Written by Nancy Radke
“Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant . . .” (Ecclesiastes 11:9, NASB). Only one student? Students of all ages and abilities? No problem. Use teaching games! Games fulfill the need for motivation, repetition, discipline, and reward and enable your kids to remember facts they would otherwise consider too dull or difficult to learn. (more…)
Written by Paula Moldenhauer
Why are we drawn to stories about the RMS Titanic?1 Its sinking is one of the greatest tragedies of its time. Yet instead of only whispered grief, there remains fascination with everything Titanic, even one hundred years later.
Perhaps we’re drawn to Titanic’s riches. The largest moveable object built by man, she was dubbed one of the greatest achievements of her time. While only 20 percent of London had electricity, this ship was electric from bow to stern. The Titanic’s breathtaking opulence included carved oak staircases, chandeliers, and beautiful crystal. Passengers enjoyed a heated saltwater pool, Turkish baths, lavish lounges, a library, and even a gymnasium boasting an electric camel. The collective assets of her passengers totaled over $600 million. To secure a first-class suite on Titanic, passengers paid as much as $4,350 for the journey—equivalent to an estimated $100,000 in today’s economy.
But Titanic wasn’t the only fancy ship of her day. She had two sister ships, the RMS Olympic, who had a long and illustrious career, and the Britannic, whose intended purpose was interrupted by World War I, during which she served as a hospital ship instead. Many pictures touting the magnificence of the Titanic were actually pictures of Olympic, since most of the pictures taken of Titanic accompanied her to the bottom of the Atlantic. (more…)
Written by Julia E. Colloms
For the past two years, my son and I have studied United States history. History in and of itself had never been very interesting to me until I began to teach. I have learned that there is not another subject that can grab your attention more than a story about a “real life individual.” Therefore, when our school year was close to being wrapped up and vacation was on the horizon, I began to think about what locations our family could explore to make all that we learned come to life. We were headed to Virginia to visit family, so my possibilities were limitless.
The obvious answer would have been Mt. Vernon. My son adores stories about General George Washington leading his men to victory over the British. However, as I looked at all that Virginia had to offer, I focused my attention on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Montpelier, the home of former President James Madison.
I have to admit that in our two-year study of the United States, James Madison was a subject we had yet to cover. We may have discussed his work as Secretary of State for President Jefferson, but it would have been brief. I could not, however, shake this urge to see Madison’s home. I am very thankful that I chose to satisfy my curiosity about James Madison, and I urge you to visit Montpelier. The scenery is breathtaking. The house is beautiful. The hands-on learning is wonderful for children. James Madison was an intriguing person, and it was a pleasure to learn about his life and career. (more…)