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Can you share what history books your children have truly enjoyed?
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The SCM language arts handbook points out that Charlotte said, “The book should always be deeply interesting.” (Vol. 1, p.233), and “The children must enjoy the book.” (Vol. 3 p. 178).
I have struggled to find an enjoyable history book for my 11 year old daughter. She loves historical fiction, and is an avid reader, but we have yet to find a history “spine” that she does not detest. This has been so counter productive in developing her narrating skills with history. I will say that we have not tried very many history spines.
So, tell me what history spines your children have enjoyed….any era of history is fine. I am not looking for any specific time period.
Thanks,
Liz
I’d love to hear some suggestions. We’re in the same boat and I’m currently not using a spine with my 8 and 11 yo’s. We do use Truthquest’s commentary as our spine—but not near as in-depth as a true spine, which we should start before long. When I want to fill in some info., I use “This Country of Ours” because I have it, but it does not engage the kids like the historical fiction does. Hope you get some good suggestions:) Gina
Our children have enjoyed the Guerber histories – Story of the Greeks, Story of the Romans, etc. They can be found here:
Also, M.B. Synge’s Story of the World series here:
http://www.heritage-history.com/www/heritage.php?R_menu=ON&Dir=home&FileName=series_storyworld.php
And Marshall’s histories:
http://www.heritage-history.com/www/heritage.php?R_menu=ON&Dir=home&FileName=series_marshall.php
I think I posted about this before… one of the ladies in my CM group meetings found that her 9 yo began requesting to listen to the audios that go with SOTW during craft time, while she’s playing, while they are cooking, etc. after she purchased it at last year’s hs convention. That was a major step for her daughter. Our children enjoy listening to SOTW as well, and chose to go this route after S shared the above at one of our meetings. This has been a great resource for us.
Also, I *know* it can be harder than it seems it is worth to get this resource, but The Oxford Children’s Ancient History has also grabbed my children’s attention. Please note that I was able to find this resource on Alibis.com for $25.00 which seemed like a reasonable price. I am actually using both resources since I have them, but I would not buy Oxford for much more than that, and don’t sweat it if you can’t find it. IMHO, SOTW is an acceptable substitute.
Pax,
~jacqleene
Abraham Lincoln is our buddy right now. When the kids talk about him, he is real. 18 months ago we visited his birthplace. Last month we attended a re-enactment of his speech givien in the Ohio State House 150 years ago while he traveled to Washington, DC for his inauguration. We’ve read “My Brother Abe” by Harry Mazer & are now reading “Lincoln & his Boys” by Rosemary Wells. We will visit a civil war encampment on the State House lawn next month. I think selecting a single historical figure & buiding an era around him helps the kids peg things together. I also say “this was when Abe was a little boy” or “this happened when Abe was president/after he died” and “now, the pioneer days were over back East when Abe’s family moved to Indiana” — anything to build a web of knowledge & familiarity.
They also love to hear stories from “The American Story” by Jennifer Armstrong. These very often tell one person’s story & are great for sparking new interests.
Amy
We’ve never used a spine as a spine, if that makes sense. We’ve read from Guerber, Hillyer, etc. but only here and there if I didn’t have another great living book on hand, or if we didn’t have time to camp out on a topic long enough to read an entire book. We do use TruthQuest so that gives us a lot of worldview discussion to grapple with as we go through.
Mine are younger (ds7 & dd5.5), but they have really enjoyed Boy of the Pyramids. I do not think it would be “too young” for your 11yo to read by herself and narrate to you.
Sorry I don’t have more to offer. We just started history back in September, so we don’t have a lot of history under our belts yet!
My son LOVES Our Island Story and Child’s History of the World. He’s 7. When he was 6, he did not love CHOW!! But now he’ll ask me to read both books for fun.
Hi Liz, You said “we have yet to find a history spine that she does not detest”. I remember being in the same boat with one of my boys. It might help to know there are two different types of spines. Maybe your daughter would enjoy one over another. Below is from Michelle Miller of TruthQuest history, when I asked her about spines a few years ago. It may prove helpful to you ..as it did me.
Can I broaden out from your question and just talk about spine selection in general? I really think it helps to be aware of the two different types of spines:
NARRATIVE SPINES: These books specifically work to provide thorough, narrative coverage of a particular period. These spines are only about one period (you can see it inthe title: “Story of the Middle Ages, for example), such as those by Guerber,Dorothy Mills, Asimov, H.E. Marshall, Clarence Carson, etc.
GENERAL OVERVIEWS: These books have a completely different (and worthy) goal–to provide an overview of a much larger sweep of history, and therefore cannot probe any particular period to the same depth as a “narrative spine.” These books cover multiple periods or “all” of world history, such as “Story of the World,” byBauer, “Child’s History of the World, by Hillyer, etc. See the difference in the title even??
Knowing that there are (in my view) two different types of spines may make your decision much easier. For example, it might seem more reasonable to enjoy an audio sweep of history while using Guerber for the nuts-and-bolts narrative.
The thing to keep in mind for all of us moms, I believe, is not so much “getting our money’s worth out of our resources” (as we women tend to think) but lighting a fire of interest and focus. If you notice that doing both types of spines”steals the thunder” for the in-depth study, then you have your answer. If you notice that the “general overview” book/audio piques the interest of your children to do further study, then, again, you have your answer!
In summary, then, realize there are two types of spines (which I think we show in each “Mom’s Notes” at the beginning of a guide), and then carefully watch your student’s motivations as you use the materials selected. Don’t be afraid to make changes. If you bought a resource that is not working, resist the urge to use it anyway (to somehow “justify” the expenditure)! Pass the book on to someone who needs it, or sell it, or make compost out of it! 😉 You needn’t feel like a “failure” if you “waste” $25. The thing that is of REAL value, the you don’t want to “waste” or “sell” for $25 is the teachable moment, a preciousschool year, or the continued passion of your children to learn! Figure out what impels your children, while teaching well, and let the rest go!
And don’t forget that a lot of families don’t use spines at all! They use topic-specific books. But that depends on what is available to each family. I mention it here just so no one is led to believe that a spine is even necessary.
We’ve been using TQ History for the past 5 years and as Robin stated, neither have we used a spine as a spine – only when needed to cover a topic briefly. So I guess I don’t have a suggestion as to which spine is best, since we’ve not used one consistantly. However, if you want some great non-spine living book ideas, depending on the era -got lots of those ;).
God Bless! Heather
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