CHEWV

Category: Golden Horseshoe Series

  • Alternative Ways to Study WV History

    Alternative Ways to Study WV History

    In West Virginia, students, including many homeschooled students, study West Virginia History in their 8th grade year. Here are a few alternative resources homeschoolers may find useful and creative, many of which may be found at your local library!

    WV Traditional Cooking Cookbooks

    • More than Beans and Cornbread by Barbara Beury McCallum
    • Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants, Mushrooms, Fruits and Nuts by Katie Letcher Lyle
    • West Virginia Hometown Cookbook by Sheila Simmons and Kent Whitaker

    WV Nature Studies

    • Hunting, Fishing and Family from the Hills of West Virginia by Chris Ellis
      • This book will take you up the hills and hollers and down the rivers of West Virginia. It is a collection of stories written by one of West Virginia’s finest outdoorsmen.
    • Wildflowers and Trees of West Virginia by Christopher M. Gatens
    • The Butterflies of West Virginia and Their Caterpillars by Thomas J. Allen
    • Birds of West Virginia Field Guide by Stan Tekiela
    • Wild and Wonderful: The Wildlife of West Virginia by Steve Shaluta and Dr. Edwin Michael

    WV fiction

    • Shadow of the Alleghenies by Edwin Daryl Michael
      • In Shadow of the Alleghenies, we learn about the Allegheny region as it was being settled: the wildlife, the Indians, the climate and the natural resources. Today’s armchair adventurers can get a real idea about the habits and habitats of wolves, buffalo, mountain lions, beavers and poisonous snakes. However, the best part of Edwin Daryl Michael’s special piece of historical fiction is its two unforgettable characters. The adventures, joys and perils of the tall Scotsman named Angus McCallendar become our own. But the real thief of our affection and attention is Schatto, (German for shadow) the newborn wolf pup that Angus rescues from certain death, and with whom he becomes inseparable.

    Humor

    • Front Porch Old-Time Songs, Jokes & Stories by Wayne Erbsen
      • This popular book starts with an edict from the author that those with bad voices should definitely sing these songs. Next, he gives the major categories for Old Time Songs. How about a Civil War Song or a Murder Ballad? Why not try an Animal Song or the Songs of Rascals, Ornery Cusses, and Wild Women? Included are 48 favorite melodies of the past that have traveled along with the pioneers in covered wagons through the Civil War period and up to today! It’s a treasure trove of 19th century songs, hilarious jokes, wild stories, vintage photos, and even a recipe for cooking groundhog! Get this book for your next family get-together.

    Biography/Memoirs

    • West Virginia Farm Stories by Mary Cordelia Riffee Figgatt
      • Cordelia reminds us what self-sufficiency really meant: making all your own soap, jam, baby cradles, and bed sheets. She tells about attending, and then teaching, in one-room schoolhouses. Chapters on gardening, farm animals, and working in the kitchen come alive with funny stories, and remind us about the once inherent necessity of growing and raising your own food. Creative inventions came along that made cooking and housekeeping easier, and some simple things we take for granted—such as screen doors—were first looked at with a dubious eye.
    • Laughter From the Hills by Alyce Faye Bragg
      • Mrs. Bragg, who has many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, is a keen and honest observer of family and nature in the hills of West Virginia. Often her observations are funny, but unaffected and down-to-earth. Easygoing, she and her family can laugh at themselves as much as anything. This comes in handy when an account of an embarrassing moment appears in the newspaper or one of her books!
    • Shawnee Captive: The Story of Mary Draper Ingles by Mary Rodd Furbee
      • One day while the men were at harvest, a band of Shawnee warriors stormed Draper’s Meadow, killing some settlers and burning the settlement to the ground. Taken captive were Mary, pregnant with her third child, her two young sons, and her injured sister-in-law. Through intuition and courage Mary impressed her kidnappers almost immediately. The captives were marched 800 miles over mountains to a Shawnee village on the Ohio River, presumably to spend the rest of their lives among the Shawnee tribe. But Mary vowed to escape and return to her husband and her people. The story of this remarkable woman’s harrowing and courageous trip home places Mary Ingles at the pinnacle of American frontier heroes.
    • October Sky by Homer Hickam
      • October Sky is the touching and inspiring true story of a group of boys growing up in the mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia.
    • Don’t Tell’em You’re Cold: A Memoir of Poverty and Resilience by Katherine P. Manley
      • This is an uplifting story of survival from abject poverty, set in the hills and coal camps of southern West Virginia. Katherine Manley and her family faced extreme challenges and struggles with ingenuity and traditional Appalachian stoicism. Beyond the poverty, other obstacles compounded Katherine’s life: a severely disabled father and a mother who struggled with the day-to-day survival. On a cool October morning, she left in a taxi and never returned, leaving 14-year-old Katherine to take care of her father and raise her siblings in her mother’s stead. Katherine went on to become an award-winning teacher, paying forward her hard-learned lessons to thousands of lucky students. This is a story of triumph that encourages everyone to never give up.
    • Katie’s Story Let God’s Light Shine In Me by Sarah J. Cobb and Katie Cobb
      • Katie’s Story is the true story of Katie Cobb – who she was, how she fought cancer, and the depth of her faith. The story alternates between the voice of Katie, a 14-year-old girl who battled Hodgkin Lymphoma, and the voice of her mother, Sarah. Instead of just knowing about Katie, you will come to really know her through their words. You will read from the pages of her journals as you walk through her difficult journey, and you will witness a relationship with God that brings hope. The story of Katie’s life is revealed in her own words: Let God’s light shine in me.
    • John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry by Jason Glaser
      • The story of abolitionist John Brown comes alive for young readers in this wonderfully illustrated graphic novel. See John as a young man outraged by the injustices leveled at the slaves and his first stand against slavery in Kansas. Then later on to Harper’s Ferry where he planned to seize guns from a military installation to give to the slaves to use in the uprising he hoped would end slavery.
  • The Coveted Golden Horseshoe

    The Coveted Golden Horseshoe

    and WV Homeschoolers

    West Virginia native Homer Hickam, author of “October Sky,” has one regret. He did not win a Golden Horseshoe as a student! 

    Every year 221 students are awarded the coveted Golden Horseshoe and knighted as Ladies and Knights of the Golden Horseshoe in a ceremony at the Capitol in Charleston, WV, in June. The Golden Horseshoe is a scholastic opportunity open to all 8th grade students in West Virginia. Each county has a minimum of two winners, but counties with larger populations have more winners. The test is a competition within a county, not within the state.

    The test measures a student’s understanding of West Virginia history, geography, civics, geology, culture, economy, and tourism. There are two parts to the test; one is a written essay and the second is an online multiple-choice test containing 50 questions. The essay portion is not required, but is used only if there is a tie within the county on the multiple-choice testing portion. Both parts are administered at the public school the student would normally attend.

    A registration form must be completed by a teacher, counselor, or school/county administrator where the student would have normally attended public school. Registration opens December 1, 2021. About a week after the student is registered, they will be e-mailed additional instructions and links for weekly practice tests to help familiarize the student with the testing format.

    Schedule:

    • December 1,2021 – registration opens
    • January 5,2022 – Deadline for requesting a braille test
    • Tuesday, February 8,2022 – Written Essay test administered state-wide
    • February 15-24 – Multiple choice test administered. Each county is assigned a specific date.
      • February 15, Tuesday: Brooke, Hancock, Ohio, Wetzel, Putnam
      • February 16, Wednesday: Barbour, Boone, Cabell, Doddridge, Hardy, Harrison, Monongalia, Nicholas, Pendleton, Ritchie, Tucker
      • February 17, Thursday: Berkeley, Braxton, Gilmer, Grant, Marshall, Morgan, Taylor, Tyler, Wayne
      • February 18, Friday: Clay, Hampshire, McDowell, Mineral, WVSD/B, Wyoming
      • February 22, Tuesday: Greenbrier, Lewis, Mason, Mercer, Mingo, Preston, Summers, Webster, Wirt, Wood
      • February 23, Wednesday: Jefferson, Kanawha, Monroe, Roane, Fayette, Lincoln
      • February 24, Thursday: Calhoun, Logan, Marion, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Randolph, Upshur, Jackson

    CHEWV no longer has Golden Horseshoe textbooks available. However, used books may be found online or purchased through the The James and Law Company in Clarksburg at this link. You may also request to borrow a copy from your local school. CHEWV has the answers to the text questions, quizzes, and tests available to members. 

    Additional resources:

     

  • 8th Grade WV History

    Studying WV History in 8th grade is part of the fabric of our great state, and CHEWV has made it easy for homeschoolers to study for the Golden Horseshoe Exam with our series of articles and helps.

    While we have given away our last WV History text, there are still options for obtaining one. Many families borrow the book from their local middle school when they are available. You may also purchase a textbook from The James and Law Company (304-624-7401). They have both the current (West Virginia its Land, its People-$69.95) and the older version (150 Years of Statehood-$64.95). Teaching materials for either text are available free to CHEWV members including answers to the text questions, quizzes, and tests.

    For all our member resources, click here.

    (Forgot the current member password?  Contact members@chewv.org.)

  • HSDC: A Golden Opportunity

    HSDC: A Golden Opportunity

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.21.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    ~the 7th in a series of articles~
    Click here to start at the beginning of the series.

    Home School Day at the Capitol generally held in January or February each year is a combination of history and civics, and it is a golden opportunity for those students studying West Virginia History. What better time to visit the historic Capitol building, meet your delegates/senators, and study the legislative process in our great state?

    You might begin with this article from the WV Legislature describing how a bill becomes a law. Knowing the process in advance may add perspective to the legislative session that homeschoolers can attend – since hearty debate often happens in committee.

    While at the Capitol, take advantage of the Capitol tour that includes its history and other fascinating tidbits. Finally, the State Museum is within easy walking distance from the Capitol and is packed with exhibits laid out in a timeline fashion.

    All in all, HSDC is an exceptional opportunity for students studying WV History, and tour slots are limited. More information on Home School Day at the Capitol can be found here.

     

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • WV History on a Cold, Snowy Day

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.21.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    ~the 6th in a series of articles~
    Click here to start at the beginning of the series.

    Did you know that a shy furniture maker from Randolph County rode for days on horseback to Richmond, Virginia, where he entered and won a contest to build a bridge over the Tygart Valley River at Philippi prior to the Civil War?  With only a third-grade education and his bridge model packed in his saddlebags, Lemuel Chenoweth competed against an intimidating array of trained architects and engineers.

    The Great Bridge-Building Contest by Bo Saunders tells the story of how, after a compelling demonstration of his unique design – constructed entirely without nails – Chenoweth was awarded the state contract to build the renowned 308-foot Philippi Covered Bridge, the only covered bridge in the United States currently incorporated into the national primary highway system, and still standing today.  This celebrated West Virginia bridge-builder, who began as a carpenter and self-taught architect, went on to become a legislator and one of 19th-century America’s master covered bridge builders.

    We hope this glimpse into the Mountain State’s past inspires your family to plunge into some West Virginia History!  Your study can flow with the turning of the seasons. With the days getting colder, it might be time to cuddle up with a good book or watch a movie with a big bowl of popcorn.

    The West Virginia Book Company is a great place to get resources!  Tamarack, too, on the WV Turnpike in Beckley, offers a grand selection of West Virginia books and authors.  Or, of course, check out your local library for both books and films.

    Books*:

    • A History of West Virginia by Anna Smucker
    • The Coffin Quilt by Ann Rinaldi
    • Every Living Thing by Cynthia Rylant
    • John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry by Jason Glaser
    • Under a Cloudless Sky by Chris Fabry
    • The Great Bridge-Building Contest by Bo Saunders
    • Child of the Mountains by Marilyn Sue Shank
    • The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck
    • Kids’ West Virginia Activity Book by Erin Turner
    • Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Newbery Medal-winning children’s novel)
    • Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam

    Movies*:

    • October Sky
    • We are Marshall
    • Matewan
    • A Beautiful Mind
    • Patch Adams
    • Hidden Figures
    • West Virginia: A Film History
      Narrated by Richard Thomas, this 6½ hour DVD series weaves historic photographs and motion picture footage, quotes from letters and diaries, first-person interviews, and live cinematography into a rich and compelling narrative enhanced by a haunting musical score. It sells for $29.95 at http://wvhumanities.org/online-store/ . It can be found on YouTube for free.
    • A Moving Monument: The West Virginia State Capitol (All public libraries in WV have a DVD copy.)

    *Please note that some of these books/movies have strong thematic elements and coarse language.

    Read the next article in the series here.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • December 1: Golden Horseshoe Registration Deadline

    December 1: Golden Horseshoe Registration Deadline

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.21.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    ~the 5th in a series of articles~
    Click here to start at the beginning of the series.

    West Virginia native Homer Hickam, author of “October Sky,” has one regret. He did not win a Golden Horseshoe as a student!

    Every year 221 students are awarded the coveted Golden Horseshoe and knighted as Ladies and Knights of the Golden Horseshoe in a ceremony at the Capitol in Charleston, WV, in June. The Golden Horseshoe is a scholastic opportunity open to all 8th grade students in West Virginia. Each county has a minimum of two winners, but counties with larger populations have more winners. The test is a competition within a county, not within the state.

    The test measures a student’s understanding of West Virginia history, geography, civics, geology, culture, economy, and tourism. There are two parts to the test; the first is a written essay and the second is an online multiple-choice test containing 50 questions. The essay portion is not required, but is used only if there is a tie within the county on the multiple-choice testing portion. Both parts are administered at the public school the student would normally attend.

    A registration form must be completed by a teacher, counselor, or school/county administrator where the student would have normally attended public school. About a week after the student is registered, they will be e-mailed additional instructions and links for weekly practice tests to help familiarize the student with the testing format.

    Homeschooled students who want to take the Golden Horseshoe exam must register by December 1st.

    The online multiple-choice test consists of 50 questions. Students have 40-45 minutes to complete the test. Please note: IEP accommodations are allowed.

    To register, send your student’s full name and address to the WV Studies teacher at the school where your student would normally attend public school. The test must be taken at that school. Once the student has been added to the school’s Golden Horseshoe list, your student’s username and password will be emailed to you, a process that should take no more than one week. If it takes longer, please contact the school.

    By January 31, test your student’s username and password. This step can be done on a home computer.

    Online Practice Tests, made available for students in January, will be posted once a week on Friday. In order to access these practice tests, which mimic the testing process, you will be provided with a special link.

    Essay test day for all counties is held in February. This test is used to select a winner in the event of a tie score on the multiple-choice test, as counties are only allowed a certain number of winners. The essay test, which is optional, requires the student to compose an essay of limited length on a specific topic.  Sample essay questions can be found online. Again, the sole purpose of the essay test is to break a tie.

    The Golden Horseshoe exam itself is administered during the last two weeks of February. Additional information and key dates can be found here.

    Read the next article in the series here.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • Video Resources, Member Resources…

    Video Resources, Member Resources…

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.21.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    …YouTube resources for studing WV History

    ~the 4th in a series of articles~
    Click here to start at the beginning of the series.

    West Virginia History in 2 Minutes Or Less-A YouTube channel with over 50 short videos on West Virginia History.

    WV History Documentary- This documentary follows a timeline of historical events, from the state’s first inhabitants to the present day, and follows the contributions of the men and women who shaped the state’s cultural, economic, and political landscapes.

    Using paintings, still photographs, and motion picture clips, the series helps students explore what it means to be a West Virginian. Narrated by Richard Thomas.

    West Virginia: The Road to Statehood– This documentary brings to life the issues, differences and disagreements that divided the Commonwealth of Virginia, turning families and neighbors against one another throughout what is now West Virginia.

    Helvetia: The Swiss of West Virginia From the making of Helvetia cheese to Fasnacht and the burning of Old Man Winter….experience Old-World Swiss traditions as they thrive today in the remote mountain community of Helvetia, West Virginia. Descendants of nineteenth-century Swiss immigrants share and discuss their music, dance, yodeling, foodways, crafts, customs, and celebrations.

    The Feud The most famous family conflict in American history, the Hatfield-McCoy feud evolved into a mythic American tale of jealousy, rage and revenge – and one which helped create the negative “hillbilly” stereotype that has shaped attitudes towards Appalachia for more than a century. Much more than a tale of two warring families, The Feud is the story of a region and its people forced into sudden change by Eastern capitalists, who transformed Appalachia from an agrarian mountain community into a coal and timber producing workplace owned and run primarily by outside interests.

    The Mine Wars At the beginning of the 20th century, coal was the engine of American industrial progress. Nearly three quarters of a million men across the country spent ten or twelve hours a day underground in coal mines. The Mine Wars brings to life the struggle that turned the coalfields of southern West Virginia into a blood-soaked war zone where basic constitutional rights and freedoms were violently contested.

    Read the 5th article in this series here.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • Why Bother Studying WV History?

    Why Bother Studying WV History?

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.21.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    (plus cool geography games!)

    ~the 3rd in a series of articles~
    Click here to start at the beginning of the series.

    As parents and teachers, we are preparing our children for the future – a future which they will have a vital role in shaping. Understanding the forces (geographical, historic, political, economic, etc.) which have molded and influenced West Virginia in the past is a key important component in determining and defining its future. And West Virginia’s future is exactly what our children will face as they grow up and confront the adult world challenges and opportunities.

    Our job, then, is to not only teach but train our children how to stand as Christians and engage the culture – impacting it, changing it, shaping it – all for the glory of Christ. First Chronicles 12:32 refers to men who understood the times, men with knowledge of what to do.  Likewise, our sons and daughters will one day stand as men and women and help establish their families, their communities, and their state.

    As Edmund Burke famously quipped, “Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” Today, more than ever, it is imperative to recall the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 1:9:  “The thing that has been — it is what will be again, and that which has been done is that which will be done again; and there is nothing new under the sun.”  We must learn from the past!

    Online WV Geography Games

    Online games are a great way to help students learn geographical information. Here are a few links to get your student started:

    County Game: https://www.purposegames.com/game/48cadb92e8

    Rivers Game: https://www.purposegames.com/game/west-virginia-rivers-game

    River Cities Game: https://www.purposegames.com/game/west-virginia-river-cities-game

    County Seat Game: https://www.purposegames.com/game/west-virginia-county-seats-quiz

    Tip #4 – Groups of 10 or more can often get discounts at educational 

    sites. Call and ask! (They often include parents in the count.)

    Tip #5– The Beckley Coal Mine Exhibit 

    Take a tour in a real coal mine, explore a recreated coal town, and visit a comprehensive coal museum. This is a great way to complement a unit study and help ‘book learning’ come to life!

    Click here to read the next article in the series.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • Preparing for the Golden Horseshoe Test

    Preparing for the Golden Horseshoe Test

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.21.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    ~the 2nd in a series of articles~

    Click here to read the 1st article in the series.

    Learning about West Virginia in the 8th grade is both a valuable academic opportunity and essential preparation for the Golden Horseshoe exam, a prestigious statewide competition.  Even if your student does not plan to take the Golden Horseshoe test, the study is traditional for Mountaineers and a perfect complement to the middle school years.  Recommended resources are listed below:

    • West Virginia: Its Land, Its People is the textbook used in public and private schools.   Parents may be able to borrow the textbook from their local middle school or order the book through this link: https://www.clairmontpress.com/wv.html. CHEWV has teaching resources available to members.

    State law says that county BOEs may issue a homeschool student a book if they are available, but schools are not required to loan textbooks if they do not have enough. Contact your county’s BOE or your local middle school’s WV History instructor to find out what is available.  While teacher editions and answer keys are not likely to be offered, CHEWV has resources for members to help plan and teach WV history.

    Check your local library for additional resources for teaching WV History:

    • The Golden Horseshoe  by Frances B. Gunter is a fictionalized mystery that sends a group of youth on a mysterious quest. As a result, the reader learns about important historical events. Your student may not realize this is a history book as they get caught up in the story!
    • West Virginia Encyclopedia, by Ken Sullivan, is also available online. They have a great guide for teachers with a list of relevant articles.

    The West Virginia Cultural Center offers online resources that would be an invaluable addition as you teach your students about West Virginia history including quizzes!

    West Virginia History Tip #2: Not only does the Golden Horseshoe test cover state history, it includes questions about economics, cultural studies, civics, geography, and popular culture. Students should strive for mastery of these areas to provide a comprehensive picture of the great state of West Virginia.

    West Virginia History Tip #3: – Educational field trips include Blennerhassett Island and Prickett’s Fort, both of which close for the winter season in October or November. These state parks are wonderful living history opportunities for your students to experience history outside of the world of a textbook. Plan your trip today!

    Read the next article in the Golden Horseshoe series here.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • What is the Golden Horseshoe Test?

    What is the Golden Horseshoe Test?

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.21.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

    And Can Homeschoolers Participate?

    ~the first in a series of articles from CHEWV~

    In 1716, the lieutenant governor of Virginia, Alexander Spotswood, gathered a group of men and set out to discover the land beyond the mountains. The group experienced both great times and great struggles as they explored lands west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  When they returned, Spotswood awarded each man a golden horseshoe, and they became known as the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe.

    West Virginia DOE began promoting West Virginia Clubs in 1929 to help students appreciate their Mountain State heritage and history. Two years later the first Golden Horseshoe test was given. The top scorers from each county received a Golden Horseshoe pin and were dubbed Knights and Ladies of the Golden Horseshoe.

    Every year since 1931, 8th grade students have had the opportunity to study the state’s history, economics, culture, and geography, and then take the Golden Horseshoe Test. Sponsored by the West Virginia Cultural Center, the test is given in local middle schools, and only the top scorers are awarded the Golden Horseshoe.

    Since many homeschool students have asked if they can take the test and how they should go about preparing for it, CHEWV will highlight different aspects of West Virginia studies in an effort to help them achieve this milestone. Next in the series we will look at potential textbooks and other information sources that parents can utilize as they teach their children West Virginia history.

    If you know of a homeschooled student that has received a Golden Horseshoe, please send their name, county, and year they received the award to HSDC@CHEWV.org. If you have a photo of them at the ceremony, please send that as well.

    WV History Tip #1: Summer is a great time to visit West Virginia’s historic sites, a great way to provide visual and sensory understanding to history lessons. 

    Read the second article in this series here.

    [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]