We’ve used a variety of materials over the years for history. I’m currently selecting materials to begin the middle ages time period in a month or two. You all know I’ve got kiddos at every end of the school age spectrum just about. As of June the kids switch to the following grades: 10th, 6th, 5th, 3rd (gifted, so working above that), 2nd, K, plus the 3 younger boys tagging along. I’m trying to decide what curriculum base to use for our history studies focusing on Middle Ages up to Reformation. Here are my questions:
1. Do you have any curriculums you’ve used for this time period and loved, especially at the high school age? Has anyone used the new versions of the Beautiful Feet Books Middle Ages for Intermediate or Senior High?
2. Has anyone used SCM’s Middle Ages guide for the 7-9 grade band or the 10-12 grade band? I’m interested to know what books were favorites? Makayla could go with either group of books. Last time she was in this time period we used SCM’s module at the 1-3 grade range (a long time ago!).
I’ve not used SCM’s history at all, but my son has loved Mystery of History, and Biblioplan. Those were the best history courses we have used, especially jr. high and high school. Of course if you are looking to stay purely CM, they probably wouldn’t be your best choice. But we have loved it for high school. My son is fairly independent, and enjoys reading, so it has been a good choice for him. You can choose your own spine- Story of the World, MOH or Biblioplan’s own history companion. It also comes with a suggested book list for each week of study.
I’ll be subscribing to this post since I’d like to hear more about SCM’s history too. I may use it through high school, but not sure yet.
We used Truthquest for this time period and really enjoyed it. Our spines have been The Story of Liberty, Famous Men of the Middle Ages, Famous Men of the Renaissance and Our Island Story.
My daughter really enjoyed Howard Pyle’s Robin Hood along with The White Company by Arthur Conan Doyle for some historical fiction. She read Ivanhoe part 1 and begged not to go on to part 2 so we stopped there. Needless to say, she didn’t care for that one. We also started, and then put aside, The Once and Future King. I really disliked that one.
Pyle’s King Arthur should be enjoyed by all ages as a read aloud. The White Company is more geared to middle school and up, I think.
Thanks ladies! My husband and I, with the kids, decided to use SCM’s Middle Ages for the younger elementary kids (K, 2nd, 3rd with the 3 younger brothers tagging along). We chose to use Beautiful Feet Books for the rest of the kids, so the 5th and 6th grader will do Medieval History Intermediate (and the younger kids can listen in to some of the read alouds if they wish), and the 10th grader will do Medieval Senior High. We are all excited to dive into this time period together and see how each group’s learning crosses over with the others’ and lends to family conversations.
My kids have really enjoyed SOTW 2 alongside SCM’s Middle Ages. We are using it in place of the Famous Men books, and doing everything else “as is”. It’s been a fun year…although we still have a ways to go!