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Starting American history along with module 1, for first grade?
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I will be starting with a first grader this year and I had a question about using the SCM history modules. Does anyone have any experience incorporating American history alongside world history? I know the history modules has American history beginning in module 5, I think, for chonological purposes. Anyway, I would like to start American history sooner, you know, just kind of as an overview, otherwise my daughter won’t be learning any American history until year 5. If I incorporate American history, I was thinking on doing ancient history 1 day a week and American history 1 day, maybe with a couple days in between…similar to LindaFay’s history schedule at charlottemasonhelp.com It would be nice for her to understand Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, President’s Day, MLK Day, etc…but I guess I could take a break from doing ancient history to focus on some American history occasionally as an option as well. Experience, thoughts? Is it necessary?
We have done Mod. 1 this year but have added 1 day to our reading time that has been basically general US history. This has been based on intrest and events. Things like the holidays listed as well as state info and trips to Williamsburg and other places. These are not in depth or chronological because I feel that we will tie it all together when we get to Mod 5. The US has been in addition and not instead of.
Been wandering about this too. Was concerned and really missing doing American history this year. We did do a small study of George Washington, was able to visit his home,etc in Washington. Any recommendations or resources for doing a small amount of American history for second grade?
We have incorporated some of the readings from Stories of America, Vol. 1 about once a week and have gotten supplemental living books about the people who my ds6 expressed interest about. He really enjoys the books by Ingri & Edgar Parin d’Aulaire. We also found a wonderful book called The Story of the Pilgrims from Yesterday’s Classics to read through the month of November – it has been one of his favorite books and he looked forward to reading from it each day. We also found that one of the Christian broadcasting stations has an app for the iPad and we have watched many of the Drive Through History episodes on it, usually on Friday nights. We did a bit more with American History in the fall (I think because of Thanksgiving) but it was becoming a bit overwhelming for us so I have pulled back a bit this spring. Also, when ds was in kindergarten we read some from This Country of Ours and he really enjoyed that.
IMO, I think 2 modules would be too much. Could you pick one module and add a book or two from another time period? You could add these to your literature module or even a character study of famous Americans (James Baldwin has some nice ones). Another idea would be adding a picture book for each of the holidays you mentioned. A Columbus book on Columbus Day, pilgrim book at Thanksgiving, etc.
We are thinking about adding American history by reading a chapter each week from Edward Eggleston’s “A First Book of American History: With Special References to the Lives and Deeds of Great Americans”. There are 33 chapters in all. At the end of each chapter are definitions to words used in the story (great built in vocabulary list) and request for narration of what was read. The book can be purchased at Amazon, but it is free on line at the following addresses:
http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=eggleston&book=first&story=_contents
and
http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/text-idx?c=nietz;view=toc;idno=00aby5325m.
An option might be to incorporate the grade 1-3 reading list for mod 5 into your schedule while skipping the spine. Most of them are very short reads. You could add in the Little House series as part of your literature. You could also take some time in the week prior to a holiday like Thanksgiving or Columbus Day, etc. to do a short unit study type thing about the event/person, etc.
We are in mod 2 this year (2nd grade) and have just added different stories to our outloud reading time. I think last year we did all the d’Aulaire books (as Zelena mentioned). I also have been reading short stories form the American History Stories Vol. 1. They have really enjoyed the books from the Childhood of Famous Americans series. I just pick up different ones. At this point, I’ve decided to just always have some bio going or other book to include US History, in no particular order, but added to our reading time.
Thanks for all the suggestions! I’d really like to do some fun activities with my first grader and just enjoy module 1, so I don’t want to overload her (or myself!) by adding too much more history. I think adding in some picture books and other stories here and there related to American history is a good idea, based on her interest and certain holidays during the year. Then we’ll do more focused, in-depth studies when we get to module 5. Thanks again, this really helped my decision making 🙂
Don’t forget the Liberty’s Kids video series and the NEST learning has some great american history DVDs. Its an easy way to sprinkle in a bit of American History.
How do you guys like the books from beautiful feet for early American history? I like the idea for the videos!
Inosborn thank you for asking I just wanted to ask the same. My children are almost 7 and 8 y/o and We started last year with module 1, are now in Module 2. I was wondering also how to sprinkle in U.S. History and Geography without overwhelming the children. My problem is that I am not an American, just moved here 6 years ago and I feel very uncomfortable teaching those subjects. We started reading the d’Aulaire books and have several games that taught our children the U.S. States very quick in a fun way. But I still have the feeling there is so much more to do that we don’t cover.
Does or did anyone use a curriculum for U.S. History/ Geography? I looked into MFW and was wondering if just that part can be used separate from the rest of the “Adventures in U.S. History”? Anyone using this?
Blessings Christine
ChristineAZ, for American history/geography, you can check this: http://www.charlottemasonhelp.com/2009/07/history-helps.html?m=1. LindaFay lays it out very simply. She explains how she teaches world history and American history for the younger children at the same time. I like her approach and it’s not complicated or terribly time-consuming. And it’s a free curriculum! On her website, she breaks down books/schedules for each grade. If I decide to have a plan more laid out for me as far as US history, I will definitely go with her suggestions.
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