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Opinions on History books for a newbie
- This topic has 19 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 8 months ago by
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Hi, I am new to CM and I’m trying to plan for our next year. I was wondering what books have been popular with your kids. I was looking into The Pharoah’s of Ancient Egypt, The Mystery of the Hieroglyphs, Pyramid, Boy of the Pyramids, Letters from Egypt, and Ancient Egypt and her neighbors. Have you read any of these or are their others that you like better, I would love to know.
Also how many books do you read on the same subject each year or term?
Thank you so much.
I would also love to know how you decide which books will be read for a read aloud and which books to assign your children to read? My children that I am homeschooling are 9, 7, and 4.
Thank you
Kim, how old are your children? We enjoyed them all, but it will depend on the ages of your kiddos most likely.
I haven’t read the Ancient Egypt and Her Neighbors, but it is the new spine and I think it looks great! We enjoyed all the rest.
Those books will all be scheduled in the SCM History Module if you have seen it. It is not expensive. Here is a link:
http://simplycharlottemason.com/store/genesis-deuteronomy-ancient-egypt/
Eta: we posted at the same time. Download the sample and really look at it. It will show you exactly what you are asking! =)
The only one we’ve used so far is Boy of the Pyramids which I highly recommend. My sons are 7yo and don’t read so I’ve read it to them.
I have a few other books on your list (from the library) and if we get to them I’ll try to remember to give feedback. I also have a few others that look really good and if my children feel the same I’ll let you know.
I have already returned Ancient Egypt and her Neighbors to the library bc I don’t like books like that. We just aren’t a ‘crafty’ family (though love ‘art’).
Best,
shannon
Shannon, I thought the new spine was from SCM. Is it the same book? I didn’t know it had crafts in it.
Here is the one listed in the Bookfinder:
http://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/109793
Ha, look at that. It is NOT the same book. Mine was http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Egyptians-Their-Neighbors-Activity/dp/1556523602/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364574855&sr=1-1&keywords=ancient+egypt+and+her+neighbors
I’ll be happy to look at this other one!
Best,
Shannon
My 9 year old loved Boy of the Pyramids. I also read The Golden Goblet to her as well as my 14 year old twins – another love! The twins read The Cat of Bubastes independently and were big fans, as well. HTH!
@Shannon – I wondered why no one had mentioned all the crafts that were in the new book. LOL I’m not all that crazy about some of them either.
I also recommend the guide….everything planned for you! Basically you read ancient Bible history 3x per week to your kids (about 1 ch per reading), history 1x per week (the books scheduled for family in the free guide, generally 1 ch), and read geography (Letters from Egypt) 1x per week and do mapping that day.
If you read the new Ancient Egypt and her Neighbors, you don’t have to read Mystery of the Heiroglyphics (this book was scheduled when Oxford was the spine). My kids are 10 and 13 and and enjoy AE and N. I would get Pyramid. We don’t love Letters from Egypt, but are keeping at it. Sometimes I’ll skip sections, but still want them to hear most if it. I just bought Boy of Pyramids, though my kids are on the old side for it….everybody raves:) Buy it here…I searched Amazon first and it was outrageous. Pharoahs was a slow start for us, but we enjoy it now overall.
I really love the SCM handbooks. I’d buy them just for Bible! We’ll read through the whole Bible in 6 yrs (they do skip some sections which enables this to be done). They also have some short activities like listing character traits of Bible heroes, etc. Nothing too time-consuming, but adds some more depth. Just my .02:) Blessings, Gina
Oh, your other qu. I basically go by the handbook/free curriculum as far as who reads what. If it says family, I read. The age designated books I generally have kids read independently, unless its one I want both my kids to read and one child might not get to it later…then I’ll read to both.
We are reading all the books you mentioned except Mystery of the Heiroglyphics. We also added in Cleopatra by Diane Stanley. And the Bible:) Gina
The handbooks are the SCM History Modules. I gave you the link above in my earlier post. The guides/handbooks (it’s the same thing) include Bible, geography and history. The link that I gave is the specific link for the Egyptian guide/handbook. The link includes a very generous sample download that will show you the recommended books for family and individual ages. Download the sample and look at it – I really think that it will answer your questions. Of course, if you still have questions after you look at it, ask away! 😉
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