Erin.Kate….We combined modules because I wanted more of an overview of this time period with younger kids, rather than in depth. Last year, 1st grade & Kindergarten, we covered the Old Testament, which included the first two modules, Genesis to Deut. and Joshua thought Malachi & Ancient Greece. I used the Catherine Vos Story Bible and Grades 1-3 recommended books. I do not care for the Famous Men of series at this young age so we skipped those. I also attempted Letters from Egypt, even though I enjoyed it, my little people did not so we skipped that as well. I picked and chose from the Oxford First Ancient History and skipped over most mythology. My kids kept a timeline and the 1st grader created a large salt dough map of the Bible lands. She also kept a notebook in which I highlighted certain people and she illustrated a picture and wrote a sentence from our reading. You can see samples from earlier this year on a blog post I did at http://reflectionsfromdrywoodcreek.blogspot.com/2011/11/end-of-term-one-2011-2012.html
Just scroll down through “The New Testament and Ancient Rome” photos and you can see a few photos from her notebook this year.
This year, 2nd grade & 1st grade, we are covering the New Testament by combining Matthew Through Acts and the Middle Ages. I’m saving Renaissance, Reformation, & Epistles for next year, 3rd grade & 2nd grade. Then we’ll spend a couple years in US history before cycling back. Again, we’re using the Catherine Vos Story Bible and recommeded reading for Grades 1-3. We are skipping Famous Men books and A Traveller in Rome. I’ve created map work and 2nd grader will keep notebook as mentioned above. (1st grade son colors time period pictures when appropriate. He has a different learning pace and style.)
There are so many great books our there and so little time
You need to pick and choose what works best for your family. Let the modules be your slave not your master. If your elest is in 3rd grade, more than likely you’ll be covering these time periods again at an older level. Relax and have fun!
Merry Christmas,
Melissa