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History advice for this mom
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Do you ever double up on history readings to get caught up? Or do you just pace yourself and understand that you’ll get done what you can get done and leave the rest alone?
History has always come last in our schooling. The three R’s have always seemed more important to finish. While I love history and the reading and the learning, I am dealing with physical exhaustion and weakness that really affects how much time I can spend each day on school, and with three schooling and two little ones, life is always full anyway.
My oldest (6th grader) is perfectly capable of doing all the reading himself, but I feel like he misses out on so much having to do it alone, rather than when we are able to read together and discuss and enjoy the books and stories.
We are working through the Middles Ages, Reformation, and Renaissance right now, but even though we started in October, we are only to lesson 20. Sigh. I just don’t know how to catch us up and be on track for my oldest son to be able to have what he needs for high school histories. Do I need to change how I’m thinking about it? Do I need to do two simultaneously for him? I just need someone to help me think through it and give me some ideas on how to proceed and how to plan out the next year(s) of school.I’d suggest audiobooks to fill in the gaps
Knowing history is equal to the 3r’s to me, so if you’d give me more info, perhaps I can make more detailed suggestions
I also have chronic health problems, in addition being a caretaker to my husband, so I’ve adjusted a lot this year and for future plans
I have a 6th grader. I made a reading list for him and scheduled a daily reading on his own of either one chapter or 20 minutes. Whenever we go somewhere together, we listen to Story of the World 2 on Middle Ages read by Jim Weiss. There is also Robin Hood on Librivox you could listen to. And I read aloud once or twice a week when it works out for us. No schedule. When I finish one book, I will go to the next book.
What kind of details would help?
I’m struggling with adrenal fatigue/cortisol imbalance which among many other things, often keeps me from being able to think through things easily, lots of brain fog. Then I get overwhelmed. :/
I am looking through the lesson plans for Middle Ages, trying to see where I can double up, skip, ect. My boys are really enjoying the readings from Famous Men, so I’m thinking the skipping/doubling up needs to come elsewhere.
For instance reading full chapters where it says to only read half, reading more than one chapter, especially in the grade level reading. I’m already reading more to them than the “required” amount simply because my younger two don’t want me to stop.
I guess I’m struggling to just see how it will all play out and have a general plan in my mind (or on paper!) that will give me an overview of the next year and a half or so.
I’m also new to a full CM schedule of subjects, and while I haven’t added in all the wonderful things like music, art, and Shakespeare, I would love to incorporate them at some point. I’m still learning about spreading out “the feast” throughout the week, rather than trying to focus on everything every day.
All of the Famous Men series is available on audio for free at Librivox and Loyal Books
Some ideas:
- you read only what you can/feel like and let the oldest finish the reading as long as it doesn’t interfere with completion of his own work
- don’t read everyday; pick a couple of days or choose the days you’re not feeling well and
- 1) have your oldest son read aloud to the little ones or
- 2) they all listen to the day’s reading on audio and narrate to you later about it or whatever you want them to do
When you’re in the car, I, too recommend Baeur’s and Weiss’ 4 – vol SOTW; and my children especially liked Diane Waring’s “What in the World is Going on Here?” cd sets
I don’t know what kind of history cycle you’re on: 4, 6?
How do you want/need the oldest’s high school history to be?
I recommend that you start to transition your oldest to more independent work and lead your younger ones in that direction as well, otherwise you’re not going to be in any shape to continue hsling long-term
You do whatever you can to preserve your health
Make them independent learners
I would just fit in what you can and move on. I think anything covered before high school is a bonus and not essential. If you look at public schools, they really cover very little actual history before that point. Not to mention, you can’t possibly cover it all anyway.
We are also in Middle Ages. We switched from Famous Men to SOTW (keeping everything else the same), and it’s been much more enjoyable for everyone. My oldest DD was struggling with King Arthur, so she stopped midway. I was hoping Librivox would have it, and it’s the one Pyle book they didn’t have! I think they’ll be just fine for high school history, even if we miss a book or two. 😉
Loyal Books has The Legends of King Arthur and His Knights by Sir James Knowles 1862
http://www.loyalbooks.com/book/The_Legends_of_King_Arthur_and_His_Knights_by_Sir_James_Knowles
You can get Howard Pyles’ version for only 6.95 at Audible!
I love all of the ideas here and I just wanted to chime in. I am 2 years into recovering from severe adrenal exhaustion that had me very, very sick. So I just wanted to say, please do not stress out about where you are in history. First, make taking care of yourself and getting some rest the top priority. Second, use the audiobooks and other resources mentioned to help you move things along. And last, you may need to let go of ‘perfect’ and that’s okay! For instance, perhaps your sixth grader will miss some interaction by missing family readings, but on the other hand, maybe he could benefit from moving forward on his own and learning to be self-propelled in his learning process? Sometimes it takes letting go of our ‘ideal’ for things to work out just the way God planned! Many hugs and blessings to you – please PM me if you have any adrenal fatigue concerns or questions.
Heather
As an encouragement, both of mine read and do their history separately; same spine (BF), but different individual readers and audiobooks. Discussions still happen together. They went back and forth about the War of the Roses, Queen Isabella, and Torquemada the other night. So, your kids will still talk to each other about these things if they are raised on interesting conversation in general with minds filled with living ideas (as opposed to twaddle ), plus if your husband would inquire about their thoughts about what they are learning, discussion will happen that way, too.
I haven’t been able to check back in here until this evening. Thank you all for your input. I have much to think over, re-read, and most importantly, pray over! I’m learning that in the midst of my fatigue, I desperately need to be praying over these issues that feel overwhelming. The Lord is giving clarity and a way out of the fog!
Thank you again, ladies!@servingwithjoy, how do I private message you?? 🙂
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