Homeschoolers are becoming more and more common in Pennsylvania, and with that, many parents are wondering how they can best teach their children the history of their home state. Pennsylvania is very rich in history, ranging from being part of the original 13 colonies to its more modern day advancements in industry, technology, and education. With all that to learn, how much Pennsylvania history should parents teach to their students?
Should they stick to the basics, or delve deeper into the more complex and intricate aspects? What milestones in the state’s history are important to teach?
In evaluating these questions, this article seeks to demonstrate for parents the need for a comprehensive approach to teaching Pennsylvania history to homeschoolers.
How Important is it to Teach Pennsylvania History?
In order for parents to answer the question of how much Pennsylvania history they should teach to their homeschoolers, they first must evaluate how important it is to teach Pennsylvania history in the first place. The answer is that it is very important. Pennsylvania was one of the original 13 colonies, which is one of the most historically significant aspects of American history.
Additionally, the state has had a large influence on the nation’s manufacturing, industrial, and technological growth. In fact, Pennsylvania was the birthplace of the United States steel industry.
Furthermore, the state lays claim to a large number of renowned universities and colleges, most notably U Penn and Carnegie Mellon. And, of course, Pennsylvania is the site of the historic The Battle of Gettysburg. All of these factors taken together clearly show that learning the history of Pennsylvania is important for understanding the history of the U.
S. as a whole.
What Should I Teach About Pennsylvania History?
When it comes to what parents should teach their children about the history of Pennsylvania, it is important to strike a balance between the basics and the more intricate details. For the basics, parents should focus on teaching the more obvious historical facts, such as Pennsylvania’s role as one of the original colonies and the events leading up to the Revolutionary War.
From there, parents can focus more specifically on the role Pennsylvania had in the American Revolution and the American Civil War, as well as its post-war progress and development. Parents can also go more in depth on Pennsylvania’s more recent history, such as its prominent contributions to the world’s industrial, technological, and educational innovation.
What Are the Milestones in Pennsylvania History?
When it comes to teaching the history of Pennsylvania, parents can provide their homeschoolers with an even more complete understanding by teaching about the milestones in Pennsylvania’s history. These milestones can be broken down into three distinct eras, beginning with Pennsylvania’s days as a colony. During this time, key events such as the Quaker migration, the land dispute between Maryland and Pennsylvania, and the formation of the first government are all important milestones to discuss.
Next, parents should cover Pennsylvania’s revolutionary period, focusing on important events such as the Battle of Brandywine, the Battle of Germantown, and the signing of the U. S.
Constitution. Finally, parents should discuss Pennsylvania’s modern day accomplishments, such as the development of the American steel industry, the rise of the transportation industry, and the modern-day development of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. ConclusionPennslyvania is one of the most historically significant states in the United States, and it is important that parents of homeschoolers understand how much Pennsylvania history their children should learn.
In order to provide the most complete and comprehensive understanding of Pennsylvania’s past, parents should focus on teaching both the basic facts and the more intricate details, as well as the major milestones in Pennsylvania’s history. Such a comprehensive approach will ensure that homeschoolers receive a well-rounded understanding of the history of their home state.