Embassy Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Has anyone used or read this book? Did you use it as part of a further study of American History or as a stand alone? I am considering it for a brief overview of American History. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patchfire Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 We used it to supplement SOTW 3 & 4, alongside the Children's Encyclopedia of US History. Dd enjoyed it. I love it, but then, I love Zinn and the original version of the book. I don't know how well it would work solo as an overview, simply because it does assume some base knowledge of the typical American narrative, but I think it would be more than adequate alongside something like the encyclopedia I mentioned above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaffodilDreams Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 I have it, but I'm waiting until Dd is older to use it with her. She is passionate and clings to injustice, so she needs a clearer head before we pull this book out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Embassy Posted May 10, 2011 Author Share Posted May 10, 2011 We used it to supplement SOTW 3 & 4, alongside the Children's Encyclopedia of US History. Dd enjoyed it. I love it, but then, I love Zinn and the original version of the book. I don't know how well it would work solo as an overview, simply because it does assume some base knowledge of the typical American narrative, but I think it would be more than adequate alongside something like the encyclopedia I mentioned above. Good idea. Thanks for your advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Robyn Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 I have no good information for you - just posting to say I'm glad to see other people are using that book! I'm planning on using it as a supplement next year with my oldest ds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 I started reading it with my daughter. She loves when I read it to her, it's started many discussions. I also think it is more suitable as a supplement rather than a stand-alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 I started reading it with my daughter. She loves when I read it to her, it's started many discussions. I also think it is more suitable as a supplement rather than a stand-alone. I hadn't considered using it with so young a child. Is it going well? I think the reading level is middle-schoolish (to read on their own), is that right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessieC Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 Not yet, but I hope to in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 You're right, I wouldn't consider a book like this for a 6 year old - it's more suitable for middle school. I always think of my daughter as being older than 6 though, as she's more mature for her age and can handle things I normally wouldn't consider for a young one. I started reading the first chapter aloud to her one night and she totally gobbled it up. She wrote several stories based on what she learned. I don't intend to have this be a core part of our history studies quite yet, but it's been very interesting to dig in a little bit. Being Native American, I wanted to be sure she was aware there was another side to the more popular stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 I plan on using it with DD in middle school. There is also this awesome website as a resource: The Zinn Education Project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 (edited) I love Zinn, but I still wouldn't use it as a stand alone because it does so strongly represent a certain viewpoint. One that needs to be represented and more often, but still. Pairing it with a more traditional text seems like a good idea to me. But I do think it could be one of a couple of centerpieces to a curriculum for upper elementary school or middle school. Edited May 11, 2011 by farrarwilliams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckens Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 We used it to supplement SOTW 3 & 4, alongside the Children's Encyclopedia of US History. Dd enjoyed it. I love it, but then, I love Zinn and the original version of the book. I can find a Children's Encylopedia of American History, but not U.S. History. Who is the author/publisher? ***I'm taking notes for when my girls are older.***:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patchfire Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 I can find a Children's Encylopedia of American History, but not U.S. History. Who is the author/publisher? ***I'm taking notes for when my girls are older.***:D Ah, well, that could be it. It's currently packed and I can never remember which it is-- US v American. It's the DK book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Embassy Posted May 11, 2011 Author Share Posted May 11, 2011 I love Zinn, but I still wouldn't use it as a stand alone because it does so strongly represent a certain viewpoint. One that needs to be represented and more often, but still. Pairing it with a more traditional text seems like a good idea to me. But I do think it could be one of a couple of centerpieces to a curriculum for upper elementary school or middle school. Could you enlighten me here? It was my impression that the Young People's History of the United States told the cold hard facts rather than the romanticized version of history found in typical textbooks. What is the viewpoint you are referring to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 Ah, well, that could be it. It's currently packed and I can never remember which it is-- US v American. It's the DK book. Is it this DK book? It's been suggested a lot here, so I purchased it. Children's Encyclopedia of American History Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patchfire Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 Is it this DK book? It's been suggested a lot here, so I purchased it.Children's Encyclopedia of American History Yep, that's the one! I always remember the astronaut on the cover. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamachanse Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 Could you enlighten me here? It was my impression that the Young People's History of the United States told the cold hard facts rather than the romanticized version of history found in typical textbooks. What is the viewpoint you are referring to? :iagree: And signing on because I checked it out of the library last week to see if ds can handle it along side SOTW next year. I love Zinn. I'm glad to hear Satori can handle it as a read aloud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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