Two points to consider: One: How many facts will a 7 year old truly remember? If the story is short and interesting, then they will get a good feel for that period which will provide a basis for later learning. My point is that perhaps the inaccuaracies (if there are any - I'm not arguing for or against that) aren't that relevant right now unless it's a huge discrepancy. Two: what kind of learner is your child? We have 4 children. My older 3 are all avid readers who love storytime. My youngest fidgets. She'd rather have something hands on to do. We still read aloud, she still has required independent reading, but I've learned to accept she's not going to be enthusiastic when it's time to sit to read. However, if I give her silly putty to play with while I read, it's more pleasant. It seems as if she's not listening, but later I find she was when it's time for discussion. That said, there are so many opinions with a multitude of curriculum choices out there that I'm sure you'll find something that works for the two of you. I do recommend the AG guide to coordinate with the books if you choose SOTW. If it doesn't work the first year, switch to something the next year. Regardless you'll cover much more history than would be seen at this age in public/private. Best of luck to you.

Day 1 we completed the map Day 2 and 3 - we answered two daily questions That's all we did. Some weeks we didn't do geography, but at the end of the year, the geography notebooks (5th and 3rd grade) had a little over 20 weeks complete. In the spring we were a part of a geography co-op. There were 3 weeks to each continent. Week 1 - foods/cooking from 1 or more countries from that continent Week 2 - arts/crafts from 1 country Week 3 - science (think biomes, inventors, etc). It was fun. This year we won't be a part of the co-op due to other commitments. When we read another subject, we'll go look on a map any location mentioned. All in all it was a good year. My suggestion, for what it's worth, is to plug along what you can or what interests you. The girls learned a lot. Best of luck to you.

How's the reader list for SOTW 2? The girls will follow assignments by someone else from Mystery of History, but I plan to read some from this book plus the encyclopedias. I'm thinking I don't really need SOTW 2 AG guide, but I feel pulled. I tend to buy too much.

Do you have Half Price Books or another used book store in your area? We found a college textbook on Art History with a brand new CD in the back. Also, The Annotated Mona Lisa: A Crash Course in Art History Prehistoric to Post Modern can be found on amazon for less than $10. It's a great reference. Enjoy! I look forward to seeing some other answers come up.

Does anyone remember the movie "You've got mail"? I thought it would be okay to watch with my 15, 11, and 9 year old. Realize how hard it can be to accommodate all 3 ages. It was okay, but in one scene the father is kissing his date, and the son says on the telephone (as he's watching the kiss) "Oh no, she's a prostitute (subsitute this with slang beginning with h - I'm trying to keep it clean to not offend someone). My 9 year old asks, what's that mean Mom? Before I could come up with an answer my 11 year old answers, "It's a homeless person." The movie continued. THAT'S why I homeschool. My older two knew the true meaning of this word by the time they were 11 because they had heard it (and explained) in school. I don't want to protect them forever, but I do value that my younger girls can hold on to their innocence a while longer.

You can tell by the title I live with teenagers and pre-teens, but it truly is wonderful! Have a blessed year.

Do you have to finish the textbook in one year? We've done science about 2 days a week and my daughters have learned WAY more science than their older sisters did at the same age (older sisters were public schooled). I don't know what grade you are teaching, but it's one thought. BTW, I recommend the Science Wiz (elementary) and Thames and Kosmos (various ages) kits to go with your lessons. You can buy them online. I get them from Hobby Lobby with a 40% coupon.

What about one of the virtual public schools for the first year since she likes the workbook approach? Perhaps it would make the mom more comfortable. We've not used it, but I'm sure some on this board could give more information. I've heard of some using Oak Meadow. I've also heard of Connections Academy and K12.

This last year was our first year for written narrations with Noeo. For history we simply discussed it as a family, following up with some video and hands on activities. My girls were 3rd and 5th. Narration was tough for both at the beginning of the year. It continued to be tough for my 3rd grader until the last half or quarter of the year. I read the Usborne book to them; we stopped at the end of each paragraph and they took turns telling me what they considered to be the important facts from that paragraph (if any) or highlights if you will. At the end, they went to the kitchen table and wrote what they felt was important. Sometimes I gave small suggestions and they were allowed to talk to one another about it because I thought it made the learning more meaningful. I'm fairly new to homeschooling, but it worked well for the girls. They learned a lot from it. If you're doing Physics, Science Wiz has science kits the girls really enjoyed. You can find them at Hobby Lobby. I have one friend who used the Kingfisher history encyclopedia and her 5th grader had to write one important fact from each paragraph. I'm sure there are other interesting suggestions out there - I look forward to reading them.

Based on Swimmermom's recommendation (because it sounds like she knows her stuff in the language department), I bought Duke TIP's independent learning study on White's book about King Arthur. It's pretty amazing; in junior high they are covering the TCQC (basically the ingredients to include in an answer) approach to a literary essay. I noticed Duke also has a program called The Reader's Journey which introduces literary analysis, though LL looks pretty incredible as well. Just throwing another choice out there.

It's definitely written by a Christian. I see no references using Usborne books and there's mention in the front about her creationist viewpoint, but most of the books are secular in content so I think it could be used as a reference book for anyone, much like some use Sonlight from a secular perspective. Perhaps you can find a homeschooler who owns this book near you to see if you would like it for yourself or Barnes and Noble could order it for you to look at it? It's made life easier for me because I don't have to research the different lists from curriculum that I don't plan to buy. My dream job, to own a book store - heaven on earth. Hope this helps.

I have a sixth grader who will do this- female - any other girls tackling this program? It looks spectacular - our first Duke adventure. Way too much on our agenda; it should prove interesting. Thanks for all of the ideas.

Evaluating the book on Amazon is a great idea. Another thought is to buy All Through the Ages History through Literature Guide by Christine Miller. There are lists for chronological history as well as geographical history. Literature is recommended by grade level under topics such as resource book, historical fiction, literature, and biography. It also gives abbreviation to let you know if it is a book used by Sonlight, Veritas Press, Newberry Award, Books Children Love, etcetera. After the title and author, a short note about the book follows. I use this book weekly, but then like you, we read a lot of literature to coordinate with history. Happy hunting - too many books, not enough time!!

We used both Horizons and Singapore last year, taking out any work not needed. This year the girls will attend a university model school 2 days a week using Abeka math (they want competitive sports without community select programs). I plan to supplement at home. Which should I choose - the Horizons or Singapore? I have a word challenge book for Singapore. By the way, this is for grade four. I will supplement with Chalkdust for my older daughter. I'm not worried about basic math calculations, but I would like to keep my fourth grader progressing in pre-algebra and geometry concepts. Thanks guys for answering a question for the younger grades - I think you can see a bigger picture than someone with children still in elementary and junior high.

We own both, but have only used Trail Guides. However, we were only using it as an introduction to all of the continents - we will begin the 5 themes of geography next year. From your response of how you plan to use geography, I would recommend ATW in 180 Days. If it fits your budget, buy the Trail Guides CD for the notebook pages. They are well done. We've also enjoyed Eating Your Way around the World. It's informative, as well as having doable, great recipes children can accomplish independently. If only we could own it all, but my budget and wall space cry no. Should you not choose TG, pm me and I'll type their recommended literature coordinating to the continents, along with books recommended by a couple of other resources if you have elementary ages.