What’s a Spine?
If you hang out with homeschoolers much, you might hear the phrase, “spine,” and wonder what on earth they’re talking about.
I wondered, and I asked a more experienced homeschooler.
A spine is a single book that is the basis for your study of a given subject for a given time. You’re not limited to that book, but that book forms the spine.
Here’s an example: For math, you may use the appropriate grade level text and workbook from Singapore Math, but in addition, you might play games from the Right Start Math collection, or Times Tales book.
That’s an easy example. You most often hear of spines with the study of history.
So for example, a family might choose The Story of the World, or The History of Us as their history spine, and in addition, they might use the Story of the World activity books, or videos from the library on the time in history they’re studying.
Why have a spine?
It helps keep you on track. “We’re studying ancient history right now, we’re using this book as our spine.” Then when you decide to get an educational video from the library, or visit a museum, you can choose a video or exhibit on ancient Egypt, or ancient Greece, or whatever you’re studying.
A theme like this just helps learn. There’s context, and reinforcement from a variety of sources.
It’s easy to work with a spine, and in a world of unlimited choices, it can be a relief to choose a spine and stick with it!
What can be a spine?
Anything! Obvious choices are history series, like the ones mentioned above, but it’s not the only way to go.
We’re using the Dear America Series as our spine for American history; and Royal Diaries, for our spine for ancient history.
I felt sheepish about this, using “regular” books for history. But more experienced homeschooling friends put it into perspective for me. They said,
“You’re using historical fiction as your spine for history.”
I felt better about it then. Which is why I wanted to bring it up.
Even things that can seem like an unorthodox choice can be valid learning choices. In fact, they can even be superior choices. If the Dear America books are engaging, and invite further exploration of different times in history, well, then that’s a good way to learn.
It’s hard sometimes, as adults who went to school to let go of the idea that learning has to look a certain way. That history means a dull textbook and learning about wars and memorizing dates.
If your student (aka child) is engaged by historical fiction, then that’s a valid choice. I mention that for the new homeschoolers, because I know it can be hard to de-school yourself and explore new, more fun ways of learning.
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What’s your history spine? Do you use The Story of the World or The History of Us? Post a comment below, or submit a review. Thanks!
November 8th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Last year we studied American history, using the Landmark History of the American People by Boorstin as a spine. ( http://www.sonlight.com/3H29.html )
It’s a fascinating, challenging book and *I* learned a lot– I think every adult should read it.
We use Sonlight because good literature is such a huge part of the program. Some favorites last year (all related to American history) were The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Caddie Woodlawn & Diary of an Early American Boy. It’s hard to pick though, there were so many!
This year is a little different; studying the Eastern Hemisphere and doing a lot of research into individual countries using the World Book Encyclopedia. We’re having a lot of fun cooking foods, watching movies, and doing art projects related to the countries we’re studying. She threw a “luau” when we studied Hawaii and the Pacific islands.
November 8th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
I will check out that book, the Landmark History of the American People, thanks. I added it to my amazon wish list.
November 8th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
You can borrow mine if you’d like.