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SOTW4 activity book recommendation...what??


dangermom
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I've been doing my annual summer job of making out a reading list from the SOTW activity book (among other resources) and today I came across a recommendation of "Tintin in the Congo." :ohmy:

 

I didn't even know you could get it in America--I only ever saw it in Denmark--but what in goodness' name is it doing on a book list?? Is it maybe supposed to be an object lesson or something? All the description says is that "Tintin and Snowy head to the Belgian Congo. (4-6)" It did have the 'preview' warning attached. I should say so...

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It was written shortly after the end of the Congo Free State. The book probably goes with that chapter in SOTW4 (or later on when independence from Belgium was achieved during the crises in the '60s) . It would open a great discussion about imperialism and colonialism and such. It is also a good jumping off point for a discussion of how we study history - these comic strips were widely accepted at the time they were published. If your child is mature enough for the rest of the twentieth century history, then an argument could be made for a discussion of this book. Then again, I probably shouldn't offer an opinion on this since I refuse to teach 20th century history to my kids - ever. :D

 

 

Personally, I think the detailed study of the genocides of the twentieth century needs to come a little later in life. Then again, I don't think I had ever heard about how bad colonialism in the Congo was until I read Heart of Darkness and was trying to understand the context of that wretched book.

 

So after much rambling, I wouldn't buy the book, nor would I read it to a 4th grader. For a 6th grader, if the library had it, I would check it out because I do appreciate the value of reading literature written during a time period - followed by a good deal of discussion.

Edited by Karen in CO
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I think it would be OK for that purpose for someone in, maybe, junior high or more. I remember being quite shocked by it at 15 (though not harmed). But 4-6 grade?? No. And I'm surprised to see it listed as a resource anyway--I'm sure there isn't much around on the Congo, but still.

 

I know what you mean about 20th-century history--SOTW 4 is pretty grim (and confusing). I'm having my little 1st grader do world geography instead of history along with her big sister this year...

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I think it would be OK for that purpose for someone in, maybe, junior high or more. I remember being quite shocked by it at 15 (though not harmed). But 4-6 grade?? No. And I'm surprised to see it listed as a resource anyway--I'm sure there isn't much around on the Congo, but still.

 

I know what you mean about 20th-century history--SOTW 4 is pretty grim (and confusing). I'm having my little 1st grader do world geography instead of history along with her big sister this year...

 

I didn't use the Activity Guide for much other than the maps and the discussion questions. But, I did notice last year that it is very much geared for older students - some books were listed as for mature 8th graders. But, I guess that is in keeping with the fact that SOTW-4 is targeting 4th-8th graders. (And, my 8th grader loved it! Though I ended up having my 5th grader take a LONG break, and then just read and discuss after JFK - he would just get so upset about things.)

 

When my current 4yo hits first grade, we'll be in Year 3, and I'm not sure what I'll have her do. What are you doing for the geography?

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You didn't ask me but: When DD hits year 3 I plan to use some American History resources from Hewitt Homeschooling. I am also looking into what MFW has to offer,

pulling some from here and there, keeping it simple. Someone talked about a MFW program in another thread. She said that it incorporates SOTW 3 and 4 along with American History. It sounded great.

Edited by Lovedtodeath
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When my current 4yo hits first grade, we'll be in Year 3, and I'm not sure what I'll have her do. What are you doing for the geography?

I have a children's atlas, the DK book on children around the world, and a library card. Every week we'll learn about a country (or group of countries, like Scandinavia), read a folktale or two, maybe a recipe or whatever fun stuff. Then I think I'll make a little passport out of paper stock and we can put stamps in it or something.

 

I haven't drawn up a schedule of countries yet, but I will soon. When I did the same thing with my older girl, we did world geography for 30 weeks and American history for 6, so she knew about George Washington, Lincoln, major things like that.

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I have a children's atlas, the DK book on children around the world, and a library card. Every week we'll learn about a country (or group of countries, like Scandinavia), read a folktale or two, maybe a recipe or whatever fun stuff. Then I think I'll make a little passport out of paper stock and we can put stamps in it or something.

 

I haven't drawn up a schedule of countries yet, but I will soon. When I did the same thing with my older girl, we did world geography for 30 weeks and American history for 6, so she knew about George Washington, Lincoln, major things like that.

 

Thanks for responding! I'm thinking about doing fairy tales (without any real history) with year 3 (1st grade) - that will go along with the 7th grade reading list, anyway. I will keep geography in mind for 2nd grade (our Year 4).

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Rhondabee, I have some geography plans that we got about halfway through and plan to revisit. They are based on mainly the things below:

 

Disney Learnings Our World, Around the World Art and Activities, Draw Write Now books 7 and 8, Material World and Growing Up Around the World: Books as Passports to Global Understanding for Children in the United States is a project of the International Relations Committee of the Association for Library Service to Children.

 

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/al...roundWorld.cfm

 

 

#72 #73 Here are a couple of posts about it. I had it in my blog, but I can't get onto my blog. It has dissappeared!

Edited by Lovedtodeath
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I'm really, truly trying to say this gently:

 

I realize that you are not currently receiving remuneration for your "Secular Classical Curriculum". But, I am not even on the K-8 board that much any more, and it still seems that most every time I am, you are inserting your curriculum into the thread. It may not be a direct violation of the Board Rules, but inwardly I find myself reacting very negatively to it.

 

I am sure you are a wonderful person. Really. And I hate to sound snitty about your geography program. But, my purpose in posting was to explore the *process* that another mom with older dc was using to solve the whole "younger child getting folded in during SOTW-3 or 4" dilemma.

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No one has said anything to me before this not even in private, but I was really excited at first, so I am not shocked at the idea. I actually was trying to be more careful to not discuss it within a thread lately, especially since I already have testers (and how would one get testers otherwise?) and I am not ready for customers.

 

Edit: OH, you are referring to the earlier post?? I had forgotten that I already posted in this thread. I will often subscribe to a thread without posting. I can see how that came across. How embarrassing. I obviously need to be more careful. I'll get rid of it.

 

The geography plans that I am referring to are something that I wrote for my own family and have been offering when others might want help or suggestions with their own geography. They are by no means a complete schedule and I have been offering them free of charge for along time... long before I ever started the idea of selling curriculum. They are not part of my "Secular Classical Curriculum" plans at this time, and if they were, I wouldn't have been giving them away so freely.

Edited by Lovedtodeath
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I didn't use the Activity Guide for much other than the maps and the discussion questions. But, I did notice last year that it is very much geared for older students - some books were listed as for mature 8th graders. But, I guess that is in keeping with the fact that SOTW-4 is targeting 4th-8th graders.
I noticed that too as I was buying books earlier this summer. I usually use the recommended books as a launching point, in the end I'd say they represent a third of the books I end up with. I think we'll be getting into vol 4 mid year, I'll have a 12 yr old and an 8 yr old with hugely different reading abilities, so I had to do a real mix of more advanced books and early-reader type books (my younger ds has taken longer to catch on to the whole reading thing).
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Rhondabee,

 

I've been questioning the same thing- my older two dc have already read the SOTW series and are doing the history rotation a second time, but my younger two (3rd & K) will be doing SOTW 2 together next year, so SOTW 3 will be done when they are in 4th & 1st. I really and concerned whether we should use SOTW 3 especially for my youngest... perhaps we'll take a detour and do SL 3 & SL 4 (American history)?? Then go back to SOTW 3 & 4. I know I'm thinking ahead, but it will be here before I know it!

 

Anyway, sorry to ramble, just wanted you to know, I'm wondering the same thing!

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I did not see Carmen inserting her curriculum here at all. She’s not working on SOTW 4, and her response seemed right in line with the exchange of information in this thread. She was merely offering some ideas for a young geography program, which she shares freely, as was mentioned. I’m sorry you reacted so negatively to her, and I wonder what could be the underlying cause of your gentle attack. Hum.

 

Just my two cents, I’m not trying to step on any toes. Please understand if I do not revisit this thread, or respond to any negativity this post may create. It is not my intention to stir up discord.

 

ETA:

I was just informed that she did indeed insert her curriculum. LOL. Sorry for the confusion, I’m still left wondering where this negativity is coming from.

:grouphug:

 

I'm really, truly trying to say this gently:

 

I realize that you are not currently receiving remuneration for your "Secular Classical Curriculum". But, I am not even on the K-8 board that much any more, and it still seems that most every time I am, you are inserting your curriculum into the thread. It may not be a direct violation of the Board Rules, but inwardly I find myself reacting very negatively to it.

 

I am sure you are a wonderful person. Really. And I hate to sound snitty about your geography program. But, my purpose in posting was to explore the *process* that another mom with older dc was using to solve the whole "younger child getting folded in during SOTW-3 or 4" dilemma.

Edited by lovemykids
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