Homeschooling Means...#30

...using the Newsies musical as a jumping off spot for an extra history lesson.

The girls and I got to see a stage production of The Music Man with grandma, which prompted us to borrow the 1962 version on DVD and watch it as a family. It's a fun musical and Hubby has fond memories of being the high tenor voice in the barbershop quartet when his high school performed it. But it's a weird story! And the kids annoyed us with their rendition of "Shipoopi" for a few days so I decided we needed to watch another musical to get that song out of their heads.

Unfortunately, Netflix's current selection of classic musicals is lacking. But even though they didn't have the original Newsies movie, they did have a Broadway stage production version of it that was produced this year. It's so good! There are a few changes in characters and songs, but I think they're great changes!

The kids loved watching it, too! I'd much rather hear them singing, "Seize the Day" instead of "Pick a Little Talk a Little" over and over again! 

And of course, since we are a homeschooling family, we couldn't pass up this opportunity to look up information about the true story behind the story! Did you know it was inspired by a real newsboy strike in 1899 against Mr. Pulitzer that lasted 2 weeks and was led by a boy nicknamed Kid Blink?

There could be a real opportunity hear. Someone should create a homeschool curriculum that teaches history through musicals! 
Use Hamilton to learn about the American Revolution,
Newsies to learn about the history of unions and working conditions of children and lower class families at the turn of the century,
Fiddler on the Roof to learn about turn of the century czarist Russia,
Les Miserables to learn about the French Revolution, 
The Sound of Music to learn about The Third Reich's annexation of Austria, 
Annie Get Your Gun to learn about the historic Buffalo Bills Wild West show,
The King and I to learn about 1860 British Imperialism.

Let me know as soon as someone more creative and knowledgeable than I makes such a thing a reality. I will happily be their first customer!



(This series is meant to be mostly lighthearted and fun.  Some may be serious, but most will be silly, braggy, or of the keepin'-it-real variety.  Not every homeschool is the same.  And some of these things could be said by public school parents.  This is just to highlight MY experience with MY homeschool and MY children.  Enjoy these little insights into our life and feel free to share your own "Homeschooling means..." in the comments!)