Do you think SOTW is Western based or world based

[kbpaulie]

We're just into SOTW 1 and just starting to think what our history rotation might end up looking like. While I understand these are WORLD history books, I'm trying to find ot if you think SOTW is very Western focused or world focused. (This started by looking at the Sonlight catalog and being drawn into the idea of a year of Eastern Hemishpere studies at some point.) Does SOTW do a good and thorough job of representing other parts of the world?

 

Thanks-

KB

[KarenNC]

We are in our third year with SOTW and I am finding that it is dependent on how you want to handle it. You can put a greater or lesser emphasis on any aspect of the books by how many read-alouds/extra books you do, projects, time spent, etc. We use SOTW as a jumping-off point.

 

For instance, in the Ancients, we did a lot of extra reading and projects on Egypt, Greece and Rome, but simply read the chapters of Biblical stories, Anansi tales, and some others--no extra reading, no projects. Someone who wanted a more Biblical focus would probably beef up the Biblical stories and possibly downplay some of the others. There are chapters on what was going on in other areas of the world and you could take any of those and go more in-depth if you wanted.

 

It's really up to you how much time and emphasis you want to put on any given chapter. Sometimes we go through 2-3 chapters a week if we are just going for some exposure, while we may linger for a couple of weeks or more on a single chapter or two because it captures our interest. We go year-round, so I don't feel we have to stay to a set pace.

 

Currently, I am pulling a lot of additional material out for colonial/Rev War American History and lingering in those chapters because we like it and have access to a lot of Rev war historical sites, etc in our area (and a family history tie in). We read the chapter on Catherine the Great and talked about her, but I didn't do a lot of extra reading about Russia in that time period. One could easily do so if it was of particular relevance or interest. I have added in the Story of the USA workboosk listed in Sonlight to give a greater emphasis and review to the American history portion.

 

We do have the activity guides and I pick and choose what we will do from each section. We usually do the coloring pages for all of them and discuss comprehension questions, but may or may not do anything else. We may also modify the activities---in the Ancients, we did potato mummies rather than chicken ones, for instance, for a much smaller "ick" factor ;).

 

Also, if your child is starting this in first grade, this is only one time through. I am going for broad familiarity this go-round. Not sure exactly how we will handle the next one (beginning in 5th grade). It is possible I might break it up in more culture focused when we get there, not sure yet.

Edited April 4, 2009 by KarenNC

[GraceinMD]

being drawn into the idea of a year of Eastern Hemishpere studies at some point

 

Not really answering your question, but we did SOTW I-IV, then did SL5 (Eastern Hemisphere) and it was a great transition year for us.

[Strawberry Queen]

I would say it's in-between. We are always learning about other areas. And as a pp said it does matter what extras you add in. But I think that it's natural for the history that's closest to you geographically to be emphasized. You just can't give a totally even handed treatment to all areas or else it would be a huge tome. I think it's pretty well-rounded for being a text written primarily for the American market. I would have loved for SOTW to have been written by a Canuck but you can't have everything in this life.;)

[Impish]

I think it's pretty well-rounded for being a text written primarily for the American market. I would have loved for SOTW to have been written by a Canuck but you can't have everything in this life.;)

I totally agree, lol! I only have unit 2, but my impression is that its pretty even handed.

 

As a Canadian, I realize that I need to do a lot of subbing when it comes to curriculum, because most is heavy in American history, and Canadian is usually pretty scant, so we'll be flipping that around.

[Veritaserum]

I think it's pretty good. We're just starting History Odyssey, which adds another encyclopedia and living books to round things out.

[dragons in the flower bed]

Well, it's both, really. There's world history, as in, all cultures are equally fabulous and we must give them all their fair share of the textbook; that's the world history school of thought. Then there's a history book that just covers history, anywhere it happens to have been made, but emphasizes major changes in the state of mankind, and the impact of human decisions. Traditionally, folks who have written books with the latter style have only written about western civilizations. SOTW is definitely of this latter style, but it doesn't leave out half the world. So it's a western style history of the world.

Edited April 4, 2009 by dragons in the flower bed
used both a definite and indefinite article

[JWSJ]

Well, it's both, really. There's world history, as in, all cultures are equally fabulous and we must give them all their fair share of the textbook; that's the world history school of thought. Then there's the a history book that just covers history, anywhere it happens to have been made, but emphasizes major changes in the state of mankind, and the impact of human decisions. Traditionally, folks who have written books with the latter style have only written about western civilizations. SOTW is definitely of this latter style, but it doesn't leave out half the world. So it's a western style history of the world.

 

Wonderful description...

[Zoo Keeper]

Well, it's both, really. There's world history, as in, all cultures are equally fabulous and we must give them all their fair share of the textbook; that's the world history school of thought. Then there's the a history book that just covers history, anywhere it happens to have been made, but emphasizes major changes in the state of mankind, and the impact of human decisions. Traditionally, folks who have written books with the latter style have only written about western civilizations. SOTW is definitely of this latter style, but it doesn't leave out half the world. So it's a western style history of the world.

 

 

I agree, a wonderful way of summing it up!

[laylamcb]

Well, it's both, really. There's world history, as in, all cultures are equally fabulous and we must give them all their fair share of the textbook; that's the world history school of thought. Then there's the a history book that just covers history, anywhere it happens to have been made, but emphasizes major changes in the state of mankind, and the impact of human decisions. Traditionally, folks who have written books with the latter style have only written about western civilizations. SOTW is definitely of this latter style, but it doesn't leave out half the world. So it's a western style history of the world.

 

Wow. That saved me a lot of time. :D This is a great description.

 

I'd say that if you are really "into" non-Western cultures, you'll want to supplement SOTW heavily. By contrast, if what you're looking for is really good coverage of the West that also highlights important concurrent developments in the East, then SOTW is all you'll need.