What history do you use?

[DebJo]

My DS is 8 we started using Story of the World this year and I like it. It's simple and chronological. DS has told me lately he does not like it. I was looking for other options that are somewhat Christian. Or at least that they don't bash Christianity and promote other religions.

[lisaann]

What exactly doesent he like about it? Is it that he want's more hands on stuff? Or he just isn't interested in the subject matter? Does he need more colorful pictures? I know almost every day with SOTW there is something from the story that I can Google and let my kids look at pictures. It makes it more real to them. We've looked at China's Grand Canal, Pagodas, The Great Wall, Viking long boats, Pyramids, Lions on Jerusalem's walls put there during the Middle Ages, Aztec monuments, Globe theater..........the list goes on and on.

I often will suppliment SOTW with a short book on the same subject just to give varity. I've even found interesting movies at the library on different countries written especially for children.

[wife]

I agree with Lisa... try to supplement it. There are a few SOTW yahoo groups that have loads of ideas.

Ask him what he doesn't like about it and then ask him what he would like.

[DebJo]

I think I found the reason today. I was making him do a lap book as a review. He was getting tired of doing the lap book. He enjoyed the story today about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. He also likes me to read books about the subject. Guess I'll change some of the lap booking. I still think that's a good way to review. I will have to get more books about the subject we are studying. I was thinking that it had something to do with not reading books. We switched from KONOS at the beginning of the year to SOTW. (KONOS was TOO much work for me getting everything together.) So this was a big adjustment for him. With a little tweaking I think I can make SOTW work. Thanks everyone.

[Green Darner]

We like the Mystery of History http://www.themysteryofhistory.com/images/main_header.jpg

Here's what we like about it:

1. It is Christ-centered
2. It is Chronological
3. It is self-contained. (No outside books we need to borrow or buy)
4. It is easily adaptable to use with all children's abilities
5. It is budget friendly
6. It can be used as broadly or as in-depth in scope as you want without getting bogged down in any particular areas

Here's what we don't like about it:

1. It's not finished yet - it is only two volumes so far
2. It dates the creation as around 5000BC and we personally believe it is around 4000BC

[Mezuzas]

I haven't been using history so much this year. My kid was resistant to being homeschooled, so I started out with strictly stuff she would be more interested in, then worked other subjects in with it as this year went on. I'll probably not add history until next year.

She has been reading Genesis though, so I guess that's sort of history.

I've been mostly emphasizing the Bible, spelling, math, grammar, and trying to get her somewhere near her grade level in geography (the schools around here just teach a test each year that the kids take at the end of the year which doesn't include geography). My kid finally can name some of the states and capitals.

I was appalled at her lack of grammar and spelling skills at her age. The schools where I'm at don't care if the kids really learn or not, just so they do well on the end of the year tests.

Actually, much of this year was trying to get her somewhere close to the grade level she should be at this year. Her math skills were far behind as was all the other subjects. The school she was going to had this thing where if the answer was close enough it was marked correct, even though it was still the wrong answer. So my kid was getting wrong answers and when I would inform her it wasn't the right answer, she got spastic because she is not used to hearing she is wrong about something (except at home of course). The school was giving her A's and B's on everything when she was doing not so good work. So, it's been quite a first year of homeschooling. It shows that grades are not such a good indicator if a kid is learning something or not.

I don't know if they have history or not, but one of the sets of books I use on her for the other subjects is AlphaOmega. It seems pretty good, has Bible stuff in all the subjects.

[PTK]

What exactly doesent he like about it? Is it that he want's more hands on stuff? Or he just isn't interested in the subject matter? Does he need more colorful pictures? I know almost every day with SOTW there is something from the story that I can Google and let my kids look at pictures. It makes it more real to them. We've looked at China's Grand Canal, Pagodas, The Great Wall, Viking long boats, Pyramids, Lions on Jerusalem's walls put there during the Middle Ages, Aztec monuments, Globe theater..........the list goes on and on.
I often will suppliment SOTW with a short book on the same subject just to give varity. I've even found interesting movies at the library on different countries written especially for children.

I think it would be wise of you to speak with your husband about this sort of “history.” I feel that having your child exposed to these notorious heathen cultures could be a dangerous potential for demonic activity in your household.
Whatever happened to good Ol’ U. S. of A. History? Other than biblical history that is all the history I feel my kids need.

[MochaMel]

^^ What exactly is going to cause demonic activity by kids' learning about history in these other countries??? For example when we do Egypt they have alot of false god's stuff and i just really explain the wrongness of it, etc. I always teach from a Christian perspective so i don't get why only American history.. There are plenty of bad stuff there too i'm sure!

I don't understand your reasoning..:scratch History is one of my kids' favorite subjects -- and to get rid of parts of it seems odd to me IMHO.

[wife]

^^ What exactly is going to cause demonic activity by kids' learning about history in these other countries??? For example when we do Egypt they have alot of false god's stuff and i just really explain the wrongness of it, etc. I always teach from a Christian perspective so i don't get why only American history.. There are plenty of bad stuff there too i'm sure!

I don't understand your reasoning..:scratch History is one of my kids' favorite subjects -- and to get rid of parts of it seems odd to me IMHO.

My thoughts exactly!!!!:thumb

[rdy4takeoff]

I think it would be wise of you to speak with your husband about this sort of “history.” I feel that having your child exposed to these notorious heathen cultures could be a dangerous potential for demonic activity in your household.
Whatever happened to good Ol’ U. S. of A. History? Other than biblical history that is all the history I feel my kids need.

:scratch Your kidding right