i want to do some light american history with living books with my 4 and 6 year olds next year (mostly for the oldest, but my younger has a great attention span and will listen and love what we do i'm sure :)). i notice that the module for younger kids starts with world history, which i'm just not comfortable teaching to such young children. i plan to start this with them in a few years. does anyone know where i can find some great book recommendations for early american history?
american history for 1st grader
(14 posts) (7 voices)-
Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
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csmamma
MemberHave you looked at http://www.truthquesthistory.com ? Truthquest has a wonderful guide to American History for young ones. Theres lots of information on the website and answers to questions such as "Why should I start my young children with American History as opposed to World History".
God Bless you!
Heather
Posted 1 year ago # Report Post -
thanks! i think i've seen it before, but i had forgotten about it. i'll check it out...
Posted 1 year ago # Report Post -
Scherger5
MemberI agree with Heather, Truthquest is very good. Beautiful Feet also has a nice Early American History study guide and book line-up. Don't forget, you can always follow the book suggestions for SCM modules 5 and 6 without a formal guide in hand. You would just enjoy the books in the order they are listed on the free curriculum guide. Most of the books in all three programs can be found at your library, so you could save a lot of money if that is a concern.
Heather
Posted 1 year ago # Report Post -
I looked at those websites and they both look great! I feel drawn more to Beautiful Feet because the books just come in a package and I wouldn't have to hunt them down. My question is this: do you happen to know how the Beautiful Feet Guide is laid out? I would be interested in a guide as far as suggestions pertaining to what order in which to read the books. Are there any craft/cooking ideas in the guide? Also, I assumed the Book titles for Modules 5 and 6 would have a higher comprehension level than I am looking for. I will be "teaching" a 6/7 yo and a 4/5 year old next year. Does anyone know if this is the case?
Thanks so much for your help! I am debating whether to do HOD again next year or to venture out on my own. :)
Posted 1 year ago # Report Post -
mrsjamiesouth
MemberBF has good samples on their site. The guide tells you what pages/Books to read and also gives you ideas on further research. Each lesson is supposed to last 1 week. This year we used the Geography. For example, we read Tree in the trail and then researched Coronado and the route he took. We also had the maps and would label States, Capitals, and rivers as we went along.
The Early American we did last year. It has great bible verses to read along too.
Posted 1 year ago # Report Post -
Scherger5
MemberPosted 1 year ago # Report Post -
Just an FYI..
Modules 5/6 will have books for all grades: 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. All of the SCM modules work for all of the ages, too.
The structure of SCM's guide is that all kids, regardless of age, study the same time period at the same time. So you'd have books for the whole family to read aloud, then books to read aloud to the 1-3 graders and then each set of older kids reads the books for their level, too.
This is my favorite feature of the SCM guide, everyone studying the same period, but at their own level.
Blessings,
Christie
Posted 1 year ago # Report Post -
wow, thanks! i didn't realize that all modules worked for all ages. i'm new to this website. when you say "guide", are you referring to the online guide, or is there another guide of which i am not aware? if i were to use Module 5 to study american history, would i just get the books that are recommended in the columns listed for grades 1-3?
Posted 1 year ago # Report Post -
and, thanks to heather for the link to the sample pages. i was able to glance at them earlier today. the guide actually looks very good. do most people, if putting together their own curriculum, use a history guide such as this, or is it more commonplace in the early years to just read these books at will?
Posted 1 year ago # Report Post -
There is a free online curriculum guide found here - http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/scmguide/
There are also Family Study Handbooks for each of the modules 1-4. Module 4 handbook was just released and Sonya plans to write one per year, so the handbook for Module 5 should be ready next spring. You can see a sample of Modules 1-4 by clicking here - http://simplycharlottemason.com/books/
SCM History/Geography/Bible Module 5 - http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/scmguide/history-modules-overview/history-module-5/
You would want the "Family Books" to read aloud together and the "1st-3rd Books" to read aloud to the 1st-3rd graders. If you had an older child, then they would read their level of books in place of the 1st - 3rd.
HTH,
Christie
Posted 1 year ago # Report Post -
my3boys
MemberWe're doing Module 5 right now, and what a blessing it is to have them in the same time period, different books, but same time. Yeah!! And, it doesn't hurt if they listen in on each other's books which makes the whole idea of them being in the same period logical and super awesome!! Now they aren't confused by the change in the books content, if they listen in because it all flows:)
Posted 1 year ago # Report Post -
Rachel
MemberWhen mine were 5 and 6, I read Stories of "Great AMericans for Little Americans" by Edward Eggleston. It's excellent and draws their interest. Just reading them stories and getting them familiar with the most famous in our past. Just one book. Your 4 yr. old could color in coloring books of the people while you read, even your 6 yr. old can color about them. Dover has wonderful coloring books with different American History themes.http://store.doverpublications.com/by-subject-coloring-books-american-history.html
You can either get it for free at Baldwin Project or buy it at Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Stories-Great-Americans-Edward-Eggleston/dp/0965273520
It is a valuable hardback to own, IMO.
Keep it simple; this is when you plant a major seed of love for their Country and history in general.
Rachel
Posted 1 year ago # Report Post -
thank you all so much for your thoughts. my oldest is actually 6, so there wouldn't be any older kids listening in. only her 4 yo sister (and possibly the 2 yo occasionally! :)).
so, you all are saying that it is safe to have history goal of "exposure" this year? would it be wise to do a timeline of some sorts, or do you think that might be too cumbersome for little kids?
Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
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