A Living History of Our World

I had to comment on this since I’d been looking at it for some time.  I got to see it first hand at a convention and bought it.  Sandi Queen says vol 3 is due out very soon and then they are starting a world history cycle that will be released one every 6 month and carry through high school.  I was very excited.  My children are at the top end of the age intended for this but I have one child who is dyslexic and this made it very understandable for him.  It is a great spine and other books can be added for more reading – which I will do for especially my middle son.  The notebooking is so adaptable with lines and boxes for pictures.  One son loves pictures and my daugher would rather write.  The timeline cards are going to be great for reviewing the order of major events.   Then there are places to do written narrations of the chapters.  She also has tips for children with learning problems in the back which was so encouraging to me.  I bought it for next year but we have started it now so that we can complete 3 years worth in 2 years (approximately).  It is designed (if you do everything) for 3 days per week – that is about right if you do all the notebooking and map activities.  It takes us about 30 min. to 45 min. on those 3 days and I have counted the notebooking as our writing since that is a bit of time.  It hits the high points that I would want any child to be familiar with.  HTH 🙂

I have a question for those that have the book…

I was looking at the sample from the site and wondering if this book has the student read ‘regular’ books??  Like is there a list or would you need to gather those items yourself off of other lists you may have, for that time period??  It reads a bit to me like Mystery of History, where the author is telling you about a part of history, but you are not reading a book (like Toliver’s Secret).  We used MOH for about 11 lessons until I realized my kids could not retell a retelling, does that make sense?  It wasn’t a story/book about a time period with characters, it was her retelling.  My oldest boy did not like that at all and is enjoying his reading list that he is in right now.

In looking to beef up the history content right now (or eventually) would this type of do that??  I was thinking of commentary, like TQ, but not sure yet.  Any thoughts??

I don’t know anything about Queen’s Living History, but an earlier post specifically said that there were no books to be referred to for reading; just a “retelling. Exactly what you aren’t interested in using Heather, if I understand you correctly. It sounds like another type of curricula such as MOH from ya’ll’s posts.

How about conitnue with TQ (or in my3boys, consider purchasing it) and just get All through the Ages and be done with it? I don’t mean to sound ornery about Queen’s History, but I think it’s easy for us to see a whole new curriculum and buy it even though we’ve used something very similar to it before and disliked that “style”, i.e. the retelling style which this sounds like it is. You’re correct-not a living book at all; also a journal in history for the young ages is also against what CM recommended in the writing department; coloring pages, oral and drawing narrations are just as efficient than a predesigned journal, IMO. The oral narrations, opportunities to go to History museums, mapping, a timeline of some sort, watching history DVD’s and any projects a family or child wished to pursue for that time period are enough for the Elementary years (unless a child is just really inclined to write).

Then for your 10 yr. old, Heather, beginning wirtten narrations, the activities mentioned just above, and continuing to read great books is mostly independent, IMO. At least it is at my house. Why buy something with a journal when we have written narration?

I guess I’m trying to encourage you to watch for the “grass is greener” syndrome. Remember your past experiences with failed curricula, apply the wisdom learned then to future curricula and remember the simplicity and effectiveness of CM’s methods-real books, narrations of the different types depending on the age of the child and add in the aforemetioned activities.

I think ATTA will fill the gaps for book choices that TQ leaves and the children will make connections themselves without anyone, other than you, “retelling” history to them. Personally, I intentionally want to train my children to not depend upon someone telling them predigested information; but to encourage them to get info. from primary sources and other living books and digest the material themselves. I think good books themselves and good discussion, enrich a history course the most.

Just my 2 cents (and trying to save you some money or at least use the same amount of money on more books, not another curriculum!). Please forgive me if I am coming across as too forward or rude, that is not my intention,

Rachel

Rachel,

I totally understand your post…but as a relative newbie to CM, can I ask some questions?  If the author is passionate about her subject and her readers, how is it not a living book?  I’m not trying to spark debate, I am earnestly seeking wisdom.  I definitely want living books, and if this isn’t one then I’d rather not waste our time.

But how do you tell? 

 I have the journal but don’t use it.  It is mainly just notebooking pages which my son doesn’t like. However, there is a space in the back for written narrations with a slight prompt which is helpful for me, being a first time CM’er. 

Isn’t notebooking…writing a summary and drawing…just another form of narration, though?

Any wisdom you all can impart is greatly appreciated!  I have so much to learn

OK, now I’m completely confused as to what to use with my ds10.   In one breath I see this book being labeled “not a living book,” but then I see recommendations for American History Stories by Pratt, This Country of Ours by Marshall, and 13 Colonies by Guerber.  They are all “episodic retellings,” as far as I can tell.

Oh, being a newbie is so trying!  I feel like my children are guinea pigs for my mis-choices  …and they’ll probably feel like mom is a bit schitzophrenic if I keep switching books!

I tried the Foster books, but the guys felt like it went “back and forth” too much.  They wanted more of a linear telling.  Any suggestions…before I pull what’s left of my hair out!