Thank to those of you that have commented on my post yesterday(A Rough Plan). I really appreciate the words of encouragement. Along with some words of encouragement mamma1420 asked a great question. "Why the America's?"
I know that there are different opinions on how to approach history(which is one of my absolute favorite subjects). There is the chronological thought and then there is more of a here and there approach, and no doubt others. Now, initially my hubby and I had intended to start chronologically too. We looked for different curriculum that would fit us as a family and in our search found that we liked the Veritas Press Bible/History sets that had the Bible work and the History coinciding. I loved this. However, it doesn't start until second grade. Hubby and I discussed this for sometime, both of us are inclined to a chronological approach...but we like this curriculum. So, as odd as this might sound we decided that since I would be reading the "Little House" series for read alouds anyway that we would just integrate our history this year into that. We figured that we would study America at this time period and use these books as a starting point. I really thought dd6 would enjoy this(and she is quite excited about it) and that we could get a really hands on feel for history. This may not make a whole lot of since, but hubby and I felt it would work for this year and next year we will begin a more chronological approach.
Now that I am pregnant again, I realize this may be a way for me to continue her history study while recovering from my c-section with little stress. I will still be able to read to her and study these areas while being unable to do alot. I think that she and I will get alot of pleasure out of it and not be too stressed that we've missed something.
Thanks so much Jessica for your thoughtful question. It was really a decision on how to ease into history our first year and now it will make my mid-school year due date less of a stress for me.
What kind of curricula are using for your "Ancients" study? I'd love to have some other ideas. | 
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Jul. 13, 2006 - chronological history
I think you are very wise in your decision to start where you are. First of all, it's a strong interest that you all share in that it's tied to the "Little House" books. At the age your dd is at, it will hold her attention better. Secondly, my teaching experience and then with my own children has shown me that they simply don't understand the timelines very well. There is nothing wrong with teaching chronological history. But it's really taught best through stories with little emphasis on timelines and when things happened. But those stories can begin at any point. They blur everything together as they learn them (and my childrne have proven that is we've attempted the thimeline assigned in MFW and found they still Jesus was born not long before Columbus sailed the ocean blue. LOL!!!!)
We are also big supporters of chronological history. We will begin doing our history in 4th grade (for my oldest dd) because we are going to use the Geography Curriculum from My Father's World next year. I completely agree with the Hazells in that ANYONE will remember history better if they know where to find it on a map. Starting the history there will also give my younger ones an opportunity to go back through the history chronologically when they will understand more. But we will fill all their minds with wonderful stories and biographies. And I know that many others, in fact, most do the same thing. I guess it's just been my observation that my children don't put the timeline together with the events. They are just events in their mind and they all run togehter. LOL!!! Knowing that took a lot of pressure off of me to do chronological history when I didn't believe they were ready.
We are also doing the America's this year. I can't remember what year it goes through though. I needed a little bit of guidance in my planning so I am back to using My Father's World (we took a break last year.) We started last week so that I might be able to be 3 full six weeks in and get the next one started before the baby arrives in January.
I hope I didn't offend anyone by sharing this. These are just opinions of mine. Of course, I could be a little bais. My history emphasis and study was American history. I LOVE American history and my children share that passion. :)
I hope you are feeling well these days and getting plenty of rest.
God Bless,
Karen