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Help/advice on history plan using module 2
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I am planning to start module 2 for History/Geography/Bible in January. My children are 13,11,7,5,2. I have homeschooled from the beginning (8 years).
I have always wanted to use living books/read alouds for teaching history but have not been able to stick with it consistently. Due to life/health issues (complicated pregnancies too), I feel that there are big holes in my oldest kids’ history education.
So, I am starting in Module 2 in January because I love how it is laid out and I think it is very doable, but I have some concerns. First of all, I don’t like the idea of not even touching Early Modern/American History until module 5 or 6. Because it seems that we have been “stuck” in ancient history due to the lack of consistency and always starting back in again where we left off, I feel that we never get anywhere. I am feeling the need to “cram” because my oldest is entering high school next year and she should have a “basic” understanding of History and Bible.
Ideally, I would like to do “mini” units for history (4-6 weeks at a time) in addition to Module 2 to try and cover some other topics, but I am not sure what materials I would use to do this. Plus, I then run the risk of doing too much and then not doing anything at all!!! My husband is frustrated, and, because of his lack of knowledge on the different approaches to education, wants to buy “canned” curriculum to help teach history (Yikes!)
But, I feel very convicted that, if nothing else, that they have solid biblical knowledge along with a personal relationship with God and to not stress over the rest.
I guess just coming up with an overall plan is what I need. But at this point, I am not sure what that looks like.
I hope this wasn’t too confusing! Any advice anyone??? Please??!! I would love to hear from you. Thanks in advance.
I wonder if you could use the Genevieve Foster books as a history add-on in short units of time. Since you’re already doing Ancients, you might want to skip Augustus Caesar’s World for now. If you want to focus on Early Modern and Modern time periods, maybe your oldest could spend 4-6 weeks reading each of the books listed below and narrating them and entering the people and events into her Book of Centuries. That might give her a good foundation overview of both American and world events without all the busywork of a canned curriculum.
- The World of Columbus & Sons (1451-1537; more medieval and Renaissance time period really, so you may want to skip this one for now)
- The World of Captain John Smith (1580-1631)
- The World of William Penn (1660-1700ish)
- George Washington’s World (1732-1799)
- Abraham Lincoln’s World (1809-1865)
One thing I am learning that Really helps is CM was big on children taking over their own education. Your oldest 2 can read their own history books and this will take a load off of you. I am just starting having my 9 year old read his own. We are in Module 6. One book he is reading now is If you Traveled West in a Covered Wagon, which is not listed but I wanted to do. Journey Through Learning has a matching Lapbook. I had him read 5 pages and write about it in the lapbook with guided questions. I cut out everything and glued it in the book empty but the rest he is doing completely on his own. He narrated to me yesterday what he read and he is almost through with the book. This is my way of cutting back to what CM recommended slowly, but towards the end of Jan. I am starting module 1 and I am cutting everything else out. I always want to do Way too much, so I am following CM totally. It is just so much more natural and it really works. I too have not been consistent at all, and I have tried and quit hundreds of curriculums. My friends even joke that if you need advice about a curriculum ask Alexis because she has researched and used Everything and I probably really have.
Be sure to read the article on making the transition, it has been the biggest help. http://simplycharlottemason.com/basics/started/transition/
Remember too that It takes time to form a new habit and if you notice you haven’t stuck to the reading schedules one week be determined to start again next week and above all Pray that God will help you be more consistent.
Thank you, Alexis! I am so glad to know that I am not the only one who has not been consistent!
I think there is much to be said about children taking on their own education. It seems the older they get the more responsiblity they can handle. However, I do want to make sure that I am there for deep conversations/discussions that will inevitably come up while studying History and Bible.
Thanks again!
Thanks Sonya! I think this is wonderful advice. I had forgotten about those books; they seem to be perfect for my situation.
Okay, so now I have a question about the Book of Centuries. I am torn as to whether I should use a plain old timeline or the Book of Centuries. I downloaded the free BOC on your website; its seems that their would be a lot of pages. I could just picture my kids flipping through lots of pages to find the right one they needed. KWIM?
I already have a simple timeline book for each kid; but, I don’t want to miss out on the BOC if I am not understanding its full use. I guess it just seems cumbersome.
Do you have pictures of your BOC anywhere? Or maybe sombody does on the forum? Maybe it would help me to see it.
Thanks again for all of your help!
The page called How to Use a Book of Centuries has a sample photo of the inside of my BOC. But remember that you don’t have to do yours exactly like I do mine.
The main goal of a BOC is so the student will have a record of the people and events with which she has formed a personal relation throughout her studies. If your other timeline book achieves that goal, then I wouldn’t think you would need to switch or add to it.
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