History plan

[skimomma]

I am working on next year's curriculum choices. My dd will be in 5th grade. After reading on here, I think we will go with Human Odyssey for the logic stage history. I understand it is a three year program. Correct me if I am wrong. I am thinking that I will fill in the 4th year with a more intense U.S. history.

 

What year would be best for the U.S. history year? I would like to put it on an "end" so either 5th or 8th grade. We used SOTW for 1st-4th grades so there has been very little on U.S. history. On one hand, I would like my dd to understand what went on in her own country so it is easier for her to understand what she hears on the news or in political discussions. So, the sooner the better. On the other hand, she will be better able to go more in-depth as an 8th grader.

[Chrysalis Academy]

If I were you, I'd do it first, because as you say it would be good for her to have a good grounding in US history sooner, rather waiting till 8th grade. Also, she'll do US history again in high school, so she'll be able to go in-depth then. So that's my vote!

[Alte Veste Academy]

If I were you, I'd do it first, because as you say it would be good for her to have a good grounding in US history sooner, rather waiting till 8th grade. Also, she'll do US history again in high school, so she'll be able to go in-depth then. So that's my vote!

 

Totally agree with this. She will be required to have American history in high school, so I wouldn't put it in the year prior. Plus, she will still hit the high points of American history in your world history study.

[Luckymama]

We've done/are doing three years of world history using the three volumes of Human Odyssey, grades 5-7. Next year we will be studying American history with the associated American Odyssey text.

 

My original plan was to start with American history in 5th, then do world for 6th-8th grades, but I couldn't find a book or curriculum that was rigorous enough, secular, and easily available. I am very glad we saved American history for eighth grade as dd will have a strong background to inform a more in-depth study of our country's history. She will be also be able to read some excellent primary sources she might not have understood as a ten year old.

 

Dd will be required to study both American history and world history in high school, no matter if she homeschools or attends a b&m school. Most students in this area study world history as freshmen and American as sophomores.

[redsquirrel]

I like it at the end, especially for logic stage students. It gives them the opportunity to reflect upon the roots of the American experiment. They will have a much better idea of why the revolution happened if they know about the Enlightenment. They will understand why our government looks the way it does if they know about Greece and Rome. Now is the time for them to make those connections.

[skimomma]

Good points on both sides. Now what do I do?!?!

 

:)

[Laura in STL]

We've done/are doing three years of world history using the three volumes of Human Odyssey, grades 5-7. Next year we will be studying American history with the associated American Odyssey text.

 

My original plan was to start with American history in 5th, then do world for 6th-8th grades, but I couldn't find a book or curriculum that was rigorous enough, secular, and easily available. I am very glad we saved American history for eighth grade as dd will have a strong background to inform a more in-depth study of our country's history. She will be also be able to read some excellent primary sources she might not have understood as a ten year old.

 

Dd will be required to study both American history and world history in high school, no matter if she homeschools or attends a b&m school. Most students in this area study world history as freshmen and American as sophomores.

 

This exactly. Also, we did quite a bit of American history in years three and four by adding some Sonlight resources to SOTW, so we were ready to jump right back in with ancients. You could partially base your decision on what you have covered so far, as well as what you plan to cover first in high school.

 

Also, do you have a plan for which Am hist resources you want to use? We had the same issue as Luckymama and will be using the American Odyssey text, which fits better later. This way when both kids are ready in high school they can cover the material with an AP level text.

 

If you want your logic stage American history to be more academic and use quite a few primary sources with heavy writing assignments, then I would say put it at the end. If you see yourself choosing a lighter approach, perhaps with more projects, basic map work, and easier biographies and library books, then do it first. Both ways can work well. HTH!

[Alte Veste Academy]

Good points on both sides. Now what do I do?!?!

 

:)

 

LOL Reading this thread, my impression is that you can't go wrong either way. In your shoes, I would let DD decide.

[Mom in High Heels]

We're actually using Human Odyssey for 4 years, splitting the ancients and the MA into 2 years. I add lots of extra books for him to read to help fill it up. We're on week 23 of school and we've just now hit the Greeks. I drew the Egyptians out for about 6-8 weeks (IIRC) and will do the same for the Greeks and the Romans, so it's not that big of a stretch. For the MA, there are so many books and things to do, that I don't think I'll have a problem making that into a full year either. We'll weave US history in as we do early modern and modern history. I don't think it will be that hard and I really don't want to spend an entire year on just US history. He'll get that in high school, so I'd rather he learn about the rest of the world too. JMO.

[Woodland Mist Academy]

We'll weave US history in as we do early modern and modern history. I don't think it will be that hard and I really don't want to spend an entire year on just US history. He'll get that in high school, so I'd rather he learn about the rest of the world too. JMO.

 

This is the approach we're taking.

[Chrysalis Academy]

 

This is the approach we're taking.

 

we are, too.

[Mom22ns]

You might consider looking at high school history. For example MFW does Ancients, then World History, then American spread over 2 years with government included. If you won't be doing American until the end of high school, I'd save it for 8th grade. I agree that it is best learned with a good World History background. This would by typical in a 4 year classical rotation too.

 

That said, SL does American History first, and they aren't the only ones. You don't want to do it in 8th and then repeat it in 9th.

 

If you browse high school curriculums you might choose a route based on where you are headed later.

[skimomma]

We're actually using Human Odyssey for 4 years, splitting the ancients and the MA into 2 years. I add lots of extra books for him to read to help fill it up. We're on week 23 of school and we've just now hit the Greeks. I drew the Egyptians out for about 6-8 weeks (IIRC) and will do the same for the Greeks and the Romans, so it's not that big of a stretch. For the MA, there are so many books and things to do, that I don't think I'll have a problem making that into a full year either. We'll weave US history in as we do early modern and modern history. I don't think it will be that hard and I really don't want to spend an entire year on just US history. He'll get that in high school, so I'd rather he learn about the rest of the world too. JMO.

 

Now I have THREE possibilities! This is not helping!!!!!!

 

:laugh:

 

Actually, I like this approach. 5th grade is going to be a pretty big step up and it might be a good idea to slow things down a little.

 

I have no idea yet what we are doing in HS....

[Mom in High Heels]

 

 

Now I have THREE possibilities! This is not helping!!!!!!

 

:laugh:

 

Actually, I like this approach. 5th grade is going to be a pretty big step up and it might be a good idea to slow things down a little.

 

I have no idea yet what we are doing in HS....

 

 

I was afraid I would muddy the waters. Sorry! IMO, there is more than enough in the ancients and MA to fill up a year each. There's so much to learn. The ancients cover thousand and thousands of years.

[Laura in STL]

 

 

I was afraid I would muddy the waters. Sorry! IMO, there is more than enough in the ancients and MA to fill up a year each. There's so much to learn. The ancients cover thousand and thousands of years.

 

 

I should have clarified that when I combined world history into three years to make room for American history, the years I combined were early modern and modern. It was easier to combine these, because the kids were older for these years during the first cycle and remember much more. That way ancients and Middle Ages each get a year. World history over four years with American history mixed in is another great option. That's what we did the first time around, so I just wanted to change things up a bit. I know, probably not helping!