How can you teach young students to think independently, analyze different sources, create an argument in history and express it in speech and in writing? The Classical Historian’s DVD seminar, Teaching the Socratic Discussion in History, created by John De Gree, shows parents and teachers a simple, accessible approach for reading, understanding, and teaching history with the Socratic method. Teaching the Socratic Discussion in History is based on a simple premise: to understand history and engage students, we must ask open-ended questions and have access to honest history texts. We therefore promote oral discussion, as opposed to fill-in-the-blank homework, as the best way to cultivate a love of history at every level. This approach greatly reduces the demands on the teacher, who need not be an expert, but is free instead to assume the role of fellow learner beside his or her students.

What Next?

Are you a classroom or home school teacher looking for resources to make history engaging, exciting, and interesting?
​Are you someone who feels like they know practically nothing about history and need some help to catch up, or are you a lover of history who wants to inspire others to appreciate the past?

The Classical Historian began with the goal of providing supplemental Socratic discussion materials for the classroom teacher. Because of our current educational circumstances in America we have become a trusted source in history texts as well.   We have guided folks to thoughtfully question and discuss the past.  Teachers and parents have used our materials 
​to raise independent and thoughtful children. We are always looking for new ways to bring about more questions and understanding through print materials, videos, podcasts, and games.
TEACHERS
  • ​Curriculum bundles provide teachers with complete history curriculum materials for grades 6-12 for use in the home school, co-op, or classrooms. Each bundle comes with the history text, the Socratic discussion supplemental materials, and recommended primary source readings. 
  • Classical Historian Games are unique, educational, and fun. Instead of drilling students to memorize facts, our games use creative methods to get students to speak, think, and interact with each other while learning history. Games form an important part of The Classical Historian classroom.​​
  • Exceptionalism are  important pieces to an American education. ​America’s Federal Holidays, The True Story, succeeds in this task by focusing on America’s eleven federal holidays, teaching each one from the perspective of the inspiration behind America’s heroes.
  • The Story of Liberty shows students how America is part of the great Western Civilization.
  • Join a community of fellow history teachers by enrolling in The Dolphin Society. ​Here you find a plethora of resources to support you in your pursuit, including The Story of Liberty video course,  America's Federal Holidays, articles and biographies, audio materials,  teacher resources - classroom management tips, more in depth suggestions for all years of classes,  a book club and a Teacher Forum.
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ASPIRING HISTORIANS
Some home school parents and beginning history teachers feel like they do not know enough history to teach and they want a quick way to catch up on all that history they never learned in school. We recommend you start with
  • The Story of Liberty, America’s Ancient Heritage through the Civil War This book teaches how America was formed as part of Western Civilization and explains the meaning of important events in ancient and medieval times as they relate to American history. 
  • World History Detective This book goes into greater detail in the ancient and medieval history.
  • Check out our podcast, My Life Under Communism, as it shows you how many people of the world today live under oppression. Knowing how life is in other countries helps us understand our own home better. It also shows us how our Western heritage is so important, and that it is under threat today.​
  • The Dolphin Society is our history teacher’s club. Teachers and Aspiring Historians come here to learn from hundreds of podcast hours, video lessons, and history lessons. Join John De Gree in the monthly history book club or in the monthly Office Hours for conversation and inspiration.
GLAD YOU VISITED.
​HOPE TO SEE YOU AROUND!
Need to Find a History Class for your Student/s?
The Classical Historian Online Academy provides year-long courses in history for grades 3-12. Each of our classrooms use The Classical Historian curriculum or approach. Younger kids are introduced to the history material in a fun and engaging way. Starting in Middle School,  students learn how to think independently, analyze different sources, create an argument in history, and express it in speech and in writing. Students like our courses because they get to think and engage with their classmates and teacher.