Suggestions for Combining Modules 1-3 for Ancient History Credit

Modules 1-3 work well in 1 year, if you don’t include the bible readings…

There are a few older posts here if you didn’t already catch them. Here are a couple I had in my favorites for later reference.  http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/combining-scm-guides-for-high-school-credits http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/planning-6-modules-in-3-years

The Bible in modules 1-3 is extremely valuable as history of the time period. We actually consider it history and my kids have their separat Bible study. I would be very hesitant to remove it to move faster. If you want to complete 1 module (180 lessons) per term that equates to 3 lessons per day instead of 1. You could opt to leave out the commentaries in module 1 unless there is a passage that is especially challenging. You could also opt to do the geography of only one module which would save 72 of 540 lessons (180×3). I’m on my 2nd go through with the modules and the Bible history in modules 1-3 woven into “regular” history is my favorite part. I love how it points to God’s word as historically accurate.

I do not have all the details worked out yet.  And I do not have a high schooler.  Some here have suggested to use Beautiful Feet’s Ancients guide to cover it in one year, but as missceegee pointed out, I want to cover Bible along side of it.  

I have the older SCM history guides but will not be using the oop Oxford book.  I will use the new Egypt book at SCM as a read aloud/spine.  I’m not sure about Greece/Rome yet for family books/spine.  I will assign children’s books as independent reading, and will add some: Twice Freed and Theras and His Hometown and maybe more.  The children read during quiet time.

So I am mainly trying to cover Bible using the SCM guides and I will make my own history reading schedule, using many of their suggested books to match the time period.  I will read aloud history/geography/literature once a day as a family, as well as Bible (but not back to back).  As pointed out in the link above, Bible is covered per week as follows:

Module 1   3X  = 108 lessons

Module 2   3X  = 108 lessons

Module 3   2X  =  72 lessons

Total of 288 Bible lessons for history.

I have considered doing modules 1-3 in 4 terms, and shortening another module to make up for the extra term.  This could be done with 6 Bible lessons per week.  You could double up one day a week, or do a Bible lesson on the Sabbath.  

6 lessons X 48 weeks (4 terms) = 288 Bible lessons.  It is do-able.  

Bible would be a separate “subject” within the same historic time period as everything else that term/year.

However, it would be nicer to get all 3 modules into 3 terms.  This could be done by doubling up Bible lessons 3 days per weekday or somehow doing Bible lessons 8 days a week (queue the Beatles song here), with some lessons possibly on the weekend.

8 lessons X 36 weeks (3 terms) = 288 Bible lessons.  A bit harder to fit in.

For the grades you mention I would be more tempted to shorted the secular history as suggested (ie Greece) than take out the Bible History.  Choosing fewer books, maybe skipping the spines until the next go around when they can read more independently.  We have been fast tracking through Greece by listening to select chapters from Famous Men of Greece on librovox, we’ve read the Our little Spartan and Our little Athenian Cousins of Long Ago on Heritage History, and enjoy looking up images of buildings, transportation like chariots and ships, clothing, tools, etc. as they are montioned in our readings to help us get a visual picture of what life was like then.  We’ll go more indepth in a couple of years when we come back around.

Another thing that may be doable is to simply focus on the old testament (Bible lessons from Mod 1-2) for the year.  That would make things a little quicker.  You would then add the 72 New Testament (Gospels) Bible Readings in with Mod 4, so you would do Bible readings probably 4 days a week rather than 2.  (Not sure, we’re still getting through Mod 2).

I hesitate doubling up Bible Readings too much — at least in Mod 2 — I’ve found that a single day’s reading — which is usually 2 chapters — is even a little too long for us.  Four Chapters is definately too much.  You will have to monitor and be prepared to double when you can, but not overwhelm or lose their attention simply for the sake of getting through it.  In other words, don’t just rush for the sake of getting it done on a set schedule. 

That’s a good idea, 4myboys.  Does the Bible portion of module 3 not align much with history for Rome?  So it is fine to delay to next year?  

Mrs. K, does BF Ancients include Bible along side of history?  That is what draws me to SCM.

I was coming on to ask a question about combining and saw this.  Cool.  Good to know I’m not the only one thinking about this. 

My thinking was more about doing 2 books a yr.  I was looking at some other materials and they covered the OT in one yr for Ancient/Biblical History.  Then, they cover the NT and would cover more World History.  Then, the last 2 books would cover your American History.  (This is for High School.)   I’ve just started looking through these and was wondering how long each days’ lessons typically take.  

I’m going to post my questions in another thread, after looking at the ones shared above.  I’m new at looking at these so I can’t offer any help.  I just wanted you to know you weren’t the only one thinking along these lines.  

K