SOTW vs. Textbook

[goldenecho]

So, my youngest has been homeschooled the last 4 years and we've been doing Story of the World. My oldest is in regular high school. We got his books today and I flipped open his history book to a random page and it was something his brother had just covered in SOTW. But MAN, the difference! I mean, I realize part of the reason is that it's high school, not elementary, but they made something interesting so dull.   It made me remember why I disliked history so much in High School.

I made my high schooler, who hates history, read a paragraph of his book and a paragraph of the same topic in SOTW. He pointed to SOTW and said..."This is so much better. I could tell by the first sentence."   It takes longer to cover the same topic, but it's so much more enjoyable to read.

[acresoft]

It's great when learning can be as enjoyable as possible. So what ever good curriculum that keeps the interest and enjoyment up is great.

[KrissiK]

It’s true. We went through SOTW when my kids were in the younger grades and it was successful for us. But, as they got older we moved toward textbooks and definitely dry reading. A lot of times we did history after lunch and I literally fought to stay awake.

[mohop]

My children love history, and I think a lot of this is due in part to SOTW.  

[Gil]

I jumped mine from childrens history books with supplements to college level texts. They still love the subject. I'm sure there is a great history text out there for for the middle grades of 5-12, but doubt that it's worth the expense and hassle to find it.

[happybeachbum]

Have you looked into Joy Hakim's books as well?  There are some college textbooks that make you want to pull your hair out and some that are great reads.  High school....  Well, that is another story.  LOL