lgliser Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 We do Veritas Press Self Paced History and we love it. And last year we did a study on our state, just because I think most 4th graders do... But today when one of my 11 year olds said, "What is the constitution?" I realized that I have clearly failed somewhere! Though now that I'm typing this out I'm wondering if it's more like government we need. I don't know... I'm just feeling like even though I like going through history chronologically, I feel like we need to throw some basic US info in there. I'm not looking for a huge major curriculum. Is there anything just open and go? Simple? 6th grade level... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 Uncle Sam and Me from Notgrass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hands-on-mama Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 America’s Story from Master Books? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 (edited) My suggestion is to go through the Congress for Kids website, plus either of the pair of books (Sobel or Buchanan), and then enjoy the supplements and/or other websites as icing on top. :) Websites: - Congress for Kids -- Independence; Constitution; Legislative, Executive, Judicial; Elections; Citizenship - Ducksters: U.S. Gov't for Kids -- short website articles - PBS Zoom website: Elections 101 -- election info and links Books: - How the U.S. Government Works; The U.S. Constitituion and You (Sobel) - The U.S. Constitution and You; Our Government: The Three Branches (Buchanan) - The Constitution Translated for Kids (Travis) - My American Government series (Stevens) * What is a Constitution * What Are the Parts of Government * How Do We Elect Our Leaders * What Are Citizens' Basic Rights Supplements: - Schoolhouse Rock: ; ; ; - U.S.A. Constitution Activity Book (Tallarico) - Chester Crab Comix: Constitution Construction; and, American Symbols Edited March 11, 2018 by Lori D. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gil Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 I'm not looking for a huge major curriculum. Is there anything just open and go? Simple? 6th grade level... I would get a book or a series of books. Just go to your library and see what they have in the kids non-fiction section. Check their DVDs also. Our library has a few series that cover US History for children in broad strokes. I've had The Boys read and re-read them quite a few times now. There is a set of 3-DVDS that covers the US Government also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 Fwiw, I don't think it's that you failed. I think they just hit that age, have some developmental spurts, and are ready to argue and go at it a new way. 6th grade is really pivotal in life. So, whatever you do, bring in debate. They'll eat it up. :D I did a 50 Debate Prompts kind of thing when my dd was that age. As far as idiotproof history that you'll like, Notgrass has America the Beautiful, but it may be too young. I don't keep up. There's a redacted version of Hakim that I picked up after someone mentioned it here on the boards. But really, find something straightforward and then DEBATE. Debate the constitution. Listen to Rush Limbaugh (whether you love him or hate him) and debate it. Read the news and debate it. They're twins, right? So have them argue against each other, hehe. There was a year around there that we watched through all the old Star Treks, the original series. I'm pretty sure it was some kind of study in american social development for us. We would watch and episode and discuss why they were doing that, what was going on, what allusions were made, etc. You're really coming into that stage and can do it with anything that inspires you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 50 Debate Prompts for Kids: Reproducible Debate Sheets Complete With Background and Pro/Con Points That Get Kids Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Thinking About the Topics That Spark Their Interest I think this is what I had. Scrounge or find something similar. The teachers stores usually have stuff like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgliser Posted March 11, 2018 Author Share Posted March 11, 2018 Thanks, everyone! Those are awesome suggestions. I did a 50 Debate Prompts kind of thing when my dd was that age. As far as idiotproof history that you'll like, Notgrass has America the Beautiful, but it may be too young. I don't keep up. There's a redacted version of Hakim that I picked up after someone mentioned it here on the boards. But really, find something straightforward and then DEBATE. Debate the constitution. Listen to Rush Limbaugh (whether you love him or hate him) and debate it. Read the news and debate it. They're twins, right? So have them argue against each other, hehe. OMG that is a GREAT idea. They are triplets so they were born great arguers. LOL. I have actually told them many times that I want to find a debate club for them with how much arguing they do! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal_Bear Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 If you continue on with VP History, the last two years are pretty much American History. So, you just haven't gotten there yet assuming that you are still in the course listed in your siggy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgliser Posted March 11, 2018 Author Share Posted March 11, 2018 If you continue on with VP History, the last two years are pretty much American History. So, you just haven't gotten there yet assuming that you are still in the course listed in your siggy. We are. Good point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal_Bear Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Just a thought. The easiest thing if you aren't looking for anything but a basic quick overview. Just borrow a copy of Schoolhouse Rock! from the library or watch those videos on youtube. Making me think of "I'm just a bill sitting on Capitol Hill...." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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