Hi, everyone! After so many days of researching curriculum, this new-to-HS-mama could use some help with history! Here are the 3 criteria on my "wish list:" -secular -use same curriculum with both my 1st and 3rd graders -would prefer American history, as we live in DC for another 6 months to a year, have Philadelphia a stone's throw away, and plenty of museums, etc. covering both the founding fathers as well as Civil War times Does anything like this exist? Thank you os much in advance! T
I was going to suggest Story of the World until you said "American". Hmm... someone else will have to jump in here. Welcome, by the way!
I'd second Sonlight - it's not technically "secular", but it's very "secular-friendly". They use real books instead of textbooks, and Usborne non-fiction (which is secular). There are a lot of Newberry award winning novels and such. I used it for several years with my children and only had to skip a couple of books. What I liked about Sonlight was that I could discuss my opinions on things with the kids, instead of having the curriculum tell us what we were supposed to think. And it's great for a wide age range of children.
Thank you for the welcome and for the help! We are a Catholic family so I really do not have any issue with a Christian curriculum; however, I also want something well-rounded, if that makes sense! I will certainly check out the resources you all mentioned. My 8-yr old LOVES history - hoping to keep that love alive with some great choices for his 3rd grade year. Thank you so very much! T
In that case, I'd also more highly than Story of the World, recommend Mystery of History for world history. Again, it's not American history, though. Do take a look at Sonlight. It'll probably work for you.
The History of US by Joy Hakim.... they have a set for younger and one for older..... not sure if it would be too old for your kiddos, i think it might. With the teachers manual you could remedy that though. bought mine off amazon. short chapters lots of pics.
We LOVE!!!! The Complete Book of United States History. We have used it as a spine, and added in living books and some hands on arts and crafts and really had a lot of fun with it in the past.
Thank you all SO very much! I have plenty to "chew on" - I wish we all did not love history quite so much; it makes it hard to narrow down the wonderful options out there!
I would have to second Sonlight especially for elementary grades. The use of novels really helps reinforce the history for the kids. We will be doing Core D next year.
Honestly there is no such thing as well rounded book in my opinion. Every book has it's own author's slant. My children will be required to read opposing opinions and discuss both. I would second Sonlight books because they are fun story form and the children get different points of view from different books and you are mainly trying to get them familiar with things at that age and make them interested.
There is also a series called I Can Read that has a lot of history books in it. You can pick levels according to your child's reading ability. http://www.amazon.com/George-Drummer-Boy-Read-Book/dp/0064441067/ref=pd_sim_b_1
My recommendation: use the public library. Honestly. Don't concern yourself with curriculum at this age. The public library will allow you and your children to pick books that appeal to all of you. Then you sit down and read aloud to them. Even though they can read to themselves. This will satisfy your criteria that you be able to teach both at the same time. By reading aloud you will be able to stop and clarify things, and discuss personal stories (eg. Grandpop in WWII), personal opinions (should we have used atomic bomb to end WWII?), and your faith (Maryland was a founded for Catholics). Sonlight is not secular. Their book list might give you some good ideas. But don't stop there. Also, there will be some books that you will read aloud, but if you let your kids pick, you may not be able to hold them back from reading other books about history on their own.
I was also going to recommend History Odyssey but you mentioned you wanted American History. Now there is Beautiful Feet, it is not secular. Now you can use it secularly if you just do the book suggestions, cut out the Providential history, Our story hour, and a few things in the guide. http://brightideaspress.com/?cat=66 http://guesthollow.com/ How about reading some great books. Books like the If you lived.... series. Or Corner stone freedom books, even taking suggestions from Sonlight and other places and just reading great books, doing some history pockets with field trips. http://www.abookintime.com/americanhistoryreadinglist.html
Wow - so many options that are much less taxing than what I was making it all! I appreciate all the ideas. I am going to put some more thought into this and look into some of the great references you all made. Thank you!!
http://historyatourhouse.com/?p=156 This program gets rave reviews for secular history. We haven't had a chance to try them. They do have American History for elementary though!
