Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion What bits of history do they like?

I'm working on my idea for NaNoWriMo, and I need to pick your brains--or those of your kiddos, rather!

What are their favorite bits of history, and the things that catch their fancy about the past? DS8 isn't really interested in history except as it pertains to math, so I'm not sure where today's kids (especially young GT) are.

My son is 7 and fascinated by the gory parts of history- like using trebuchets to throw diseased bodies over castle walls to infect others or medieval medicine and medical tools. He just likes anything gross!

DS19 really liked wars and the pioneer days, although he is fascinated by anything related to history. Disasters were also popular topics for him to study (Thera and the Minoans, Mt. Vesuvius...)

I enjoyed most parts of history growing up as well, with more of a focus on science and technology (such as medieval armor)...

DS7 likes Greek and Roman history the best. He is always enlightening me about some obscure fact that he just discovered!

DD8 prefers the late 1800's and early 1900's. I think this is because she has read more books from these times than any others. She loved The Little House on the Prairie books and a Canadian series about girls who lived during pioneer times - first world war.

If she could churn her own butter she would be the happiest kid ever.

DD7 likes anything to do with the wars in Ameircan History, her main interests are World War I & World War II. Part of the interest I believe is because her grandfather was a naval air pilot during World War II

Colonial America!

My daughter, now in 8th grade, has always disliked history. When traveling, she enjoys living history centers, but dislikes it as a subject.

I related to Nautigal. In her studies of Mexico, she enjoyed the calendars and numbering systems of early groups - the math of Social studies.

However, she has a teacher this year that is gifted. They are watching current events and she is into the news. For some reason, she is enjoying US History. Relating well to her teacher is so important for her and she is finally enjoying history.

This reminded me about my sister who LOVED colonial America. Almost everything she said started out with,"In Colonial times..." She wore the little bonnet at ALL times. And guess what? She now lives outside colonial Williamsburg Nan

DS5 currently likes World War II, which we are learning about through web reading and watching "The World at War". He also likes watching anything about medieval history on the History Channel, but we haven't done anything with that yet.