Michelle My Bell Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 I have been thinking about school next year, and I really don't want to do the full blown history (TOG) with my younger two girls. What I really want to do with them is read a lot of rich literature, like Beatrix Potter, James Herriot, etc... Even though I want to do this now, I find that after working with my older two, then my younger two, I just don't have the energy or the time to add this in. She isn't grasping a lot of it anyhow. (Were on the Revolutionary War right now). My thoughts are that we will be starting the history cycle over in two school years anyhow, I could start her and my other daughter then with their older sisters. She would be 4th grade then, and my youngest daughter would be 2nd grade. Would it be ok to do something like this? Some of the books will of course have historical facts in them, but I don't want to read these books in a systematic way. I just want to pick and choose. Maybe do a few progeny press guides along the way. What do you all think? Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue G in PA Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 is the right way to go. My ds6 had NO interest in History this year (Ancients). He really had no interest in anything. :glare: Really, history w/ the little ones is more exposure than for retention. They might retain some key facts on which to "hang" later information, but really it's just exposure. By reading good books, some historical fiction (for younger ones), maybe even doing a litte something like FIAR (which covers some geography and some history in the way you described...not in a continuum, but rather just bits and pieces) would be perfect! Have fun with them. Don't stress. I'm making a mental note to take my own advice, :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArwenA Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 I'm with Sue, if you think it would be better to not do history, don't! Just because lots of other people do history at that age doesn't mean you have to.:chillpill: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Many times the younger kids learn through osmosis. They can listen in on lessons the older kids are having without really knowing that they are listening/learning. I agree, relax and do history when both you and they are ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 I'd give your 7 yo a stack of COFA's (Childhood of Famous Americans) to read. She's at a great age to enjoy them and will take in the history "by osmosis." For your 5 yo, just reading the D'Aulaire books and other things together would be lovely. I certainly wouldn't stress over it, not with a 5 yo. I'd do SOMETHING with the 7 yo, but it doesn't have to be heavy, just something. Since you're feeling tired and having a hard time getting to those read alouds, how about books on tape/cd? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robyn Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Since you're feeling tired and having a hard time getting to those read alouds, how about books on tape/cd? :iagree: I just posted on another thread that all I've been doing with ds for history the past two years has been handing him the SOTW cd's for bedtime listening. We occasionally tie in corresponding books in the time period he is listening too. A couple of times we have done actual narrations and supplemental readings from one of the Usborne history encyclopedias but we never get far with that. There are so many other books that I want to read, that are not history related, and those are what we've been focusing on for literature. I will probably take a similar approach with my youngest. Next year he will be in 4th grade and I think it is time for us to step it up with a more concentrated history study. Now if I could just decide between TOG and SL, we'd been doing great.:tongue_smilie: ETA: Right now we are also doing little unit studies I found on line for state history and elections, but it is not something I consider a core part of our day. (In fact I forgot we were even doing it until I saw my signature.) More like something we get to when we sail through an easy day and find extra time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jg_puppy Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 What about following some of Ambleside Online suggestions for history. I have found many of the books for year one on google books and mainlesson.com. Also several of the books are available in audio versions at http://librivox.org/ for free. Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted April 3, 2008 Author Share Posted April 3, 2008 Thank you all so much! I feel so much better getting some opinions on it. Robin, I love you idea about Story of the World. I will have to do that! Thanks! Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.