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Hist w/ 1st and K
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I just wanted to ask you moms who have gone before me for your opinions –
This year I have a 1st grade dd and a K ds, 3 yr old dd, 1 yr old dd and #5 on the way. I decided to introduce history to our day this year starting with Module 4. So far, it just isn’t going well for us. The daily readings are much too long for my children to track and remember through the entire passage. I also feel like it is not giving us an idea of what life was like and what “normal people” were doing during this period of time. Don’t get me wrong, the books in the module are wonderful, just a little over their heads and without a context at this point.
So, suggestions? Should I wait with history for another year? Should I begin with Module 1 to create that context of how we got where we are by the time we get to Module 4? Is there another book that might be more on their level to fill in the background and keep their attention better? I would love to say that I am a lover of history and can teach them everything they need to know myself. SO not the case. I avoid history like most people avoid math :), and therefore, I have nothing to offer them in the way of context and background.
Thanks for any suggestions or encouragement!!
Well, my thoughts are if it’s too long and over their heads then try something different. We’ve just started incorporating some CM ideas this year really, so here’s my little disclaimer/background before I give you my suggestions: We’ve always homeschooled, usually with Unit Studies based on a book/topic. My children are 9, almost 6, almost 5, almost 3, 18 mos, and #6 due in Nov. So while I’m familiar with homeschooling, I’m not super Charlotte Mason-y yet. 😉
For a K/1st I would pick one book you think they will enjoy and read it at their pace. Are they interested in the middle ages/knights/castles, etc? If they aren’t yet then choose something you think they will be interested in. My oldest loved the American Girl historical fiction books in 1st grade, they were a fun, gentle introduciton to American history that she could relate to. My son who is currently K age would not like those. He’s interested in space, so we’ll start his history studies in many ways with astronomers, astronauts, and the like in 1st grade I imagine.
I know others on here will be able to give you great ideas, but my biggest advice is find something they are interested in and a book they can enjoy.
I also have a child in K and a child in 1st (though we are following the curriculum guide for Year 2 in all except history). Like you, this is our first year to do history. We began with Module 1 because, and Julie Andrews said it best, “Let’s start at the very beginning, the very best place to start…” The lessons haven’t been too long for my children. In fact, today was our longest lesson yet, only because we read one chapter of the Bible (Gen. 7) and then read another book (the True Story of Noah’s Ark…amazing book!). Their attention was captivated the entire time because the stories were so great.
History is also one of the subjects we complete right at the beginning of our school time. Our school day starts with singing a hymn, then we work on whatever Bible verse we’re memorizing, and then we jump right into history. The children’s minds are fresh and excited to read and narrate.
If the material seems over their heads, as you were describing, it might be a good idea to try something a little more simple. I’m not familiar enough with the different history modules to suggest other resources, but I do know that Module 1 is very gentle, simple, yet still full of living and accurate information. We have loved our history/geography experience so far with Module 1, and as I stated earlier, I believe the beginning is the best place to start, especially with something as time-related as history.
Blessings,
Lindsey
I’m wondering too if starting with Module 1 might be easier simply because many of the Bible stories would already be familiar? It wouldn’t be so much brand new information when you are just getting started with homeschooling in general, getting used to narrating, etc. Just a thought I had…
I just wanted to share our “history” experience…we started in Module 5. No, it’s not the beginning, but our boys had already spent quite a bit of time on ancient Egypt and were pretty much done with that (we were using a packaged curriculum). So, I allowed my 11 yo ds (10 at the time) to choose for us. My 8 yo ds was 7 at the time. I would have considered him in grade 1. The module 5 book list has been so fun and he has enjoyed each book. Okay, there was one that was a little tough to get through, but we did, slowly, which was fine.
The module does not have a guide, yet, but we were okay without one (hopefully by the time my kids make one more go around there will be one). We just read the books, discussed and added people/events to our timelines/BOC. That’s it. We started earlier this year, around Feb. or March, and have completed my 8 yo’s booklist. My 11 yo’s are longer chapter books so were still working on his, but because we started in last year’s school year (took some break during summer) we are “ahead.” Currently we are about to start my 11 yo 4th or 5th book (we have it in talking book form, so the whole family will listen in), so we’re right on track.
If we would have “started” in this school year it would’ve taken the school year to complete both of their booklists, so in a way we’re out of material for my 8yo. I have found some other books related to the time period that we are going to cover and I may just take this time for arts and crafts, field trips, and the other books that I have, which I think is totally fine (ideas I got from this site).
Anyway, Module 5 has been a good start for us, even with the amount of reading…HTH
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