Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:
In addition to corresponding with troops overseas, there are many ways to bring the lessons of freedom closer to home. One option is to use current events to inform social studies in your homeschool.

For younger children, this could involve studying a particular geographical area—perhaps the location of a soldier to whom you have written. Use the library and the Internet to research that region’s history and culture. Try out some ethnic foods, crafts, and games. And make sure your children can identify the region, with its major landmarks, on a map.

Older children might study the region’s history. They can explore the role that the area has played in world events-from ancient times to the present day.

If you are homeschooling a high schooler, assign a study of the region’s political and diplomatic history. Have your student focus on questions such as, what steps led to the current conflict in that area of the world? What possible solutions could be implemented?

Finally, use current events to teach your children about the true meaning of citizenship. Soldiers are responsible for fulfilling their duty to their country, sometimes at great cost. We also have a duty to our country—that of being informed and active citizens. This might mean going outside our comfort zone—whether it’s writing a letter to the editor or volunteering for a political campaign—but these small sacrifices are crucial to helping our country maintain its freedom.

And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.