The kids and I spent a good portion of last year's school year studying modern history. We focused heavily on World War II. Though we are moving through an Ancient History cycle this year, there are always opportunities to learn more deeply about things previously studied.
I have been enjoying Karen Edmisten's posts that highlight various WWII historical fiction books. She has reviewed a number of them (which I have linked below) and also tackled the difficult question of how to present World War II to children.
Karen's book reviews:
I recently read a touching story about Irena Sendler (pictured above), a Polish woman being honored for saving 2,500 Jewish babies during the Holocaust. Read her heroic story here. (HT: Willa) Here is a beautiful woman who not only risked her own life but also put her family in great danger to help the helpless.
Two weeks ago, my oldest son had an opportunity to speak with a World War II veteran who was present during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I realize that we do not have many more years left in which we can talk with and thank the veterans of World War II. Many of these men are well into their eighties and nineties.
My husband's grandfather is a veteran. I was thinking that it would be a good experience for Locksley to interview his great grandfather and be able to hear his experiences while serving during the Second World War. This would be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about WWII as well as our own family's history.
