FAQ
Q: What are Great Picture Books?
A: Your AHEP team evaluates and reviews picture books based on four criteria:
1) Does the book have a strong connection to elements of American Exceptionalism?
We want books that illustrate critical elements of American Exceptionalism from each of the three primary areas: Political, Civic Culture, and Free Enterprise. We also want them to capture key historical moments.
2) Is it a good story?
If the book doesn’t tell a good story, it doesn’t matter how strongly it connects to American Exceptionalism. The story should capture the interest of the child as well as the parent and grandparent. The story should be interesting enough so that it can be read multiple times. We also want the stories to be uplifting, inspiring examples of America’s march toward achieving its goals. Stories that lend themselves to follow-on activities are also preferred.
3) Are the illustrations good?
These are picture books – the art is an integral part of telling the story. The illustrations should help propel the story and engage the readers on every page. For younger readers, the art can be more important than the words.
4) Is the book appropriate for the age of the child?
Some themes may not be appropriate for younger children. These should be identified and parents warned ahead of time so they can apply their own judgment.
Q: Is AHEP just a bunch of picture books?
A: No! Your AHEP team has designed and tested 10-12 fun, hands-on activities to accompany every Great Picture Book. These activities constitute an AHEP module with the goal of enhancing the story and lessons.
Q: What are traditional American values? What is American exceptionalism?
A: Your AHEP team believes traditional American values constitute the cultural core of what makes America exceptional among nations. These values are the building blocks of the American Dream: self-reliance, strong work ethic, equality of opportunity, voluntary associations, rule of law, limited government, E Pluribus Unum, Liberty, and In God We Trust.
Q: Is AHEP just for homeschooling families?
A: No! AHEP modules are flexible enough that they can be used for afterschooling too. Families using AHEP for afterschooling usually spread the modules out over a longer period of time (e.g., two weeks or weekends).
Q: Can AHEP modules be used in a homeschool co-op?
A: Yes! AHEP modules are easily adaptable for a co-op setting with one to a few teachers and several kids. AHEP is suitable for micro-schools and even traditional classroom settings.
Learning American History in a group setting, through Great Picture Books and AHEP's hands-on activities, can be fascinating and fun for all involved. Not only are the kids learning from the modules but they are also learning from each other.
Below are some concrete suggestions for leveraging AHEP in a homeschool co-op based on the experience of a Christian homeschool co-op in northern Virginia that adapted AHEP modules for a year-long course in American History. The class meets weekly for one hour and there are 10-12 students attending.
Give the students an activity to do while you are reading the story to them. The Timeline Activity (see below) is a good way to keep their hands busy while they are listening.
Relax and spread the module over 2-3 weeks. One hour usually isn’t enough time to cover the material, especially with the questions and discussions that ensue with several students. The unplanned discussions are sometimes the most valuable learning opportunities.
Leverage the unplanned discussions and questions. After the first class, ask the students to go home and research a question, and then report back to the group at the next class.
Select and adapt the activities to the ages, interests, and numbers in the group. You might only be able to do a couple of activities or you might be able to squeeze in half a dozen. Just make sure to keep the learning fun!
Maps are key. Have a large classroom map, preferably one you can write on with dry erase markers, for geography discussions. You will want a map of the United States and possibly a world map as well if you are covering the world wars and/or immigration.
Timeline Exercise: Add the date of the story to a timeline. Then make a drawing on the timeline to illustrate the event (e.g., Statue of Liberty for Dreaming of America, gears or lightbulbs for The Inventor’s Secret, Liberty Bell for The 4th of July Story).
We would love to see more co-ops, micro-schools, and learning pods leveraging the American History Education Project. Please let us know if you need help establishing one. We are happy to help publicize it and help you connect with other like-minded families. You can reach us at ahep1776@gmail.com.
Q: Does a module have to be completed in five days?
A: No! Many families need to skip a day or days. Again, the key is flexibility for the busy homeschooling (or afterschooling) family.
Q: Is it best to work through the modules in chronological order?
A: No! We developed and tested the modules as we found appropriate picture books. We also found it useful to emphasize some modules around holidays (e.g., Memorial Day, Independence Day, Constitution Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas). However, the modules are listed in chronological order on our website for those who want to take a methodical approach.
Q: Are you planning any more modules? How many?
A: Yes! There are several important American historical events AHEP does not cover yet. We are still researching and evaluating great picture books that treat these subjects in an age-appropriate manner. Please send your suggestions for both books and topics to ahep1776@gmail.com.
Q: AHEP modules are a fantastic resource for our family! Why aren’t you charging money for them?
A: We started AHEP for our grandchildren and then decided other families might benefit from them also. In 2023 we formally registered AHEP as a non-profit corporation so we can solicit donations.
Q: Where can we get the great picture books AHEP uses?
A: We tried to select books that were easily obtainable from libraries, used book sellers, and online book sellers.
Q: Do you have any future plans for AHEP?
A: Yes!