Is Veritas Press online 1815-Present (the video one) too easy for 7th grade?

[HappyGrace]

And if so, would I use the manual for more meat? (or is the same primary sources used in the little videos)

 

Also, how much Christian tie-in is there? (I want plenty.) Is there enough talk about the differences between socialism, communism, that type of thing?

 

I have it narrowed down to this or BJU8 for modern time period. I would LOVE any comments! Thanks!

 

ETA: she has a pretty full course load and plenty of writing already. I just want her to have a good overview of this time period.

Edited April 10, 2012 by HappyGrace

[coffeefreak]

I don't know about the Self-Paced courses, but the History Transitions online class is totally worth the money. PM me if you have any questions.:001_smile:

 

Wrote this and decided to add, the books they use in the Transitions class come from the self-paced courses so the only thing that might be lacking is the teaching. The books are fine for a 7th grader IMO.

 

Blessings!

Dorinda

[PeterPan]

The BJU8 is a stronger text and has more age-appropriate skills. The only reason to go with the VP for that age is if the dc dramatically *prefers* that mode of learning. If the dc asks for a textbook, I would do the BJU8 instead. It will definitely be superior for that age and for the content.

 

Yes I have it (text, tm, and student stuff), and we're doing the VP. My dd is a nut for VP self-paced stuff, but the BJU has more content, more analysis, more skills, and is thus more age-appropriate for a 7th or 8th grader.

[HappyGrace]

Thanks, Dorinda-I will look at Transitions.

 

thanks, OhE-I wish I could actually get my hands on a BJU text-it's so hard to tell w/out looking at it! I'm kind of leaning toward it though-I like the student activity book. Just thought the VP might be a little more engaging. I thought the MARR one was quite meaty!

[PeterPan]

Well of course the VP s more engaging, lol. My dd is doing the two american courses this year (7th) and enjoying them immensely. I'm just pointing out the trade-offs. If you want sheer quantify of information, synthesis, and junior high SKILLS, the BJU is the way to go. If the engagement and fact that it's online and narrative trumps everything else, go that way.

 

I thought you said your dd was *asking* for a textbook. Was that you or someone else? I get so confused, lol!

 

If *she* loves the online VP history, feel free to continue. But if she's wanting a switch, the BJU will be a quality option.

[PeterPan]

Well of course the VP s more engaging, lol. My dd is doing the two american courses this year (7th) and enjoying them immensely. I'm just pointing out the trade-offs. If you want sheer quantify of information, synthesis, and junior high SKILLS, the BJU is the way to go. If the engagement and fact that it's online and narrative trumps everything else, go that way.

 

I thought you said your dd was *asking* for a textbook. Was that you or someone else? I get so confused, lol!

 

If *she* loves the online VP history, feel free to continue. But if she's wanting a switch, the BJU will be a quality option.

[HappyGrace]

yes, she wanted txtbk, but that was compared to lit based history. She doesn't want to spend all that much time on history anymore (she loves it but knows she needs the time for her other stuff too.)

 

She'd be fine w/ VP or BJU. I just got to thinking maybe the VP would be more "teaching" it to her so maybe more retention rather than sitting with a textbk on her own.

 

I still need to think about it some. Hopefully more people will chime in that have done that particular year of it.

[PeterPan]

You could get crazy and do both, lol.

[coffeefreak]

You could get crazy and do both, lol.

 

:willy_nilly:

[HappyGrace]

You could get crazy and do both, lol.

 

 

Believe me, I've been thinking about it! :D

[PeterPan]

Happy, did you check to see if they redid the videos for the history 8 from BJU? If they did, that might make it a good compromise for you. The old ones looked dry, though I guess some people like them. Then you'd get that extra touch you want, and she'd get the straightforward textbook she wants.

[Mommy7]

I talked to BJU the other day...they have redone the BJU 8 American Republic class on DVD. Mr. Swingle is the one teaching it. He is the one on the BJU 9th grade Geography DVD sample just so you will know which one he is. The new DVD for Am Rep will be available early June, I believe.

[PeterPan]

I know y'all are dying of hope for this, but have you WATCHED the other classes Jaime taught? Whew. Hopefully this one will be better.

 

Sorry, that's not a great note of hope. Every year I get my soul thrilled about the things from BJU we could do, and every year dd dashes my hopes with refusals. The only one she liked from the entire lot I showed her was the *one* I really thought was dreadful (Mr. Harmon's Physical Science). Go figure. The right child could sit through some of the more boring classes, but not my child, alas. You could see her eyes glaze over... So I guess watch his samples for the other classes and see for yourself how it fits your particular child. That way you don't get disappointed in June. :(

[Mommy7]

OhElizabeth, what would you suggest to make the VP Self Paced Online class more age appropriate? I am trying really hard to make sure that classes for my ds are appropriately challenging. I have a tendency to make things too easy for my dc. My ds would be perfectly content to do the self paced, but I want him to learn those skills you mentioned...he is an older 7th grader, too. Also, it has to be super easy for me...lots of stuff going on with me and in my family. I just can't continue to personally teach it all. I have got to let some things go...not completely, but you know what I mean...the actual teaching time.

 

So, what would you do?

[PeterPan]

Becky, he would have to do *2* lessons a day of the VP to get the equivalent of the BJU. That means he would need 7 hours (literally, we've clocked it) per week to do the lessons at that double pace and complete both years of it in one year. That's if you want to the same coverage as the BJU. My dd does that, because she's a nut for history. I can't imagine most kids wanting to do that. And the BJU is still superior for skills. If you are drawn to the BJU and look at the samples and think it will fit your dc, if you watch the samples with your dc and he's ok, you're GOING TO BE FINE.

 

You have a pretty stable personality that tends to be content with things and make them work. That's an asset to you. I'm sure what you chose will be fine, honest. Don't let anybody rattle you. My comments were more to Happy. Some of us are more flighty and mid-year have this "I screwed up, it's not hard enough, change my world, everything is wrong" kinda thing. Not saying she is, just saying some people are. You aren't, and I think your common sense is leading you the right way. You've got a LOT of kids with a LOT of teacher-driven stuff going on. It's no wonder you're weary! My SIL has stairsteps like that, and she does BJU straight. She does it because it means she spends time teaching, not figuring out what to teach. She knows it might not be perfect (though sometimes it is), but she knows she doesn't have time to sit on boards dickering over the perfect ecclectic mix for each child the way I do. She knows what she's getting into with the videos and flexes it and makes it work.

 

I'm not saying you should go entirely BJU, hehe... I'm just admiring the stable personality and temperament of someone who can pick their option and make it work. You've got it, so embrace it. :)

[Mommy7]

See, that's the problem...I LOVE to sit on the boards dickering over the perfect eclectic mix!!!! It's almost a hobby with me. BUT, I do not have the time to do it. I am worn out with trying to figure it all out for each child each year. And unless someone talks me off the ledge, I am liable to take the BJU plunge for 80% of our school! It just looks so great...it's all figured out for me...great teachers on the DVDs for the most part...not to mention the great DVD sale being offered at the Solutions meetings. BUT, I'm having a little bit of a hard time letting go of the idea of using this or that curriculum. Reality says I need to let go of that lofty ideal and be practical. As a wise woman once said, "The best curriculum is the one that gets done!" (Did you say that? I can't remember who it was, but it stuck with me)

 

I truly am impressed with their stuff, so I feel like the children would still be getting a wonderful education and I could have peace of mind and maybe a little more time to cook & clean.

 

Thank you, OhElizabeth, for those encouraging words...funny, I don't see myself like that at all, but it sure did bless me!

[iamrachelle]

FWIW, I will have my 7th grader doing Explorers-1815 next year. We have no plans to double up and try to fit 1815-present in... that's for 8th grade!! My DD has more of a math and science bent, so between those subjects plus a rigorous grammar/writing program I decided to give her a history program that would be fun and engaging; and provide a solid knowledge base for that time period. We did decide to add the literature in with it. I thought it would help tie everything together nicely, plus she loves to read.

[HappyGrace]

I got all excited about them re-recording the BJU....and then the letdown about the new teacher. Wah! That would have been a great solution!

 

I've never wavered on history-we've done exact history cycle, all the way thru, using lit based. This is my first time branching out. I do think I'll go w/ the BJU since that's what she liked the look of and I know it's meaty. Too bad about the dvds though!

[PeterPan]

Hehehe, told you... But you know with your dd's personality, she'll be happier without the dvds I bet. Sounds like she'd rather zoom in, get the work done, and get out. The dvds would just slow her down.

[HappyGrace]

Plus we are only doing from 1812 onward, so all the stuff in the beginning of the dvd that we don't do would be wasted money.

[PeterPan]

Happy, for some reason it hadn't sunk in that you were only going to do 1/2 the BJU text. Are you going to flesh this out with lit? And is she doing the first american history course from VP now?

 

You might see if you can borrow the textbook from someone. That would help you decide for certain.

[Mommy7]

You could get crazy and do both, lol.

 

IF I was going to get crazy and do both....what would you recommend? We are doing VP Explor-1815 this year. For my other dc we will be doing 1815-Present next year. Would you just have him work through the American Republic text on his own? Or just the second part of it to coordinate with the VP time period we'll be doing?

 

I just rethought it and as much as I would like to do the BJU DVD, that Mr. Swingle might be difficult to watch every day! But, the VP is sooo engaging that it might be a lighter thing for him in the midst of the switch to the more challenging BJU stuff. Of course, I will have him doing literature along with VP. Would that be sufficient or should I add the Am Republic text?

[HappyGrace]

Sorry, OhE, missed that response! Yes, I'll prbly flesh it out with some lit (not a lot-she'll get lit at co-op but it's not tied to history.) She has a pretty full load otherwise, so it's ok if history is lighter. I basically want her to have a nice overview of 1812-present. We haven't covered that period much. She knows a ton about Early American due to widely reading historical fiction, Liberty's Kids, documentaries, etc. (plus we did it IN DEPTH in 3rd grade) so I decided to skip that and go with the area that she hasn't had much coverage.

 

I'll also add in some things like Whatever Happened to Penny Candy and of course election stuff this fall too.

 

I don't know anyone that has the newer edition text/activity book.

 

Did you see anything interesting for Modern time period at Cincy?

[PeterPan]

IF I was going to get crazy and do both....what would you recommend? We are doing VP Explor-1815 this year. For my other dc we will be doing 1815-Present next year. Would you just have him work through the American Republic text on his own? Or just the second part of it to coordinate with the VP time period we'll be doing?

 

I just rethought it and as much as I would like to do the BJU DVD, that Mr. Swingle might be difficult to watch every day! But, the VP is sooo engaging that it might be a lighter thing for him in the midst of the switch to the more challenging BJU stuff. Of course, I will have him doing literature along with VP. Would that be sufficient or should I add the Am Republic text?

 

Well definitely don't do the BJU videos on top of the VP online. CBD has samples of the BJU student activity books. Pull that up and see how much doing that will add. There's always another year to do more history worksheets, kwim? The gr 11 activity sheets for the BJU US are *really* really good. The gr 8 are just fine. So if you lighten up this year, knowing you're going to hit it again with the 11, it's not the end of the world. Realistic is good.

 

BTW, you can easily coordinate Marrin and Freeman and other good books to go with that VP history. There will be plenty of boy-friendly choices in the VP catalog. It's not like worksheets are the *only* way to up the ante, kwim? I had to go farther out of the box, but I have a girl. She wanted the Lee family cookbook. A book on flyers of WWII just wasn't gonna cut it. :)

 

I *think* I have the BJU 8 student activities pages downstairs. Sometimes I pick up things here and there. I looked at them, thought they were fine, and haven't used them. There are only so many hours in the day, kwim? That's why I'm saying look at CBD for the samples. I have a number of the BJU texts too, but they're old editions. Some change radically, and some change hardly at all.

Edited April 26, 2012 by OhElizabeth

[PeterPan]

Did you see anything interesting for Modern time period at Cincy?

 

Oh mercy, we were there 2 days instead of 3, and it went by SO quickly!!! We just could NOT get it all done. We only went through the hall once, and that haphazardly. It didn't give us a lot of time to linger and find the things we didn't realize were there, kwim? Definitely want to do 3 days next year. And have new feet. :D

[HappyGrace]

TWO days-your head must have been spinning trying to get it all in! :)