Mod. 5 – American history first & then world? Traveling to historic colonial sites & DC in s

Our family (dh, dd10, ds7, dd4, & ds almost 2 and I) will be traveling to DC & various colonial sites (Williamsburg, Jamestowne, Yorktown, maybe others) in March 2012 for at least 2 weeks. DH is setting up the DC portion of the trip with everything from the Smithsonian to a white house tour. I’m working on the colonial part. There is SO much to see and do and learn about this time in our country’s history and it fits nicely with Module 5, which we plan to use.

I’m trying to finish my planning today, but all of a sudden had an idea of covering the American portion of Module 5 first so that my kids would be familiar, or more than familiar, with this part of history before our trip. I guess I’m wondering about spending 4 days a week on the American history portion for 1/2 year (September til January) and then 1/2 year (February til July) on the world history part. What do you all think.? Could this be beneficial or am I trying to force connections? It seems like a neat idea, but I don’t want to get carried away (as I sometimes do) doing something that, while fine, isn’t necessary.

We’ve covered history chronologically using SCM’s guides and other CM materials all along and we’ve enjoyed it, but we haven’t had a trip like this before and I’m trying to decide if the rearranging would be beneficial in light of the trip.

I appreciate your input.

Blessings,

Christie