mamamindy Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 We got the audio version (we also have the book) & my girls love listening to it so much that they're way beyond where we "should" be (as far as coloring, activities, etc.) We also check out related library books, and we're trying to incorporate some projects. (It is my plan, but we're really still trying to get a firm grip on the 3 "Rs".) Does anyone have any suggestions on how to "do" history this way? Does it really matter if we do projects (or listen to other related audio) that isn't really in line with what we're studying that particular week in the text? I'm trying to make this as stress-free (for me!) and fun as possible. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I didn't do coloring pages or activities with SOTW (well, I did when I first started, but that lapsed VERY quickly!). I *did* get extra books from the library, and I think that is very helpful, but if you're having to read those books to the kids still, you could just wait for the next cycle to read those books. Honestly, history at that age is completely optional in my mind. We did it mostly because my son LOVED history, but he was also a very strong reader, so I didn't have to do anything. He read the supplemental books and even read SOTW himself (that's why we're doing Sonlight now - he read through all 4 SOTW volumes multiple times, and I decided we should take a detour into American History! :D). My DS2 will be in first grade next year. I have no idea if I'll even do history with him at all, beyond any read-alouds he sits in on. He is still working on learning to read, so my focus for him is there. He also isn't quite ready for nitty gritty history details like DS1 was at that age. So don't feel guilty about not doing activities and such in SOTW! Listening to the audio CD is more than they would be getting in public school. My son learned zilch about history in K and 1st grade at school. You will hit Ancients again twice if you continue the 4-year cycle, plus when your kids are good readers, they might enjoy reading history books on their own! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I'm doing SOTW1 with young ones this year. What we're doing is listening to the audiobook while they color the page for that particular section (or they do part of the lapbook that is available free online). I would think that if you wanted them to have context for what they are coloring/doing, you could just go back and play that segment whenever you do that activity. Or you could have a timeline and point to the timeline where that activity fits in. We've done a few pages/activities after we'd moved on, but we just put them into their binder at the right part and talk about where they fit (like the mammoth goes in prehistory). You don't NEED to do history at this age anyways, but it is fun and interesting, so however you end up doing it is fine. If you just want to do the audio, why not? If you do a project from a thing they already heard about, that is a type of review when you discuss the stuff you heard about already and how the project fits with that time. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sctigermom Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 We use history odyssey which uses sotw1. What we have done so far is map work, a few projects (build a pyramid, make ancient clothing, ect), coloring pages, copy work (definitions), Evan Moore history pockets, and having him draw what he learned. If there is a documentary on what we are learning about we watch it. It just so happened that we learned out Stonehenge last week and Friday night a Stonehenge documentary was on. Then we also read a Greek myth about Crete and his one of his copy work definitions was labyrinth. So on Saturday we went to a corn maze so he could really understand the concept of a labyrinth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeterbug Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I would think that if you wanted them to have context for what they are coloring/doing, you could just go back and play that segment whenever you do that activity. Or you could have a timeline and point to the timeline where that activity fits in. :iagree: "Remember when we talked about the Phoenicians? And the snails they used to make purple dye? And how bad it smelled? Today we get to make some purple dye! But we're not going to make it from snails the way they did so hopefully it won't smell that bad." Play the audio over while you are gathering materials if you think they need to hear it again. I tend to keep the projects with the lesson, but it's made us very behind in history so I'd rather do it your way, I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitterpatter Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 You can do history any way you want, but being able to experience the hands-on projects is what I love about homeschooling. They're DD's favorite part. We aren't using SOTW, but we are using the activity guide. We are using HO with Usborne, the SOTW activity guide and tons of picture books, DVDs, games and other activities. We just started, but I have weeks already planned out. See my blog for what we did last week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamamindy Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 I really appreciate hearing all your experiences "doing" history and the encouragement. Thank you! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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