Is Omnibus too much for a 7th grader?

[Mommy7]

I'm really wondering if it is too much for ME! I love the sample, but I keep reading that it is very teacher intensive. Is there a way it could be done without so much teacher involvement? I will be teaching 5 to 6 this fall, and I can't afford more than 30 min. to devote to it.

 

I have been using VP for history for my elementary aged students. But, I want something that requires thought, etc. for my rising 7th grader. The readings look scarey...very intimidating.

 

What are your thoughts?

[Mommy7]

One other thing...if Omnibus is better suited for high school level, any suggestions as to what would be a good filler for 7th and 8th grade???? :001_smile:

[Moira in MA]

I'll try to respond to your questions.

 

Yes it is doable by a 7th grader, but a 9th grader will get *much* more out of it.

 

If this is your eldest student I'd hold off.

 

You'll have better discussions with at least 2 students -- much less 'deer in the headlights'.

 

I started it when my dds were 7th &9th grade.

 

We all do the readings but I give thanks every day that I have access to the teacher's guide. We're now finishing up Omnibus III, my dds amaze me.

 

It is definitely *not* doable in 30 minutes and requires a high degree of leader involvement -- either from yourself or some other adult.

 

If you want something doable and rewarding for literature for a 7th grader, you could look at Literary Lessons from the Lord of the Rings. My elder daughter thoroughly enjoyed this in her 7th grade.

 

HTH

~Moira

[Julie in GA]

is that Omnibus I is (according to the authors themselves) perhaps the most difficult text, at least in terms of the reading requirements.

 

I agree that holding off is the right thing. We tried Omnibus 1 in 7th grade, and did fine with the books of the Bible, but couldn't stick with it. I personally could not keep up with the readings. Last year, for 8th, we tried Omnibus II. I skipped a few of the books, but we got through the majority of primary books, and my ds really enjoyed it. This year (9th), he's doing the full primary book schedule online, and about 2/3 of the secondary books with me.

 

So, here is my general recommendation for Omnibus:

 

7th grade - no, unless your dc absolutely loves ancient lit, and you can keep up with the readings.

8th grade - choose some of the books and go at your own pace

9th grade and up - jump in and go for it

[Wendi]

is that Omnibus I is (according to the authors themselves) perhaps the most difficult text, at least in terms of the reading requirements.

 

I agree that holding off is the right thing. We tried Omnibus 1 in 7th grade, and did fine with the books of the Bible, but couldn't stick with it. I personally could not keep up with the readings. Last year, for 8th, we tried Omnibus II. I skipped a few of the books, but we got through the majority of primary books, and my ds really enjoyed it. This year (9th), he's doing the full primary book schedule online, and about 2/3 of the secondary books with me.

 

So, here is my general recommendation for Omnibus:

 

7th grade - no, unless your dc absolutely loves ancient lit, and you can keep up with the readings.

8th grade - choose some of the books and go at your own pace

9th grade and up - jump in and go for it

 

It's good to know that it's possible to jump into Omnibus later. I'd love to do it, but I really don't think ds will be ready for it next year (7th grade).

 

Wendi

[Frontier Mom]

I tried it in 7th but it was too much. I backed off and we just picked some of the books. I used TOG last year and we are going back to Omnibus I as a high school level. We were going to do Omnibus I this year but my ds wants to do American Literature. Since we have done Ancients more than other periods, I am planning on revisiting it sometime over the hs years.

[Chris in VA]

I agree Omni is tough for 7th grade.

I just read a post by someone who used Omni 1 just for literature--an interesting idea. She had dc read just the secondary lit (or, all the secondary lit and a few of the primary ones).

We did the opposite--my 9th grader, who was 16 at the time, read most of the primary lit and we added in some historical fiction.

 

I think the pace is too fast for a 7th grader, and I don't think an average 12-13 yr old should do so much independently. It's 3 credits, which means 15 hours a week, plus some extra time for papers and perhaps for reading, depending on the speed of your child's reading comp.