The Story of the World , in a six-year cycle?

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  • zami
    Participant

    Have any of you used “The Story of the World” books by Susan Wise-Bauer, over a six year spread, rather than a four year spread?

    Four years just feels so rushed to me.  We are reading through Volume One (Ancient Times) right now, and use the book both as it’s own read, and also as a kicker into other books (like, Boy of the Pyramids).  We are near the end of “first grade” but still lingering reading about the ancient near east and Egypt (and China and India).  I can’t imagine rushing through the rise and fall of Greece, then Rome, in just a few short months – even working through the summer it would feel rushed!

    But I’m not sure how I should split it up….

    One option I’m considering looks like this –

    Year 1
    Creation – pre Greece
    Story of the World, chapters 1 – 17

    Year 2:
    Early Crete – Death of Alexander the Great (plus, Early America)
    Story of the World, chapters 18-26

    Year 3:
    Rise of Rome – Fall of Rome
    Story of the World, chapters 27-42
    (the first chapter of the next book covers the remnants of Rome, too)

    Year 4:
    Story of the World Volume 2, The Middle Ages, all chapters

    Year 5:
    Story of the World Volume 3, Early Modern Times, all chapters

    Year 6:
    Story of the World Volume 4, Modern Times, all chapters

    But, that has us working out of ONE book for three years.  Is that bad?!  And then entire books for the rest of the years.  hah, those might feel rushed after being able to savor ancient Egypt, Rome, Persia, Assyria, etc, for so long.

    Any input?  Does that look workable?  As a six year spread like that, I could follow the SCM history modules too, but still use Story of the World to tie in other cultures.

    Any input would be appreciated.  

    Thanks!

    -Laura

    morgrace
    Participant

    This is one of my hang-ups on the 6 year history cycle too. After taking our time to go thru ancients, I have no idea how I’ll cover the remaining material in the same manner in just three years – especially since there is SO much. I’m not trying to say the ancients aren’t important at all, I just haven’t a clue how to sort this one out for our family – so I’ll be following this post, and if I come up with any ideas I’ll pass them on! 

    zami
    Participant

    Thanks Morgrace!  It’s nice to read I’m not the only one worried about potentially “cramming” later eras.

     

    I should add, I have no qualms about lingering on the ancients because that era is by far my *favorite* era of study.  

    I think it’s from watching “The Ten Commandments”, “Ben Hur, “Jason and the Argonauts”, and “The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad” one too many times as a child.  They are still my favorite movies! (Along with Mysterious Island 😉 )

    But just because *I* love the ancients… is that a good reason to linger on them?

    I’m starting to lean towards “yes”…

    We can do a deeper bible reading/study along side it.
    We can (loosely) follow the Simply Charlotte Mason history modules.
    It’s easiest to teach what I love… right??

    -Laura

    morgrace
    Participant

    Laura –

    I personally don’t see any problem with spending some extra time on something because you love it! The ancients are the period of history that I know the least, but it sure seems that it is a rich period to learn from. I should think there is more than one reason to linger there. 🙂

    My husband and I both LOVE history – so we’ve figured that our kids’ schooling is likely going to be a bit more history heavy than say another family. But we’re ok with that, I don’t think it’s necessarily going to hurt our kids either. But I sure do want to have my overall approach to history (ie. rotation schedule) nailed down before we start. I’d rather hash it out now and tweak as we go than end up chucking an approach that isn’t best for us after we start. I have the time now to figure this out – I don’t know that I will later.

    I’ve personally been back and forth between the 6 year rotation schedule and doing history separately for each child ( as some of my previous posts show) I keep coming back to the 6 year rotation schedule as it’s such a good idea in many ways, but I have yet to figure out how to adjust it to meet our family’s interests. I showed it to my husband and his reaction was “You mean everything from the Civil War to the present is in one year? You do know there’s two world wars in there!”

    So yeah, we haven’t figured out our solution yet. I REALLY love the idea of lingering through periods of history, and I’m thrilled to teach the Bible in it’s historical context (I can’t wait to get to Roman times when Jesus came) and I like the idea of being on period together as a family. I also think the rotation will work exceptionally well with the overview of the time period for younger grades. (Especially since with my children at least, I doubt they’ll be mature enough to handle some of the mythology from the ancient period so young without spiritual confusion. We haven’t even done any fairy tales yet, partly for this reason.) It’s just when mine get to the older grades the last three modules seem really rushed. While module 4 (middle ages/ren/reformation) is a neat tidy little package as an overview, it’s is a squeeze for the older kids in my humble history-loving opinion. And I chafe at waiting to start American History (early American history/Colonial period being my favorite from the age of 12)

    The only idea I’ve been able to come up with is to allot additional time for history in our schedule so we can cover what I’d like. Of course this means letting go of something else, which I haven’t figured out yet. Are you schooling year-round? If not you may be able to continue with history lightly through the summer. Or have summer history “themes” based on time periods. We’re planning to do school year-round, so maybe I’ll get a little extra time, I don’t know.

    I sure appreicate someone to think this over with – thanks! I’ve gone round and round in circles with it. Probably would be ten times easier if I didn’t love history so much!

    zami
    Participant

    “I sure appreicate someone to think this over with – thanks! I’ve gone round and round in circles with it. Probably would be ten times easier if I didn’t love history so much!”

    Yeah, that’s us too!  History is the one subject I’m nervous about teaching, because it’s the one that I love.  (And feel like I could mess up – I’d be heartbroken if my children don’t love history!)  This last year we used suggestions ala The Well-Trained Mind.  And, we loved all the books, but I just wanted to spend more time with everything.  I also really need to simplify a bit.  We bought and used so many books… it’s just not a budget we can/should keep up.  Plus they were mostly shorter picture books, and I’d like some more immersive, slower paced books. Furthermore, down the road, Well-Trained Mind gets much more encyclopedic in it’s book selections, and I’d be on my own for combining grades.

    I know what you mean about going round and round on the subject.  *lol* Want to see my “chose a curriculum” notes?!

    ::Classical::
    (Well-Trained Mind, Mystery of History, Tapestry of Grace, Truth Quest, and History Oddysey)
    Chronological: yes
    Cyclical: yes, 4 year cycle
    American/World : covered chronologically
    Grade Blend: yes (though you have to buy extra guides with History Odyssey, and your on your own figuring it out with Well-Trained Mind.  WTM and HO are not biblically based, the others are.)



    1 Ancients
    2 Middle Ages
    3 Early Modern
    4 Modern Times
    5 Ancients (again)
    6 Middle Ages (again)
    7 Early Modern (again)
    8 Modern Times (again)
    9 Ancients (3rd visit)
    10 Middle Ages (3rd visit)
    11 Early Modern (3rd visit)
    12 Modern Times (3rd visit)

    ::Ambleside Online::
    Chronological: partially
    Cyclical: non cyclical
    American/World: side-by-side



    1 — early history (especially British), focusing on people rather than events
    2 — 1000 AD – Middle Ages
    3 — 1400 – 1600 (Renaissance to Reformation)
    4 — 1700’s up to the French Revolution and American Revolution
    5 — 1800 to 1920 up to WWI
    6 — end of WWI to present day, then a term in ancient history
    7 — 800-1400’s Middle Ages (Alfred, King Arthur, Joan of Arc)
    8 — 1400-1600’s (Reniassance to Reformation)
    9 — 1688-1815 including French and American revolutions
    10 — 1815-1901 including the American Civil War
    11 — 20th Century
    12 — ancient history
    (Plus American History and biographies all along)

    ::Mater Amabilis::
    I’m not sure, but here is a link to an overview.
    http://materamabilis.org/ma/mater-amabilis-an-overview/

    ::Living Books Curriculum::
    Chronological: yes
    Cyclical: non cyclical
    American / World: side-by-side
    Grade Blend: unsure, I’m guessing no

    World History
    1-Ancient Civilizations
    2-Egypt
    3-Greece & Rome
    4-Middle Ages
    5-Renaissance and Reformation
    6-Enlightment to Modern Age
    7&8 Study of history from ancient times to the modern age, covered in a two-year period.

    American History
    1-Exploration & Colonial Period—1000-1775
    2-Birth of the Nation—1775-1789
    3-Growth of the Nation & Westward Expansion—1790 -1877
    4-Civil War and Reconstruction—1850-1865
    5-Industrialization and continued expansion—1865-1920
    6-Modern Age—1900-1970
    7&8 Study of American history from the age of discovery to the modern age, covered in a two-year period.

    ::Sonlight::
    Chronological: no
    Cyclical: non cyclical
    American / World: n/a
    Grade Blend: looks tough
    http://www.sonlight.com/scope-and-sequence.html



    1-earliest peoples through fall of rome
    2-fall of Rome through 20th century
    3-early American history through mid 19th century
    4-American history mid 19th-20th century
    5-“cultural study of Eastern Hemisphere”
    6-ancient Egypt through Reformation
    7-world history 17th century through fall of Rome
    100-“American History in Depth”
    200-“History of God’s Kingdom”
    300-“20th Century World History”
    400-“Civics/American Government”
    530-“British Literature”

    ::Charlotte Mason Help::
    http://www.charlottemasonhelp.com/2009/07/chronological-history-plan.html
    Chronological: yes
    Cyclical: non cyclical
    American / World: side-by-side
    Grade Blend: looks tough
    —-
    World
    1-Ancients, Creation – AD400
    2-Medieval/Early Rennaissance, 400-1600
    3-Late Renaissance/Early Modern, 1600-1910
    —-
    American
    1-Exploring America, Colonies
    2-Revolutionary War
    3-Pioneers, Civil War, Indians

    Combined
    4-World & American History Merge, 1918-2000
    5-non Indo-European Cultures
    6-Ancients, Creation – AD400
    7-Middle Ages, 500-1400
    8-Renaissance/Reformation/Exploration, 1400-1600
    9-Age of Revolutions I US/Europe, 1600-1800
    10-Age of Revolutions II US/Europe, 1800-1865
    11-Age of Revolutions III US/Europe, 1865-2000

    -Laura

    morgrace
    Participant

    Wow! I printed off your notes to ponder over this weekend. Thanks for sharing! While I am familiar with most of the history resources you mentioned, it never occured to me to compare the approach and cycles of each. The rusty analytical side of my brain is in gear now 😉

    morgrace
    Participant

    Laura, 

    Thank you for posting your notes, they were tremendously helpful for me. I’ve had an ongoing history conversation all weekend with my husband. I used your notes as a stepping stone, and we’re closer to making a decision about what history will look like for us. I have a couple lingering questions, but I’m a lot farther than I was! What have you decided to with the Story of the World?

    suzukimom
    Participant

    Here is another…

    Milestones Academy – http://www.milestonesacademy.com

    Chronological: yes (mostly)
    Cyclical: not sure?
    American / World: side-by-side
    Grade Blend: Yes for most of it

    This site has a combination of a Family History Rotation (mostly world history) and individual history (mostly American)

    I am not sure if the Family Rotation is just for years 1 to 6, or if for all years.  After Year 7, there is a LOT of history listed in the individual years.  Years 7-10 on this site is designed to be High School, and has information on how to earn an accredited diploma…  the site has some information on how to work on a Bacheleor’s degree for years 11-12…

    Family Rotation has a “spine” (mostly the Synge books, except the 6th rotation), and lots of extra choices with a year level suggested.   There is an extra country to be done 1 day a week… not sure if history or more of a learning about the people…

    Family Rotation (6year)

    1 – Up to time of Christ.   Extra Country – Egypt

    2 – 4ad to about 1500.  Extra Country – China

    3 – 1520-1745.  Extra Country – India

    4 – 1745-1815.  Extra County – Islam culture (not a country)

    5 – 1815 – 1903.  Also some American History added.   Extra Country – Africa (continent of course)

    6 – 1850-1994   Extra Country – Russia

    And within the Years

    Year 1 – add in 50 famous stories, Viking Tales,  Christopher Columbus and Child’s History of America – not sure the timeframe

    Year 2 – George Washington and Child’s History of America (not sure the timeframe) 30 More famous Stories Retold,  50 famous people

    Year 3 – Abraham Lincoln and Child’s History of America. Landing of the Pilgrims.  Leonardo DaVincie

    Year 4 – Poor Richard, Abagail Adams

    Year 5 – a few biographies. economics,

    Year 6 – more biagraphies, economics, government

    Considered High School now

    Year 7 – History of the Ancient World, Mainstring of Human Progress, Roots of American Order – more economics and government stuff.

    Year 8-10  – A couple of options on which way to go for history.  More economics and government

    Years 11-12 – considered Univeristy level. 

    Des
    Participant

    Suzukimom that site looks awesome!  I’m putting it on my list to look at for next year maybe.  Thank you for posting it

    suzukimom
    Participant

    Thanks, I love the Milestones Academy Site too.  I am mostly using it next year.  There is a Yahoo group for it as well  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/milestonesacademy  and the developer of it is there and is WONDERFUL.

    I like a bunch of things on Simply Charlotte Mason – but I love how it is all setup for me with milestones…. her kids have graduated, and she mentors other kids on their homeschooling journey. 

    Des
    Participant

    I think i’ll join the yahoo group and really check the program out, i’m really liking what i’ve seen so far and think I could maybe use it or portions of it after we’re done with SCM year 4.  Will you use the grammar book that she’s written?  What portions of the program do you plan to use?

    suzukimom
    Participant

    Hey Des,

    Right now we are finishing up Year 1 of mostly AO with a bit of MA (Milestones Academy) thrown in… but her Year 1 and AO’s Year 1 was VERY similar… there is more differences in later years. 

    For Year 2, we are doing mostly MA.  I’m Canadian, so I’m going to take out the US history, and put in some Canadian History.  I will be doing her History Rotation – we did some of the 1st rotation, but not all of it.   I am using a different math program than she recommended (MA recommends Right Start, which is just too expensive for us, with a couple of other choices – we are doing MEP and loving it.)   MA recommends doing Violin, Voice, and Piano – right now we are just doing Violin and Piano. 

    Her Grammar book is used from Year 3 on, I believe.  At this point I do plan to use it, but have no idea what it would be like compared to other SM grammar books.  There is stuff to memorize, stuff for copywork, stuff for dictation, as well as some grammar instruction.  One thing to be aware of is that at the moment there is only answer keys for books A and B…  She was working on the rest, but was ill for a while.  I’m not sure if she is still working on them, or has kind of moved on.  She started making an answer key for the books because a few people requested it.

    She also has on her booklist (one in Year 2, one in Year 3, I think) a couple of books that she wrote herself.  I have gotten a copy of them, and although they probably won’t qualify as great literature and go down through the ages, they are delightful books that will be used.  (I used the Year 2 one with my son in Year 1, and he loved it.)  The books are about a couple of different homeschool families, showed great values, and are VERY worth it. 

    You will find the Yahoo group very friendly, and the maker of MA answers questions.  She has even given suggestions for alternatives for people jumping into CM very late, for instance how to complete High School with a child who isn’t ready for the MA program but is that age, etc.  She is fantastic at handling us when we whine etc too!

    Des
    Participant

    thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!  I think I will give this a try, i’m thinking of maybe starting to use some portions of it now for our summer term to see how we like it.  I can’t wait to read the books she wrote, i’ve been looking for books with homeschool families in them.

    suzukimom
    Participant

    Hope to see you on her Yahoo Group!

    The books she wrote that I mentioned…

    Levi’s Life – a bit from the life of homeschooled (CM style) Levi, from about age 6 or 7 to about age 8 or 9.

    Story of the Three Baers (or something like that) – 3 girls being homeschooled (CM style) – 2 are twins, and then another girl as well.  They are very good on the violin, and actually do a short tour while homeschooling.  (hm, now I want to read it again!)

    Anyway – see you at the MA Yahoo group, as we are now way off the topic we are posting on!

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