown of thorns of Christ’s crucifixion, the berries representing his blood. In addition, the evergreen nature of holly symbolizes eternal life.

Hear a few other stories about holly on the podcast. On a more practical note, the wood of this tree makes beautiful, artistic designs and people sometimes use it to make chess sets and tool handles. Carriage drivers also used horse whips made from holly, as holly seemed to have an interesting controlling effect on the horses.

Holly Benefits

Holly is not really used in modern herbalism. Historically, people used the leaves as a diaphoretic, febrifuge, and expectorant for things like fever, rheumatism, and bronchitis. One famous herbalist, Nicolas Culpepper said that the bark and leaves are good for broken bones and other members that are out of joint. The fresh juice has been recommended for jaundice. The ancients also used it for fevers and such, but the berries cause violent vomiting and should not be used, especially with children. Julie talks about some of the active constituents of holly on the podcast, so be sure to listen!

Discover weird facts about Christmas herbs and check out her Secret Spice book.

350: Learning Real-World Skills Through Game Creation with Matt Dalio of Endless Studios

In this episode, Meryl van der Merwe talks with Matt Dalio, founder of Endless Studios, about why game creation—not just game playing—can equip teens with powerful, real-world skills for future careers.

Matt shares:

His Backstory and Mission

How early experiences living in China and working with orphans shaped his desire to create worldwide access to digital skills.

Why technological literacy today is lower than literacy in the Dark Ages, and why that must change.

His belief that millions of young people can gain job-ready technical skills through creating games.

Why Game Creation Matters

Uses real professional tools such as Unity, Unreal, Godot, Blender, and GitHub.

Teaches computational thinking, teamwork, project management, design, and coding.

Mirrors real-world workflows used in startups and tech companies.

Allows kids to shift from consumers to creators.

Tools Matt Recommends for Students

All of these are free to download:

EndStarEndless Studios’ tool built on Unity, designed to take students from Minecraft-level skills to professional-level game engine skills. It includes wiring systems, logic blocks, and gradual scaffolding into real scripting.

GodotAn open-source engine that runs well on low-end computers. Endless Studios is building scaffolding tools on top of it, including block coding and collaborative editing features.

Roblox StudioIdeal for kids already using Roblox. Uses Lua scripting and has a large online community.

ScratchA simple entry-level environment that helps absolute beginners understand basic logic and design principles.

Matt also recommends courses on Udemy, Coursera, and similar platforms for structured learning. Many students, like past podcast guest Matthew, have taught themselves professional-level skills using these resources.

The Power of Community Learning

Matt emphasizes that students learn best through collaboration. Platforms like GitHub allow students to contribute to real-world projects, receive mentorship, and learn modern software development workflows. This form of apprenticeship is one of the most effective and scalable ways to build proficiency.

Key Takeaways for Homeschool Parents

You do not need to know anything about game design to support your child.

Game creation teaches real workforce skills, even for students who never plan to work in gaming.

Encourage your students to shift from playing games to building them.

The motivation and joy that come from creating something they love are powerful teaching tools.

Interested in Endless Studios Creating a Homeschool-Friendly Product?

Matt welcomes interest from parents.  Email: [email protected]

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattdalio/

Links Mentioned

Endless Studios: https://endlessstudios.com

EndStar: Free download from Endless Studios

Godot Game Engine: https://godotengine.org

Roblox Studio: https://create.roblox.com

Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu

Udemy: https://udemy.com

Coursera: https://coursera.org

 

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

Hey, homeschoolers! Pushing back against a consumerist culture is an issue all year but is on our minds even more during the holidays. My guest today has experience in teaching kids to combat consumerism with good old-fashioned hard work. I'll introduce him after this message from our sponsor. Now programs.

Watch on YouTube

Podcast Sponsor: NOW Programs

http://NOWPrograms.com

Podcast Guest: Keith Phillips

Keith Phillips is a former US Army helicopter pilot who, along with his wife Becky and their six children, is dedicated to building productive families and enduring Christian legacies. He introduces BUNKEYS, small DIY linked log cabin kits to America, promoting family unity through shared meaningful work. Keith believes in the power of family and community with work as the cornerstone and advocates for living a life of biblical producerism. I so enjoyed our conversation.

Takeaways

Consumerism thrives on neglecting our inherent call to produce.

Family work fosters cooperation and contributes to family unity.

Saying no to passive entertainment encourages creativity in children.

Boredom can lead to innovative play and activities.

Fear of missing out drives consumerist behavior in children.

Creating space for meaningful activities is essential for family bonding.

Overcoming societal pressure is crucial for resisting consumerism.

Hard work can replace addictive behaviors and foster fulfillment.

Engaging in family projects teaches valuable life skills.

Reading together strengthens family connections and shared experiences.

Resources

Keith's Substack article on consumerism

Bunkies

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/5gBadT2mixwLThvz8GqI7z

Apple

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-stay-at-work-home/id1762916088

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@TheStayatWorkHome?sub_confirmation=1

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/stayatworkhome

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/stayatworkhome

Read Aloud List

https://stay-at-work-home.ck.page/b3004580e4/index.js

See also my interview with Joshua Becker

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How We Homeschool High School with Laura Varey.

How We Homeschool High School with Laura Varey

Most of our listeners at the Homeschool Highschool Podcast know that we are all about community! However, for those of you who are to the 7SistersHomeschool community, there are six of us 7Sisters (Vicki, Sabrina, Kim, Marilyn, Sarah, and Allison). So, who's the 7th Sister?

You are! We're all in this homeschool process together!

One of our favorite podcast topics is learning how our various 7th Sisters homeschool. In this episode, we were SO excited to talk about how our 7th Sister, Laura Varey, and her family homeschool.

Laura Varey's story

Laura and her family were originally from the United Kingdom. (Check out this Homeschool Highschool Podcast interview about homeschooling in the UK and the US with our friend Kat Patrick.)

Her eldest children started school in the UK, in the public school system. They did one or two years there. Then they moved to the US, nine years ago. When they settled in Washington state, they started off in public school.

After a couple of years, they were looking for more academic challenge. They moved to a private school that had some advanced classes. It was a Christian school (which they had never come across in the UK). They enjoyed the benefits of education through a Christian worldview.

That went great for a few years, but they hit some bumps in the road there, so they started praying about what to do. Their eldest was in sixth grade, which was still part of the elementary school. Laura and her husband prayed and both said to each other, "What about homeschooling?"

It felt like God had put it on both their hearts.

Homeschooling was a new concept for Laura and her husband

Laura notes that homeschooling has been more unusual in the UK than in the US. Because they were so unfamiliar with homeschooling, Laura and her husband began to investigate it. They talked to some friends who homeschool. They found that some of their friends homeschooled at home, some at home and in co-ops, and others used different sorts of systems.

They were very impressed that there were so many good homeschooling tools available. After a while, they agreed to go for it! They have now been homeschooling for three years and have two high schoolers and one in fifth grade.

They did their first year with a homeschool co-op at their church

Laura's homeschoolers could take classes there two days a week. She found that the co-op covered "quite a lot of subjects and then they directed a lot of their learning at home".

The co-op was a good stepping stone for Laura's family. It gave them a homeschool community (including homeschooling friends for mom). Homeschooling with the help of a co-op built her confidence because the subjects they were teaching were Laura's my weakest subjects. She had time to develop skills and resources for teaching things she did not know.

Then came homeschool high school!

Laura says, "First of all, just understanding high school was a huge learning curve for me, especially because my husband and I were schooled in a different country!"

So, not only was homeschooling different, but the education systems were different. Laura felt the weight of responsibility of getting high school right. After all, in high school, everything counts. The pressure was on her to get it right!

So, Laura read as much as she could from different sources. Also, she tried to learn as much as she could from her homeschooling friends. She also avails herself of the support she finds in digital support groups like 7SistersHomeschool Facebook Group. (She has found that homeschoolers are very generous with sharing their knowledge, experience, and even resources!)

Over the last several years, Laura has found that she has been enjoying the high school years the most. She and her husband have noticed that, in some ways, homeschooling high school can be easier because their teens are now fairly independent.

Homeschooling in community

Laura and her kids have built some strong friendships through homeschooling. These friendships have been a real blessing. She and the other moms can help each other out when needed. And when she's having one of those crazy weeks where she feels like pulling her hair out (because we ALL do, sometimes!), her friends encourage her.

Each homeschooler is unique

Laura has learned to provide educational experiences that build her homeschoolers' strengths.

Her daughter is a fast reader. She prefers to read books over watching video curriculum. However, at her daughter's request, Laura learned to scale back if she noticed that her daughter was stressed with the amount of reading. Laura and her teens have learned to communicate well about the types of learning materials and expectations for coursework. Teens need a voice in their education.

Laura works with her high schoolers on planning and organization for their academics and non-academic parts of life. For instance, she and her teens map out the week: commitments, appointments, or whatever.

Her other high schooler was born diligent and perfectionistic. Laura learned that with some students, she could say, "Do your best." For her second teen, she has noticed that it's never good enough. So, Laura has learned to say:

"That's good enough."

Please spend no more than two hours on this piece of work."

Laura's advice to new homeschooling moms

Here are some things that Laura and her family have learned in their time homeschooling:

Talk to people and get their experience and tips

But just because something works for someone else does not mean it works for you or your children. (There's not ONE right way to homeschool!)

Learn that you will build confidence to go with what your gut tells you, because you know your kids best

Each family has unique goals, so do not feel constrained by what other people are doing

Do not compare yourself to what other homeschooling families are doing

Learn that you can trust God to help you and your family grow through the processes

Help prepare them for life

Teach teens time management

Take field trips with a homeschool group

Join digital homeschool groups (like 7SistersHomeschool's Facebook group)

Try to find in-person groups, like co-ops

Join Vicki and Laura Varey for encouragement for homeschooling!BTW

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Teen Queen Elisabeth

In episode 244, “Teen Queen Elisabeth,” Meredith Curtis introduces you to a teenage queen. Have you ever imagined yourself as a princess or queen? How fun to have beautiful clothes and servants to wait on you hand and foot, especially back in the times of knights and castles. Married at 14 and widowed at 20, this young woman ruled in her husband’s absence. How did a teenage girl rule a kingdom? And why did she make the rest of the royal family so mad?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 

 

 

 

Show Notes

Have you ever imagined yourself as a princess or queen/prince or king? Back to medieval Europe. Knights & castles. How did a teenage girl rule a kingdom? And why did she do the make the rest of the royal family so mad?

Young Elisabeth

Princess Elisabeth of Hungary (1207-1231) was the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary and Gertrude of Merania, a Germanic kingdom.

At 4 years old, she moved far away to the small country of Thuringia, now a province in Germany.

Elisabeth was brought to the court of the royal family of Thuringia as a child so that she could learn the language, culture, and customs of the Thuringians. She was pledged to marry the crown prince who grew up to be Louis IV, also known as Ludwig IV.

Creuzburg Castle was full of music, a place for poets and songwriters to gather. Love was the most popular theme. Sort of like pop music today but add tournaments and pageantry.

Christian Elisabeth

Early in life, Elisabeth gave her heart to Jesus Christ. Her strong faith revealed itself in a gentle, kind personality. At the age of 14, Elisabeth married Louis, who was 20, and later that year, he was crowned King. The new rulers were very happy together and God blessed them with three children. All accounts say that the couple loved one another deeply as only young lovers can.

Impact of the ideals of Frances of Assisi.

As queen, she lived in Wartburg Castle where centuries later, Martin Luther would years later translate the Bible into German.

Balance between supported husband as queen and the longing to live a life of poverty & charity.

Leper Story

Elisabeth ruling in King Louis IV’s absence.

Built hospitals, gave away money, visited patients.

The rest of the royal family mocked her.

Louis was proud of her when he came back.

Louis embarks on the Sixth Crusade in 1227 while Elisabeth pregnant with their third child.

Elisabeth’s husband death left her heartbroken.

Three children taken from her.

She got her dowry back.

Rejected many offers of marriage.

In 1228, she renounced the world and joined the order of St Francis of Assisi.

Moved to Marburg, she built another hospital for the sick. She spent hours each day caring for patients at the hospital she founded.

The Death of Elisabeth

Elisabeth died at the age of 24, leaving her three children orphans. In her short life, she had a beautiful marriage where the couple shared strong faith in Jesus and deep compassion for the poor and needy. As a widow, deprived of her children, she did not see herself as a victim. Instead, she devoted herself to Christ and His Kingdom. She made a difference in so many lives. People loved her!

So, what happened to her orphan children?

Oldest child, son Hermann

Middle child, daughter Sophie

Youngest child, daughter Gertrude

Elizabethkirche was built in Marburg to honor Elisabeth of Hungary. It is a beautiful church for a beautiful woman.

Elisabeth's Legacy

The Catholic Church made her a saint in 1235 and to all Christian everywhere, she is an example of Christian charity and kindness.

I love these stories of teens who rule, who minister, who impact people’s lives. Teen years don’t have to be about fitting in and trying hard to have fun the world’s way. Even a 14-year-old can be a queen and rule well. Whatever is going on in your life right now, take a deep breath and fix your eyes on Jesus. He will never leave you and best of all, He has a plan and purpose for your life, just like he did for Elisabeth.

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Grow in Christ Resources

 

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Taking the Mystery Out of Teaching History in Your Homeschool

How can you move beyond dry dates and dull textbooks and make history a favorite subject in your homeschool? In this episode of Vintage Homeschool Moms, Felice Gerwitz is joined by longtime friend and fellow homeschool mom Meredith Curtis to talk about teaching history in a way that sparks excitement and long-term retention—from the early years all the way through high school.

You’ll hear practical ideas for using biographies, co-ops, timelines, cooking, music, art, original documents, and a Christian worldview to bring both American and world history to life.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

History as “His Story”

Why Felice sees history as God’s story unfolding through time

The importance of teaching historic facts without revisionist or secular spin

How a biblical, creationist worldview changes the way you approach history resources

Why Just Reading the Textbook Isn’t Enough

Why most students won’t remember much from simply reading and answering end-of-chapter questions

How Felice and Meredith both started with textbooks but quickly realized they needed more

How to use a solid textbook as a jumping-off point for unit studies, hands-on work, and deeper discussion

Hands-On History in the Early Years

Using biographies and picture books (even with teens!) to make historical figures feel real

Simple ways to add fun:

Coloring pages or doodling during read-alouds for kids who focus better while their hands are busy

Simple crafts, skits, and pretend diaries written in the voice of a historical character

Themed days such as “Pioneer Day” or “Christmas in Colonial America”

How Meredith’s family used cooking as history in their co-op:

Geography year: authentic foods from each country

American history: recipes from different eras (including an authentic turtle soup recipe!)

Ancient history: foods that would have been eaten in the ancient world

Using Christmas unit studies tied to specific time periods and having your kids:

Make historically themed wrapping paper

Plan menus based on the era you’re studying

Bake cookies and foods that match the culture and time

What Is a Homeschool Co-op (and Do You Need One)?

A clear, simple definition of a homeschool co-op:

A group of three or more families learning together, with parents sharing teaching responsibilities.

How Felice and Meredith have homeschooled:

Just their own family

With one other family over many years (which eventually grew into a church co-op)

With larger, more structured co-ops

Examples of memorable co-op activities:

A medieval or colonial feast with costumes, bread-as-plates, eating with fingers, and “bones on the floor” to mimic the era

Weather stations and student “broadcasts”

Outdoor activities like jousting and historical games

Planning Your Week for History Success

How Felice structured her week in the early years:

Half-year focus: American history first half, science second half—then later alternating by days instead

Monday & Wednesday – History

Tuesday & Thursday – Science

Friday – Catch-up and field trip day

Why it’s okay to skip a day and then catch up with a synopsis instead of feeling “behind”

How field trips bless both kids and moms with community and shared experiences

Timelines, Dates, and Maps: Pegs for Memory

Using timelines in notebooks or all around the room so kids can “see” history across the ages

Doing a giant floor-length timeline and assigning each child a century to fill with key events

Marking history with Christ as the focal point:

Creation

Major biblical events (Noah, Abraham, David, Jesus)

Key turning points like the fall of Rome, the Battle of Hastings, Magna Carta, the Reformation, exploration, and more

Ending the timeline with “Jesus returns” to remind students that history has a beginning and an end

Why Meredith has her students memorize a small set of crucial dates as “pegs” for everything else

Using maps to:

Track explorers (Columbus, Balboa, Cabot, etc.) in different colors

Notice that cities and civilizations grow around water and fertile land

Connect geography to culture, trade, and war

Moving into Middle & High School: Going Deeper

Keeping everyone in the same time period while assigning more advanced work (projects, papers, and readings) to older students

Beginning to emphasize the “why” behind events:

Laws and changes in light of the U.S. Constitution

How different cultures’ worldviews shape their decisions, art, laws, and daily life

Using original documents and primary sources:

Reading real accounts of events like the Salem witch trials instead of relying on modern commentary

Looking at historic speeches, letters, and newspaper articles

Encouraging teens to evaluate current events through the lens of the Constitution and Scripture

Music, Art, Architecture, and Fashion in World History

Exploring how philosophy, literature, and worldview show up in:

Architecture

Paintings and sculpture

Music styles (Gregorian chant, Renaissance, Romantic, etc.)

Clothing and everyday objects

Comparing different periods:

Why Renaissance art is breathtaking but some students find Renaissance music hard to enjoy

How Romantic art, literature, music, and architecture all share a recognizable “feel”

Introducing teens to Francis Schaeffer’s classic series on culture, art, and philosophy to see how ideas shape civilizations

Literature + History + Writing

Pairing your history spine with:

American literature for U.S. history

British and world literature for world history

Using classics like Anne of Green Gables and C.S. Lewis to:

Stretch vocabulary and appreciation for language

Practice worldview evaluation and discussion

How Felice uses writing curriculums like WriteShop to strengthen high school writing in the context of history and literature studies

Creation vs. Evolution and Choosing Resources Wisely

Why Felice had to set aside a secular world history textbook that started with “ancient man” and evolutionary assumptions

Using creation science resources to compare claims and expose fallacies in evolutionary timelines

Encouraging teens to think critically about:

Fossil evidence

Assumptions in secular history texts

How worldview drives the story we tell about the past

American History & Government Courses for Homeschoolers

Use code: VHM50 to save $50 off of the American History video class.

Felice shares about the Media Angels American History and Government video classes:

Taught by AP-level instructor and award-winning professor Robert Woodrow Wilson

Recorded with a live audience

Heavy use of visuals, timelines, and “fabulous facts”

Students match key inventions, events, and people to the correct presidents and eras

How these classes help:

Build a solid chronological framework

Encourage parent-led worldview discussion

Train students to evaluate political candidates and current issues using the Constitution

Field Trips, Local Museums, and Everyday Opportunities

Using local history (like Edison's museum in Fort Myers, FL, or Victorian homes and pioneer villages) to make the past feel close and real

Finding “day trip” guidebooks for your state and exploring:

Hands-on museums

Historical homes

Small but meaningful local sites

Why field trips are worth the effort—even if some destinations turn out a little “lame”—because your kids remember the experiences forever.

Resources Mentioned

(Always check the sites for current specials and updated offers.)

Media Angels – Homeschool science, history, American history & government video classes

Website: MediaAngels.com

Vintage Homeschool Moms podcast archive & show notes

Website: VintageHomeschoolMoms.com

Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network – Home of Vintage Homeschool Moms and many more homeschool podcasts

Look for the Vintage Homeschool Moms and Finish Well shows

Powerline Productions (Meredith Curtis) – History cookbooks and Christian history resources

American history and ancient history cookbooks with recipes, activities, and study guides

Finish Well Podcast with Meredith Curtis – Encouraging teens and parents to live for Jesus and think biblically about life and culture

Stay Connected

Host: Felice Gerwitz – author, publisher, and homeschool mom

Website: MediaAngels.com

Guest: Meredith Curtis – pastor’s wife, worship leader, homeschool mom, and owner of Powerline Productions; host of the Finish Well podcast

Have a question about teaching history in your homeschool or ideas for future episodes? You can usually reply directly to Felice’s email newsletter or contact her through MediaAngels.com or the Vintage Homeschool Moms page on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network.

Happy history teaching!

RECOMMENDED BOOK LIST for Teaching History in Your Homeschool

TeachingHistory-VintageHomeschoolMoms Let’s Talk About Teaching History

with your co-hosts, Felice Gerwitz & Meredith Curtis

History is about a bunch of dead people and stuff that happened long ago or so I thought when I was a kid.

Gratitude in Boots: Teaching Thankfulness in Military Life & Homeschooling

Military life can sometimes feel like a never-ending juggling act—new orders, constant change, and goodbyes just when you’ve finally unpacked the last box. But even in the middle of all that, gratitude can be the steady heartbeat that keeps us grounded. In this episode of the Military Homeschool Moms Podcast, Crystal shares how to cultivate gratitude in your home—both as a military spouse and as a homeschool mom.

Why Gratitude Matters

Gratitude doesn’t mean pretending life is easy—it means noticing what’s still good even when things get hard. For military families, gratitude anchors us in what doesn’t change: our faith, family, love, and purpose. It strengthens resilience and helps both moms and kids reframe challenges with perspective instead of frustration. Crystal shares personal insights, including how keeping a simple gratitude journal helps her focus on God’s control instead of life’s chaos.

The Deployment Dinner Bell

You’ll love the touching story of a military mom who created a “Deployment Dinner Bell” tradition with her kids. Every evening, before dinner, they rang a tiny bell and shared one thing they were thankful for. It became a sweet way to replace loneliness with connection—and the bell still rings in their home years later as a reminder that gratitude isn’t just for hard seasons; it’s for every season.

Practical Ways to Teach Gratitude

Crystal offers age-appropriate ideas for weaving thankfulness into homeschooling:

Preschool–Elementary: Gratitude treasure hunts, thank-you doodles, and “Thankful Motions.”

Upper Grades: Kindness math charts, service bingo, gratitude journals, and even persuasive writing on gratitude’s impact.

Family Ideas: Gratitude jars, “Morning Three” routines, and mission boards for serving the community.

Faith & Perspective

Drawing from Scripture and quotes from Joni Eareckson Tada and Max Lucado, Crystal reminds listeners that gratitude isn’t denial—it’s perspective. Giving thanks in all circumstances keeps our eyes on the Good Giver, even when life gets messy.

Final Encouragement

Gratitude turns ordinary days into moments of worship and connection. Tiny steps—like naming two things you’re thankful for or inviting a neighbor to dinner—can transform your outlook and your homeschool atmosphere.

Connect:

 Visit MilitaryHomeschoolMomsPodcast.com for resources and more encouragement.

If today’s episode lifted your heart, share it with a friend and leave a quick review. 💛

Making History Fun for Kids: Zack Edwards on Games That Stick

What if history class felt more like an epic battle royale than a dusty monotonous textbook? In this episode, homeschooling game innovator Zack Edwards flips the script on boring education.

From his own school-day dread of dates and timelines to crafting Historical Conquest—a card game where historical heroes, villains, and disasters clash in custom societies—Zack's all about gamification that sticks. We dive into his college dorm brainstorm, the family-friendly multiplayer magic, and how it pairs with custom curricula to spark real excitement for history.

Then, enter Xogos, Zack's digital playground expanding the fun into interactive learning with safe, community-driven rewards (think: coins for real-world service gigs!). Safety first—no sketchy chats here—and it's built for homeschool crews craving engagement without the screen-time guilt. Whether you're battling mom-burnout or just want kids who love learning, Zack's got the playbook: fun > force, every time.

Key Takeaways (Steal These for Your Next Lesson Plan!)

Zack's Origin Story Fuels the Fire: His school-time disdain for history? Total inspiration. Now, he crafts tools that turn "boring" into "battle-ready" for kids everywhere.

Historical Conquest: Card Game Meets History Heroics: Born in his college dorm room, it's all about mixing real figures/events into wild strategies—perfect for 2-6 players and family game nights that teach without preaching.

Fun First, Facts Follow: Zack's mantra? Engage 'em with play, and history sticks. The companion curriculum's designed to thrill, not drill.

Xogos: Safe, Rewarding Digital Deep Dive: This platform amps up the game with interactive modules, strict chat controls, and incentives like earning for volunteer hours—blending education with real-life impact.

Gamification = Engagement Gold: From homeschool co-ops to solo quests, Zack proves fun learning connects families, builds skills, and makes history meaningful. No more myths about "screen time bad"—done right, it's revolutionary.

Resources & Links (Level Up Your Homeschool Game)

Grab Historical Conquest: Starter decks, expansions, and how-to vids at historicalconquest.com. QR code tutorials make setup a breeze!

Dive into Xogos: Explore the platform and snag free trials for educators at xogos.com (or check Zack's YouTube @myXogosGames for demos).

 

Watch this episode on Spotify or YouTube