Sharing some ideas for American history...

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I answered a question on this post but then didn't want to hijack the OP. See http://forums.welltr...e/#entry4888248

 

I copied my post here to share some American history ideas:

This is what I've been looking at for American history.... taken from many suggestions from posters:

 

 

 

 

I'll share what I'm thinking, but I don't have a plan yet. We have been using MFW- love it- yet dd has the opportunity to take an outsourced English class that uses American lit. If dd takes this class, we need to find new history, Bible, and worldview courses.

 

MFW uses BJU's United States History. I would consider this if we were only to take MFW's 11th grade US History to 1877 off and return for their US History 1877 to Present. I'm concerned, however, that this history may be too fact-filled and seem boring to dd. I would want to make whatever adjustments to make textbook history as engaging as possible. If not BJU...

 

NROC looks promising. It is all planned: reading schedule, maps, key terms, writing assignments, and chapter test. Only the chapter test has an answer key. The maps do not get great reviews... May have to do something else if we want a geography credit.

 

TWTM Method gets excellent reviews. I think this is probably the simplest and least expensive route. They even suggest one of the texts that is used on NROC. A combination of NROC with WTM method may be interesting.

 

Oak Meadow is appealing. I really don't know much about OM... Their US history is planned out, and there are answers for the teacher. The student reads the selection, and answers questions. The student then chooses a project from a list of several options. They use Glencoe's American Vision

 

A Patriot's History was mentioned on a different thread on the forum. I like the look of it. There are teaching materials here: http://www.patriotsh...hing-materials/

 

Notgrass Exploring American History looks like an easy way to get American History done. I truly love programs that are open and go. http://www.notgrass....ool-curriculum/

 

Also on a different thread, a poster was using Digital History... Looked interesting:

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/

 

The following suggestions come from a thread I started several weeks ago. See: http://forums.welltr...ms-to-research/

There were some very interesting possibilities mentioned there. I'll share some below:

 

This lecture series from Univ. of Oklahoma could work: http://freedom.ou.edu/ Rufus Fears seems to have a passion for American history. He is an older gentleman. I can see this being worked into American history.

 

Along with Rufus Fears, there were these suggestions:

William Bennett America - The Last best hope. has companion web resources

http://www.roadmapto...thope.com/about

Lecture series from University of Oklahoma. Rufus Fears in Story of Freedom

http://freedom.ou.edu/

(has other lectures as well)

Hillsdale College Constitution 101 (have not used this myself): https://online.hillsdale.edu/101/info

TC: Turning points in American History

PBS: American Experience http://www.pbs.org/w...perience/films/

 

 

One poster wrote:

For American history, I don't have a complete listing, but we did watch the Yale lectures "Revolutionary War" series with Joann Freeman and thought they were very good. She is a very good lecturer, not boring even for my then-13 year old. I also think that the John Adams BOOK, not movie, is a very good overview of that period. I'm considering adding the Ken Burns documentaries on the Civil War and WWII, but I find his style a little emotive for my taste and it's much faster to read a book than watch one of his documentaries; but it might be a good choice for a kid who doesn't like to read and could use a reading break or one who doesn't really connect with the historical period.

 

I think she was referring to these lectures: http://www.youtube.c...A2BC5E785D495AB

 

And as for writing, this suggestion was made using the resources listed:

 

I've also had the boys start writing essays in response to the document based essay questions from old AP history exams. I give them the packet of documents and about a week to do any necessary research and writing. (So they aren't timed like they would be on an actual AP exam.) The documents and question give them a specific framework to work within, while the additional time gives them the opportunity to look up details they may have forgotten or that we didn't emphasize.

 

AP European History free response http://apcentral.col...ation/2085.html

 

AP American History http://www.collegebo...ry_us/samp.html

 

AP World History http://apcentral.col...ion/216943.html

 

Revised Continuity and Change World History Essay Questions http://apcentral.col...ied_essay_Q.pdf

 

 

Along with all of these suggestions, you could add movies:

http://www.redshift....najo/movies.htm

There is a certain curriculum that uses movies and has the student analyze them. I can't seem to find it right now...Ahh! I remembered! It's called Movies as Literature: http://www.amazon.co...t/dp/1891975099

Actually, this is the one I wanted to remember- American History on the Screen: http://www.amazon.co...e/dp/0825144515

 

It would be interesting to bring in American art and music somehow.

Honestly, I've been wondering how dd could create a notebook for American history... a la WTM method or something like the way Trisms is organized. Trisms does not have anything for American history. I remember an old post where someone created her own version of American history using the Trisms method. I would LOVE to see that plan now. Anyone have that link?????

 

 

So, these are the suggestions I have been looking at. There is a lot to consider. I want American history to be engaging for dd, and I would really like her to practice some writing. My goal (of course) is that she would be able to write and speak intelligently about issues in American history. I'm not interested in AP credit, but using the AP writing suggestions would be an excellent way for her to do this. Like I said, I really prefer something that is open and go, but I have a year to think this thing out. I don't want American history to be a boring fact-only filled experience. She would have no retention with a course like this. If we don't take the local outsourced English class, we'll use MFW's history. She is completing AHL and will do WHL next year.

 

That's all I can think of for now. If I run across other American history possibilities or ideas, I'll add them onto this list of ideas.

 

I really would be interested in hearing about notebooking ideas for American history. I think this would make studying American history engaging. The notebooking ideas I've seen are more geared for younger students, but I bet this method could be used on a high school level.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Dr Carol Reynolds has a series on American music. She has a DVD set for sale and is adding a subscription model site with more and deeper resources.

 

The Teaching Company series on American history is good. We loved the Pattrick Allitt lectures. These aren't free but are in many libraries.

[Julie in MN]

I really would be interested in hearing about notebooking ideas for American history. I think this would make studying American history engaging. The notebooking ideas I've seen are more geared for younger students, but I bet this method could be used on a high school level.

 

I found my best notebooking ideas from Heart of Wisdom. I can't quite find the pages that were on their website back in the day, but here are a couple of samples. I did end up purchasing some books from her just because her materials were so helpful to me and she was so generous with her free online resources.

 

If you scroll down this page, second-to-last sample page, just above where the comments begin, the page that says "portfolio sample pages" at the bottom:

http://homeschool.corecommerce.com/Homeschool-Helps/The-Heart-of-Wisdom-Teaching-Approach.html

 

If you scroll down this sample from their website, look at page 9 of the sample (page 317 of the book):

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDgQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fheartofwisdom.com%2FAcrobat%2Fcreatingnotebooks.pdf&ei=7_tmUfOFEMzl4AO8s4HQBA&usg=AFQjCNFSI7vlVHDEsBOKvRaWAEMeHN5J7A&bvm=bv.45107431,d.dmg

 

I do think you can use a notebooking method with any program you use. If I were teaching my dd using MFW, I would probably have her notebook history and fine arts. She did very well with that method. However, my youngest son has notebooked throughout the elementary and middle years, and after considering continuing, in the end we aren't notebooking in high school. However, my dd's notebooks inspired another local family to notebook through high school with their son, who created some amazing pages, so it isn't just a girl/boy thing.

 

I should also add that I felt notebooking required a lot of input from me. It probably depends on the child, but my children tend to need adult guidance if they are to realize what is important or amazing, or even just what delving deeper into a topic of interest should look like. I guess they tend to have their minds on other things :)

 

HTH,

Julie

[3byzaz]

Hi Sweet Home - we have often done very similar curriculums and been at similar places. My oldest did MFW AHL and WHL for what ended up being 8th and 9th. We have liked it, but I just honestly can't afford the US 1 & 2. It's just too much - although I'm sure it's totally worth it. Anyway, I have decided on Notgrass for the same reasons you posted and we have truly loved AtB for my other two this last two years.

 

I am going to add 2 PP guides to it for Mockingbird and Uncle Tom's Cabin. Maybe a 3rd and 4th - I love that they are PDF's and interactive. I am also going to have him join his brothers and maybe our co-op and do Mapping the World with Art and Missionary studies that I am still planning. Then, he's going to do some SAT Vocab - haven't decided on program yet. Also, grammar, I think - but need to look and see if these others already cover it enough - he definitely needs a refresher, but did CLE LA through 9th. Might get the 10th grade ones.

 

And, adding IEW - probably Windows to the World and one of the Essay ones. This is his strong suit, but for him ONLY - the MFW English has been very light - I know others would disagree, but that's been our experience for him. He needs to be challenged in this area for sure. He used to write a TON, but hasn't done even close to as much with MFW. I will also use some of the worldview/Bible courses that MFW suggests...Thinking Like a Christian, etc.

 

This will all be spread out over 10th and 11th - only counted as one credit for each, but I don't want to cram it in. 1 for American History, 1 for Geography (with all the MFW that he did, Notgrass' and MtWwA), 1 for English each year as I add in to Notgrass, so 2. Then, he can still do Gov't and Economics... probably adding Gov't to the 11th grade year - again spread out! I think I can do both years for considerably less than what it would have cost. Not trying to re-invent the wheel, but also it allows for some flexibility on some things I wanted to work in!! Geography being so important to me and definitely the writing. :)

 

Looking forward to it for him!!!

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I found my best notebooking ideas from Heart of Wisdom. I can't quite find the pages that were on their website back in the day, but here are a couple of samples. I did end up purchasing some books from her just because her materials were so helpful to me and she was so generous with her free online resources.

 

If you scroll down this page, second-to-last sample page, just above where the comments begin, the page that says "portfolio sample pages" at the bottom:

http://homeschool.co...g-Approach.html

 

If you scroll down this sample from their website, look at page 9 of the sample (page 317 of the book):

http://www.google.co....45107431,d.dmg

 

I do think you can use a notebooking method with any program you use. If I were teaching my dd using MFW, I would probably have her notebook history and fine arts. She did very well with that method. However, my youngest son has notebooked throughout the elementary and middle years, and after considering continuing, in the end we aren't notebooking in high school. However, my dd's notebooks inspired another local family to notebook through high school with their son, who created some amazing pages, so it isn't just a girl/boy thing.

 

I should also add that I felt notebooking required a lot of input from me. It probably depends on the child, but my children tend to need adult guidance if they are to realize what is important or amazing, or even just what delving deeper into a topic of interest should look like. I guess they tend to have their minds on other things :)

 

HTH,

Julie

 

 

 

Julie,

Thank you so much for the links!

One thought.... Notebooking makes a lot of sense for a younger student. Everything I looked at on Heart of Wisdom was written for grades 3-8.

 

If we were to notebook American history, I know we'd need to "kick it up...another notch"! I'm not quite sure how to do that.

 

I'm also aware that notebooking takes time. If it takes too much time, this won't work for us. I don't want the notebooking to be cutesy but appropriately illustrative/descriptive of the kind of material a high schooler should know. (Maybe like how Trisms is organized? Or the way TWTM method breaks subjects down into a notebook?) We've never used Trisms or TWTM method, so I'm simply brainstorming.

 

I definitely want there to be (at least) short writing assignments so that she has to demonstrate understanding on topics important in American history...She would be taking the outsourced English Comp class focusing on American lit that I've mentioned before, so history wouldn't also need lengthy writing assignments.

 

Ideas for how to make notebooking high school level........anyone???

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Hi Sweet Home - we have often done very similar curriculums and been at similar places. My oldest did MFW AHL and WHL for what ended up being 8th and 9th. We have liked it, but I just honestly can't afford the US 1 & 2. It's just too much - although I'm sure it's totally worth it. Anyway, I have decided on Notgrass for the same reasons you posted and we have truly loved AtB for my other two this last two years.

 

My boys are using AtB this year (grades 4 and 7)... we had to adjust how we used it. In first semester, I had the two of them read the chapters together and work on the map/tl books. I thought this would work... at least once a week, I would read with the 4th grader. By Christmas, we all realized that we could not continue this way in 2nd semester. Text book reading was not engaging. My boys were not retaining anything. They were not loving American history, and I wanted them to!

 

So.... now we use the text to keep us on topic. Instead of just reading the text, each looks the chapter topic up on a computer. They take 10-15 minutes and read, link to bunny trails, etc... After gathering information, we discuss it. I have the text and read it while they work on computers. I can ask appropriate questions based on the information. We discuss the ideas that were either important or interesting in their reading. This works! Then they complete the map and timeline books. This way they are retaining the history, and I'm learning right along with them.

 

If we used Exploring America for high school, I would think that we might have to take the same kind of approach. Which isn't such a bad idea, but I think dd wants history to be more independent.... Some kind of balance between the two might be just right.

 

I am going to add 2 PP guides to it for Mockingbird and Uncle Tom's Cabin. Maybe a 3rd and 4th - I love that they are PDF's and interactive. I am also going to have him join his brothers and maybe our co-op and do Mapping the World with Art and Missionary studies that I am still planning. Then, he's going to do some SAT Vocab - haven't decided on program yet. Also, grammar, I think - but need to look and see if these others already cover it enough - he definitely needs a refresher, but did CLE LA through 9th. Might get the 10th grade ones.

 

My dd would take an outsourced English Comp class that focuses on American lit. It's a tough English class with a fantastic teacher. I'll have to see about the vocabulary. She won't be doing any kind of vocabulary program... Although much vocabulary is picked up within excellent books.

 

And, adding IEW - probably Windows to the World and one of the Essay ones. This is his strong suit, but for him ONLY - the MFW English has been very light - I know others would disagree, but that's been our experience for him. He needs to be challenged in this area for sure. He used to write a TON, but hasn't done even close to as much with MFW. I will also use some of the worldview/Bible courses that MFW suggests...Thinking Like a Christian, etc.

 

One thing I love about MFW is their lesson plans (of course). Plans are written, and the student is good to go. I hate trying to piece a course together. MFW incorporates Christian worldview into their history. I'm keeping this in mind as well. I would like to use a worldview curriculum along with completing the first semester of American history while completing government in second semester..... just like MFW. We'll have to see how it all works out.

 

This will all be spread out over 10th and 11th - only counted as one credit for each, but I don't want to cram it in. 1 for American History, 1 for Geography (with all the MFW that he did, Notgrass' and MtWwA), 1 for English each year as I add in to Notgrass, so 2. Then, he can still do Gov't and Economics... probably adding Gov't to the 11th grade year - again spread out! I think I can do both years for considerably less than what it would have cost. Not trying to re-invent the wheel, but also it allows for some flexibility on some things I wanted to work in!! Geography being so important to me and definitely the writing.

 

I have no idea what we would use for geography. She will already have some geography credit from WHL. I looked at MtWwA, but we would end up only doing the United States part. Seems like a waste...? I haven't really thought a lot about geography yet. Something effective but inexpensive would be great! :001_smile:

 

Thanks so much for sharing your plans. I recall as well how we've used similar curricula! I've found comfort thinking I'm on the right track in my thinking because of that!

 

Looking forward to it for him!!!

[Julie in MN]

Julie,

Thank you so much for the links!

One thought.... Notebooking makes a lot of sense for a younger student. Everything I looked at on Heart of Wisdom was written for grades 3-8.

 

If we were to notebook American history, I know we'd need to "kick it up...another notch"! I'm not quite sure how to do that.

 

I'm also aware that notebooking takes time. If it takes too much time, this won't work for us. I don't want the notebooking to be cutesy but appropriately illustrative/descriptive of the kind of material a high schooler should know. (Maybe like how Trisms is organized? Or the way TWTM method breaks subjects down into a notebook?) We've never used Trisms or TWTM method, so I'm simply brainstorming.

 

I definitely want there to be (at least) short writing assignments so that she has to demonstrate understanding on topics important in American history...She would be taking the outsourced English Comp class focusing on American lit that I've mentioned before, so history wouldn't also need lengthy writing assignments.

 

Ideas for how to make notebooking high school level........anyone???

 

Well, when I used those types of examples, I assumed a high schooler would write differently than a younger student. But the general ideas really helped me see that my dd could create something that connected her to what she had learned. She did a lot of hand-drawn maps and artistic things like calligraphy of favorite quotes when we studied a historical figure from the Bible. I think she drew the 3 types of Greek columns when we were studying Greek architecture, and a page like that shows understanding of content just through illustrations, descriptions, even the organization of title/headings. Some of her "writing" pages were more like outlining key events. She also had timeline pages where she briefly recorded different things she learned in various subjects, from composers to scientists.

 

The boy who created a similar notebook, I only saw it once a year, but he also seemed very artistic. However, his focus was often more about military events and equipment, although I can't totally remember. He was using Beautiful Feet American history, which came from my dd's using BF for a while in ancients and starting her notebooking then, but showing how it could be adapted to more of the HOW style -- actually similar to our MFW notebooks from the younger years except more detailed and more often.

 

Anyways... I don't think of this method as a get-er-done way of doing things, because thinking thru and even occasionally researching a detail were involved for us. Probably worksheets and tests are more efficient at focus-and-finish. But your idea sounds like a WTM outlining method for history and a WEM literature notebook, and that might be a good compromise between true "notebooking" and just "writing in a notebook"? I know I had one algebra teacher in school who made us keep a notebook for math, and he told us very explicitly what to put in there. I still had that notebook when I decided to come home and go to college, and I could instantly grasp things I hadn't thought about in several years, and do well on the ACT or whatever it was I took. I think there is something to "owning" knowledge in the method, even when it isn't totally creative and student-led.

 

Julie

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Well, when I used those types of examples, I assumed a high schooler would write differently than a younger student. But the general ideas really helped me see that my dd could create something that connected her to what she had learned. She did a lot of hand-drawn maps and artistic things like calligraphy of favorite quotes when we studied a historical figure from the Bible. I think she drew the 3 types of Greek columns when we were studying Greek architecture, and a page like that shows understanding of content just through illustrations, descriptions, even the organization of title/headings. Some of her "writing" pages were more like outlining key events. She also had timeline pages where she briefly recorded different things she learned in various subjects, from composers to scientists.

 

The boy who created a similar notebook, I only saw it once a year, but he also seemed very artistic. However, his focus was often more about military events and equipment, although I can't totally remember. He was using Beautiful Feet American history, which came from my dd's using BF for a while in ancients and starting her notebooking then, but showing how it could be adapted to more of the HOW style -- actually similar to our MFW notebooks from the younger years except more detailed and more often.

 

Anyways... I don't think of this method as a get-er-done way of doing things, because thinking thru and even occasionally researching a detail were involved for us. Probably worksheets and tests are more efficient at focus-and-finish. But your idea sounds like a WTM outlining method for history and a WEM literature notebook, and that might be a good compromise between true "notebooking" and just "writing in a notebook"? I know I had one algebra teacher in school who made us keep a notebook for math, and he told us very explicitly what to put in there. I still had that notebook when I decided to come home and go to college, and I could instantly grasp things I hadn't thought about in several years, and do well on the ACT or whatever it was I took. I think there is something to "owning" knowledge in the method, even when it isn't totally creative and student-led.

 

Julie

 

 

Julie,

Thanks. This is very helpful.... just "talking" these ideas out. It's like what I said a few weeks ago on a different thread where you helped.... to let ideas "cook".

 

I like the bolded... especially about owning knowledge in the method. I don't think notebooking has to be totally artsy/creative. That would have to be balanced with mini-essay type writing. Then I think dd would "own" her history.

 

Lots of good thinking going on.... probably too much! Here is the tangled web that's rolling around in my head for the moment (of course, it will probably morph several times):

 

I'm picturing an overall organization like TWTM/Trisms framework using NROC videos/writing suggestions, BJU text with student book using Hewitt syllabus, BJU geography? (haven't looked at this yet). And something for Christian world view and government. I'm just now looking at the Hewitt syllabus. Haven't figured out the details. If we were to incorporate BJU, I could have answer keys for some of the work. This is important to me. It will allow me to have some objective tests that are easily evaluated. I'm not entirely comfortable with ALL subjective grading.

 

Now what does all of this incorporation for me for a reasonable price??? Bennett's Roadmap? A Patriot's History? I have more reading/thinking to do obviously.

 

I still like the idea of using the MFW plan of 1/2 history followed by govenment in 11th grade. Then 1/2 history followed by economics.

 

If, if, if we return to MFW for 12th grade, it would make sense to have their plan somewhat in place for 11th grade. Just can't afford it easily even if we use everything except their lit.....

 

We can't just use a boring text though. Dd would not learn well that way. That's why I've got to make history engaging so that it will somewhat come to life for her.

 

For someone who doesn't like to plan out a course, I am definitely going that direction.

 

Thanks so much for helping!!!

[Gretchen in NO. CA]

What is NROC?

[Sweet Home Alabama]

What is NROC?

 

 

 

http://www.hippocampus.org/