I'm trying to round out my resources for history next year, and would really appreciate suggestions, comments, ideas. This will be for a sensitive 10 yo boy who reads well and doesn't particularly like history but does like science. He's more-or-less done a WTMish grammar history cycle, with spottiest coverage for ancients and medieval history, and reads well. My goals are to: * provide rich food for thought and ideas (sort of CM-ish that way), * give a coherent sense of the ancient world and how it followed from prehistory and set the stage for the history that follows * provide a strong grounding in Western Classical civilization, culture, and history * give practice reading I've got a lot of books from History Odyssey Level 2 Ancients and some others, divided into history, literature and other. It may be too much as is! He'll also be reading the books from Beautiful Feet's History of Science. ETA: I'm updating this list as I plan and adding links. Also adding a few China resources; we are settling on Chinese as our modern language choice and that's a great hook for the culture. PRIMARILY HISTORY: K12's Human Odyssey Van Loon's Story of Mankind Augustus Caesar's world (Foster) Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way (Hakim) Caesar's Gallic War (Coolidge) Eyewitness Books Ancient Rome Learning Through History booklet, Ancient Rome Macaulay's Pyramid Anubis Speaks! (Shecter) Builders of the Old World (Hartman) Memoria Press' Famous Men of Ancient Greece Fantastic Inventions and Inventors (True Stories from Ancient China series, Zhu) Ancient China (See Through History) PRIMARILY LITERATURE: Tales of Ancient Egypt (Lancelyn Green) Black Ships Before Troy (Sutcliff) The Wanderings of Odysseus (Sutcliff) The Children's HOmer (Colum) -- OR Iliad & Odyssey for Boys and Girls (Church) The Golden Goblet (McGraw) Greek Myths (Coolidge) -- we'll have done D'Aulaire's this year Tales of Theseus Theras and His Town (Shedeker) Aeneid for Boys and Girls (Church) Gilgamesh Trilogy (Zeman) (esp. read-aloud) Why Snails Have Shells: Minority and Han Folktales from China (Han & Han) (esp. read-aloud) The Chi-Lin Purse: A Collection of Ancient Chinese Stories (Fang) (esp. read-aloud) OTHER: Ralph Masiello's Ancient Egypt Drawing book Music of the Ancient Greeks (audio resource) Music of the Ancient Romans (audio resource) Ancient Egypt (audio resource) Classical Chinese Folk Music or Classical Folk Music from China (audio resource) Chinese Lullabies (audio resource) Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes (Simonds & Swartz)

Hi! I'm new to the forum and wanted to share some info. I spent a great deal of time looking last summer and this past week for info on how to align HO with STOW. I quickly discovered there is not much out there. So, I decided to tackle the tedious task of doing so myself. Below are the tables I created using HO Level 2 as the "spine" of our history lessons. The links take you to my web page, HyperHomeschool, and the tables are embedded as a Google Doc. Hope this helps someone! History Odyssey Level 2: Early Modern and STOW Volume 3 History Odyssey Level 2: Middle Ages and STOW Volume 2 Happy Homeschooling!

I am considering using History Odyssey but my ds is 10 and starting 5th grade. I think Ancients Vol 2 would be best for him, BUT I already own the Usborne I-L History Encyclopedia. I do not have the Kingfisher book that they recommend. Has anyone mixed these two together. I realize I could just use Vol 1 which does use UILHE, but it doesn't have the same notebooking expectations as Vol 2 has. Has anyone already tried this or know of any schedules already available. Hate reinventing the wheel! Wendy

My son is going to be a high-school junior this year. He has been using the History Odyssey Level 3 Curriculum, completing Ancients and Middle Ages during his first two years of high-school studies. He is supposed to be moving on to Early Modern this year, but that level is not published yet. We are considering using the History Odyssey Level 2 Curriculum since all four levels are complete, but I was wondering what other history curricula anyone has used and would recommend that would fit where we are in our studies. Thanks for any and all suggestions!

I would rather go through the Middle Ages with my two oldest dd's chronologically like SOTW instead of by region like History Odyssey does in Level 2 Middle Ages. My girls wanted to use History Odyssey Level 2 plugging in Human Odyssey for their reading assignments instead of using TSOM. We would like to do it chronologically though, especially since we will listen to the SOTW audio. Has anyone paired up SOTW 2 with History Odyssey Level 2 Middle Ages in a schedule that they don't mind sharing?? I've searched but haven't found anything yet.

Hello everyone, I thought I had everything set for next year and then......I didn't. Right now I'm flip-flopping back and forth between History Odyssey Level 2 Ancients and Oak Meadow's fifth grade English/History. I'm looking for opinions on both, please. English hasn't been a focus the past two years because my daughter was very advanced in this area. But as a result, writing hasn't been a focus either and needs to be brought up to snuff. She isn't very excited about doing ancients, but most of the books in OM's program have already been read multiple times. Nothing is really lighting my fire. We tried HO level 1 ancients a few years ago, but she really hated SOTW and CHOW. Any thoughts on these programs, or even suggestions for others would be greatly appreciated! rowan

I am in the process of trying HO Level 1 (Early Modern) with A. -- we are in the second week -- and since neither of us particularly enjoys SOTW, and since it will take a chunk o'time to read the SOTW assignments, I am wondering if we are better served by not using SOTW or by including it? My goals at this point are: to get A. onto a history track that I don't have to personally design; to have him learning some history and developing related skills RE note-taking, writing, &c; and not to spend time needlessly -- we do a generous amount of academics, and his classical piano takes up a lot of time too. My other option is to continue with the AO history rotation, but he really really detests that. He enjoys HO more, but 1. it is more time-consuming and 2. he hasn't had to do the SOTW stuff yet. any thoughts about just these options? thanks in advance!

Since someone alerted me that they usually have this sale in September, I was watching for it (and just got a couple of levels of HO to use toward the end of this year/beginning of next -- almost certainly before next year's sale, so I'm really glad I didn't miss it this year). Thought I'd pass it along! Also, the timeline. It seems quite expensive, and I don't really have a place for a wall timeline anyway, so I was thinking a book format would be better. Has anyone made their own timeline, and if so, would you mind sharing how you did that?

We have dabbled with SOTW and I like it, but I am finding the number of reading choices and activities overwhelming. We only get done a portion of what I've planned. And on weeks I haven't planned, we get nothing done! HO seems more cut-and-dry, with the option of incorporating SOTW into it for the narrative. Wondering if anyone who has tried using it for a whole year had anything good or bad to say about it... Thanks!

Pros and Cons for History Odyssey Middle Ages Level 3......We were going to use Notgrass World History but now thinking History Odyssey.....Is this credit for History and English? Thanks!

I'm tempted -- not really sure why -- by History Odyssey, which we've never used, for Early Modern in 3rd grade next year. Anybody tried and liked or disliked it? We're going to start using CHOLL here as we finish out Medieval Ages, and so I don't know if I ought to choose btw. the two or could easily integrate, treating CHOLL as Button's main formal literature analysis. It seems the usual advice is to not use HO for grammar years; anybody use it and like it? thanks in advance!

I'm considering this as part of our history for next year. I downloaded the "try before you buy", which is helpful. We would also add readings from Tindall's America as it will be a US/World history year. We'd also substitute the Kingfisher book with either Spielvogel's Human Odyssey or DK's Visual History, which I already own. I *think* this would solve some of my issues. We are spreading that time period over 3 semesters to spend an entire semester on WWI -WWII. I don't want JUST American history and I'd like some assignments that I don't have to create. I'm sure I'd tweak it, but at least I wouldn't have to start with nothing. Also has anyone used the new Teacher's Edition for this book? It's only available as a download and well over 800 pages. I also downloaded the sample, but did know if it was necessary. At $54, I can see trying to do without it, but would splurge if it added a lot to the program.

We are currently using History Odyssey's Modern Times and will finish up our first 4-year history cycle this spring. I'm stuck on where to go from here. I would like to start back over at ancients, and looked into SOTW. Am I missing something or are there only 4 volumes --one for each of the first 4 years? I thought people used it beyond the 4 years, but that's all I could find on the WTM website. I could use History Odyssey again (this is our first year using it) but I'm not all that impressed with it. I think it jumps around too much. Is the 2nd round of Ancient's decent? Is there something else we can use that follows the 4-year cycle for grades 5-8? We're not religious, so Christian curriculum is out. SOTW is about as Christiany as I'll go. TIA!

We picked SOTW up a bit late this year, and because we've interleaved our history with Ambleside Online Year 2 we've been relaxed in our pace. Could you tell me where you are in SOTW2, and when you expect to finish it? (we're halfway through chapter 8, "Islam Becomes an Empire". It actualy lines up quite nicely with our AO right now ...) :) thanks!

I'm looking at History Odyssey Level 2 for my rising 5th grader. She hasn't done anything near this level yet... we've been bouncing around a lot, but it's time to buckle down! She hates history (?) so I don't want to bog her down with tons of reading but I do want something solid that will prepare her for middle school level work. How difficult is the outlining piece? Is it well explained? How many hours per week do the Level 2 courses take on average? I've only had experience with H.O. Level 1 (it's the only history she actually liked) and I'm not sure how it compares. It seems like a HUGE leap, but I'm hoping it's an easier transition? Thanks!

How many hours does it take to complete? How many days per week do you spread it over? When & where is the best time & place to buy it? Does it ever come up on HSBC? Anything else I should be asking?

I am new to homeschooling this year. I jumped into this without a lot of research/planning and I am just now starting to feel like I have a clue what I'm doing. Anyhow, I could use some feedback on my choices and the few areas where I'm having a hard time making a decision. A little about me and DD and our life...well first of all I am looking for open and go as much as possible and I'm willing to pay extra for things that make my life easier. My DD is smart, but not particularly interested in school or learning at this point in time. She does what I ask of her (sometimes with lots of stalling and dilly-dallying) and never really asks to do more of anything. Her attention span is not very long. So I'm looking for bright, colorful, exciting, engaging, fun, etc. For complicated reasons that I won't get into now she watched A LOT of TV when she was younger. She doesn't watch as much now, but she spends a lot of time in front of the computer. So I guess I might be interested in curriculum that would utilize the tv or computer. My son is very, very active and takes 1 or 2 half hour naps a day. Unfortunately I often need to use one of them to shower. He's an early bird though and is usually asleep by around 6:30 or 7. DD is a night owl, so we've been doing most of our schooling after DS goes to bed. So anyhow this is what I'm planning: Reading/Phonics: Finish OPGTTR, read Bob books, Nora Gaydos, etc. Is there another program I should get when she finishes OPGTTR or at that point just make sure she's reading to herself and to me regularly? Spelling: AAS1 Grammar: FLL1 Writing: We might get to WWE1 during the year, but her handwriting needs a lot of work, so we'll be focusing on that first. I have some Mead workbooks and I plan to get a small chalkboard and cut up some sponges and do the HWT write, erase, trace thing. I will get ZB workbooks if needed at some point. Math: Here I am unsure. We haven't used a formal curriculum this year, just a $10 workbook from Kmart. I just ordered Miquon orange out of curiosity basically and since it was only $10 and I ordered c-rods cause I figured they might be helpful regardless of the program we use. I am drawn to MUS and I like that there's a video component. I also have heard such great things about Rightstart and like the looks of the bright colorful manipulatives. It's awfully pricey though. I'm also not sure about the whole calling 21 "two-10-one" thing. Does MUS do this too? I'm considering getting MM when HSBC has it on sale this month just to have for extra practice if nothing else. I'll also probably get LoF soon, cause I think DD would like it. Science: I have BFSU, but haven't made the time to figure out how to use it yet. I also have the free Mr. Q book, so could use that. History:This is the other one I'm confused on. Everybody seems to love SOTW, but I've also read in a couple of places that bible stories are presented as historical truth or that even if they are clearly marked as being from the bible, that the timeline of some events is off because it's been adjusted to correspond with the bible. We are schooling secularly so while I could skip the stories, I don't want the facts to be wrong and I'm not up on my history enough to know when the dates are off really in all honesty. So because of this I considered History Odyssey instead which still uses SOTW. But I've read that the SOTW activities are superior to the HO ones. So...I considered just buying it all....HO, SOTW (possibly on CD), the SOTW AG, CHOW, the Usborne encyclopedia, whatever else I need to buy. I figured I could follow HO but pick and choose the most fun/easiest to implement activities from both programs. Does that make sense or is that silly? Is there some other great alternative program that I'm not familiar with that would be fairly open and go, engaging, and secular? Art: I just ordered the Usborne Art Treasury and we'll learn about some artists and do corresponding projects from there and also just holiday crafts and stuff of that nature. I don't feel a need for a real formal art program in 1st grade. Music: Don't have anything planned for this yet. Open to suggestions. Would prefer inexpensive though. Critical Thinking/Logic: Mind Benders, Lollipop Logic etc. Anything important that I'm missing that should be included? I'd really appreciate any advice. Particularly on math and history. :bigear: Thanks for reading all this!

Is it lit based? I looked through the site but didn't find a book list. Dd is using History Odyssey Middle Ages this year but I'm considering History Portfolio Renaissance for 6th grade. Opinions??

We're wrapping up a two year whirlwind through history, using story books and read alouds alone. I like that structured/unstructured look of HO - meaning that I like that it's a checklist. I know I could just do the 10 week sample, but I would have to buy several resources to go along with it (we already have the spines). So, what did you love or not so much love about HO Level 1? There may be some threads on here about this already, but I just can't seem to find them thanks!

Just a heads up that for those of you that like the Pandia Press History and R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey programs, they are offering 25% off all their eBooks this month. We're very happy RSO users and are looking forward to using their History Odyssey more this year. We love their timeline, but unfortunately that isn't included in the sale, only their eBooks. Pandia Press eBook Sale I've blogged about their program tons and just listed their sale on my site today (with links to my previous blog reviews).

I am trying to decide between these 2 programs, but I can't really get a good feel for the difference between them. I can't see samples of the student and teacher pages for the K12 program. I want to combine History, Literature (including beginning literary analysis) and writing. I liked the mapwork in The Story of the World AG as well as the outlining , narration, and comprehension questions that made my job as a teacher much easier. Can anyone give me an idea of what the K12 program using the TG and Student pages would be like? Also, does the online component of K12 really add a lot to the curriculum to be worth the extra $30/month? I just don't know what to do.:confused:

How do you schedule History Odyssey? Do you have to use it daily? Can you do a 2 day week? I'm looking at doing Elemental Science 2 x per week, and then history 2 x per week. Also, would Ancients Level 2 work OK for a 4th and 6th grader? They both read very well.

I just photo-blogged about the new 2011 Pandia Press History Odyssey Classical Education Timeline. Whew, that's a mouthful. The review has plenty of photos, thorough description, and differences between their older version and the new 2011 version. Thumbs up! :D For those that read it right away (and commented already), I did add a few updates to the post in the past half hour.

Hi~ I am in the throes of trying to decide on an ancient world history program for my soon-to-be 8th grade daughter. Leaning towards History Odyssey Level 2 most strongly at this point; can anyone second my thinking or maybe offer another recommendation? I really don't want to buy another world history encyclopedia, so here's a question for those who have used Level 2 History Odyssey: could I substitute my very comprehensive Kingfisher Illustrated History of the World encyclopedia for the alternative Kingfisher History Encyclopedia HO recommends? Do these each cover the same times in history, with basically the same information? Thanks very much for any help offered! Desiree

I want to coordinate Story of the World with History Odyssey Level 2. I'm combining my 3rd, 4th and 5th graders into the same history year and while my 4th and 5th graders have no problem with HO2, my 3rd grader can't handle it and I don't want to do HO1 with her (tried the sample just didn't care for the level 1 materials but really like level 2). We already have SOTW, books, audiobooks and AGs so I just want to use what we have but try to line it up somewhat. Before I sit down with HO2 and SOTW AG to try and line up the SOTW references to Kingfisher History Encyclopedia with the HO Kingfisher references, has anyone already done this and posted it somewhere? :bigear: