-by Mimi Rothschild

Incorporating what is happening in politics today into your homeschool lessons is a critical part of developing well-rounded, balanced students who are armed to face the world as they grow older. There is no better time to do so than now, with another presidential race in progress right before our eyes.

But what is the best way to draw your children in, and make it interesting? How do we instill in them the importance and gravity of selecting a leader for our country? It can be difficult, particularly with the media bias. It is quite evident that most national news networks favor liberal parties in their reporting. So the responsibility to provide your children with a true idea of what is happening in our country lies with you. Talk to them about the presidential race, and the candidates who are running. Explain to them, on their level, the difference in the views of each party, and what they both stand for. Encourage your children to ask questions, and take part in discussions about politics. Depending on their age, ask them to define what they believe to be the most important topics that our future president (and other political leaders) should stand behind.

Discussing current politics is also a great way to tie back into the subject of U.S. History, and remind your students of how this country was founded on freedom and democracy, and most importantly, Christian principles. Relay to them the importance of voting, when they come of age, and how critical it is that we all have a say in who leads this country. Every vote really does count, so make that clear to them at a young age. And don’t forget to make it fun. If you have two or more students, organize mock political debates so they have the opportunity to think critically and articulate. (Not to mention, this will also help with public speaking skills.)

Discussing the topic of government and politics is also a wonderful way to remind children of the importance of praying for our country, and its leaders, so be sure to include this in your devotional as well. If you make a point to work at incorporating current events into your daily lessons, your children are sure to benefit on many levels in the future. And so will our country. God bless America!

-by Mimi Rothschild

Constitution Day is celebrated in the United States on September 17th, since it was on September 17th, 1787 that thirty-nine brave men signed the original document. Now, 221 years later, we can celebrate this special day in our homeschool activities.

Read the Preamble of the Constitution to younger students and with older ones. It’s beautiful!

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Here’s the list of things the framers of the Constitution wanted it to do:

• form a more perfect union (make our country the best it can be)
• establish justice (make sure our country is fair and just)
• insure domestic tranquility (make sure we have peace in our country)
• provide for the common defense (defend our country against enemies)
• promote the general welfare (help people live well)
• secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity (keep freedom for ourselves and our children and their children on into the future)

Help your children say these things in their own words and draw pictures or write sentences describing these goals. Then discuss whether people who did these things for their country would be following the Word of God.

2 Samuel 23:3b-4 reminds us that “He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.”
Romans 13:4 says about the people in the government, “He is God’s servant to do you good.”

Finish with a prayer of thanksgiving for the Constitution!