Lunchtime History

 Our usual homeschool schedule involves history at lunchtime. Meaning, while the boys eat, I read our chapter aloud and we talk about it.

This year we're doing part 2 of an American History 2-part book series and I like it well enough as an overview. We'll need to go back and explore some things more closely, but it's still been very interesting and timely.

Today, we hit the 60s and 70s initial overview with a focus on the Presidents of those years and their major achievements / the situation in the world during their term.

And when we got to Carter losing in 1980 it sparked off a long, really interesting discussion about the Electoral College that isn't in the book, but that by golly I'm going to do my part to make sure my kids understand.

It was a fun discussion - and eldest went from "That's stupid, we should just count votes." to actually understand what the would do to cause massive levels of disenfranchisement. And when we stopped, before moving on, he looked at me thoughtfully and said:

Him: "So, if we moved to a popular vote, and all those people in the middle stopped having any ability to influence the elections, then it would sort of be like why the American Colonies got together to revolt against the British, right?"

Me - inwardly bursting with pride: "Why do you say that?"

Him: "Well, it's be taxation without representation, effectively, right?"

Me: "Yes. Yes it would."

Him: "The electoral college sounds dumb at first, but it's really pretty smart."

Yes. Yes it is. 

Some days, I finish school thinking that maybe, at least today, they learned.