US History (high school)

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Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • January 29, 2015 at 8:29 pm
    my3boys
    Participant

    What is considered the starting place for this time period? My ds will be studying this time period next school year and I see that Truth Quest has the Age of Revolution 1 (1600-1800)-Rev. 3 but we’d need all 3 guides to go that route. SCM has Early Modern Times and Modern Times (which I have) but he has read some of the books listed already (no biggie, we can substitute). I guess I’m just saying this out loud because we can use what fits our situation, but I think I’m looking for what you all consider US History. I’m also looking through All Through the Ages and, as great a resource as it is, it’s a bit overwhelming.

    Any suggestions? Any “don’t miss” book/s??

    thanks!

    January 29, 2015 at 11:13 pm
    missceegee
    Participant

    I’ve recently decided to use EpiKardia’s American History I for 9th grade.  I like the overview, narration and assignment topics, and evaluation rubrics.  I’m in a place where I need a break from putting it all together and EK fits the bill for us for dd14. I will continue to have a free reading list that dd will work through in addition, but I’m looking forward to this study.

    In the past, I wrote a negative review here of EK (younger programs) based upon evaluation of their online samples. I have since had opportunity to look at all levels of their materials in person. I love the looks of the high school plans; I’m still looking at the younger programs (daily lesson plans 3rd and intermediate unit plans) and haven’t come to a conclusion about whether they are right for us, but I do change my review to a positive one.  The program is different in its approach to history from AO and SCM and some other CM programs, but looks to be very solid.  It also isn’t a unit study with all subjects tied to a theme as I originally thought from the online samples.

    I have used and enjoyed all 6 of the SCM history handbooks and studies, some AO, some CMH, some on my own. I’ve come to the conclusion that there are many good programs that fit needs of different families at different times.

    The fact is anything with a living book basis is going to top the education I received and prepare my kids for a solid future regardless of the path they choose.  I was accepted to and given an academic scholarship to Vanderbilt with my average public school education. While I chose not to attend for family reasons and went to a state school instead, the fact that I was accepted proves to me that the education my kids are getting will be excellent preparation for their futures because it has already exceeded mine by leaps and bounds and my oldest is in 8th grade. I’m trusting the process more and realizing that there can be many paths even within the same philosophy.

    Blessings as you make your decisions.  (And please excuse typos from my phone entry.)

    Christie

    January 30, 2015 at 9:04 am
    nebby
    Participant

    I’ve been blogging on the books we’ve used for Am Hist. I have one in HS. There are some we’ve loved like Albert Marrin’s books. All the info is here:https://lettersfromnebby.wordpress.com/2014/11/18/my-master-list-of-booklists-on-american-history/

     

    January 30, 2015 at 10:08 am
    my3boys
    Participant

    Thanks so much!

    I’ve looked at EK in the past, but hadn’t realized they had “curriculum”, I thought it was a writing program site. Thanks for the idea, Christy. There are so many book choices, which is a blessing and a curse at the same time.

    Thannks, Nebby. I’ll be looking at your blog today!

    January 31, 2015 at 8:06 am
    retrofam
    Participant

    Christie,

    I plan to purchase EK intermediate for next year.  Do you have a friend who is using it? Otherwise,  how did you get the opportunity to see it? I wish I could see it before purchasing.

    Can you explain why it is not a unit study? Is it because the science books are different from the history books?

    My son wants his language arts integrated,  which is one of the main reasons for this purchase.

    I like the looks of the samples and look forward to the history and science format.

    Thanks,

    Retro fam

     

    January 31, 2015 at 11:49 am
    my3boys
    Participant

    I have decided (I think) to start off with Columbus but not spend a lot of time there and use most of the SCM Early/Modern Times lesson plans/book list along with a book or two listed in the EK Am. History pack. I *may* purchase the EK lesson plans for some of the ideas (which is what I really need) OR use SCM ideas. I am not sure if I am going to use the geo/Bible portions of SCM or just the history plans…just not sure yet.

    This is the thing: My ds has read some of everything listed in the guides and I *could* look through book lists for more ideas, but I just can’t. I like a mixture of the books listed in SCM/EK (looked at TQ/ATTA, no way, too many to choose from and that’s what I can not do) and will sub out some that he’s already read or allow this study to bleed over to the following school year to get in some that are important to me 🙂 Not sure if I want to use the Visits to North America (which my younger two could do as well) OR the geo as written in the SCM guides since my younger two have not read them yet. Also, my problem is this: I can not seem to use the daily lesson plans in the SCM guides but the Weekly ones are perfectly suited for us. I plan to photo copy the weekly assignments and give them to my ds (and my middle school child) and let them plan how to get the work accomplished during the week. I’ll use the daily lessons as I need them. I don’t know why, but this seems to make more sense to me right now in this season of my life.

    So, I feel I have a plan and just need to gather the books we don’t have. Thank you for all of the ideas you all have given, it truly helps to flesh out the ideas swirling around in my head!

    January 31, 2015 at 2:52 pm
    missceegee
    Participant

    @mythreeboys – I’m glad that by discussing what others are doing or thinking of, you’ve been helped along in your decision making process.


    @retrofam     – I am just today delving into the Intermediate Unit Guide (grades 3-5) and the K-5 Parent Manual. Previously, I had skimmed it. I didn’t wan’t to post it all here, so I put it on my neglected, haphazard blog. Click here to read my thoughts. (Bear in mind, that when I blog, I’m not putting a tremendous amount of thought into my writing, but rather use it as a tool to share my thoughts about books, curricula, etc. in a quick and efficient manner. Blogging is not my thing.)

    February 2, 2015 at 7:55 am
    retrofam
    Participant

    Thank you, Missceegee for your posts and blog.  They were very helpful.

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