To recap, so far I've shared with you about our MATH, LANGUAGE ARTS, and SCIENCE choices for this school year.  Today, I'm going to talk to you about what we're using for HISTORY . . .

Last year, Ashley finished up the currently published Mystery of History books, having done Vol. 3 independently.  She loved it!  If you've never looked at this awesome series of history books, I'd definitely recommend them.  Thing is, we were at a bit of a loss as to what to continue with for her.  She was up to the point where she should be moving into a more modern history / American history.  She and I did some serious searching at the CHAP convention and eventually decided on TruthQuest - Age of Revolution I.  She started out the year with it this year and was enjoying it BUT this is a curriculum predominantly focusing on outside resources.  And, because we have a less-than-impressive library (not to mention the fact that I HATE the library), I didn't feel that she was getting a well-rounded history education using the TruthQuest alone. 

With that being said, Ashley is going to continue using it, BUT we've decided that she will also work alongside Gracie as we study American history using All American History (vol. 1) from Bright Ideas Press.  Similar in approach to MoH, we are really enjoying this great history curriculum.  As most homeschoolers do, we are tweaking it a bit, so that both girls can benefit from it. 

All American History is a complete history curriculum.  It comes with a hardbound Student Reader  (complete with b&w pictures), a Student Workbook, and a Teacher's Guide.  You really need all 3 to get the full effect of the course - but, since they come as a set, that makes it easy! 

Volume 1 of All American History is for students in grades 5-8.  Though Gracie is in 5th grade, she's only 9, and some of the activities are a bit beyond her (as far as resources go, i.e. searching the internet, etc.)  So, Gracie completes the worksheets (which include cut & paste activities and fill-in-the-blank type questions) and Ashley does the Review Questions.  Ashley also has to do most of the "for further research" topics (which are mostly things that she can research on the internet). 

Ashley has put TruthQuest aside until we get caught up to where she was reading.  Then, she will work with both books simultaneously.

I also purchased The Light and the Glory and From Sea to Shining Sea for Ashley.  I remember, back when I was in high school, Peter Marshall (co-author of these books) visited our school for one of our chapel services.  He shared with us some of the stories from these books, and it left a lasting impression on me.  I love history anyway, and these stories just really make history come alive.  So, Ashley will also be reading through these  books throughout this school year. 

What are YOU using for history this year?  I'd love to hear about it!

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Oct. 1, 2009 - great post

Posted by tlpgina

Ours is incredibly similar. We're doing MOH III and AA I right now then Dec./Jan. using Truthquest with the rest of AAI and into AAII. Very eclectic...
Gina

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