The CONNECT Method™
Each volume of Connecting with History is organized by Units
This format provides flexibility, allowing the program to fit comfortably into any family or academic setting regardless of the number of students or possible special needs of those children.
The units are chronological: each unit covers a specific range of dates and the people/events which occurred during that time period. The units are also thematic: a theme (for example, Justice) is highlighted to find a deeper meaning within God's plan for His people in history.
Each unit is organized using a six-step process called the CONNECT Method™
The word CONNECT is used as an acronym to walk you through the activities included in each unit of the program. We have found in our own homes that following these six steps allows for an exciting and organized study of history, as well as allowing an integration of literature, writing, and geography with history.
The six steps of the CONNECT Method™ are:
Step One, Consider
To help you prepare for each unit we provide optional reading recommendations for the teacher and older students as well as open-ended discussion questions for introducing the topics and themes of the unit to younger students.
Step Two, Overview
This includes articles to provide an introduction to the time period and major themes of the unit.
Step Three, Notebook
Each child keeps his/her work in a 3-ring binder which becomes a record of their work and their own "history text" which can be added to each year. The notebook section of each unit provides dates/people/events for adding to your timeline, writing assignments, hands-on activities, geography assignments, as well as copy and memory work selections (poems, Bible verses, quotations related to the unit's theme).
Step Four, Explore
For each age level we provide charts that include daily reading assignments from core texts, works of non-fiction coordinated with the core text readings for the unit, as well as literature and historical fiction reading suggestions. We have found that this combination of genres enhances the student's understanding and enjoyment of history. Textbooks provide an outline of events; non-fiction books provide more detailed information and opportunities for research; literature and historical fiction bring historical events to life allowing the student to "experience" a time period in a more personal way.
Step Five, Concentrate
As the students spend time reading and studying history, they can begin to "specialize" in a specific aspect of the unit and work on individual projects or research. This can give each student a chance to become an "expert" on a particular topic that is of special interest to them. For instance, one child may be particularly interested in architecture and want to focus on the building methods of the culture while another child may want to research the mythology of the same culture. These specializations will then culminate in Step Six.
Step Six, Tell
This last step is a chance for each student to share what they have learned through presentations, reports, maps, artwork, crafts, drama, costumes, or anything that a child has worked on during the unit. These can be presented to the other family members as a way to sum up what they have learned and share their expertise.
The Tell step can be anything from a "show and tell" night for dad, to a presentation to friends, or a family history party with food and costumes. You decide what fits your family's personality.