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Is it OK to drop this subject?
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This year I started history with dd7. (We didn’t do it in 1st). I’m not sure she’s getting anything out of it. Then today I found this blog post in my Pinterest feed:
Now I’m second-guessing doing history with her. We’re not doing a 4-year cycle or the SCM cycle; I’m reading picture book biographies, easy reader historical fiction, and historical fiction picture books about US history topics. And, thinking back, ds10 didn’t get much out of history at that age, either.
I guess what I need is someone to tell me it’s OK to put history off another year or two.
Karen
ETA: I probably should mention that she draws very elaborate maps on her own, so she does have some geographical knowledge.
Are you using your history read alouds for narrations? My son is also 7. I read aloud to him from a history/biography 2-3 times weekly followed by an oral narration. He actually enjoys this. Will he remember all the details? No. But I am introducing him to ideas that will build a foundation for history study down the road. Plus, he is practicing narration about real events and real people. I’m not concerned about history cycles at this age, just good literature about American history for my child. My older child reads biographies and historical books of her own choice outside of assigned readings. Therefore, I might also suggest good history stories at 7 may spark an interest long term.
I guess my short answer is: don’t think of it as “history” but as an opportunity for listening and narration (language arts skills).
^^^ this!
That said, I think you could develop those same skills with good literature instead, if you preferred. And an interest in history could be sparked with occasional field trips vs. it being a regular part of your schedule at that age.
In answer to your question about having her narrate–no. She has language processing issues, so we’re working on other aspects of that right now. I usually know something has stuck with her when she incorporates it into her play, and in order for that to happen she has to have repeated exposure, not a single reading of something.
It seems like with my kids there was a point where things started to stick with them and they began to remember things more long term. Usually this was around age 8. So I don’t think it would go too much harm to drop history specifically but I do think you should continue reading to her and working up to narration. What if after you read a story you two acted it out together with her toys right then? As in “let’s make teddy bear the girl in the story and fishy the boy. Do you remember what they did?” And them see how much she can act out maybe with just a wee but of prompting from you. We have found Aesops fables are wonderful first narrations and I think they would work well for this.
Nebby
Hi Karen,
History is a part of that rich feast we are encouraged to spread in a CM education so I’m wondering if your daughter is experiencing some of its tastiness or if it is bland to her. Usually I could tell through my children’s narrations if a book just wasn’t living.
There are reasons to study history that go beyond just remembering names, dates and events: mainly the ideas that are gained when we have an understanding of people’s roles, places and events in history. Charlotte also lists some other reasons to study history such as:
Know something of what has gone before in order to think justly of what is occurring today.
Inculcate a sane and serviceable patriotism.
Learn from history’s accomplishments and mistakes.
Doug Smith, part of the SCM team, wrote an interesting blog post on teaching history that you might find compelling. HTH some.
Warmly,
Richele
Agreeing with Richele here. What time period are you attempting to study with her? Perhaps you could tell us which book she’s not liking and we could suggest some replacements? If you are reading a spine, I can tell you that my children did not respond well to spines until just this year. The Egyptian, Greek, and Roman spines were a waste of our time. I wish that someone would have told me to skip the spines and just read good books.
Lindsay,
We’re not using a spine. And it’s nothing I can put my finger on; more second-guessing myself after reading the blog post I linked, I suppose. I’ll probably stick with what I’m doing for awhile longer and see what happens.
My kids loved Aesop fables because I would have them act the story out as I read it. They could narrate it very well afterwards. As for history, will it kill her if you ditch it? NO. Most PS kids get a coloring page and that is about it in regards to history. I must say though that my kids have been enjoying history the most and it was my most least favorite in school. I am enjoyig it now though! My son was 7 last year and we did a tip toe through history from beginning to present day. It helped to establish a timeline in their head. Both loved the story of Alexander the Great and his horse and they liked the knights and castles and the vikings. This year we are doing early american and they are into it. I am not using a spine. I keep trying, but it is just too textbooky for us. I picked books that have great reviews and are in several great curriculms and when I begin to loose them, I will take a break. They usually will ask about it and then I bring it back in. I have ditched a book because it was just too advanced and their relief was palpable! So go with your feelings. Only you know your child.
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