Do you think....

[Lux Et Veritas Academy]

I know many follow the 4 year cycle here for history. What are your thought towards picking events or countries and studying them in intense detail. For instance- Studying the History of England, surrounded with British lit etc., British geography etc. vs completing a year cycle of basic world history;).

 

Does this qualify as a unit study?

 

What do you see would be the pros and cons of this?

 

Do you think the child would be more educated on this particular method?

 

Have you done this and what has your experience been?

 

 

This year I went into extreme detail with American History neglecting SOTW 3 for the 1600-1850's. I felt like it has been very effective. I have liked the advantages of being specialized in one area.

[Laura Corin]

I know many follow the 4 year cycle here for history. What are your thought towards picking events or countries and studying them in intense detail. For instance- Studying the History of England, surrounded with British lit etc., British geography etc. vs completing a year cycle of basic world history;).

 

 

We do a cycle of SOTW with lots of extra US and UK history. Then we do a year of intensive Chinese history/geography/literature/historical fiction. After that we do another SOTW plus US and UK cycle. It's a rhythm that we are enjoying.

 

Laura

[Narrow Gate Academy]

Although we follow a 4 year cycle, we have always picked fewer topics and studied them more in depth. I call them unit studies. For ancients we studied Biblical history, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Last year we focused on western Europe during the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation. This year and next we are focusing on American history.

The pros would be that my kids have the opportunity to really develop an interest in a given topic and explore it. (My oldest for example loved the Greek myths and Alexander the Great). I think it helps my children better relate to the people in a given place and time (which shows up when they are playing). It gives us a chance to consider both sides of an argument and draw our own conclusions. (What did the Battles of Lexington and Concord look like from an American perspective versus a British one?) The cons would be of course that there are topics that we don't cover; but since my children can read and learn their whole lives, they can always pick up something later if it interests them.

As far as whether or not it makes them more educated, I would say there really isn't a difference. I would equate it to a general practitioner versus a more specialized doctor. The general practitioner knows enough about many topics to figure out what is causing the problem and recommend which specialist would best be able to treat it. The specialist may be great at treating one condition, but he wouldn't be much help with other problems. I think both types of education are valid and useful in their own way.

 

HTH

[Lux Et Veritas Academy]

Laura and Deanna- Thanks these are really great ideas..... I am not sure how specialized I am going with this....I have a lot to think out!:)

[Chris in VA]

Ah, but each specialist has to do general training first, then become a specialist! LOL

I think a good overview is important, but definitely going deep at some point.

[KAR120C]

Ah, but each specialist has to do general training first, then become a specialist! LOL

I think a good overview is important, but definitely going deep at some point.

That's the theory I'm going with too: We're doing one four year cycle (except our schedule is a little off... we did two years in one and then one year in two.... we'll see how "year four" paces itself... LOL), and then some unit studies. After a year or two of that we'll regroup and decide if we should do another four year cycle or continue with the topical approach.

[Chris in VA]

It's such a good question, isn't it? We started history in K, about halfway thru, so we've been relaxed, and gone deeper in some areas, but I still wanted to continue in the "cycle."

Next year, dd will probably go to public school, and I think she'll get more American history, but it will all be ok. I'd like to bring her back home in 6th grade, until 11th, but we'll see.

It's all good, after all.