Choosing a history framework/overall plan

I think the answer to this is going to depend on a variety of factors.  Do you want or need for all of your children to end up with American history in a certain grade?  If so, you may need to look at doing things separately at some point.  If that isn’t a concern, them you might be fine with keeping your children together.  For the most part I recommend keeping your elementary age children together as much as possible.  High Schoolers may need a more customized course of study, but should also be able to accomplish much more independently.  

I started homeschooling a year and a half ago.  Our boys had been in ps until then where they completed grades 4 and 1.  So we decided to spend some time unschooling and focus on math, copywork (older struggles with dysgraphia), Canadian geography and lots and lots of great literature.  This year we have started what I have planned as three year chronological history rotations.  We are still only one week in to Mod 2, but I am sure that we will finish the history portion of it before the middle of June by completing 2-3 history or geography lessons per week.  This rotation will allow my oldest to complete 2 rotations with an extra year for an elective or to finish modern history if necessary.  My youngest would be able to complete the cycle 3 times.  

Having said all that, I think that if I were starting fresh with one child in K, I would probably do something similar to MFW and have a geography focus in 2nd and 7th followed by four years of chronological history study with economics/government in 12th.

We do something very similar to what Tia mentioned. Basically, we all study the same historical period together as a family, but I assign literature independently for each child. Some of their independent reading corresponds to the time period and some of the books assigned are just good literature. Keeping us on the same ‘page’ in history helps me to put together additional learning opportunities like field trips, notebooking assignments, and memory work that will be meaningful to all of the children. And it saves time and money, since they share our history instruction and many of their books.

We do use a chronological study, however. It would roughly correspond to a 3 year cycle:

1. Creation to Greeks

2. Rome to Reformation

3. Exploration to 1900

I have chosen to extend this third year of our studies to 1900 (rather than stopping at 1850) b/c I feel that the 20th century has subject matter that is too mature for young children to deal with. I plan on covering that material from the 8th grade on, when my children csn work more independently and handle the issues involved.

By following this three year rotation, I think the children have enough repetition in Biblical history, Western Civ, and American History to have an excellent foundation that they can build on in more advanced studies through Jr. High, High School, etc…

Just want to remind you, though, that there will be gaps in the most ‘perfect’ plan! If our kids have a love for history and learning, they will fill those gaps themselves along the way. Blessings!