American History Curriculum???

[littlefamily]

We homeschooled in the past and my youngest did SOTW all four volumes. Then she went to public school, but will be home again next year. We moved to Philadelphia, so I thought I would do a year of American History (with lots of fun field trips) before starting the 4 year cycle again next year. She will be in 4th grade.

 

I have been looking at Hakim's books, but it seems too much for a light year. Then I contemplated using SOTW books 3 & 4 and just focusing on the American history sections.

 

Any other suggestions before I start planning for the year?

[mcolflesh]

We are just getting started with Homeschooling this year. Our daughter is entering 4th grade. We are planning on using Beautiful Feet Early American History (http://www.bfbooks.com/s.nl/it.A/id.452/.f) for two days a week.

 

We are in PA like you and in 4th grade we understand we have to focus on State History as well. We are using the America the Beautiful Series: Pennsylvania book (http://www.amazon.com/Pennsylvania-America-Beautiful-Barbara-Somervill/dp/0531185885/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248112911&sr=8-3).

 

For the other two days a week we are using Story of the World Volume 4: Modern Times (http://www.peacehillpress.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=81). Also, we love the audio CDs of Jim Weiss reading Story of the World (http://www.peacehillpress.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=54).

 

 

Best,

[PeterPan]

You could use Child's Story of America or the Abeka 4th gr textbook, both of which are nicely written for that age and would make good springboards for your living books, field trips, etc.

[jg_puppy]

My plan for my 4th grader next year is to use Time Travelers by Amy Pak for our history copywork and activities. http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/

 

Then we will use Truthquest for our history reading and read alouds. We are going to use the Guerber books as our spine with lots of other books that are recommended in Truthquest. We have not started yet so I don’t know how well things will work, but I am excited about our plans.

[mazakaal]

I'm planning on doing American history with my kids next year. I don't have a 4th grader, but I thought I'd just throw out the names of some of the curriculums that I researched. My Father's World - Adventures, Winter Promise - American Story, American Crossing, and others, Beautiful Feet - Early American History, Guest Hollow - American History, All American History by Bright Ideas Press, Sonlight - Core 3/4, Heart of Dakota.

 

In the end I decided to use All America History for my older boys and put together my own thing for the younger two. Hope you find something that works for you.

[Katie.Louise]

Have you looked at Mara Pratt's history series on mainlesson.com?

These are great and free. Here's the link:

 

http://www.mainlesson.com/displayauthor.php?author=pratt

 

Katie

[TracyR]

We live in Pa as well. The northwest side of PA but we were in Philly in June and what a perfect place to teach American History.

Anyways we used Time Travelers by Homeschool in the Woods. It was a fun program, very "meety" you can also line the program up with Sonlight's book list of Core 3 and 4.

We did that this year and it made for a perfect American History program for us.

 

We didn't do much for state history other then some hand outs. But we will be using State History from a Christian Perspective (www.statehistory.net ) this year. It looks like a very good program.

Edited July 20, 2009 by TracyR

[KarenNC]

We're using The Story of the USA workbook series along with SOTW 3 and 4 to emphasize American history (this is over 3rd and 4th grade) http://www.epsbooks.com/dynamic/catalog/series.asp?seriesonly=1631M. I'm adding in some reader and read aloud suggestions from Sonlight's core 3 and core 4 as well.

[littlefamily]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[Caroline4kids]

Have you looked at Mara Pratt's history series on mainlesson.com?

These are great and free. Here's the link:

 

http://www.mainlesson.com/displayauthor.php?author=pratt

 

Katie

 

I am using these, but bought them through amazon--they have a four for three promotion too!!

 

They are wonderful for narrating. :)

[Sherri in MI]

We used Abeka History 4 and loved it. I really never used Abeka for anything else before or since (I did use the Health book last year & will again this year). I bought the complete set & really liked it, not just the student text, for $100 new. You could get away with using only the book, and just read and discuss it (if you don't want tests they are seperate). There are Comprehension Checks at the end of each chapter - there is a seperate answer key you can purchase.

 

Sherri

[plimsoll]

For core books we have used the Eggleston books and The Rainbow History of American History. We also use video series' as cores. My son really enjoyed the Liberty Kids dvd series. There is a multi-dvd series providing an overview of American history put out by Schlessinger Media. Search for "US History Origins-2000". My son watches these but wishes they were more fun like the Liberty Kids videos (i.e., less expository, more plot).

 

Also, we supplement heavily with biographies, tall tales, and short history books from the library. Some of the authors we read included Betsy & Giulio Maestro, David & Patricia Armentrout, Genevieve Foster, the D'Aulaires, and Jean Fritz.

 

My son also enjoyed Esther Forbes' books. After reading the D'Aulaires' book on Buffalo Bill, he wanted to read The Life of Buffalo Bill (by William F. Cody) and he enjoyed that as well.

 

This year when we finish the Rainbow book, we plan to read the Mara Pratt stories.

[skaterbabs]

I Love America volume two may be right up your alley. Vol I is for k-3rd, vol II is for 4-6. Love to Learn carries them for about $25.

[ChicoryChick]

I am also in SE, PA. This year I will be using "K is for Keystone" for my daughter who is going into 4th grade. I was able to download a TM for free someplace..oh, here is the link: http://www.gale.cengage.com/DiscoverAmerica/guides/PAGuide.pdf It looked like it would be fun and easy to implement!

[jjcmehl]

:iagree: I love these books...thank you for the link...I live in ND, but was able to find my state under the guides. To find your state just click here: http://www.gale.cengage.com/DiscoverAmerica/guides/

[jjcmehl]

Also, someone a couple months back posted the following (I saved the suggestions to a word doc.):

 

 

 

For spines I would use:

Exploring American History

American Pioneers and Patriots

 

For the 50 states I would use:

WP Kid's Learn America

Scrambled States of America

States (Time for Learning)

 

The supplemental books would be: (I put an * next to books I already own)

America in the Time of Pocahontas*

America in the Time of George Washington*

North American Indians

Red, White, and Blue

The Thanksgiving Story

The Fourth of July Story*

America *

The Story of the Pilgrims *

If You Were There in 1492

If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620*

If You Lived in Colonial Times *

If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution*

If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution*

If You Lived at the Time of the Civil War

If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon

If You Lived 100 Years Ago

If Your Name Was Changed at Ellis Island

 

Read alouds (again marked books I own with an *)

I know this list is super long - I'm sure we wouldn't get to all of them.

Squanto

Courage of Sarah Noble *

On the Banks of Plum Creek

Little House on the Prairie *

Sarah Whitcher's Story

In Grandma's Attic *

Mountain Born *

Farmer Boy

Indian Captive *

Tolivers Secret *

Caddie Woodlawn *

We'll Race You Henry Ford *

Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie *

What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin *

George Washington's Mother *

Abraham Lincoln (D'Aulaire) *

George Washington (D'Aulaire) *

Lief the Lucky (D'Aulaire)

 

 

For hands-on ideas, you could use some of the things at the websites for various historic places

 

Plimoth Plantation www.plimothplantation.org

Colonial Williamsburg www.history.org

Colonial activities from the Southern backcountry http://www.charlottemuseum.org/activities.htm

Jefferson National Expansion Monument http://www.nps.gov/jeff/forteachers/...ity-guides.htm Has Lewis and Clark, Native Americans

Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum kids' activities http://www.lauraingallswilderhome.com/kids.htm

 

ideas for using national historic sites (many will have downloadable activities or information that can be used even if you cannot visit) http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/twhp/period.htm though it may be a bit advanced for a 2nd grader, it will give you ideas of parks/activities to look for.

 

Since many of the national sites are part of the National Park Service (including things like the Statue of Liberty, various sites in Boston, etc), the Jr. Ranger webranger program can be of benefit http://www.nps.gov/webrangers/ It's free. There are activities related to George Washington, Paul Revere, War of 1812, Civil War, Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, other various presidents, etc.

 

Many of the birthplaces of presidents may have online activities.

 

 

[amtmcm]

You have LOTS of great suggestions here and I'll add one more. :)

 

I checked the audio CD for this book out of the library and I like its concise and efficient coverage of US History. I went ahead and bought the book on Amazon - I couldn't believe how inexpensive it is for how much info it covers. And it's on the 4-for-3 promo too.

 

Don't Know Much About American History

 

As the reviews on Amazon mention, it has liberal leanings, but I'm fairly conservative and haven't been put off by anything so far. However, I'm not to the 20th century yet. :) Many of the books mentioned so far might be better, but they stop around the civil war or early 1900's. This one continues through 9/11 so could be used as a gap filler.

[blessed2fosteradopt]

For core books we have used the Eggleston books and The Rainbow History of American History.

 

 

From David's recommendation to me in an earlier thread, I recently purchased the above book. It is beautiful. I think it would be great to add to your study.

[DarlaS]

I have both Eggleston books and three of the Mara Pratt books and just listed them up for sale. They are very nice in some ways but just did not speak to me.

 

I'm getting over the whole idea of vintage books. I decided to use something more recently published. (I did the same thing with Primary and Intermediate Language Lessons--when will I learn? :tongue_smilie:)

[momto2Cs]

From David's recommendation to me in an earlier thread, I recently purchased the above book. It is beautiful. I think it would be great to add to your study.

 

 

Where would I find this book?

[LadyAberlin]

I Love America volume two may be right up your alley. Vol I is for k-3rd, vol II is for 4-6. Love to Learn carries them for about $25.

 

Is there anywhere that has samples of this? Is this put out by love to learn?

[skaterbabs]

It's not put out by Love to Learn but by the National Center for Constitutional Studies. I found it at the HEAV convention back in June.

 

I don't have it where I can get to it at the moment, but tomorrow I'll type up the table of contents for you. It's done monthly, and in Vol. 1 September is all about the Constitution. I did find this with a Google search:

http://www.diaryofahomeschoolmom.com/category/i-love-america

[LadyAberlin]

It's not put out by Love to Learn but by the National Center for Constitutional Studies. I found it at the HEAV convention back in June.

 

I don't have it where I can get to it at the moment, but tomorrow I'll type up the table of contents for you. It's done monthly, and in Vol. 1 September is all about the Constitution. I did find this with a Google search:

http://www.diaryofahomeschoolmom.com/category/i-love-america

 

Will it last the whole year or is it supplemental?

[skaterbabs]

It kind of depends on the age; for Dot it is a year's worth of lessons. For an older child it could be used as a spine and fleshed out with other books and activities.

[EmeraldGirl]

Oh, you are going to love, love, love all the field trips in this part of the country for American History. Personally, I have Beautiful Feet- Early Amerian History for reading and then visit your sites.

 

I also did State History from a Christian Perspective for Delaware and found it just perfect for us. Again, lots of field trips, but the internet was very helpful to "see" lots of things in our state.

 

Blessings on the journey and enjoy the area!