All fall classes are open for registration! Click on "Current Classes" to register.
The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.
Winston Churchill
About Hands On History
Why Study History?
Why should your child study history? It's simple: studying history engages one's mind in problem-solving and critical thinking, and provides insights into human behavior, societal patterns, and the consequences of our actions: it is a deeply analytical pursuit. The problem is that too often history is taught as a collection of dates and names meant to be vomited back up for some sort of exam, and students are not allowed to experience the past in a way that engages their minds and imaginations.
Hands On History exists to come alongside parents and make history enrichment easier. As a busy homeschool parent, it's not always easy to plan and execute the activities that make history come alive, so let Hands On History do the heavy lifting!
The Hands On History Approach
At Hands On History we don't believe in rote memorization or dry facts. Students need to get their hands on the past, both physically and metaphorically. Sometimes that means learning a dance or playing a game that was popular 200 years ago. Sometimes that means reading a primary source and engaging with it like a contemporary. Sometimes that means making a mummy or writing with a quill. Our classes and workshops seek to engage students' minds through their bodies with the use of activities, projects, and Socratic discussion.
Our Classes
Hands On History offers a variety of classes, including project-based history classes (create, craft, and collaborate around a time period or theme, like Frontier Life or Ancient Greece) which are a strong supplement to your homeschool history studies, American Folk Dance classes, and more "traditional" courses conducted in the Socratic method. We will be expanding our offerings soon to include one-time workshops for historic handicrafts. Stay tuned!
Click below to see our current class offerings.
About The Teacher
Who am I?
Hi, I'm Rebecca! I founded Hands On History to share my passion for the past. I hold an MA in Teaching and degrees in History and the Classics. I have taught in both public and private schools, and have instructed all grades from preK to college. I'm a classical Charlotte Mason homeschool mom, perpetual educator, Christ follower, and I never quit playing dress up. When I'm not teaching, you can find me reading manuscripts as a freelance copy editor. My favorite weekends are spent with my daughters being out in nature, and my second favorites are the ones I spend teaching historical dance at folk festivals. I enjoy a variety of fiber arts (when I have the time), making jam, and love learning to do things the slow way. I am also passionate about nature conservation, and volunteer as a sub-permitted wildlife rehabber, caring for injured and orphaned wildlife.
My Favorite Things
I do love raindrops on roses AND whiskers on kittens. A guaranteed way to make me happy is to take me to a museum or bookstore. My favorite historical time periods are ancient history (Egypt, Greece, and Rome), medieval history, the Renaissance, and Texas history. I think about the Roman Empire every day.
A Love Story
I fell in love with history when I was 7 years old. My parents took me to an exhibit of artifacts from Pompeii, and as I knelt down next to the glass case with one of the body casts I asked about the jewelry I could see. They explained to me what the cast was and how old it was, and my world suddenly expanded! I had to know everything about what had come before me, and I've never stopped being curious.