Mom, Scholar, Dreamer: Unboxing History with Krista John
Meet Krista John- I'm so grateful I did!
I met Krista because we both LOVE history. We were brought together by our shared passion for early American history, our moves to Colonial Williamsburg (CW), and the fact we both followed historian and interpreter Mark Schneider on Instagram.
Since our "IRL" meeting on the Palace Green in CW, we've been constant in each others' lives.
And I know you'll agree: homeschooling her twins, while also working in the educational field for so many years, gives her extraordinary context on the topic of learning history.
Necessary disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.
So I ask: who better to invite into my world of History Unboxed?
Gate in CW- entry into history!
Krista's bio:
Krista John is an educator, curriculum specialist, and homeschooling parent with a passion for history and hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. She holds a BA in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Master of Education from Arizona State University.
In addition to her work in formal education, Krista has homeschooled her ten-year-old twins, Logan and Izzy, since kindergarten, creating a rich, hands-on learning environment that extends far beyond the classroom.
History is at the heart of their education and family life, woven into everything they do—from reading historical fiction and analyzing primary sources to visiting museums and historic sites. She is passionate about making history come alive with a goal to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper connection to the world around us.
In fact, Krista will begin her PhD in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership at William & Mary this fall!
Krista is also the owner of The Wordsmith, a mobile bookshop in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she curates a thoughtfully selected collection of used books. You can open her Wordsmith account on Instagram in a new tab here.
Mark Schneider at the Palace Green in CW
Question 1: Tell us about your background and family in terms of education and your homeschooling experience.
We have been homeschooling since kindergarten, and my twins are now in 4th grade. Homeschooling has been a wonderful journey for our family, allowing us to have time to dive deeply into subjects we’re passionate about, history being one of them.
While we use a structured curriculum for Language Arts and Mathematics, we have always taken a more customized approach to history, designing our own studies to align with our interests and the wealth of historical resources available to us.
I have over 15 years experience in the education field as a classroom teacher and school leader, and I currently work as a curriculum director for a small private school. I have a M. Ed. and will be beginning my PhD in Curriculum and Educational Leadership in Fall 2025 to explore innovative approaches to education and curriculum development, with the long-term goal of opening a school.
As an experienced educator, I've seen a wide range of approaches to lesson planning and curriculum development, which gives me a unique perspective on educational resources.
I appreciate well-structured, engaging materials that encourage deep learning, and I was excited to see how History Unboxed fit into our homeschool approach!
Photo credit: Krista John; her son portraying President Monroe
Question 2: Have you utilized a subscription box in the past?
Yes! We currently use a subscription box for engineering and science called Build Box from Mark Rober, which my kids love. This was our first time trying History Unboxed, and since we enjoy hands-on learning, we were really excited to see how it compared.
Question 3: What was your initial reaction when opening the box and reviewing the contents?
We were immediately impressed with the quality and variety of materials inside. The combination of primary sources, crafts, and engaging activities made it clear that this was a well-thought-out resource. My kids were particularly excited to dive in and start working on the projects right away!
I also really appreciated that there was a simple plan for me to follow as the teacher. The lessons and activities were clearly laid out, making it easy to understand how everything fit together. I didn't have to spend extra time figuring out how to structure the learning -- it was all there, ready to go, which made implementation stress-free!
Photo credit: Krista John; the John children using History Unboxed
Question 4: Please share your take on utilizing the American Revolution box and how it can be done with varying levels of interest and understanding of American History.
One of the things I loved about the American Revolution box is that it absolutely caters to different levels of interest and understanding. My kids are very engaged with history and have solid prior knowledge on the American Revolution time period.
This box engaged them immediately and they loved the hands-on activities, like making the tin lantern, but this box would also work well for students who are newer to the topic. The materials provide a solid introduction to the time period, historical events and figures, and the activities help bring history to life in a way that makes it accessible to different learners. There really is something for everyone!
One of the standout aspects for us was reading the primary source excerpts from George Washington’s letters and journals:
- It was fascinating to see a different side of Washington—not just as a military leader or statesman, but as a person navigating the challenges of his time.
- It really helped us connect with him in a way that a traditional textbook might not.
My kids were particularly engaged with this, asking questions and wanting to know more, which led to some great discussions.
From a parent perspective, I really appreciate how well the box is planned out. You can easily use it over the course of several weeks or a month to thoroughly explore the topic. It’s also flexible enough to pair with other resources, such as reading historical fiction or biographies, doing a writing assignment, or even completing a research project on the era.
That flexibility makes it a great addition to any homeschool curriculum or homeschool approach!
Photo credit: Krista John; her daughter portraying Anna Strong
Question 5: Do you see the above translating to other box topics?
Absolutely!
The structure of the box—combining hands-on projects, primary sources, and other historical readings and information is such a great way to engage learners of all ages. I imagine that other topics would be just as interactive and enriching.
Question 6: What is the most valuable take-away from the experience for you and for your kids?
For me, the most valuable takeaway was seeing how well my kids connected with the material. The activities helped them engage with history in a hands-on, meaningful way that was different from our usual history approach. The discussions we had about Washington, the debate we had about the Boston Tea Party…I was really impressed with how the activities encouraged both of my kids to think critically and creatively about the topic.
For my kids, the biggest takeaway was their experience with primary sources. The excerpts from Washington’s letters and journals were presented in bite-sized chunks, making them accessible without being overwhelming.
They loved that they could read and understand Washington’s own words, which sparked curiosity and great discussions about what life was really like for him and other figures of the time. They also loved the hands-on activities, especially the tin lantern project, because they could put themselves in the shoes of people from that time period.
The combination of reading real historical documents and engaging in creative, interactive projects made history come alive in a way they won’t forget.
Photo credit: Krista John
Question 7: Do you recommend History Unboxed subscription boxes and will you be purchasing them in the future?
Yes, I absolutely recommend History Unboxed! The American Revolution Box exceeded our expectations, and I would definitely consider purchasing more in the future. It’s such a fantastic way to supplement our history studies with hands-on learning.
Note from Daphne: Click here for the American Revolution subscription, which offers a per box savings.
Question 8: Is there anything you'd like to add?
As a homeschooling family living in Williamsburg, history is woven into our daily lives. Having a resource like History Unboxed that brings history to life in such an engaging way at home is incredibly valuable.
The way it blends primary sources, creative activities, and other types of resources makes it easy to tailor to different learning styles and levels of interest. It’s a great way to make history feel tangible and exciting for kids, whether they are already passionate about the subject or just beginning to explore it.
I also appreciate how easy it is to extend the lessons and pair them with additional books, writing projects, or research topics, making it a truly flexible learning tool.
Since we already use a subscription box for engineering and science, it was great to add one for history as well. History Unboxed brings the past to life at home in a way that is hands-on, engaging, and impactful!
Follow and connect with Krista online:
The Johns Were Here on Instagram
Jump into History Unboxed and get it delivered. Click here!
Closing words from history
Honoring one of the Johns' favorite aspects of the box, Washington's words, I'll close with an excerpt of a letter, transcribed from "The Writing of George Washington, from the original manuscript sources 1745-1799, John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor, Volume 21, United States Government Printing Office."
Topic: Washington's advice to his stepson, John Parke Custis. Dated February 28, 1781. Basically, be on time and pay attention to all opinions.
......
I do not support that so young a Senator, as you are, little versed in political disquisitions can yet have much influence in a populous assembly; composed of Gentn. of various talents and of different views. But it is in your power to be punctual in your attendance (and duty to the trust reports in you exacts it of you), to hear dispassionately, and determine cooly all great questions.
To be disgusted at the decision of questions because they are not consonant to your own ideas, and to withdraw ourselves from public assemblies, or to neglect our attendance at them upon suspicion that there is a party formed who are enimical to our Cause, and to the true interest of our Country is wrong because these things may originate from a difference of opinion;
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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.
1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.
2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.
3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.
