Which do you think is easier to implement....

[cam112198]

SOTW Vol. 1 or HOD Beyond for a 2nd grader? Just curious about your thoughts. I have a newborn coming in 3 weeks. :-)

[Chris in VA]

Well, my only experience is with SOTW, but I can tell you I think it is easy to implement. You can go as in depth as you want to--but with a program, you might feel you can't cover everything the schedule says.

 

You can easily read a chapter a week, and just have one supplementary book going, or make a library run and stock up. The AG is a must-have, imo, because you can ask the questions for comprehension (no thinking it up on your own needed), and even use a line from the sample narration as copywork, if you want. You can hand your child the coloring page to do while you read, and the mapwork goes right into the notebook. Easy-peasy. You can speed it up by just doing a reading from the book without ANY other work, or you can take two weeks and do history every day and have plenty to keep you busy. It's just very flexible.

[Lovedtodeath]

Well, SOTW as it is with the AG would involve library trips, unless you use a booklist from a program. How involved it is depends on the type of learner you have and how you implement things really.

 

HOD seems like it would be simpler, but less flexible. I haven't used it.

 

What I have done this year is have DD do most of our history reading from the picture books independently (unschooled really) and added in SL readers for good measure. You can't get much simpler than that!

[2_girls_mommy]

I have a 2nd grader doing SOTW 2, and I think it is very easy also, even w/library trips. I haven't used the other program, and I don't have a newborn, but I can tell you how we do SOTW.

 

First, I learned to take the A.G. to the copy shop and have an entire copy of the student pages made this summer before we started. It cost around $5. I had them 3 hole punched, and now she has her entire year printed off. So simple! Now, I only occasionally have to make a coloring sheet copy for my younger child when she wants one, or onto card stock for a project. I highly recommend this, as copying onto your copier from the book itself was very difficult for me last year. (They did have to cut the binding off of my book, and put the entire thing into a binder too.)

 

We go to the library one afternoon a week after school the same day each week as part of our routine. I request the books for the next couple of chapters while I am there. I pick up the ones that are onshelf, and the others will be ready when I come next week. The key is starting this a week before you start, so you are requesting for the next week. We spend about an hour there. The kids play computer games and choose books in the children's area.

 

We do history 2x a week. The first day I read aloud, and dd colors while she listens and answers comprehension questions. Then she gives a narration. Mine actually prefers now to just write hers by herself w/out giving it aloud anymore. We look at the globe, practice her memory work (lists from the back of the encyclopedia) and maybe read a short book from the library.

 

The 2nd session of the week, we read the last section. If there were 3 sections in the chapter, we read 2 the first day, and one the 2nd. Do questions, and narration. Then we do the mapwork. We also practice the memory lists.

 

The extra books from the library usually come into play for her silent reading, or at bedtime. I try to read at least one or two to my 5 yr old, especially the good picture books at her level.

 

We do an activity every few weeks.

[Lovedtodeath]

You might be just fine. Most newborns are pretty easy to take to the library or museum. They can just be worn on mom. They are also pretty content to sleep while you teach. (I had one with severe colic, but there were still times that he was happy to just be held/nursed.) It is when they start crawling and walking that things get more difficult!

[mamato3 all-boy boys]

I was in your shoes 4 years ago....tho' I wan't trying to chose between HOD and SOTW, I was trying to chose between SOTW and TOG. Hands down, SOTW was easy peasey to use. The map was there, the directions for it were clear as a bell, the activities were simple, yet meaningful. I used the library that year, and even that was not stressful. I think SWB has done post-natal mommies a huge favor with her books and the AG.

[Donna T.]

Well, we haven't used Beyond yet but I do have it and I've spent alot of time pouring over everything. I have used SOTW 1, 2, and 3. I think they are pretty close to being equal as far as ease of use. I just don't think there is much difference at all. Neither of them really need any extras though you may at times wish to add a picture book here or there.

 

If I were you, I'd make a choice based on what I was really looking for... if you want just history, go with SOTW. If you are looking for a full curriculum and would also be implementing HOD's storytime or other components, then go that way. Beyond's history looks great to me but it is much fuller than just one subject. It's a complete curriculum.

 

But, just for ease of us, I'd expect them to be about the same.

[Pata]

I think that it depends on what your goals are. If you want to follow TWTM rotations, SOTW makes that very easy. That said, I've never used or looked at HOD, but I am using SOTW. I find that it's very easy to implement, as long as you have a plan! For that you can use a program like Ancient Explorations or Biblioplan or you can put one together yourself before the year begins, you can see how I do this here on my blog. Hope that helps and congrats on your new little one :)!

[cam112198]

Thank you guys for all your responses!! I used SL Core 1 last year and used SOTW a little bit. So I am a little bit familiar with it. We are using HOD Beyond this year, and I am finding that I do not want a complete program. I really am just looking for history. And I don't like doing history everyday. I would prefer to do it 2 or 3 times a week.

Let me ask you this....if you use SOTW, do you take a break to do a state study or to learn the states and capitals? Or the presidents? What about American History? When you do get to SOTW Vol. 4, is there enough American History, or do you supplement?

 

I have a 2nd grader doing SOTW 2, and I think it is very easy also, even w/library trips. I haven't used the other program, and I don't have a newborn, but I can tell you how we do SOTW.

 

First, I learned to take the A.G. to the copy shop and have an entire copy of the student pages made this summer before we started. It cost around $5. I had them 3 hole punched, and now she has her entire year printed off. So simple! Now, I only occasionally have to make a coloring sheet copy for my younger child when she wants one, or onto card stock for a project. I highly recommend this, as copying onto your copier from the book itself was very difficult for me last year. (They did have to cut the binding off of my book, and put the entire thing into a binder too.)

 

We go to the library one afternoon a week after school the same day each week as part of our routine. I request the books for the next couple of chapters while I am there. I pick up the ones that are onshelf, and the others will be ready when I come next week. The key is starting this a week before you start, so you are requesting for the next week. We spend about an hour there. The kids play computer games and choose books in the children's area.

 

We do history 2x a week. The first day I read aloud, and dd colors while she listens and answers comprehension questions. Then she gives a narration. Mine actually prefers now to just write hers by herself w/out giving it aloud anymore. We look at the globe, practice her memory work (lists from the back of the encyclopedia) and maybe read a short book from the library.

 

The 2nd session of the week, we read the last section. If there were 3 sections in the chapter, we read 2 the first day, and one the 2nd. Do questions, and narration. Then we do the mapwork. We also practice the memory lists.

 

The extra books from the library usually come into play for her silent reading, or at bedtime. I try to read at least one or two to my 5 yr old, especially the good picture books at her level.

 

We do an activity every few weeks.

 

What a great idea!!

 

You might be just fine. Most newborns are pretty easy to take to the library or museum. They can just be worn on mom. They are also pretty content to sleep while you teach. (I had one with severe colic, but there were still times that he was happy to just be held/nursed.) It is when they start crawling and walking that things get more difficult!

 

That is very true!! Maybe it won't be as rough as I think it might be. I also like the option of using the cd if I need to.

 

Well, we haven't used Beyond yet but I do have it and I've spent alot of time pouring over everything. I have used SOTW 1, 2, and 3. I think they are pretty close to being equal as far as ease of use. I just don't think there is much difference at all. Neither of them really need any extras though you may at times wish to add a picture book here or there.

 

If I were you, I'd make a choice based on what I was really looking for... if you want just history, go with SOTW. If you are looking for a full curriculum and would also be implementing HOD's storytime or other components, then go that way. Beyond's history looks great to me but it is much fuller than just one subject. It's a complete curriculum.

 

But, just for ease of us, I'd expect them to be about the same.

 

I thought I was looking for more than just history initially, but I really think I am just looking for history.

[Chris in VA]

SOTW 3 contains the beginnings of the Colonial period. We learned about Jamestown, and the American Revolution, and all sorts of other things. It really comes alive when you set it in the context of the rest of the world. It just makes more sense! You get a global picture of how people were wrestling with new ideas (there's a great chapter on Newton and Locke right before the Revolution stuff) and new ways of governing, so you can better see what was happening in the 13 colonies.

 

We add in some literature to flesh out some of the major points. Calico Bush, our current read-aloud, is about the settling of Maine. Maggie is a bound-out French girl, and we can see how the French and Indians were characterized by the English settlers. We really like historical fiction to fill in the spine--SOTW is perfect for the intro to the time period, and has its own engaging stories--I never knew what "defenestration" was, for example, until I read SOTW! lol

 

Anyway, I am loving the way my child gets a global perspective on Am. history.

 

As far as state studies, we live in VA, so our state history is really early Am history. For the presidents, we just memorize a list, and plenty comes up in SOTW 3 and 4. I also have a presidents book we can add in for fun. Grammar stage is just a taste for us--a really meaty study might come in logic for us. We memorize the states and capitals in 5th grade--13 colonies now when they come up, the rest then.

[Cranberry]

just to second what others have said about SOTW, although we are only in the Ancients.

 

I love how flexible it is. We can go as in depth as we want or skim the top if we want, and I do that based on how crazy life is in any week or based on the interest of my son. At the bare minimum, we read the chapter (broken up into 2 days), do narration and review questions from the AG, do the coloring page while I read aloud. Map work and literature throughout the week, often the extra books become bedtime stories. Then if there's a project that looks interesting in the AG and we have the stamina to do it with a crazy toddler around we do it. Otherwise we skip it and move on the next week.

 

I think the only part that might be a challenge with a newborn is the library run (but we could do it every other week and still be fine) and the extra craft projects. But you could also do those in the evening or saturday if you have dad home to help.

[cam112198]

SOTW 3 contains the beginnings of the Colonial period. We learned about Jamestown, and the American Revolution, and all sorts of other things. It really comes alive when you set it in the context of the rest of the world. It just makes more sense! You get a global picture of how people were wrestling with new ideas (there's a great chapter on Newton and Locke right before the Revolution stuff) and new ways of governing, so you can better see what was happening in the 13 colonies.

 

We add in some literature to flesh out some of the major points. Calico Bush, our current read-aloud, is about the settling of Maine. Maggie is a bound-out French girl, and we can see how the French and Indians were characterized by the English settlers. We really like historical fiction to fill in the spine--SOTW is perfect for the intro to the time period, and has its own engaging stories--I never knew what "defenestration" was, for example, until I read SOTW! lol

 

Anyway, I am loving the way my child gets a global perspective on Am. history.

 

As far as state studies, we live in VA, so our state history is really early Am history. For the presidents, we just memorize a list, and plenty comes up in SOTW 3 and 4. I also have a presidents book we can add in for fun. Grammar stage is just a taste for us--a really meaty study might come in logic for us. We memorize the states and capitals in 5th grade--13 colonies now when they come up, the rest then.

 

Thanks Chris in VA!! I enjoyed hearing your perspective on how SOTW makes American history come alive set in the context of the rest of the world!

 

just to second what others have said about SOTW, although we are only in the Ancients.

 

I love how flexible it is. We can go as in depth as we want or skim the top if we want, and I do that based on how crazy life is in any week or based on the interest of my son. At the bare minimum, we read the chapter (broken up into 2 days), do narration and review questions from the AG, do the coloring page while I read aloud. Map work and literature throughout the week, often the extra books become bedtime stories. Then if there's a project that looks interesting in the AG and we have the stamina to do it with a crazy toddler around we do it. Otherwise we skip it and move on the next week.

 

I think the only part that might be a challenge with a newborn is the library run (but we could do it every other week and still be fine) and the extra craft projects. But you could also do those in the evening or saturday if you have dad home to help.

 

I do think it would be nice to have the flexibility to go more in depth during some weeks and other weeks just do the bare minimum! Thanks for your response!

[MommyInTraining]

I think the only part that might be a challenge with a newborn is the library run

 

 

I don't think this would be a problem at all if your library offers online holds. I love to go online to our library when it is convenient for me and put whatever we want on hold. Then, I just go in and pick it up off of the hold shelf.

 

Do you know if your library offers that service?

[cam112198]

I don't think this would be a problem at all if your library offers online holds. I love to go online to our library when it is convenient for me and put whatever we want on hold. Then, I just go in and pick it up off of the hold shelf.

 

Do you know if your library offers that service?

 

Our library does offer that service! That's a great idea! I see you have a little one due in January! Congratulations!! You're not too far behind me! Our due date is December 19th, but have a c-section scheduled for December 9th.

[Oakblossoms]

And, ours has a in inactivation thing. I guess it's for vacations or what not. I use it to line up with when I need new books. That way I don't have to pick up 50 books and figure out to get them to the car.

 

I have it set so I only pick up a bagful each visit. If we really are enjoying a subject, I will go and put the next batch off a few more weeks.