November 11, 1918 the Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Palace of Versailles in France ending World War I.

The war ended on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour (11 a.m.).

In honor of the agreement signed, Armistice Day was established and celebrated each year.

Woodrow Wilson, the president during World War I, said this when establishing Armistice Day.

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”

Every year Armistice Day was celebrated until after World War II.  After World War II, it was changed to Veteran’s Day to honor all of those who has served in any war, whether living or dead.

Our fathers’ God to Thee,

Author of liberty,

To Thee we sing

.Long may our land be bright,

With freedom’s holy light,

Protect us by Thy might,

Great God our King.

Thank you to all who have served and are serving.  We salute you.

I really tried to find a bigger navy insignia but this is all I found.

Originally posted in 2012

Other ways to enhance your study

While I use Greenleaf for a guideline of what chapters to read, I also try and look for opportunities for a fun craft I could do along with out reading. (I have gotten away from this with my daughter but I’m thinking it would be good to add back in.  I think she’s ready for it.) 

Use a history notebook

My kids had a history notebook (I believe Susan Wise Bauer recommends this) and when we read about Moses I had the children draw a picture of the burning bush.  When we read about Moses and the plagues, we made an origami frog that hopped.  Before the kids added the frog to their history notebook they had a race to see whose frog was the fastest hopper. 

Ways to show you’re learning

We did not add something to our notebook at every reading.  I remember one time that we acted out the story of Moses’ rescue from the Nile.  We placed a baby doll into a basket the boys had woven with paper strips.  

Learn about the Nile River.  Research crocodiles.  Have them draw a picture of a crocodile and add some facts on crocodiles to their pictures.  Study leporasy when you read about Miriam.  If your child is too young to write, have them give you an oral narration and you write it for them.  Cut out tablets from brown paper bags  and write the 10 Commandments.  With the stories of Moses, you can really get a lot of ideas.

Related books become a family read-aloud

If there are books whose setting is in Old Testament times, read those aloud to the kids.  Currently we are reading The Hittite Warriorwhich covers the time of Deborah, Balak & Sisera in the book of Judges.  (Note:  The Hittite Warrior can be a little graphic, so you may want to edit it when you’re reading to your younger children.)  Another book set in Bible times is Nehemiah the Cup Bearer.

Picture This!

Picture This! by Dan & Juanene Peters is a new addition to our study of the Old Testament.  In a future post, I would like to give a review on it.  My daughter has really enjoyed this book and it has been a tremendous help in catching her interest for the readings we do.

Here’s an example of what she’s been doing.

For even more reasons why you should study the Old Testament read what Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 6.

I decided to look on the Internet for castles from that time period.

Here’s a few that I found…

Lindisfarne castle is located in England on the border between it and Scotland.  Not only did it see the English and Scots fight but Vikings frequented the area.  Irish monks built the abbey’s foundation on a point of land that was accessible only during low tide.  All the stones from that abbey were used to build the castle that is there now in the 1500’s.

Dover Castle in Kent, England was/is in a strategic location – England’s closest point to continental Europe.  In WWII, its tunnels were used for secret operations and radio and telephone communications could be sent without the enemy’s knowledge.

Caerphilly Castle is located in Wales and was built in the 1200’s.  It is the 2nd largest castle in Britain, Windsor Castle being the largest.  At the time it was built it was the most thought out and best castle in terms of defense and is considered to be the first truly concentric castle in Britain.  (I’m still not sure what this is supposed to mean entirely.)  The tower to the right of the castle still stands even though some tried to destroy it.

Conwy Castle, located also in Wales and built in the 1200’s, has walls that are spread over 1 mile long and are nearly 30′  in height.  In places, the walls are 15′ thick.  The castle has 22 towers and 3 gates. 

This castle (San Gimigniano) is located in Italy.  I found it interesting to read that many of the castles were built because of feuding families and aristocrats.  By law, the castle towers had to be less than 200′ high.  The towers are joined with other families that were aligned together by bridges.

Vincennes Castle, located in France, was built in the 1300’s and was a residence for Kings.  It was built using strict mathematics giving it almost perfect symmetry.

And lastly, I leave you with a Scottish castle, which is Russell’s (my dh) heritage – the Edinburgh Castle.  This is England’s strongest and most important castle and was home to the Kings and Queens that reigned throughout the years.  It started as a fort but through the years walls were built making it into a castle.  The walls you see from the outside today were built in the 1400’s but within are 11th century walls – the oldest found in Scotland.  James VI was born here in 1566 and became King of the Scots when he was 13 months old, after his mother, Mary Queen of Scots died. (thanks Beth for the correction – Mary Queen of Scots and Bloody Mary were not the same person as I had originally stated)