struggling with American His. and World His. in Module 5

I don’t have any wisdom for you on this, but I want to say I’ve wondered how this would go as we reach those modules.  I’m interested in other’s comments.

Hi, we’re actually new to CM and SCM this year too 🙂  We started our girls (2nd grade and pre-k 4) with Module 5 due to their interests at the time of choosing.  I used another curriculum last year for our first year of homeschooling and the history covered Creation thoroughly, and although I will definitely be using Module 1 in the future, I didn’t think we should start with that, as I feared burn-out 😉  I started this school year using another history pick and it just.did.not.work for us.  I was so discouraged, so I spent a ton of time reading what everyone had to say about the modules here on SCM.  Then I dove it, bought the Module 5 and downloaded the TM for the year.  I too, was confused how to approach the history.  Another SCM mom on here recommended 2 days US history and 2 days World.  So we tried it and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!  It just makes such sense to see how everything was unfolding in the world at the same time.  My girls and I love this curriculum, we tell everyone about it 🙂  I follow the TM recommendations for each of the 4 days (M,Tues= Early US / Thurs,Fri=World)  Wed we use for a map drill and as one of our science days (M,W,F)  Since we began using the Module this way, I have thought to myself that I wish history had been taught this way when I was in school.  Yes, some days are a little frustrating (usually Thursdays, since it’s been a week since we picked up with the World history), but we have a quickie review and away we go.  I had to modify my narration expectations and came up with having the girls draw a picture of what they found interesting, etc from that day’s lesson.  I write what they narrate about the picture on it and add it to a special binder.  So, when we begin the history for the week, I simply take out the book with all of their “artwork” and we look it over and re-read what they drew about and it’s like a little light goes off.  Funny thing is, they have started using their history artwork binders as something neat to look in for themselves and they will show anybody who will sit still long enough and listen to their story narrations with their artwork.  I cannot tell you how amazed I am how much they remember doing their history this way (even my 4 1/2 year old!!).  I hope this helps, I wanted to atleast encourage you and let you know that you CAN do both, you might just have to play around a little bit to find your own special way of doing it 🙂 

Last year we alternated like Tristan has suggested and really liked it.  We’ve never  omitted a core subject for a semester but I think that is a great idea.

JennNC – Right above where I’m typing are some buttons.  The fourth button from the left is bullets (follows bold, italics, and numbered list).  Click that and then type all you want in the list.