Halcyon Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 We follow the 4 year plan, but I don't quite see how we'll get in sufficient American History in our curriculum. We could do a separate course, but we're already overloaded for next year. What do others do? We are about 1/2 way through SOTW 3, so I could see taking a year off the cycle to cover American History, but that would throw us off our 4 year cycle. Not that we're not already off LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tabrett Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 IMHO, this is one of the shortcomings of TWTM. I understand that in most government-run schools, world history is given short shift (I had it in 6th and 10th and the rest of the time was U.S.-centric). But TWTM goes too far in the other direction for my tastes. We did world history up through the Age of Explorers and then switched to 2 years of U.S. history. Modern European history is so dark and with a kindergartner being added to the mix, I just decided to go with something easier to keep positive. The next time through the cycle, we'll do a more global focus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmasmommy Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 :bigear: This is one I'm trying to figure out how to work in too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Unlike the WTM, I don't attempt 3 complete history cycles. I'm only aiming for two, so we've taken those other years to enjoy American history. So far I haven't regretted it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Alfred Academy Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 We follow the 4 year cycle, but we took the past two years to study only American history (13 Colonies-Civil War...I have my own reasons for not going beyond the Civil War) and I am glad we did. I feel like it gave my boys a good foundation of knowing about our Country's origins. We used the Time Travelers cds and added in a lot of reading. I will say, we are way excited about starting our rotation over and doing Ancient next year! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I'll be adding in readings from the Artner Reader's Guide to American History this year, and I'm thinking of working through their Guerber Guide next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AppleGreen Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 We actually did that this year. We focused mainly on American history and it was such a fun, fun year! It was perfect for 4th grade and 1st, so many interesting people and advances. I chose to focus more on the accomplishments, advances and amazing human spirit, not to say it was all sunshine and roses, but I wanted to keep it age appropriate (for my kids). We did a very American focus last year, as well. I really love some of the PP suggestions and will be mulling them over. I do think AH is important and really wanted to be sure my kids got a solid focus on it. I am thinking/hoping we will see a lot more connections as we fold world history into our next cycle. Not sure I am explaining that well, but I hope having a solid understanding of American history will help put world history in context for us by the time we hit high school. We may still do a bit of an American focus on our 2nd pass through, but incorporate more world history than we did this year. We head back to Ancients, so I will be thinking of how we handle the next rotation a bit more this summer. It was really fun teaching history this year (and last) and I don't regret for one second making those fun memories w/ my kids in lieu of being tied to the 4 year rotation. Sorry if this came out gibberish...too many interruptions, mustn't try to read or reply in the midst of bedtime! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cara Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 We started the first cycle late and ended up abandoning it 3/4ths of the way through. Next year for 4th grade we are going to focus on World and US geography. In 5th and 6th we will focus on US History and then start the cycle back in 7th grade which will also be when the little one will be starting the cycle herself. That's the plan right now at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virg Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I was thinking about doing US History in depth in 7th and 8th. They will be old enough to still remember the detail when we touch on it in 11th and 12th but still be able to stay on the 4 year rotation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 We're working our own American History cycles in. A very quick initial study in the Grade 1-2 years. We'll hit it again probably in grade 5-6 and finally more thoroughly in high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquinas Academy Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 I've simply added extra Canadian (and to a lesser extent, American) history to the four-year-cycle. We're still definitely studying world history, but with more of an emphasis on Canada than non-Canadians would have. Personally, I think this is plenty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 Unlike the WTM, I don't attempt 3 complete history cycles. I'm only aiming for two, so we've taken those other years to enjoy American history. So far I haven't regretted it at all. Thanks Daisy. This is one solution, I'll admit. But it makes me quake in my boots a little that the information we "learned" thus far in history will only be gone over one. more. time.....it's not like we actually memorized very much--it was all just exposure. I was sort of counting on Logic Stage to get deeper, and then Rhetoric stage to really review, dig, question and analyze. Hmmm.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 I'll be adding in readings from the Artner Reader's Guide to American History this year, and I'm thinking of working through their Guerber Guide next year. Interesting. It had been my intention to begin working through TCBUSH, but we really didn't get far in it. Do you have a link to sample pages? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamachanse Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 My plan is to work in a little US history and geography this summer after we finish SOTW2 since we will be adding a first grader. We will do an explorer unit. Then I will read Zinn for kids to ds8 and find something age appropriate for ds5. Ds8 is pretty good with US geography. Ds5 needs to learn it. Then we will do SOTW3. Next summer, we will do AZ history and more U.S. History. And then SOTW4. Rinse, repeat. Adding new kids to the mix every few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 My plan is to work in a little US history and geography this summer after we finish SOTW2 since we will be adding a first grader. We will do an explorer unit. Then I will read Zinn for kids to ds8 and find something age appropriate for ds5. Ds8 is pretty good with US geography. Ds5 needs to learn it. Then we will do SOTW3. Next summer, we will do AZ history and more U.S. History. And then SOTW4. Rinse, repeat. Adding new kids to the mix every few years. Oh yes! I forgot about Zinn-thank you for reminding me. Maybe that's the ticket: a nice read aloud. No fuss no muss. ETA: ooh, and it's available for Kindle. Whheee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Unlike the WTM, I don't attempt 3 complete history cycles. I'm only aiming for two, so we've taken those other years to enjoy American history. So far I haven't regretted it at all.:iagree: My kids are younger, but that's my plan as well. Two complete cycles at a more leisurely pace. Extra time for US history and possibly more time for studying other specific topics much later on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 This was/is one of the reasons we decided to do our own thing with History. ;) Here's how we "solved" this problem: Year 1 -- World Geography (some sort of "countries & cultures" course) [For us, 1st grade & Pre-K) Year 2 -- American History, Part 1 (2nd/K) Year 3 -- American History, Part 2 (3rd/1st) Year 4 -- Ancient World History, Part 1 (4th/2nd) Year 5 -- Ancient World History, Part 2 (5th/3rd) Year 6 -- Medieval World History (6th/4th) Year 7 -- Age of Exploration (7th/5th) Year 8 -- Modern World History (8th/6th) High School -- TBD :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celia Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 I plan to just cover a bit of Canadian history as we go along (through sight-seeing, local museums and whatnot, then doing a bit more of a heavy emphasis on Canada in the 4th year of our cycle. I absolutely cannot see spending an entire year on our provincial history and another on national history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgr Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 I have tried to figure these out, but no dice - what is TCBUSCH? what is Zinn? :tongue_smilie: And thank you for posing this question - I've been wondering the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 We took 2 years to get through SOTW 3 and another 2 in SOTW 4....spending more focused time on US history, yet doing it in the context of world history. So far, it has worked out very nicely. Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonsmama Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 We have gone through the 4 year cycle twice. Next year for 9th grade we will be doing in depth American History, 10th grade I don't know and then he will do Running Start for 11 & 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 I have tried to figure these out, but no dice - what is TCBUSCH? what is Zinn? :tongue_smilie: And thank you for posing this question - I've been wondering the same. The Complete Book of US History. Zinn is here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 I've simply added extra Canadian (and to a lesser extent, American) history to the four-year-cycle. We're still definitely studying world history, but with more of an emphasis on Canada than non-Canadians would have. Personally, I think this is plenty.:iagree:and this ties in with below... how much time does it really add to a WTM study of history to add in a typical school history text? I want to say that I heard in one of her audios that she feels that you get sufficient US history when you cover world history. I can't say that I agree though' date=' and also in my state we have to cover state and local history.. and when they specifically say that I can't imagine just skimming the surface, I think they mean we need to go a bit in depth.[/quote']Do they really get in depth in school? I don't remember getting anything in depth. How much time does it take to add in a typical school textbook? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In2why Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 We are only doing 2 cycles as well. I wanted to be able to study American History in depth, and we did this year. We are beginning with the Ancients this year coming and For my 7th grader it will mean; 6th grade(this year)--US History 7th-Ancients 8th-Medieval 9th--Rhetoric style Renaissance 10th-Rhetoric Style Modern 11th-Ancient Great Books/Philosophy ( I think reading these works as a more mature learner is better anyway) 12th US History/Civics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taffnus Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 We did world history up through the Age of Explorers and then switched to 2 years of U.S. history. Modern European history is so dark and with a kindergartner being added to the mix, I just decided to go with something easier to keep positive. The next time through the cycle, we'll do a more global focus. We actually did that this year. We focused mainly on American history and it was such a fun, fun year! It was perfect for 4th grade and 1st, :) We follow the 4 year cycle, but we took the past two years to study only American history (13 Colonies-Civil War...I have my own reasons for not going beyond the Civil War) and I am glad we did. This is great timing. We've completed TOG 1 this year with a 2G (and PK). We're thrilled to be moving into the Renaissance (we'll focus on artists and composers this year) for 3G / K. I was just considering taking a detour at when TOG hits explorers/New World and really do that in depth. Can I ask what you all have used. We'll be end of 3G/K and into 4G/1G when we begin. My initial thought is to bring in Homeschool in the Woods materials but I've never actually seen or used them. What did you all use?? Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deniseibase Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 We started late - dd had NO interest in SOTW before 3rd grade, so we did interest-led readings in 1st and geography in 2nd. Then switched to SOTW Ancients for 3rd, History Odyssey Middle Ages for 4th, back to SOTW for 5th & 6th. Then the plan is Hakim's Story of US for 7th & 8th, then back to the four year world history cycle for high school. At least, that's the PLAN for high school - although I suspect it may get derailed if my dd gets her way as I think she intends to spend at LEAST a year studying Chinese history... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Interesting. It had been my intention to begin working through TCBUSH, but we really didn't get far in it. Do you have a link to sample pages? Rainbow has one, and the TOC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgr Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 The Complete Book of US History.Zinn is here Aha. Thank you (the fact that I added some extra letters may have made my search a little more difficult :blushing: ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 Rainbow has one, and the TOC. Thank you. This looks interesting! I wonder if it could be combined with The American Story. I don't want to do a full on curriculum for Am. Hist. right now. I just want to present more information than SOTW (even though we DID slow down and DID do a lot of extra reading during that time, I still feel it's not enough). Maybe we'll do this over the summer. Thank you for pointing it out. ETA: christianbook has previews too. just saw that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 Aha. Thank you (the fact that I added some extra letters may have made my search a little more difficult :blushing: ). Maybe you were thinking of BUSCH gardens??? :lol::lol: I know, I know, time for vacation....:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgr Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Maybe you were thinking of BUSCH gardens??? :lol::lol: I know, I know, time for vacation....:tongue_smilie: :lol: (Who knows what I'm thinking these days.... :001_rolleyes:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AppleGreen Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 This is great timing. We've completed TOG 1 this year with a 2G (and PK). We're thrilled to be moving into the Renaissance (we'll focus on artists and composers this year) for 3G / K. I was just considering taking a detour at when TOG hits explorers/New World and really do that in depth. Can I ask what you all have used. We'll be end of 3G/K and into 4G/1G when we begin. My initial thought is to bring in Homeschool in the Woods materials but I've never actually seen or used them. What did you all use?? Thanks!! I used GuestHollow's free American History 1&2 curriculum as the jumping off point. My oldest read a lot of the Cornerstone for Freedom books and lots of biographies. This time period has a lot of books available! I also used some stories from The American Story and appropriate pages from the DK American History book (can't remember the exact title) and a number of the If you lived... series. Betsy Maestro (again, not sure of the spelling...sorry it's late!) has a number of fact filled picture books about American history. I also thought Homeschool in the Woods had some great looking things, but was pretty well set and didn't want to completely overwhelm myself, which I tend to do. :) HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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