Mystie Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 This one will be more controversial here than my previous geography post, I'm guessing. But, before jumping into a curriculum or someone else's plan, it's a good thing to ask what your goal is for the study of history. That will help you pick the right thing -- and it is possible that someone else's ready-to-go plan is the right thing for you. But, with 5 children under 10, this laid back approach is working really well for us, and it actually turns out that much *more* history is learned than if it was just a checkbox to do in a day. http://www.simplyconvivial.com/2013/history-without-lesson-plans-for-early-elementary# an excerpt from the post on my history goal for early elementary: My overarching goal for the elementary years is simply to spark interest and give exposure. I do hope to get some “pegs†of important people and events into their heads so they can place other people and events in approximate context. I am also dubious about material “studied†in the early years actually sticking through adulthood. Besides, history for this age must be presented more clear-cut and generalized than it really is, and I don’t think we do them any favors if the idea that history was black and white and clear cut sticks with that long. Instead, I want them to find history fascinating. That underlying interest and attraction will fuel future historical studies, when they come of an age to actually study. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeriJ Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Perfect. It's the approach we are using as well. and I plan to continue it. I might sort of follow the modules from Simply Charlotte Mason, but really, I just plan to read history books together (with somewhat of a 4 year cycle in place) and have them narrate....orally until 3rd grade, progressively more written from then on. I feel such a peace and freedom with this plan. My 5 year old begs to "do history" at this point because he truly loves listening in on the readings. I've seen such a love for history develop in our family, and catch my children talking about it and acting it out at random times. Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeriJ Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 (now I'm ready to read a post about teaching writing.......) :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 I think it is great! I don't think my girls would ever pick up CHOW on their own and read it. They enjoy history, but they don't LOVE it. I do a similar approach though. I read a chapter from CHOW and Our Island Story every other night outloud and they'll narrate it. Then I make available the books that are set in that time period. Both daughters love the Middle Ages and are devouring the books I've provided. They are also doing Memoria Press' classical studies. That counts as their formal study of history and it is mostly independent. ETA: I think it is interesting that the #1 reason people use a history curriculum (according to the other thread) is my #1 reason for NOT using a history curriculum. It saves me time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth rose Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 wow, if your boys will pick up chow on their own, you are doing something right. I too have my shelves stocked with stuff, but I have never seen any of my kids voluntarily pick up sotw or, chow. I think your plan sounds wonderful. I do agree with you that memorizing lots of info in elementary about history, aka names and dates will not necessarily translate into adult knowledge. This is why we left SOTW and CHOW by the wayside. Way too many facts and names. I think it all just went over their heads. Now, picture books and historical fiction, yes, they remember things from that. I love your blog by the way, thank you for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3 Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 But, before jumping into a curriculum or someone else's plan, it's a good thing to ask what your goal is for the study of history. That will help you pick the right thing -- and it is possible that someone else's ready-to-go plan is the right thing for you. But, with 5 children under 10, this laid back approach is working really well for us, and it actually turns out that much *more* history is learned than if it was just a checkbox to do in a day. http://www.simplycon...rly-elementary# an excerpt from the post on my history goal for early elementary: My overarching goal for the elementary years is simply to spark interest and give exposure. I do hope to get some “pegs†of important people and events into their heads so they can place other people and events in approximate context. I am also dubious about material “studied†in the early years actually sticking through adulthood. Besides, history for this age must be presented more clear-cut and generalized than it really is, and I don’t think we do them any favors if the idea that history was black and white and clear cut sticks with that long. Instead, I want them to find history fascinating. That underlying interest and attraction will fuel future historical studies, when they come of an age to actually study. Wow. Thanks for that! I agree. As an on-my-way-to-a-large-family mom ;), I'm definitely interested in a laid back, "spark interest" history (and science) approach...something we can do all together in one (short) sitting - with minimal teacher prep. Ds4 loves stories, so we're reading SOTW together, and he loves doing the maps & coloring pages. Dictating is not so fun...but we try to write down some things we learned each week ("for Dad to see"). :) We end up doing abt 15 min/day, 4 days/wk - (Mon - read lesson, Tues - read lesson, Wed - review questions & color map, Thurs - dictate notebook pages & coloring page). Oh, and sometimes we "act out" the history stories for dd3 (a definite VSL). It's fun to hear them playing "Alexander the Great" or the "Trojan Horse" while I'm cooking supper! :) It's not so much that I think he'll remember everything we learn...but I do try to get him thinking about the overall flow and general principles of history (how history repeats itself, how ignorance of the masses leads to tyranny of a few, how power corrupts, etc). Personally, I like having a text to work off of (and I especially like having the maps and coloring pages in SOTW). It cuts down on prep work for me. Thanks again for the post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Great post...I'd also love to see more posts on your school! ;) I've happened to find a great history program for us (SCM), but your post is encouragement that I am on the right track! We were using HOD and I got very overwhelmed with all the history readings and activities...the thought of eventually adding more children in a different program was terrifying. SCM gives us just a bit of structure (which I need), but makes it easy to substitute books or add a few extras in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3 Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Mystie, You're making me jealous with that huge supply of history stuff! :) All the bios and reference books... Did you take the plunge & purchase that all at once, or is it stuff you've acquired "over the years?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystie Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 Mystie, You're making me jealous with that huge supply of history stuff! :) All the bios and reference books... Did you take the plunge & purchase that all at once, or is it stuff you've acquired "over the years?" It has been over the last 2-3 years, with one big Amazon purchase of a bunch of books last year. Almost all of them were used (library sale, Amazon sellers, or paperbackswap.com), and a fair number of the curriculum-like books were hand-me-downs from my parents and in-laws (who homeschooled). The D'Aulaire books and a few of the Eyewitness books were also presents, and I gave a couple of the biographies as Christmas gifts, too. If I had to start from scratch I'd probably stick to the books listed for Sonlight or MFW. My husband just got the boys set up with Minecraft last week, so we'll see if as much free, voluntary history reading happens now. ;P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystie Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 Wow. Thanks for that! I agree. As an on-my-way-to-a-large-family mom ;), I'm definitely interested in a laid back, "spark interest" history (and science) approach...something we can do all together in one (short) sitting - with minimal teacher prep. I'll do a post on science next week. :) Thanks, everyone, for your kind responses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamakven Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Great info!!! I love your approach!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stm4him Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Mystie, I am really enjoying your blog. Even though you are not in CC you run your homeschool in many ways like a CC'er would. We do history in that we follow CC's cycles and memorize the timeline song and the history sentences. I read them the context of the sentences using free printouts from CC and the backs of the cards. Then they notebook about the one or two cards of the day by doing copywork and/or narrations and illustrating it. Other than that they are given a stack of really awesome books and a timer and told to read about the history topic of the week and whatever historical fiction they want related to the overall topics of the cycle. So we have a little bit more structure than you do with the notebooking but other than that it is pretty close to what you are doing and it does work beautifully! So I spend 30-45 minutes reading and discussing the history with them (one of my favorite parts of our homeschool day) and then let them go at it. Besides singing the memory work songs (like you do in Circle Time) that is it! This summer we are going to do SOTW 1 and see how that goes just because CC will be out and we need something else to do. But if that doesn't work out I'll probably let them just listen to the audios and do the pages from the notebook as they are able or interested and let them narrate to me what they remember and call it good! I find that if we require a bit of memory work that we expect them to learn and briefly and consistently give them important information to help them understand what they are memorizing and then allow the rest to be interest-led (meaning they choose what to record and what to read) they walk away with a love of learning! Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to read more....And I just had my 7th baby last week and as soon as I get some school stuff in order my next goal is to buy your book and try it out! Meal planning has gone by the wayside this year and I aim to get it back asap! I think your book will be perfect to help me get started with healthy, simple meals. My daughter is having regular stomach issues which we think might be food allergies so your book will be very helpful in trying to see if diet changes help her without losing my mind! I'll be looking at your household cleaning/chores info as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBee Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Sounds lovely :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stm4him Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Mystie, I just commented on your morning board post. I am totally going to do this at my house! I would love to see your daily routine page(s) that you post up there as well....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystie Posted March 27, 2013 Author Share Posted March 27, 2013 Mystie, I just commented on your morning board post. I am totally going to do this at my house! I would love to see your daily routine page(s) that you post up there as well....... I'll make a post on that this week. :) Thanks for the comments! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylandhsmom Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Ditto! Just posted in your blog...lovely, just lovely! Please do share more about your morning circle time! :). Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aminuteorless Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Thank you Mystie for this great post. I enjoyed reading your geography blog post as well. We're just starting out our homeschooling journey with K in the fall, but I have three little ones trailing behind and I'm all ears about no-stress content subjects for lots of littles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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