I'm actually going to write a post about homeschooling and curriculum, can you believe it?
For those of you who don't know, we always buy our curriculum with some money from our tax refund. Since we will be getting our refund soon, I've been on the curriculum quest for a while now. I have most of our curriculum picked out except for history. We were going to do Beautiful Feet for history, but then I've been talking to some friends who use it and they said there is a lot of reading involved in it. That wouldn't be too bad for Sarah, though I think 40 pages a day is a bit much for anyone. But for Paulie, who still struggles when he reads, I don't think it would be very encouraging for him. I mean, I want to have more reading for him, but 40 pages, wow. Even if it were half that, 20 pages a day, would be overwhelming for him.
That got me thinking of trying to find a computer based history program for him. He's visual, and I thought that maybe a computer based one would help him more. I was looking at Switched on Schoolhouse, but then I started thinking he'll be doing his math on the computer, and would doing math and history on the computer be too much? I mean we are a computer & video game family (please no comments if you are not a video game family). We control their electronic time, they can't just play their video games or go on the computer anytime they want. But I wonder if it would be too much. Then again lots of families do all their subjects with SOS and that would be way more time then I'm talking about.
So then I started thinking, well maybe a DVD series would be good. But I'm not very creative with questions and things, so I would like to find a DVD curriculum set that maybe would have some nice videos and teaching on history, then a workbook or something to work on some questions about what they've learned. But I haven't been able to find anything like that so far.
So I'm stuck. I know I need to pray because I'm starting to be a bit anxious about it with lots of 'what if' questions running through my head. And that only leads to lots of anxiety for me. So I do ask for your prayers too. But what are your thoughts on history? What curriculum do you like and how is it set up? I really just need to get a sense of what's out there. Oh, and we've been using Usborne for the past two years. The kids would read a few pages 3 times a week out of those books. But they don't really like them much, that's why I'm looking to switch. Plus, do you do history every day or just 2 or 3 days a week. We've always done history 3 days a week and science 2 days.
I look forward to what you smart ladies have to share about this. Thanks for your thoughts.
I love Story of the World. The stories are short, but you learn a lot. They have a lot of activities you can do with them. It may be a little below Sarah though. I've heard a lot of good things about Mystery of History by Linda Hobar, but I haven't personally used it. Again, I don't think the stories are real long, but they learn a lot. It's more advanced than Story of the World, but it can be watered down if needed. Oh, a DVD series you may want to consider is Drive Through History. You can get a teacher guide for the DVD's.
Have you looked at Switched on Schoolhouse or their Life Pacs? I am totally in love with Sonlight and we read aloud a lot each day, but I know that does not work for everyone and it is expensive. I have used Story of the World like Lynn. To me it was not in depth enough and the activities were directed at the primary grades. You should ask this question on HSL.
Jenn
I dont have any ideas at this time since we are mainly focusing on Science this home school year, I am sure I will be on the same boat here for the next year..lol
How old are your kids again? Are you looking at World History or American History or something else?
My kids are going through the 2nd year of WH right now and I LOVE one of the history books - the other I could take it or leave it. But I don't know what level your kiddos are at.
oooh and you are on my friend list, so I should show up on your friend page and you can add me back from your page right? :)
Your schedule of History 3 days and Science 2 days is nice. I know your struggle my friend and I know you know we do. I am starting to back and and not worry. If it takes me two years to do Canadian History ...that is okay. I read to them a lot and have them do copy work and writen and oral compositions. I LOVE Charlotte Mason style for this. You take what you want and work through it with the method. That way it isn't too much for the child or the mama. I am going back to this so I won't feel like I have to keep up or compair to others. Teaching kids with challenges are a journey. We need to just find the right one for them. ((HUGS))
I do not have any dvd recommendations, nor any thoughts on SOS but I thought I'd share what we use/have used.
We used Mystery of History for a few years and have enjoyed it. The lessons/reading are pretty short, in a conversational manner, and we love how in coincides with Bible history.
We are currently using Simply Charlotte Mason's history program and are enjoying the short lessons there, too.
One other resource that we love is Learning Through History magazine. A wonderful, informal, enjoyable way to learn history, too. ;o)
(Just my two cents) Ü
Hello Joann, my name is Kristi Gesink and I work for the Homeschooling Company Alpha Omega Publications. I noticed after reading through your blog that you are considering using our Switched on Schoolhouse curriculum to teach your children. We are thrilled and excited that you are looking at our company and we would love to have you post a link from your blog to our site at http://www.aop.com. That way readers and friends can check out your curriculum too by just clicking on the link!
If you have any questions please feel free to email me at kgesink@aop.com
Thanks again and may God bless your day!
Kristi Gesink
AOP
This blog is so I can share my journey with the Lord, my journey as a wife and mother, and my journey as a homeschool mom. I pray that you will see the Lord in my life through happy and sad times, and that this blog glorifies the Lord.
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