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Mystery of History or Soyna's Handbooks?
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Ok.. so it’s about time to start thinking about this some more. We have used only Soyna’s handbooks and book recommendations till this time. We enjoyed Module 1 and all the books. Module 2 is .. I don’t know if it’s the period or the reading but it’s weighing us down and we’re really board.
I was speaking with someone else and they were telling me of Mystery of History and how everyone liked it. I have looked at it and one thing I seem to like is the audio available. I know this would be a bit more cost but I would love to put it in and sit back down. Then maybe add more living books in the bookfinder on the side. I also like that is can be done in 3 days verse’s 5. Right now we have to do history 5 days a week and I believe that is part of the getting board part of it.
So those who have used MOH now or before, did you like it? What did you feel it missed? Why did you stop using it? What did you like about it?
What other things or options are out there for a family who is not into history, but know’s we have to do it!! Also, we want it to totally incorporate bible into it.
Thansk
Misty
Misty,
I looked at it. I didn’t like the amount of testing involved; but, of course, that’s easily skipped! I’m so sorry you are bored with Module 2. You don’t have to do it 5 days a week. You can do it three and include parts of the other two lessons in with the three days. You can always skim boring parts, too. When we finish Module 1, we will probably do American History. My daughter is very interested in Creation, Noah, Moses; so I am using that interest to really get to know who God is. We would run into the same problems with my girls being bored with Module 2 also. I would like to do it when they are older. How old are your kids?
Have you looked at Beautiful Feet’s History guides or TruthQuest? You can use those alongside SCM’s booklist. They even have TruthQuest in the SCM Organizer already!
Anyway, I will be praying for descernment for you!
Cindie
We used MOH before we found Charlotte Mason. The children did not love it so much. There was a lot of reviewing (which could be left out, I suppose) and it had a more ‘schooly’ feel to it (kind of dry) than reading living books and narrating. We enjoyed making the timeline board together, but honestly I don’t think they remember much from it.
In general, our younger children aren’t that interested in history. I’ve made the mistake of changing curriculums more times than I’d like to admit, just in an attempt to keep them ‘engaged’. I’m learning that during these “dry spells” the history lessons are are just tools for me to teach discipline and perseverance. I tell them we all have to do things in life that aren’t that exciting or entertaining. And that eventually we’ll be covering something that they may like. And we’re just gonna keep moving forward. And I remind them that it’s just 15-20 minutes of the day.
I have found that our youngest (age 9) enjoys drawing her narration as I’m doing the reading of the history lesson, which has helped her “get through” it.
Hope that helps some….
We used MOH for a little while. At first I loved it. It is so easy to use, just open and go. It does tie in the Bible to the world events very well. But then I started noticing that my children were not able to give me much narration from the readings, and their eyes were glazing over. Even though the information is presented in story form, it’s more of a list of facts about a person or event. It doesn’t come across like a living book does. So, once we hit Egypt, we went to TruthQuest and referred to MOH when I couldn’t find the info elsewhere. Back then I didn’t even know about the SCM guides. Once again my children came to life and our history readings once again sparked alot of conversation. We use the Guerber books as our spine.
if you do want to keep a love of learning, I’m not sure MOH is the best way. We too still draw and write narration with our history readings which is something we started with MOH, so we did come away with something good.
Ok.. so you’re right if we’re board and I have to remember my boys are only 11, 10, 8 and under that I should just skim over the material
If I am choosing to skim over and I KNOW NOTHING OF HISTORY how do I use the other options you mentioned TQ or feet? How do I know what extra living books I could just read to add to our studies? It doesn’t sound like switching is what I need to do , I just need to revise it to fit our family.
thanks for your help! Misty
I found this thread while looking for answers on what a “handbook” is and how on Earth to use it. I am also having questions about history. I’ve decided it’s living books for us or bust. The textbooks are just NOT working. Did CM use a spine book (textbook) or did she just use living books? Anyone know?
Am intrigued by TQ. Am going to check out a copy on Monday at the local HSBS.
Any thoughts on how it differs from the suggestions on this site (or the handbooks I can’t find)?
The handbooks are here – http://simplycharlottemason.com/books/
Just scroll down under Bible, History, Geography and you will see all 3. We use Matthew through Acts & Ancient Rome right now and love it.
CG
I don’t know the main differences other than it’s not a step by step like Soyna’s are. Its’ a bit more at your leisure. Which is good but I don’t want to miss anything so I will be using them together. Misty
Ditto to everything that anabetica wrote. I ended our lessons on Ancient Egypt as well. My kids just couldn’t connect the dots. The lessons were facts, not story/living book style and my kids, nor myself, could really remember the info even after doing what was required.
It does have so much potential and great reviews. I suppose if you AREN’T looking for a living book type of history curriculum it would be great. Since we are moving closer to the CM style it just wasn’t working like I had hoped. I will keep the book for a reference tool and the other materials will come in handy someday.
Just wanted to post that I had bought both books and after some thought and review.. I did note a couple books I might like to get from TQ but in the end it didn’t seem to fit our style so I sent it back. I will be sticking with Soyna’s books. They jsut work so much better for me and we like them.. I just have to remember they can be adjusted for us if need be. I get stuck sometimes on this way or no way.. and that’s not the way to look at it. Misty
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