History/Geography Modules 5 & 6 Questions

 This is our first year with SCM; we love your forum and have gained so much from your insights!  We are jumping into American History this year with  5th and 7th graders.  They were bored with their previous studies in private school, an simply wanted to learn about our natiion for a change.  My questions: (and keep in mind both are ADHD/?etc)Rather than skip back and forth from American to World each week, is there any problem with just starting with Columbus and ending with modern times (and then go to the beginning of module 5’s World History- start to finish)? Also, I have skimmed over the corresponding Sailing Alone Around the World (some said was very hard to enjoy?) and “map drill” materials; which start with South America…Since my kids already have some trouble ( and so does mom) keeping focus and things in order, wouldn’t it make better sense to do “map drills” that specifically coincide with the topics being covered (ie American Geography- maybe starting with the paths the explorers took, then locations of early settlements etc., instead of trying to memorize/label a map of South America in the same week?  The jumping around makes me nervous, but at the same time we don’t want to deviate too much and miss something important.  If so, what other geography books would you recommend- I haven’t purchased the Uncle map book yet; is it good for this change of approch I’m considerring, or, is there a better substitution you like? I also noticed that the SCM guide recommends that we simply start all 6 modules over once completed.  Are we too behind to do this for a 7th grader just starting this curriculum?  We are not too far away from HS, and will need to check on pre-reqs for college should they wish to go.  If needed, are there any SCM Government or other so-called HS curricula, or, do most feel these modules are sufficient for college prep?  Sorry so many questions…just nervous about getting it right!  Thanks for your thoughts.