Mosaicmind Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I was already planning on doing the Late Renaissance-Early Modern period. I want them to be engaged and interested in what we are studying so do I change my plans 2 weeks before we are set to start school? I haven't invested in any books because we were going to use the library and we don't have the money yet to purchase the main spine texts I was going to use. I could change, I guess but I have put alot of time into researching books and looking at curriculum to help me out i.e. TOG, MOH, SOTW, ect. What would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beach Mom Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 This came up at our house last year. What I did was start the year with a four week topic that they chose and then spent the rest of the year on the era I wanted them to study. I felt it was important to listen to their input and honor their choices in some way, but I wasn't prepared to toss our history cycle out the window. By starting with their choice I got them engaged and interested in history after a summer off, and it was an easy transition to the rest of the year. Good luck with whatever you decide :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I sort of had an epiphany about the 4year history cycle the other day. I think the important thing to focus on is the process of learning about history and the content is secondary to that. (Does that even make sense? I does to me, miraculously :D .) Since it sounds more like a financial and planning issue, you can tell your kids that for for a period of time you'd like to continue with what you already have planned and that you will certainly spend some time researching and preparing for that time period they would like to study. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mosaicmind Posted August 6, 2010 Author Share Posted August 6, 2010 My thoughts were to take a break from our "main" history and study what they want in unit study fashion. I just hate to study the moderns when they don't have a grasp on the rest of history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in AZ Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I'd put your current plans on hold and go with their interests. They can tie it all in later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I don't plan our school around dc's interests. They use them for their free time study. It has worked out very well all these years. :001_smile: That way, I don't have to re-plan, they get a good base converage, and they learn independent study skills. It's a win-win situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.... Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 When this happens to us, I continue on our course of study, but also include the topic they are requesting. We're almost completely interest-led in reading and science and my oldest kids are incredible in that department. However, we've followed my way of doing things with writing - and they are awful (they're getting better)! :D:D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I always threw my plans out the window to take advantage of my daughter's interests; but then she's an Aspie and when she was younger in particular it was virtually impossible to work with her when she disengaged... What about telling them there were actually "world wars" in the time period you will be covering (wars between multiple countries, wars involving more than one continent), and then let them focus on those? I would hope you could still use a lot of the material you've chosen, but then let them run with their own focus within that period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolosoli Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I would, without question, change my plans for what they are interested in! “Learning can only happen when a child is interested. If he’s not interested, it’s like throwing marshmallows at his head and calling it eating.†~ Katrina Gutleben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I would, without question, change my plans for what they are interested in! “Learning can only happen when a child is interested. If he’s not interested, it’s like throwing marshmallows at his head and calling it eating.†~ Katrina Gutleben :iagree: I would absolutely go with their interests. I'd also (depending on their age, and with my guidance) allow them to plan a course of study for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamanthaBea Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 My ds is obsessed with military history in general and WWII specifically. I have been just chugging along with our ancient history studies because he obsessively reads about WWII on his own time. I do try to put more of an emphasis on the military aspects of history since that's what he loves. I was afraid that if I made it an official school subject that he would lose interest. I think it totally depends on your sons' personalities. There is always a compromise--a unit study or World War Fridays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rieshy Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 At the very least I'd check out what ever Albert Marrin books on WW I or II that your library has. My son ended up devouring all of the Marrin books the year we were studying something totally unrelated in history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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