How many books

I usually go at it somewhat backwards. I look at total number of days available for history readings in the year and start calculating. If each chapter of the spine can be done in one day, I subtract one day for each chapter. Then I see how many days of potential history readings I have left, look at number of chapters/days each of the possible books would require, and narrow down my choices that way.

So, say I have 3 days per week for history readings. That means I have approximately 108 potential history-reading slots (36 weeks x 3 days). Whatever books I select, I should try to stay below that number of readings total. And I schedule my spine first to make sure it gets in there. If my spine has 25 chapters that can be read in one lesson each, I calculate 108 potential readings – 25 = 83 slots left. And so on, filling in the other books that fit (and trying to make sure we don’t spend the whole year on one five-year span of history).

You can also go at it from the other direction. Total up the number of chapters in all the history books for one time period that you want to read and see how many days per week you would need to do history to cover them all. Hint: If it’s more than 180 (36 weeks x 5 days), you’ll need to cut some.

Probably not the quick answer you were looking for, huh? 🙂

The spine helps to put things together.  I used to plan ahead more ( I don’t seem to be able to get ahead of ourselves anymore). Now I mostly use Guesthollow.com history shelf and choose books (and movies) to go along the time period we study.

I never use a spine at any age.  Just my preference but I find living books so much more engaging (not that a spine isn’t a living books…just making a differentiation.)  And, for us, reading about a topic in the spine, then in a living books becomes redundant.  But I understand each family is different and not everyone has access to 18,000 books at their fingertips.  That makes a huge difference.

Laurie, I have used TQ since its release in 2001 and own a large percentage of those books, particularly the OOP ones.  She lists books geared for all ages so I just pull the book off the shelf that fits my needs at that time.  I’m in the vast minority in that I don’t really plan.  (I admire folks who can take a book and divide it by a certain number of days to determine how many to read each day, or go by a plan that says, “study this topic now and read this particular book to do it.”  It would simplify choice-making.  But, oh my goodness, I would suffocate. ) But that’s just me.  I will say that it’s much harder to find books that are not Eurocentric, as you said, and I’m not good at being intentional at trying to find them.  I have a Chinese son so I should be.  Another resource you could try for finding books that span many ages and areas is a book of book lists entitled All Through the Ages.  Lots of great choices there broken down by time period, geographical region, etc.  Sorry I’m not more help.

I have used living books, as well, without a spine. My children are still young (7 and 10) so time will tell if I need to add some “glue” later on to help them see the bigger picture. But I can also see that many conversations over many years may just be enough. I am hoping so!

Best wishes!