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

This topic has 20 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 5 months ago by SueinMN.

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June 20, 2009 at 2:06 pm
pjean
Member
Hi—I am considering trying charlotte mason approach–up till now we have tried so many other box curriculum and we just don’t get through-anyways, i am looking for a good spine for 1850-modern that would be appropriate for reading aloud for 7 yr. old 10. yr. old and 12 yr. old.
thanks
for
pam
June 22, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Bookworm
Participant
Pam, I’ve been waiting to see what others might come up with. I’m afraid most of us haven’t chimed in to answer your question, because we have not as yet come up with a satisfactory answer to this problem ourselves. I’ve tried a number of things, and liked none of them. We are at the moment using Story of the World 4, but under duress. 🙂 I do not care for it, my kids don’t either, but at least it has a fair amount of the basics in it in complete sentences. 🙂 Not a very high standard to be sure.
Michelle D
June 22, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Sonya Shafer
Moderator
That’s exactly why I haven’t chimed in yet either, Michelle. I’m still on the perennial search for a good spine for that time period. In fact, I just ordered a couple of possibilities (once again) to take a look at, hoping one of them might be “the one!” I’ll let you all know if either of them looks promising once I get my hands on them.
June 28, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Rachel White
Participant
This isn’t really a spine, but a source of first hand material from just prior to the CW up till WWII.
This would be for the advanced middle schooler and high schooler (and mom):
http://www.libertyfund.org/details.asp?displayID=2124
Rachel
June 29, 2009 at 2:48 am
crazy4boys
Participant
Would it be impolite to ask what “spines” you have tried already? I’d rather not waste my time on books that aren’t worth it and if you’ve already looked into them…. 😉
June 29, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Bookworm
Participant
Sure. The Joy Hakim History of US series–all thumbs down here for that one. Ugh. What Everyone Should Know About the 20th Century. (former Ambleside selection) Clarence Carson’s A Basic History of the United States. None of them worked for us.
July 10, 2009 at 9:02 pm
HeidiS
Participant
Just wondering what you all think of Churchills History of the English Speaking Peoples? The times don’t quite jive but I have the 4 volume set and it’s not horrible;) Of course maybe since I am Canadian and it is based on British History I am a bit biased.lol..have any of you looked at it?
Heidi
July 10, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Bookworm
Participant
I actually love these books, however, they are pretty high level–I wouldn’t do them with under 14ish probably; they don’t have a lot of American history coverage, and they stop shortly after WWII . . .
July 20, 2009 at 6:54 pm
CindyS
Participant
Sonya, did you get your books? Any opinions?
July 20, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Sonya Shafer
Moderator
Well, one I read two pages and sent back for a refund.
The other one is still in the running, but I don’t think it would make a comprehensive spine. I’m still mulling it over and continuing to read. Curious? OK, I’ll tell (but keep in mind that I’m not recommending it; just pre-viewing it right now!).
It’s called We Interrupt This Broadcast by Joe Garner. It is a collection of the news stories that were important enough to interrupt regular TV or radio programming in America. It covers from the Hindenburg in 1937 to the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007. It has some very important events included, but then also stuff like “Marilyn Monroe Dies” and the “OJ Simpson Saga.”
So far the text in the book and the photos are not too violent or sensationalized; however, it comes with three CDs of the actual media announcements that interrupted broadcasting. I haven’t listened to those yet, and I’m wondering whether they will be too intense. So . . . the jury is still out.
August 25, 2009 at 2:00 am
Sonya Shafer
Moderator
Ladies, I see a ray of hope! Greenleaf Press just announced their proposed schedule to release more Famous Men books that cover from the 16th century through the 20th century! Our Modern Times spine might just be in the making . . .
August 25, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Polly
Participant
Ladies, Thank you for this thread! It’s been encouragement to me! I have not liked some texts that were mentioned for years and most people look at me like I’m mad. And thank you Sonja for giving us hope that maybe there will be a good book…
August 26, 2009 at 4:01 am
Polly
Participant
I was just thinking about this and Diana Waring came to mind. Does she had a What in the World’s Going on Here CD that would cover that time period? I’m not sure it’s exactly what you might have in mind. We have really enjoyed listening to her tapes (years ago). You might check it out.
August 26, 2009 at 10:57 am
susie in ms
Participant
Yes, Diana Waring is great! We have used her guides along with the cds. Now she doesn’t have a revised and expanded guide for this time period yet, but I am sure it is in the works. But you can still get the cds that will carry you from Napoleon to Korea :
http://www.dianawaring.com/modern-history/index.html

August 26, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Rosebud6
Member
WoooHooo!!!! Sonya, how exciting!!! I am thoroughly enjoying my current resources from them. I’m glad I have a little time before I will need that time frame.
Speaking of Greenleaf press and their resources, did you see the Pharaoh’s Boat book they have been talking about. I got it to use with Module 1 and Egypt. It is a great book. Especially neat how it connects the past and the present. You may want to check it out.
Jone