Finding an online history class for elementary children that is truly interesting is a real challenge. Using the American Girl historical books as a framework, Open Tent Academy offers a fascinating American Girl history class that is educational and designed just for young learners.
Like all Open Tent Academy courses, Exploring History Through American Girls is a creative, interactive class taught by an experienced virtual teacher. Personally, my 9-year old daughter is finishing her first 10-week segment of the course and is excited to enroll in the Winter session.
Trust me- I know that signing up for a 10-week online class is a commitment. Quality virtual classes aren’t cheap- read below for some details to help you determine if this course will be a good fit for your learner and your family. The good news for you as a homeschooling parent? It’s a class your young children can complete on their own.
What:
What is an Online American Girl History Class?
If you are new to online learning, it’s basically bringing the classroom to your child’s fingertips. Each segment of the Exploring History Through American Girls course is 10 weeks in duration. You can sign your child up for one segment or all three (lasting a full school year- fall, winter, and spring).
When:
The live, interactive class is held via Jigsaw (like Zoom) once weekly for 90 minutes. One American Girl historical book is assigned every two weeks. In class, topics for discussion vary in scope from geography, lifestyles, and customs during the different time periods. Providing a social outlet, the class allows children to safely connect with peers in a virtual classroom.
How:
The course is set-up in an organized fashion in the Canvas platform. Students can access Canvas via their laptop, Chromebook, or device (via the Canvas app). Learners are allowed to communicate during the class using chat and occasionally microphones and webcams.
Why:
The class is an innovative way to teach young learners history. If your child is like mine, she will also be reinspired to get off electronics and set up a tea party with her favorite doll- a win aside from the history learnings.
Weekly homework assignments are relevant and fun and include (examples only):
- Reading (various American Girl historical books)
- Journaling (your child will put themselves in a character’s shoes)
- Mapping (a short mapping exercise will be assigned)
- Project (a project will be assigned that your child can put together themselves and is honestly fun and interesting!)
Important Things To Know:
A major benefit of the class is the interaction your child will have with others. They will get to see the projects their classmates create, which will further inspire their interest in history. That said, if you choose, your child can view the recordings instead of attending the ‘live’ online session.
All grading is done by the instructor in a timely fashion and is included in the course registration fee.
Our Honest Review
This isn’t your average, boring history class. Let your child try one of the 10-week sessions of the online American Girl history class through Open Tent Academy. I already was a huge fan of the American Girl historical books and now I have a resource to enhance learning from the text.
The teacher is extremely enthusiastic, engaging, and brings the American Girls to life for her students. I wish I could go back and relearn history through this class (wait, I CAN with my daughter!).
If you have read any of our other Open Tent Academy reviews, you already know that this organization is independently owned and the teacher of this class is actually the owner of the program. Thus, you can get quick answers to any questions you have from a real (caring) person. Your child will not be taught by a robot, but instead a passionate educator who is there for your family.
One last thing- I promise the homework isn’t dull worksheets- instead, homework is well thought out, project-based learning that students won’t roll their eyes over.
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