Did you know that Abraham Lincoln wrote poetry? He also wrote several letters to Stephen Douglas prior  to their infamous debates. You can read one of his poems and some of the letters, in Lincoln’s own  handwriting, online at the Library of Congress. I know I can be pretty nerdy and I do love history more  than many people, but when I discovered these primary source documents and realized that they  were within a few clicks on the computer of being in my grasp, I became giddy! By the way, Lincoln had less than perfect handwriting!

In our American History I high school curriculum, we teach students about primary source documents:

Letters, diaries, legal documents and photographs all may be considered primary sources as well as other documents created during the actual time period in history being studied.  Primary sources contain first-hand accounts or contain direct evidence of historical events.

Just as a detective looks for the details of first-hand accounts and evidence to help him solve crimes, an Epi Kardia student uses primary source materials to acquire a thorough study of history.

Primary source documents present a beautifully relevant way to help our students examine the truth in history. So often, our children read books that present historical figures and events as biased, based on the author’s own opinions and impressions. Primary source documents leave less room for such error. Bias can occur innocently or with malice. It can also be extreme, with one author presenting all of our founding fathers as pure men of God while another author focuses only on their human weaknesses. Neither of these extremes is realistic or healthy for our children to study. We know that all men are born with a sin nature and can only be saved by the grace of God, and what we really desire is for our children (and for us) to learn from other people’s mistakes, rather than repeat them. History, when studied properly, is a wonderful tool for seeing God in all things, even the past.

Some examples of primary source materials from our American History I course include:

• Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography – You can’t read Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography without hearing a hint of arrogance, or at least an abundance of confidence. The words are his exclusively and he knew what he was writing when he wrote it to his son. It’s fascinating to learn about the man while examining his historical contributions, as well.
• Benjamin Banneker’s letter to President Thomas Jefferson - pleading on behalf of slaves, Banneker’s humbleness and intelligence could never be questioned. I was emotionally moved when I first read this letter as it moved slavery from a philosophical issue to a real life event for me. Banneker’s character is revealed through the letter as he demonstrates his compassion for slaves and his respect for Thomas Jefferson, the President of the United States.
• Photographs from the Civil War – these sources offer a realistic and sometimes devastating view demonstrating the affects and seriousness of war.
• Strategy Maps from the Civil War – Maps created and used during various time periods offer a   clearer picture of specific battles and allows students to see the tools that soldiers worked with during that time.

The value of primary source documents when studying history can’t be overstated. The interest level for students tends to be much higher if they feel connected to the history they’re studying. They can relate better to a historical character when they realize that they’re studying a real person, and not a flat character from history who is only known for his accomplishments or failures.

With Epi Kardia, we strive to use primary source materials in our curriculum. In our recently published American History I, we incorporated all of the above examples and more. Through primary source books and internet sites,  Epi Kardia students have the opportunity to see the reality of history and the impact of primary sources makes history more memorable for many students.

The next time you choose curriculum, consider not just what you want your children to learn but also how you want them to learn. Living books, primary sources and other valuable materials create a path to learning that teaches children not only a specific subject matter, but also instills in them a methodology of learning and hopefully, a love for learning that will be useful to them all of their lives.

As you consider purchasing curriculum, don’t miss out on our current special! If you order our American History I by midnight on Monday, October 26^th, at our discounted introductory price of $34.95, you may also receive a second high school course of your choosing for half price*.  That’s a great savings on two courses!

At Epi Kardia, Dana and I have worked hard to create curriculum that teaches more than just content. We hope to empower you to instill in your children a love for learning and a Biblical worldview as well as the educational skills they need.

*Note: if you order online, your American History I curriculum order will show the reduced price, but the discount for your half off curriculum will not show up in your shopping cart until your credit card is actually processed. We do not process any credit cards until the order is actually shipped. Please let us know in the note section of your order form which curriculum you are ordering for the half price option.

In Christ,