Ok, I have about 300 different directions to head on our history journey with my littles. 1. Story of the World with AG for a 4 year rotation then do 2 years American History and then do History Odyssey level 2's 4 year rotation, and try to cram into 2 years (Rylee's final 2 anyway) US history again + Econ, Civics and Government 2. History Odyssey level 1, then start at the 2 years American above 3. The Core Knowledge Sequence... which covers both world and US in each year, also covers lots of geography and some things I see as important that the previous 2 things don't seem to give any focus to (ie the Liberty Bell, Totem Poles, presidents, etc)... following their laid out plans. 4. The Core Knowledge Sequence out of order so that it goes in chronological order (on the ckhomeschoolers yahoo group there is a sample of how to do this) OR 5. Do my own thing, 2 years or so of world, 2 years of so of US, Most likely using CHOW and Usborne Internet Linked History Encyclopedia and living books, then deciding where to go from there. I should add, Garrett is going to do HO Ancients Level 2 this coming year, but the Little's studies definately don't have to coordinate with his.
You know I keep thinking the Core Knowledge is the direction I'm leaning to, more so since I got the Books to Build On book (an awesome resource for anyone looking for a list of good living books). But, do I rearrange it into chronological order or keep it out of order. I had kind of thought of just going my own way with it making sure to hit the points in the Core Knowledge that I would miss out on on my own. Why is it so hard to figure this out????
I would consider how you think your children will learn best and what method fits with your teaching style the best. They all sound like good options. If I pick for myself or my kids I would pick to do my own thing.
If it was me choosing for myself and my kids, I would use CK. Any order that YOU prefer teaching it would be good. CK is an excellent program. Just my .02!
So is it "okay" to bounce around in history like they do in CK?? I remember as a kid learning world and US in the same years, I know we didn't learn in chronological order, so I guess it is ok, I just want another homeschooler to say it's ok, it seems so common to do it completely chronological that I feel weird if we bounce around. I want to keep a timeline book with them over the years... I guess that would help?
All I remember in my school years is going over the same 200+ years of American history I didn't get much outside of that. If you want to bounce around a timeline book would be a great way to go. I don't think going through chronologically is more important than understanding the hows and whys of history.
