SnMomof7 Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 We are Canadians. I want to teach US history to my children. I'm willing to give it almost equal time with Canadian history in middle school and high school. I have two years I can spend on it - one middle school, one high school. We are also Christians. That being said, who can recommend courses for us? They should not be overly patriotic, nor should they claim that Americans are God's chosen people. Clearly, that wouldn't work for us ;). They must be independent. I like the look of Notgrass, but I don't know much about where they teach from. CLE's new 8th grade US history is also a strong contender as it would be fairly neutral due to Anabaptist beliefs on citizenship. Any thoughts or recommendations for me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 We used Notgrass Exploring America (gr. 9-12) in high school; he states up front in the introduction that all History texts are written from a bias, and that his is Evangelical Christian. I don't recall any Providential statements, but it's possible I am forgetting; that particular bias drives me nuts, so I'm usually aware of it and avoid materials written from the Providential history slant. You can see sample chapters of Notgrass materials online: America the Beautiful (gr. 6-8) Exploring America (gr. 9-12) For the high school program, the overall structure is chronological by President and includes key issues each President dealt with as the organizing way of presenting the history. Each chapter is divided into 5 days of readings, with the first 4 days covering the historical time period, and the 5th day presenting a "worldview article", using an event or person from the previous 4 days of material as the springboard into discussing the worldview issue. We did find the Christian-based Notgrass to be a bit of a relief after several years of the secular Human Odyssey by Spielvogel, which is slightly leftist and socialist in leaning, and which has a bit of a negative tone toward the concept of religious faith, and specifically the Church. A big downside to Notgrass is that it is a very "White" perspective, with disappointingly little from a "Black" perspective, and virtually none from a First People perspective. Or Latino perspective. Not really anything from all of the immigrant voices, either… Having *some* coverage of those voices in a History text of the U.S. is very important, since the history of the U.S. is the story of many waves of immigrants from many nations coming at different times for different reasons and having different interactions and impacts on those already here… But I digress. ;) Not at all trying to dissuade you from your plans, but just a thought: What about just one year of American History in high school, and using Middle School for a World Culture/Comparative Religions focus? Our experience: that turned out to be a fantastic foundation for our later high school History studies. Or, what about a middle school year of American History, and then high school as a 4-year WTM chronological study, but throw a bit of emphasis towards U.S. history when you hit years 3 (Early Modern) and 4 (Modern)? What a kind and generous homeschooler you are to want to take some of that precious and limited middle/high school time to learn about your neighbor! :) BEST of luck in finding what is the best fit for your family. Warmest regards, Lori D. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjlcc Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 No experience with these, but here's a few ideas. All American History Winter Promise's American History in a Year Heritage History - Early America Beautiful Feet - US and World History 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 P.S. -- I forgot to add about patriotism and Notgrass Exploring America. Yes, there is patriotism in it. To me, it did not come off as the annoying "we're #1" type of patriotism, but rather, the author loving his country, having served in the U.S. military, and feeling it is a privilege to live in the U.S. -- so events are written about from a positive patriotic view. Does that make sense?? :tongue_smilie: I can see that it might strike some readers as appearing too patriotic and America-centric. I'd suggest reading the sample chapters, and decide for yourself whether it's too much or not. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollyhock Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 That new CLE text looks so pretty. I think I would go with that. CLE has some Canadian courses for 7th-8th grade and the books used (A Goodly Heritage and Pleasant Places) contain a lot of American history right next to the Canadian history. It is interesting to see them intertwine like that. But the books also contain a lot of stuff about Mennonites (like whole chapters) so if you aren't Mennonite, that might be bothersome. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnMomof7 Posted May 8, 2015 Author Share Posted May 8, 2015 Thanks, Lori :). I hope I don't come off as anti-American! We definitely can handle, and appreciate positive texts as far as patriotism goes, but we can't really go for superiority oriented patriotism if that makes sense? Thanks for chiming in on Notgrass worldview, that helps a lot. I have a lot of time before making a decision, so will definitely read those extensive samples. Erin, we use a lot of CLE for skills, and I've definitely seen those texts. We aren't Mennonites, but their Canadian history texts have never seemed too appealing to me. Admittedly *I* like colorful texts and so do my children. That's why that new 8th grade one looks appealing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Thanks, Lori :). I hope I don't come off as anti-American! Oh heavens no! Not at all! Goodness -- you're thinking on spending 2 YEARS of your precious homeschooling middle/high school years on a country that is not your own. If anything I was feeling a little embarrassed at how ego-centric we are in the U.S. -- we don't even think to spend time to learn a little bit of the history and geography -- like 2 WEEKS of time -- of our northern and southern neighbors, unless planning on traveling/living/working there. :blushing: :( BEST wishes for your planning! Warmest regards, Lori D. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 I don't have any suggestions but you've inspired me to put together a much deeper history of Canada for my kids than I was planning. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted May 13, 2015 Share Posted May 13, 2015 I agree with what others have said about Notgrass America the Beautiful. My son really enjoyed it. I have not compared the amount of content about native peoples, immigrants, or black Americans, but they don't completely ignore it either. We have added our own books sometimes about those things just because we're interested. We are planning to add a side study about the civil rights movement when my older one completes Notgrass' civics curriculum next year (Uncle Same and You). My son really enjoyed the mapwork if that makes a difference to your kids. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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