New to homeschooling… History ???

I personally would skip Ancient Egypt for your 15 yo. I would think Greeks and Romans, the Middle Ages, Renaissance, & Reformation. You might want to think about some modern history (I’m thinking WWs here), though that might be included in your American History studies.

I’m not sure, but I think SOTW is aimed at elementary ages – so would be good for the younger, but not so much for the 15yo imho.

Is your hope to use the SCM modules? Some people are finding it possible to work through 1 1/2 to 2 modules per year, especially with older children.  I’ve looked at the possibility of using them as a 3 year cycle myself, and I think it could work if you are really committed.  The lessons are designed to be short, so doubling up shouldn’t be too difficult for older children.  You just may not get to all the extra reading.

Biblioplan looks good as well, presenting history from a Biblical perspective in a 4 year cycle.  They do ancients in one year. 

My preference for us is to start Biblical History from the beginning, but if you your daughter only has three years of school left and you really want to start with American History, I would look as starting with either Mod 4 then working through to Mod 6, then go back to ancients, OR, do Mod 5 & 6 in her first 2 years, then go back to ancients with your younger kids and allow her to either join you or work independantly on a history course of choice.  Or, if she’s not big on history and doesn’t require more history for her transcript, she might use the time to work on a course she does need, or volunteer work, or a job, or whatever happens to work for her and you.

If your daughter is currently studying modern American history at the highschool level and you plan on teaching American history along side WOrld history, I would say, if you want to start at Ancients, start at ancients.  I think I’ve said before (but it might have been a different post) decide what it is you want her to know before she leaves school and teach that.  If you want her to know Bible history, then that should be your focus.  You know she hasn’t studied that in PS.  There are different ways to do it, and how much you get through will depend on many factors.  I think I mentioned Bibliolplan which covers ancients in one year rather than SCM’s Mod which cover the same periods in 3. 

I am planning to use a 5 year cycle with the SCM modules myself, and it might be worth looking into something like it yourself based on the ages of your children (I will also have a 3rd and 6th grader next year).  I plan to cover ancients (mod 1-3) in 2 years, (2 terms each), and the rest iin one year.  Doing this your daughter could continue right up to the end of Mod 4 before graduation, Your second oldest child would get one full rotation, Your 3rd oldest would have AMerican in 9th & 10th grade, your 3rd grader would get 2 full rotations, and both your youngest two would also end up with 2 full rotations, and then some. 

If it were me, I would limit my American History to good living books during the years of studying Bible & World history so as to not overwhelm my children (or myself). Maybe some good biographies, and historical fiction.  I would probably check out the reading list from Mod 5 & 6 for books that your oldest could read independantly that she would otherwise miss. 

My biggest concern would be taking on too much in the beginning.  Having taken 2 boys from PS this past fall, I can personally attest to the fact that it can be a difficult adjustment, and more so with so many children with differing reactions and personalities and learning styles.  There will be many days when you feel like you are not accomplishing anything.  A period of de-schooling is definately required.  The recommendation is a month for each year your child was in PS.  I know that may seem really difficult, especially when you are dealing with teens coming to the end of their schooling, but it is definately something you need to consider.  Personally this year I choose to focus on skill subjects and scheduled a very light year in science and social studies, etc.  This has proven to be extremely important.  I know that you want to do it all with all your children, but it may go smoother with some than others.  I would try to figure out your top three goals for each child and focus on those.  Reading?  Math?  Spelling? Writing an essay?   Research skills?  Accomplishing household chores?  Money management?  Attentiveness?  Obedience?  Respect?  Organization?  Remember that education doesn’t mean just acedemics.  You are trying to educate a whole child — heart, mind soul and body.  It will take time to get everyone up to speed, and maybe you are going to have to start in different places for each child.  Enlist the help of your older children with the younger whereve possible.  Combine as much as you can, and do’t try to do it all at once.  Keep your eye on the goal. 

You aren’t locked in stone.  If you try something and it doesn’t work for you, not biggie.  Just figure-out what will.