Waring Ancient Civilizations and the Bible

[tntgoodwin]

I read this review, and was wondering what the Hive thought of this curriculum.

Has anyone used it? How does it compare to SOTW or MOH?

 

http://homeschoolconvention.com/reviews/music-review/ancient-civilizations-and-the-bible/

[Sue G in PA]

I am biased...b/c I adore Diana Waring (as a person). ;) AND, I love her story-telling. Her CDs are what drew me in to her curriculum. That being said, I do NOT think that her curriculum is suitable for an elementary aged child (below 5th grade). Her CDs are MEATY and she talks FAST. My elementary aged children were LOST. The Elementary Activity Guide is fun but was certainly created as an "add on" to market the program as an "all ages" program. Make sense? If you wait to use her material until middle school, your dc will get much more out of it. That's just my opinion. As for the program itself...I really liked how she included activities that "spoke" to each of the different learning modalities. If we didn't use HOD as our main program, I would likely use Diana's material for History. It is much different than SOTW (Waring's material is very God-centered). Similar to MOH...in that it is God-centered. MOH, in my opinion, is easier to adapt to younger ages. The lessons are more "bite-sized"...especially in the Ancients Guide (Vol. 1). However, Diana HAS revised her program since we used it so there might be something I am missing...perhaps she DID write more for the younger ages and I just don't know. HTH. FWIW...I really like all 3 history "spines" that you mentioned. ;)

[Susie in MS]

I agree with Sue's observations. I have the revised guides and they are just as she says....better suited for older children. I love DW's tapes and the guides. She is a precious God-fearing woman who loves history as well and it shows.

[katiejane]

I prefer MOH to DW. I have met her and agree she is wonderful and i have used her materials but i just prefer MOH. It seems more orderly to me and I like the audio much better for MOH.

[Another Lynn]

I am biased...b/c I adore Diana Waring (as a person). ;) AND, I love her story-telling. Her CDs are what drew me in to her curriculum. That being said, I do NOT think that her curriculum is suitable for an elementary aged child (below 5th grade). Her CDs are MEATY and she talks FAST. My elementary aged children were LOST. The Elementary Activity Guide is fun but was certainly created as an "add on" to market the program as an "all ages" program. Make sense? If you wait to use her material until middle school, your dc will get much more out of it. That's just my opinion. As for the program itself...I really liked how she included activities that "spoke" to each of the different learning modalities. If we didn't use HOD as our main program, I would likely use Diana's material for History. It is much different than SOTW (Waring's material is very God-centered). Similar to MOH...in that it is God-centered. MOH, in my opinion, is easier to adapt to younger ages. The lessons are more "bite-sized"...especially in the Ancients Guide (Vol. 1). However, Diana HAS revised her program since we used it so there might be something I am missing...perhaps she DID write more for the younger ages and I just don't know. HTH. FWIW...I really like all 3 history "spines" that you mentioned. ;)

 

:iagree:

 

Also, DW's guides are more "unit study" in approach than I am. They ARE chronological, but each year is divided into 9 4-week units and each week has a different focus. I had a mental block about this because my approach to planning is more "every week look the same" and "march through history with a spine." I think creative teachers (which I don't consider myself!) would enjoy using it.

[Susie in MS]

Lynn brought up a very good point about each of the 4 weeks looking different from each other. For someone like me and my crew (who love variety) this was a blessing we enjoyed, but for someone who likes each week to look the same it will be a hindrance. Each 4 week period in the 9 units will look like this below. But let me say up front that when the Bible reading, the audios, or the article are too long to be done in one day, spread it out over the week(s). Also this is a program you can make your own. So if the schedule is not just what you want you can always drop, or rearrange anything. Diana will tell you this too if you join the loop.

 

Week (Phase) 1

Monday

~~discuss Key Concepts

Tue

~~Read Article

~~Listen to audios

~~Read scripture

Wed

~~Recap Activity

~~Opinion Column

Thur

~~Class discussion

Fri

~~Choose book of interest

 

Phase 2

Mon-Tue

~~Choose topic and begin research

Wed

~~Vocab practice

Thur

~~Construct timeline

Fri

~~Finish research and share with family

 

Phase 3

Mon

~~Create a map (map given just do the lesson)

Tue

~~Examine art and architectural structures (I found them online easily)

Wed

~~Art project

Thur

~~Science project or field trip

Fri

~~Listen to the music

~~Cook recipe

 

Phase 4

Mon-Thur

~~Choose area of expression to work on (this is where your child can really become creative)

~~Share project with family (class)

 

I know one lady that used this with her children and once per month the kids would invite their elderly neighbors over to share a meal. The children would have displays set up of all they had done, and they would act out or discuss the history events for them. They loved it.

 

My kids would all pick out different projects and then share what they learned with each other. It will be different this time around with my little one being an *only*. Her Dad and I will have to be her audience. ;)

 

If you haven't done so be sure to down load the free unit. It can really help you to see if it is what you would like or not.

 

Comparing the MOH audios to DW. Some people find Diana bubbly and full of excitement, others find her annoying. Some find MOH tapes soothing and others find them like drab readings. It depends on which suits your taste.