This year we are studying from MIGHTY WORKS OF GOD: SELF GOVERNMENT. I did not write my own HisStory lessons this year…but I did want our principle this year to be SELF-GOVERNMENT so I felt this was an appropriate time to check this resource out and use it. I really like it. It gives several principles to discuss with your children for each chapter. I love how Mrs. Smith explains the concept of self-government, the concept of history being God’s story or HisStory, how she defines and explains government being direction and control. These lessons come in very small “sound-bites” if you will…very simple…nothing overwhelming to you or the child….but yet these topics are ‘heavy’ with meaning and application. I’m so grateful for this book because I don’t know if I’d be able to explain these difficult concepts and then offer such comprehensive reflective and reasoning questions. Even though the lessons are simple the concepts are not. The lessons conclude with an assignment to record the principle in the child’s notebook or print out an activity sheet. Most of the time the child just has to record one sentence. I just add on additional questions for my daughter to answer and write about, if I see the need. I sometimes add in my own application(if God gives me one) and my own questions for reflection in addition to what’s there. Some people may feel it is too simplistic but I love the freedom to be able to add on additional activities if I so desire or additional writing prompts. There are days when what is there is sooooo sufficient depending on how our day is going and how tired we all are. It is perfect for us for where we are right now!!

Some of the principle we have disussed and learned about so far are:

History is His Story

Studying History will help us to recognize God’s Hand as he works in the lives of men and nations.

God commands us to remember all H has done for us as individuals and nations.

Government is direction and control.

If I govern myself well, I will not need others to control me.

God has a plan for civil government.

1. We are using Ms. Smith’s history books, too.
   This year we are studying Divine Providence.

   I appreciate the teacher’s guide so much. It is almost a tutor in how to use Principle Approach.

   Comment by Renae — October 14, 2007 @ 12:34 am

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