Name: Great Homeschool Conventions (Columbus)
Start: 2025-04-24T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-04-26T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Columbus, OH

Tagged: help, History, history module, planning, scm module

This topic has 4 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 7 months ago by suzukimom.

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

Author
Posts
March 27, 2014 at 4:01 pm
mamajamiah
Participant
I would just like some feedback on the SCM History that is part of the free curriculum planning. I have already done half a year with my 7 year old on “Story of the World” and didn’t like that the Bible was not part of it at all. We have four children all together (7.5, 6, 4, 2) and planning on adding another blessing to our family through adoption, so I am trying to keep my school schedule as simply as possible AND not feel like a failure as teacher. So, what are you thoughts on the SCM history? And what resources are a MUST for the Genesis through Deut in these ages? Should I even be doing History yet? I definitely struggle with the, “Am I really doing enough?” thoughts. I give you permission to be BRUTALLY honest with me. THANK YOU!
March 27, 2014 at 5:28 pm
momto2blessings
Participant
I would keep it very simple. At 7, it’s not even totally necessary and there’s many years to come back to this era. If it were me, I wouldn’t buy the guide yet. I’d get the 1st-3rd recommended books. I wouldn’t get a spine….those are often over the youngest ones heads. I’d get a Bible storybook (we loved Ergemeirs). I’d get The Stuff They Left Behind…great visuals. I would not get the Bible commentaries at that age…good but too much/too long of reading for a 7yo. I wouldn’t get the Visits to Africa mapping. I’d just get an Evan Moore type book on Africa, or maybe learning continents. I haven’t used all the other family books, but unless you know they’re appropriate for a 7yo I’d focus on the 1st-3rd recommendations and maybe a few fun library books. Just what I’d do. Definitely don’t stress over it…there are many years to learn this stuff! Blessings, Gina
March 27, 2014 at 5:31 pm
momto2blessings
Participant
Oh, but a great asset of the SCM curriculum is lining up Bible with history. If you’re wanting to start that early I think the guide has children’s Bible readings lined up….but I’m not sure. Hopefully others will chime in!!!
March 27, 2014 at 5:40 pm
mamajamiah
Participant
Thank you for your input, I really appreciate it. What do you mean by spine? I have heard that before.
March 27, 2014 at 5:59 pm
suzukimom
Participant
The ‘spine’ is kind of the main history book. Then there are other books that go along with the spine. So usually there is a spine book (or occasionally 2) that is used for the entire module, and forms kind of a base. Then the extra books add more…. not necessarily details – maybe more interest would be the right word.
In the SCM modules, there is 1 or 2 spines that are used for a module. (ie, in Module 5 and 6 there is a World History spine and an American History spine.) This spine is generally read together as a family, in theory all ages/grades.
Then there are the extra books for the grade ranges… so your students in grades 1-3 would read a few books (well, probably have you read to them…) and your students in grades 4-6 have their books, etc.
And yes – I’d agree that for your oldest children while in grade 1 and 2 (and maybe 3) you may want to just skip the spine book – remember it was designed for kids ranging from grade 1-12, and so it is often a bit over the youngest students’ heads. But then, for some kids it may work well anyway.
You can see a generous sample of the module guides – a few weeks worth – they are wonderful guides. You could have a look at one and see what you think. I would honestly be tempted to buy the guide even if you aren’t going to do the spine books…