Teaching history to my young guys

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  • January 2, 2010 at 7:23 pm
    RobinP
    Participant

    We will soon be embarking on a new path.  We will leave in a little over a week for China to bring home our son.  He will be 6 in February and my other son is 6 1/2 now.  I’ve taught one son throughout who graduated in May so I’ve only taught one child at a time. 

    I’ve been using Five in a Row with my little guy (used it with my oldest as well…that’s what really turned us on to wonderful books.)  I use living books for everything.  (I operate a living books lending library out of my home so their always accessible.) 

    I want to begin a chronological study of history at some point but want to wait until our new son can join in.  When he arrives, we’ll be spending a lot of time getting adjusted, teaching him English, etc.  I’m hoping to begin in the fall but I’m wondering what to begin with?  Would a combination of 106 Days and Gen.-Deut. work?  Then what??  I plan to start TruthQuest when they are around 5th grade which will only give me maybe 3 years until then.

    Just trying to think it all through in my mind…

    January 2, 2010 at 10:03 pm
    SCMconvert
    Member

    I’m trying to find out more about Story of the World History for the Classical Child by Susan Wise Bauer.

     I wonder if it would be a good base to use but then supplement with other books.  It sounds like it needs more Biblical books to go with it.  What I’m told is that the first volume was intended for grades 1-4; Volume 2 for grades 2-5; Volume 3 for grades 3-6; and Volume 4 for grades 4-8. They each have activity books to go with the novels, It starts with Review questions and then a narration Exercise, Art project, Craft project, cooking project and also all kinds of suggestions for additional History reading and Corresponding Literature. It looks really good. This is the History of the World, so it starts with Ancient times and then Middle ages and next Early modern times and then lastly the modern age.

     

     

    I found a few threads on this board that helped me a lot.

     

    http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/living-history-books-1#post-7939

    http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/comparing-history-spines#post-1596

    This is all so new to me, I need to do lots of research.  I have to look into TruthQuest 106 Days, Gen-Deut as well!  So many options!

    You’ll have to post pics of your family once you get all settled in with your new blessing.  What an exciting journey ahead of you.  

    Tracy

    January 3, 2010 at 5:54 pm
    mrsjamiesouth
    Member

    I think Gen-Duet is great, its very light.  I like Mystery of History and Story of the Ancient World by HA Guerber.  

    January 3, 2010 at 9:55 pm
    Cori
    Member

    I like SOTW.  I have all 4 volumes and the activity guides.  My son is 6 and we will start reading more from it this year.  I like the way it is written and it is the “spine” that holds your studies together.  I am planning to read from the book and then read a few go-along books for each time period if I can find the living books.  I have several for the ancients already.  I think starting with the ancients is good because there are so many activities you can do along with it that is more on their level than some of the later historical events (such as wars and political conflicts that my child won’t really understand). 

    See if your library has it so you can preview it.  It’s one that you’ll want to own since it will take several months to get through the book.

    January 3, 2010 at 11:43 pm
    crazy4boys
    Participant

    Robin –

    First of all, congratulations.  I hope everything goes smoothly.

    Second, speaking as a mom who adopted internationally I think you are right to take a little time to allow your new son, and the family, time to adjust.  Play a lot, read picture books, cuddle.

    I think 106 Days of Creation is a great fit not only for that age, but for the language abilities of your Chinese son.  There are a lot of hands on activities which will help him understand if the books are over his head.

    For history I would stick with the Guidebooks/curriculum guide here at SCM and their book choices.  It will not be overwhelming and the books are truly lovely.  Story of the World might be too hard language-wise.  Most of the books from SCM are picture type books at the younger ages, and there are not too many of them.  

    If things go smoothly the first six months or so, you can increase the pace and try to get through more than one year of history at a time.  It may not go smoothly!!!!

    I have kept my sons together (there is a 4 month age difference between biological and adopted) in everything except language arts.  It was a struggle for the first year or so for the Russian son to keep up or understand everything but he kept at it and is at grade level now.  I think because our expectation was “You’re smart enough for this”, he met it.  He rose to the level we asked him to achieve.  Your sons may need to be separate in math right now, but perhaps not.  

    Best of luck.  It’s a wonderful and difficult journey!

    Heather

     

    January 4, 2010 at 12:49 am
    RobinP
    Participant

    Thanks to everyone!  I have all the books mentioned.  Heather, I appreciate your perspective.  It does create a different perspective with our Chinese son.  I know all my “plans” will have to be adjusted along the way.  I just want something we can do together.  I think it will be so beneficial to him for us all to come alongside one another and learn together.  I think I’ll try 106 Days and Gen.-Deut. together and pull back as necessary.  Then move into the next guide at SCM.  Using TruthQuest is a must for us.  I used it with my oldest and love the worldview focus.  But until then, we’ll get as far as we can.  By the time the boys are grades 5-6, they should be ready.  Science can be done together.  We’ll still do FIAR.  It’s a wonderful, gentle way to be exposed to many things.  Math and other general language arts type things will just be at each boy’s level.  I’m looking forward to all the other CM things…art study, music study (we alreayd do Suzuki violin,) nature study, etc.  We’ll be busy.  Plus we live on a small farm with cows (a calf due any minute now) and chickens.  Laughing

    Thanks again for all the help.  I’m sure I’ll have more questions as we go along.

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