emilyporter3 Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 I have a 2nd grader and a 1st grader. We are following WTM as closely as possible. We just can't fit the History (Story of the World) in to our schedule. I've tried every semester and we still haven't made it through Ancients. So am I ruining their education by not doing history? How essential is it in these early years of elementary school? We have been doing some geography to learn map skills, United States facts, etc. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2Tess&Gus Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 I have a 2nd grader and a 1st grader. We are following WTM as closely as possible. We just can't fit the History (Story of the World) in to our schedule. I've tried every semester and we still haven't made it through Ancients. So am I ruining their education by not doing history? How essential is it in these early years of elementary school? We have been doing some geography to learn map skills, United States facts, etc. Thanks! I've been having the same problem, but when I just pull the book out and do it, I find it really isn't taking THAT much time. My kids really like it, maybe it's just that I have never LOVED history and so I, somehow, avoid it? Bad mom...I know. Lately, I have decided that I need to teach it. I don't feel good about skipping it, so it has become what we START with in the morning two days per week. That way we (I) can't say we didn't have time...and somehow all the other teaching I always do still fits in on those days, too...huh. So, for my kids (1st and 4th) I think it's really important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallory Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 I think the SOTW books work perfectly for 3rd-6th grade, and for my next two kids I am planning on no formal history until 3rd grade. So I would say not to worry and try again next year (in fact if it didn't really get going for another year you'd be fine too ;)). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staceyshoe Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 I wouldn't worry about it if it's easier to leave it out for now. It's far far more important that you're household isn't under stress. If you really want to incorporate it, an easy way would be to get the audio book to play in the car. I love putting ds at the table to listen to an audio book while doing a coloring page or cut-and-paste kind of project, and I can go about making dinner. But I don't think it's necessary to cover history at this age either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland_Mom Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 Another thing that might help that we have really enjoyed is the audio version. We (myself included) like listening when snacking, having lunch, traveling, or even when the boys are in need of "down time". Most often, we listen in the kitchen. The boys can snack or color a coloring page and I can work quietly on the dishes without "missing" the history lesson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilyporter3 Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 Thanks so much everyone! The audio version is a great idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I'd ditch geography (they will get plenty of map skills and geog from SOTW) and do it in that time slot. It's only 2 days a week, and you can skip a lot of the extras--but don't skip them all, b/c that's the fun part! I made time by having read alouds several times a day, and making my main read aloud be history-related. I also only did narrations one per chapter, not one per section (written ones, that is--I'd usually ask a couple of questions for summary purposes). OTOH, you could skip it the rest of the year and just start up again next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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