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If you combine SCM with Truthquest….
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Do you use/need a spine? We are doing TQ’s Am. History for Younger Students Vol. I next year with my 2nd and 5th graders. Would it be enough to use the Module 5 books, maybe a few others, read the commentaries and use no spine? The TQ commentary seems like it might be enough if the books cover the topics well, but I don’t have the books yet to examine. Thanks for any help! I’ve had a hard time finding a spine to fit both kids. We’ve tried This Country of Ours this year and the Famous Men series—both seem way over my youngers head, and I have to explain most everything to my eldest. They don’t seem to connect much with the books. Thanks for any help! :)Gina
We use TQ and use The Light and the Glory for kids and enjoy it. (We also use This country of ours – my son is 7.) That said, no, you don’t need to use the spine! Completly optional!
Hi Gina,
We used TQ’s American History for Younger Students combined wiith the SCM module with our 4th and 2nd grader last year and found the commentary to be more than sufficent. When we first got the TQ guide, I went through it and highlighted in yellow all the SCM book recommendations. (I think there was maybe only one book that wasn’t listed in the TQ guide) Highlighting the SCM books helped assure me that I would cover the basics. Then we added many more wonderful books to our American History study from the TQ guide. I have continued this pattern with Volume II this year and love it.
Thanks for the confirmation! I love the highlighting idea, so as not to get overwhelmed with all the wonderful choices. I’m really looking forward to doing this next year.
Do you guys do most of the reading aloud to your kids, or mainly read the commentaries and let them read on their own? My kids are pretty good readers, and can likely handle it on their own and it would certainly be easier. But I don’t want to miss too much myself, either:)
And do you think there is an age where using a spine becomes necessary? Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it! Blessings, Gina
Gina, at this stage, we do all our history readings aloud. Like you, I don’t want to miss out on anything! However, I would imagine the second or third time around they will do more independent reading.
As far as a spine goes, I believe TQ will be sufficient for us in the future.
Hope that helps! Sherrie
Thanks, Sherrie! I appreciate your time and advice.
If you happen to pop back here I was wondering how you picked your books with kids whose ages fall in 2 different age groups within the modules. Could you get them all in, or just pick some out of each? Sorry for all the questions! Thanks:) Gina
Hi Gina,
I wrote Michelle Miller, the author of Truthquest History, and asked her a similar question about spines last year. I still have her response on file and thought you might find it helpful….
Heather, this is another situation where the two resources you cite are in the
two “categories” of spines, as I see them anyway. So, can I broaden out from
your question and just talk about spine selection in general? I really think it
helps to be aware of the two different types of spines:NARRATIVE SPINES
These books specifically work to provide thorough, narrative coverage of a
particular period. These spines are only about one period (you can see it in
the title: “Story of the Middle Ages, for example), such as those by Guerber,
Dorothy Mills, Asimov, H.E. Marshall, Clarence Carson, etc.GENERAL OVERVIEWS
These books have a completely different (and worthy) goal–to provide an
overview of a much larger sweep of history, and therefore cannot probe any
particular period to the same depth as a “narrative spine.” These books cover
multiple periods or “all” of world history, such as “Story of the World,” by
Bauer, “Child’s History of the World, by Hillyer, etc. See the difference in
the title even??Knowing that there are (in my view) two different types of spines may make your
decision much easier. For example, it might seem more reasonable to enjoy an
audio sweep of history while using Guerber for the nuts-and-bolts narrative.The thing to keep in mind for all of us moms, I believe, is not so much “getting
our money’s worth out of our resources” (as we women tend to think) but lighting
a fire of interest and focus. If you notice that doing both types of spines
“steals the thunder” for the in-depth study, then you have your answer. If you
notice that the “general overview” book/audio piques the interest of your
children to do further study, then, again, you have your answer!In summary, then, realize there are two types of spines (which I think we show
in each “Mom’s Notes” at the beginning of a guide), and then carefully watch
your student’s motivations as you use the materials selected. Don’t be afraid
to make changes. If you bought a resource that is not working, resist the urge
to use it anyway (to somehow “justify” the expenditure)! Pass the book on to
someone who needs it, or sell it, or make compost out of it! 😉 You needn’t
feel like a “failure” if you “waste” $25. The thing that is of REAL value, the
you don’t want to “waste” or “sell” for $25 is the teachable moment, a precious
school year, or the continued passion of your children to learn! Figure out
what impels your children, while teaching well, and let the rest go!And don’t forget that a lot of families don’t use spines at all! They use
topic-specific books. But that depends on what is available to each family. I
mention it here just so no one is led to believe that a spine is even
necessary.Lots of decisions. No wonder we need God’s guidance! It’s a BIG thing we’re
working toward–the revelation of God over time to our children–and He has a
plan for how it should happen with YOUR particular children! Cool!!!!Just my thoughts on the topic…
Michelle Miller
TruthQuest HistoryThere are so many rich and indepth book selections in Module 5 and TQ that I think you’ll find you won’t “need” to use a spine. Unless of course you simply “want” to use one for the sheer pleasure of it. I’m sure you’ll know once you get started. May the Lord guide you….
Blessings to you & yours! ~ heather
Thanks, Heather! I’m saving that. What a great perpective and wonderful to hear it from Michelle herself. It’s great to feel freedom to not use a spine if that works better. There are so many great books and I really want my kids to connect with and enjoy history, not drudge through something just because I’ve bought it. Great advice. Thanks for sharing! Gina
So, in light of this clarification – about there being two kinds of spines – what would you say the SCM spines are?
We thoroughly enjoyed (are still enjoying) the Stories Of…. (v. 2).
We didn’t enjoy (so much) the Story of the World (vols. 1, 2, 3).
I would have placed SotW in the “Narrative” spine category, but the above article places it in the “General” category.
Just trying to get my thoughts in order for next year.
I mentioned on the other thread that I like the layout and simplicity of the SCM module guides but prefer the commentary and recommended reading selections from TQ.
I bought CHOW yesterday. I can’t wait for it to get here, because it looks more promising than any other spine we’ve tried.
All Through the Ages is a huge reading list, not a curriculum. If you felt confident enough, you could essentially build your own curriculum using ATTA as your roadmap. I dont know if I’m feeling that brave yet.
So, Lindsey, having not used an SCM guide yet, could you describe how you will reference the guide? Are you going to do as described above with the highlighter? So the corresponding guide will be your schedule but you’ll use TQ commentary and books for the actual “to-do.” I am starting TQ this year and I like the layout of a schedule like SCM but I need to think out loud since I haven’t actually used it yet. Thanks
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