Civics/Government
Help your child to become an active citizen by incorporating civics education into your homeschooling plan. Learn about the federal and Colorado government, how to contact your legislators, how government works, and more.
Things to See & Do in Colorado
Denver Firefighters Museum
The Denver Firefighters Museum is located in an historic firehouse, built in 1909. The collection includes firefighting equipment dating back to the days when horses provided the locomotion. Learn all about the games that firefighters used to hone their skills, the big Denver fires that they have fought, and how trained horses and dogs helped the firefighting effort. Try on a firefighter's uniform and visit the gift shop, which offers many hard-to-find firefighting memorabilia and souvenirs.
United States Mint Tour
Touring the United States Mint is a fascinating experience for those of all ages and one that will be remembered for a lifetime. Tours cover both the present state of coin manufacturing as well as the history of the Mint. Learn about the craftsmanship required at all stages of the minting process, from the original designs and sculptures to the actual striking of the coins. There is a also a gift shop at this location selling commemorative coins, books, games, and other souvenirs. There are some security procedures associated with your visit. Be sure to check their website for their current security status. The U.S. Mint at Denver offers free tours of its production facilities.
Museum of Colorado Prisons
Cañon City, in southern Colorado, is the home of the Museum of Colorado Prisons, a showcase of the atmosphere and exhibits of days, staff, and inmates gone by. The remodeled facility now welcomes visitors to explore the history of Colorado Corrections. Audio tours guide visitors through 32 cells filled with exciting exhibits and life sized models that link the past to the present in dramatic presentation. Other artifacts and exhibits include: The hangman's noose used for the last execution by hanging in Colorado; confiscated inmate weapons and contraband; the gas chamber; rare, historic photographs depicting life in prison facilities; displays of disciplinary paraphernalia used from 1871 to the present; Federal Bureau of Prisons display; Inmate Arts and Crafts; and a Gift Shop.
Third Armored Cavalry Museum
Located on Fort Carson, this museum offers a look at regimental history. Admission is free.
Activities & Experiments
How to Create a Midde School/High School Political Science Club
Tips for creating a political science club.
TeenPact Leadership Schools
TeenPact is a dynamic, hands-on leadership school for Christian students. Their mission is to train youth to understand the political process, value their liberty, defend their Christian faith and engage the culture at a time in their lives when, typically, they do not care about such things. The core program consists of the State Classes offered around the country.
H.E.A.R.T.S. - Homeschoolers: Educating, Assisting, & Reaching-out Through Service
H.E.A.R.T.S.' goal is to join together a diverse and inclusive group of homeschoolers in community service projects – to increase public awareness, understanding, and acceptance of homeschoolers and homeschooling through combined service, outreach, and public relations efforts.
Teaching Tips & Ideas
TeenPact
TeenPact is a comprehensive leadership experience that challenges students to grow both personally and spiritually. During TeenPact, students meet and interact with other Christian young people and leaders from across their state. The first step in the TeenPact Leadership School is the State Capitol Four-Day Class for ages 13-18. Here students learn about the political process and the basics of state government. The students then move onto a behind the scenes look at how their state government works. Workshops focus on the political process, parliamentary procedure, public speaking, and the bill-to-law legislative process.
H.E.A.R.T.S. - Homeschoolers: Educating, Assisting, & Reaching-out Through Service
H.E.A.R.T.S.' goal is to join together a diverse and inclusive group of homeschoolers in community service projects – to increase public awareness, understanding, and acceptance of homeschoolers and homeschooling through combined service, outreach, and public relations efforts.
Online Resources
Colorado General Assembly
The Colorado General Assembly's official website. Includes contact information for each House and Senate member, along with session information and details on current pending legislation.
House Joint Resolution 05-1040
Recognition of April 8, 2005, as Home Education Day in Colorado.
Support
Colorado-HEARTS
This is a discussion list for the Colorado chapter of H.E.A.R.T.S., which stands for: Homeschoolers Educating, Assisting, and Reaching-out Through Service. Begun in New Jersey by a homeschooling activist named Michele Pulis, this program encourages homeschooling families to get involved and to help make a difference.
Featured Resources
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A Child's Story of America
This text reads like a story book more than a history textbook. This book has a decidedly Christian bent. Students are given a comprehensive overview of U.S. history from Columbus to the present. Review questions are included throughout, as well as helpful maps. The text contains numerous pictures and large print. An optional test packet and answer key is available.
LeapPad Game - Mind Wars Jr. Interactive Game
Bring a friend and try this brand new way to play with your LeapPad! Race around the board in this fast-paced, wonderfully wacky game. Be the first to close all five windows and you will become the Mind Wars master and learn important 1st and 2nd grade skills in math, language arts, life science, physical science, and social studies!
Noah Webster's Reading Handbook
This is the historic text (originally called the Blue-Backed Speller) that has been updated to teach phonics/beginning reading. The blends and words in this reader are arranged to correlate with the sequence in which the special phonics sounds are taught. This reader is an invaluable teaching tool for children who need extra practice in the application of phonics rules. Find out more here.
The Well-Ordered Home: Organizing Techniques for Inviting Serenity into Your Life
Organizing the home is one of those desirable and beneficial activities that remain elusive for many. This practical guide explains the many benefits - physical, emotional, and spiritual - of an organized home and shows how to attain them. Breaking down the process into 50 steps, the author uses her own experiences as a psychologist and professional home organizer to help readers clear away not only the physical clutter but the psychological blocks that encourage it and hinder organization. She ...
Guiding Your Catholic Preschooler
There can be no greater delight in parenting than passing on the Faith to the next generation. To help with that glorious responsibility comes Guiding Your Catholic Preschooler, a parents handbook to home-based religious instruction for the youngest members of the family. Filled with practical ideas, developmental guidelines, and a contagious enthusiasm for the treasures of the Catholic Faith, this exciting guide makes raising truly Catholic kids one of life s greatest pleasures. Recommended in ...