jewel7123 Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 Can anyone recommend a good spine for American History for a 5 year old K student and a tag along 3 year old? FYI they are both girls and the 3 year old is pretty advanced for her age. (Already reads just by picking up on what I've taught big sister) I am focusing on the 3 R's with my K'er and not using a history "curriculum", but I would like to find an age appropriate spine I could read aloud as well as add fun picture books, etc. as time allows. I'm "pretty" sure we'll be doing ancients for 1st, so I'd like to do some American history now as it will be awhile before we get back to it. (But I change plans often, lol!) Any suggestions for me for a spine that isn't too advanced? I do prefer a Christan bias if there is any. I should add that we are reading through CLP's History for Little Pilgrims, which is great, but has a lot of Bible, so I'd like to add another spine that focuses solely on American history. Thanks for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my2boysteacher Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 How about Eggleston? It is written for a young audience, is short and to the point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewel7123 Posted July 25, 2010 Author Share Posted July 25, 2010 How about Eggleston? It is written for a young audience, is short and to the point. Hmm, all I've heard about Eggleston's books is how they are dry and boring? I really want something "living" that will capture their attention since they are so young. Thanks for the suggestion though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 We used this program as a spine for K this year and really enjoyed it: I Love America We added the D'Aulaire's biographies to it (along with a picture book biography of Thomas Jefferson) - Colombus, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. We did skip the Pocahontas biography because of some concerns about racial bias, but there are lots of newer Pocahontas biographies if you wanted to add that in. We also did lots of harvest/pilgrim picture books around Thanksgiving time. It was a great, gentle intro, and even my 3 y.o. can now recognize George Washington everywhere we go and on money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 American Pioneers and Patriots, my kids are really enjoying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewel7123 Posted July 25, 2010 Author Share Posted July 25, 2010 American Pioneers and Patriots, my kids are really enjoying it. I have this, but wasn't sure if it was age appropriate since it's written for 4th graders. Do you mind if I ask the ages of your kids? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 We used this program as a spine for K this year and really enjoyed it: I Love America I was looking around the authors' website and it appears they are Mormon. Did you notice any kind of Mormon bias in this curriculum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 We are doing Geography (via Galloping the Globe) but I really wanted to lightly hit on US history this year, as well. I originally bought Truthquest American History for Young Students, but I was missing a spine. Someone had given us Abeka's 1st grade My America and My World and it is going to be perfect. It just gives a page or two on famous people, landmarks, events, etc. It allows us to cover the topic and then I will still utilize Truthquest for any rabbit trails we want to take. It looks like a good fit for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 I was looking around the authors' website and it appears they are Mormon. Did you notice any kind of Mormon bias in this curriculum? Nope. It is a conservative program though, and not completely secular in that it does note the Thanksgiving celebration was about thanking God, and that Colombus thanked God when he found the New World. The program emphasizes citizenship, respect for country and flag, with an overall conservative tone, but generally avoids more controversial topics like Washington and the Cherry Tree or Providential History. I thought it was well done, and most of the comments about God are in the teacher's manual only, so they could be omitted if you wished to use it secularly, although it will still be a more "traditional" overview of American history & historical figures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 I have a 7 and 4.5 year old. They both enjoy it especially my 7 year old. The stories are short and very interesting. We are using it as a read aloud along with Beyond Little Hearts For His Glory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyPTN Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 Nope. It is a conservative program though, and not completely secular in that it does note the Thanksgiving celebration was about thanking God... I just discovered this myself as I was reading George Washington's Letter of Proclamation on Thanksgiving. I realized that I had fallen into the Pilgram/Indian Image of Thanksgiving and rarely questioned what I was taught in school. American History can't be completely taught on a secular level. Too much of it was based on religious beliefs and freedoms to practice religion. http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/firsts/thanksgiving/thankstext.html The Founding Fathers held very strong beliefs in God and in leading the Country. It's humbling and enlightening to be learning our American History through primary sources and with our children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atozmom Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 We also enjoy the If You Lived series of books. You can see several here at Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 As a read-aloud: Mara Pratt's American History Stories, Volumes I-IV. I really like these books, and although they are a bit old, they are very child friendly and not as culturally biased as some others. I was considering This Country of Ours before, but found the description of Native Americans too offensive (savages, and up to no good, etc.). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewel7123 Posted July 26, 2010 Author Share Posted July 26, 2010 Thanks for the suggestions so far. The I Love America looks interesting. Any others want to chime in? :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmeraldGirl Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 Peter Marshall's series of 3 but the only one I can think of off-hand is From Sea to Shining Sea for Children. I have this set and am thinking of going through it too. We will be using BF Early American but the Providential History of America as the spine seems above their heads as ELL and only ages 5-10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 We used the K12 course History K. It worked very well as a spine and we read lots of picture books on the side. My son absolutely loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewel7123 Posted July 26, 2010 Author Share Posted July 26, 2010 We used the K12 course History K. It worked very well as a spine and we read lots of picture books on the side. My son absolutely loved it. I went to their website, and this looks to be quite expensive. What exactly would I need? Is it an online curriculum or do they offer physical books as well? I was a bit confused when browsing their site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 The "spine" is online, but there are also books included with the curriculum. And there are suggested books as well. It is expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewel7123 Posted July 26, 2010 Author Share Posted July 26, 2010 Ok, thanks for the info. I really didn't want something that detailed, or expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto2Cs Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 As a read-aloud: Mara Pratt's American History Stories, Volumes I-IV. I really like these books, and although they are a bit old, they are very child friendly and not as culturally biased as some others. I was considering This Country of Ours before, but found the description of Native Americans too offensive (savages, and up to no good, etc.). :iagree: Pratt's books look really good (I'll be using them as a read aloud for a 4th and a 2nd grader this year) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettucepatchkids Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 I recently bought Queen's "A Living History of Our World: American's Story" for my rising 1st grader to use as our spine... I am LOVING it!!! Simple stories, Christian content, narration breaks ... just what I was looking for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patchfire Posted July 26, 2010 Share Posted July 26, 2010 Another suggestion - Places in Time and Journeys in Time. They are listed as grades 5-8 but I have the latter one (and the former is my amazon cart) and it has beautiful, well-illustrated double-page spreads about each topic. Together, I think they'd be a great jumping-off point. In fact, I plan to use them for just that when my littlest one is in pre-K and my olders will both be doing American History. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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