where should we be in History for high school?

My recommendation as a long time CM homeschooler –

Give him more work – more books, more written narrations and essays with specific questions like Compare and Contrast, etc. Give him a text as a spine if he wants, but do NOT give up good living books. He will learn so very much more from living books. For more book ideas, look at AO. 

I was an A student, scored very 1500 out of 1600 on the SAT, and had an almost full scholarship to Vanderbilt. By all accounts, I was smart. However, in retrospect I can see I was good at tests. I have without a doubt learned more history, literature, fine arts, and more by homeschooling my kids than I ever learned in high school and college combined!

You’re welcome. 

I think you are referring to the SCM book guide. Remember that is different. 

Here is my suggestion fwiw – use the SCM Module as your framework using any books applicable to your son’s age plus family books as appropriate. If the info. is new, it won’t matter exactly where it comes from. Keep in mind that any selections from AO years 7+ are very fine for anyone to use in grades 7-12, though some material may be too mature for your specific child. I always supplement for dd13 bc she is a voracious reader. However ds10 is fine with what’s included. You know your son, if he needs more challenge, go for it!

SCM Module 2 Book List for History, Geography, Bible

Family

• Bible
• City by David Macaulay
• The Roman Colosseum by Elizabeth Mann
• Peril and Peace (History Lives series, Volume 1) by Withrow
• The Story of the Romans by H. A. Guerber, edited by Christine Miller (Nothing New Press edition; This edition contains revised and expanded material used in the lesson plans which is not included in other editions.)
• The Stuff They Left Behind: From the Days of Ancient Rome portfolio
• Then and Now Bible Maps from Rose Publishing
• Visits to Europe notebook (one for each student)
• Hungry Planet by Peter Menzel (used with Visits to Europe)
• Material World by Peter Menzel (used with Visits to Europe)

plus . . .Grades 1–3

(can listen in with grades 4–6 on the two books below if desired)

• (opt.) Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld
• (opt.) Mystery of the Roman Ransom by Henry Winterfeld

Grades 4–6

• Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld
• Mystery of the Roman Ransom by Henry Winterfeld
• Galen and the Gateway to Medicine by Jeanne Bendick

Grades 7–9

• Augustus Caesar’s World by Genevieve FosterOR Beric the Briton by G. A. Henty and For the Temple by G. A. Henty
• Book of Centuries (one for each student)
• The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
• Discovering Doctrine by Sonya Shafer (one for each student)
• Foundations in Romans by Sonya Shafer (one for each student)

Grades 10–12

• The Apostle: A Life of Paul by John Pollock
• Augustus Caesar’s World by Genevieve Foster
• Ben Hur by Lew Wallace
• Book of Centuries (one for each student)
• Discovering Doctrine by Sonya Shafer (one for each student)
• Foundations in Romans by Sonya Shafer (one for each student)
• Plutarch’s Lives, biographies of Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, by Plutarch

If this isn’t enough for your particular child, add some more. Here is my master book list for all subjects that should help. This comes from 3 different sources and isn’t exhaustive, but a good start.

More Rome Ideas – 

The Eagle of the Ninth by Sutcliff

Joel, A Boy from Galilee by Johnston and Hamby

Movies – Ben Hur, The Robe, The Ten Commandments, Spartacus

Geography 

Choose a geographical novel based in Rome or any area. Everything need not be interconnected. Do map drills for Europe. Ask questions about the geography. Let him learn ancient geography, if interested. 

Halliburton’s Book of Marvels, Kon Tiki, Sojourner – there are loads of titles that fit this category and are fabulous. AO lists many. 

Have him use Material World and Hungry Planet to learn about the peoples of Europe. He could make a spreadsheet about various statistics. 

Literature

Choose whichever, it need not always be interconnected. Pick several books and have him read and narrate with more specificity. If you need more help look at lit. guides like Lightning Lit. and others. 

Include poetry and Shakespeare

Other

BOC – Have him begin a Book of Centuries and add to it weekly.

Composition – Use prompts such as Hidden Jewel linked for more writing topics. He should be writing or working toward writing daily. 

Current Events – Have him read news sources and narrate to you. At the end of the week have him summarize what he thought was the most important event of the week.

Creative Narration – Choose one literature book and have him write narrations in a creative way – news articles, journal entries, etc.

Gov’t & Econ – Start him reading the Maybury books and discuss with him. 10th or 11th is a great time to add a more formal gov’t and econ class. There are threads here about this.

Foreign Language – Find something credit worthy in a language he is interested in. Consider Latin or Latin Roots in addition.

Natural History & Science – add biographies of scientists (perhaps one per term) and other natural history books. SCM bookfinder and AO have many recommendations. I’m currently reading Microbe Hunters and so far I find it fascinating. 

Shakespeare – read aloud a play at least once per year

Recitations – Choose a lengthy scripture passage, poem, or speech and have him memorize and find an opportunity to recite for others, even family.

Fine Arts – If you aren’t already doing this, add in hymn, folk song, picture, poet, and composer studies. Simple, yet profound.

Additional Literature – Keep a list of additional literature (fiction and non-fiction) for him to choose from. Let him simply read. 

Personal Devotions and Character Development – Bible study and books like Mere Christianity

This list is in no specific order, but I think you should find a few things to flesh out his studies. 

HTH,

Christie

Hidden Jewel, I’m copying/pasting your link on another thread about high school written narrations.  Great resource!