How do I help my Son with History when I couldn't stand it?

Without an understanding of history, it's hard to predict or anticipate the future. Look harder at what the individual chapters that he's struggling with are about. Perhaps the book company or author are not all that great at making it interesting but it doesn't mean that the material itself can't be made interesting or be learned...

Make an honest effort to find alternate materials that present the information in a more engaging manner

1) try using fun and educational websites like brainpop & see if they have material that correlates with given lesson.

2)Look for movies or dvds that involve the time period. Discovery channel, the history channel, DK, history rock etc if you're creative you could even find a way to use pirates of the carribbean, Indiana Jones andother popular movies to help understand how things were different in the past or incorporate archeology etc into seeking out history

3)Look for a museum near you that has items from the time period, or visit online sites like the smithsonian etc

4) tie in current events that some how relate to the history lesson etc or work together on dioramas or models using favorite toys etc to recreate what history lesson he is working on. Legos and other building type materials for hands on learning and imagining the historical event might help.

6) If nothing else works try learning through writing rap type songs together about the events. Have fun singing or yelling them and dancing together so he will remember the catchy rhythms or rhymes in his head. Or if he's dramatic, act out a scene from the book. Get creative, find a key to helping it stick in his head and changing his attitude about the subject.

7) Have a debate where you challenge each other on the varying sides of the historical event. Who wants to look stupid in an argument or defense of an issue?

8)your attitude for history might well be what brought him to his challenge now - Face the music, it's time for both of you to embrace the past and find some value in it.

9)It's never too late to learn new tricks or gain new interest - maybe your teacher as a child made it boring, maybe you never looked beyond the surface.

10) make a pack to visit a cool historically relevant place this summer and make an effort to submerge yourself into it and discover the value of knowing the past.

Sit down and read the book out loud to him. Really read. Go slow and concentrate. Sounds like torture? I'll bet you'll find history absolutely fascinating now that your older and that fascination will rub off on him. It's a story really worth knowing. It'll launch discussions and prompt you both to get old movies like the person below advised. Just don't ever tell him you hate history or school until he's 35.

Don't forget you can always ask the teacher if they know of anything to help you son. If your son teacher wont help there always one who will I just wish there were more of them

Your in luck, history is my fortay! Extra help will do no good if he truly hates this subject. You did not mention his age or grade in your post so I will be general in my advice.

Unfortunately, most history classes require a great deal of reading and memorizing dates, names, places and events. My best advice to you is to seek out other mediums for your son. There are wonderful history movies, historical fiction movies like the Patriot can shed light on the times and some events that did occur. Also, museums are a great way to engage young learners as well as family trips to historical places. Sometimes it is fun to pretend what life was like back in a certain era. Definitely check out the history channel if you get it. Good luck!