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sunnyviewmom
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| Posted: Jan 04 2010 at 11:50am | IP Logged
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Does it matter which order these books are used in? I asked TAN books and they replied that it did not matter, but I wondered if any of you have an opinion on it.
I am strongly leaning toward using these for DS's high school history starting next year. I would so appreciate hearing from anyone who has used one or both of these books, especially if you like the books.
DS really likes history and loves the Catholic faith. I am hoping to use these books as his main text. Any suggestions for supplements, enrichments, etc, would be much appreciated.
Would it be worth buying the MODG curriculum guide to be used with the American history if I only plan to use it for ideas and not follow it exactly?
Thanks so much. I'm trying to plan ahead as I am a little anxious about High School.
God bless,
Dana
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sunnyviewmom
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| Posted: Jan 04 2010 at 11:53am | IP Logged
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Would this be better in the High School forum? If so, please move. Thank you!
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vmalott
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| Posted: Jan 14 2010 at 7:57am | IP Logged
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Well, that kind of depends on what you'd like to do for history and what you've done so far. They are both chronological in and of themselves. Naturally, Christ the King starts further back than Christ and the Americas.  If you've done lots of one type of history--World or American--then perhaps you'd like to start with the title that is the opposite of what you've done previously.
Also, if you've taken a chronological approach (ala Well Trained Mind, with a 4-year rotation), then the books would need to be adapted for that. Both of them are intended as one-year courses, but there's no saying you can't split them into two 2-year courses.
Many public schools reserve American History until the Jr. year...not sure why this is. Obviously you know MODG doesn't do this, as their syllabus is for 9th grade. I haven't seen the syllabus myself, but opted against getting it, as I wasn't really interested in having a full-blown 2-credit course for history AND literature. But then, we roll with a really relaxed approach here.
I'm afraid that really didn't answer your question.
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Elena
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| Posted: Jan 14 2010 at 12:00pm | IP Logged
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I used Christ the King Lord of History and my son and I REALLY disliked it. It's a good book with lots of information but I didn't find if this is the book I had in high school I would have hated history!
We started studying for the CLEP History test and I found library books and films and online lectures and web sites to supplement. We learned a lot and it wasn't so mind numbingly dull.
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Martha in VA
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| Posted: Jan 14 2010 at 1:45pm | IP Logged
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Dana,
Is there a way you can take a look at these before purchasing them? If so, I'd HIGHLY recommend you do that.
I really, really dislike these books. I have them all and had very high hopes that they would be THE answer to my desire to teach my kids history from a catholic perspective. The truth is they are SO pro-catholic that the author sounds downright condescending at times. I've also begun to question their accuracy, wondering if the truth has been whitewashed a bit so that the Catholic Church is presented in a positive light.
Search these boards for more info about them.
I know there are some here who use and like these books....and maybe they will work for you. Just take a look first to be sure.
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sunnyviewmom
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| Posted: Jan 14 2010 at 3:36pm | IP Logged
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Thank you so much for your honest opinions. I so very much want to provide my son with a Catholic "world view" but one that is fair and accurate, of course. I realize that there is often or always some bias when it comes to history. But if not these books,then what? We have used (and are currently using) From Sea to Shining Sea and All Ye Lands, which we really like! But the next book, Light to All Nations is only available to be read on the computer, which does not appeal to my son or to me.
I have the book and the EWTN series (on DVD) of Thomas Wood, How the Catholic Church Built Western Civizilization. I aslo have The Teaching Company Early American History and World History. I hoped these could provide a balance used along with the Ann Carroll books.
I have looked at past posts but I guess I was hoping to find someone who actually likes these books.
Is there anything else out there that is a good Catholic text to be used as a spine? Or what secular text could be used and how could it be supplemmented to make our history course Catholic? I am so sorry if I am not making sense or if this info is already posted. I'm just feeling very confused right now.
By the way, history is one of my son's favorite subjects. He hopes to study theology in college. This subject is very important to him and to me.
Thanks!
Dana
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sunnyviewmom
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| Posted: Jan 15 2010 at 2:13pm | IP Logged
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Thank you again. I have spent so much time searching and searching on the internet about this. I think my problem is that I am trying to find answers on my own, rather than just giving it over to the Lord in prayer. I still have a lot of time before I need to make a final decision. I am going to pray more about it and relax.
Thanks again for your input.
God bless,
Dana
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: Jan 15 2010 at 3:16pm | IP Logged
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God bless you as you pray on this. I just wanted to let you know that my solution to the bias issue for both American and World History at the high school level is to use more than one text for each year. I chose topics for each year, similar to what CHC does for 7th and 8th grade in their middle school lesson plans, if you are familiar with that. Each week there is a new topic. The child is not required to read through all the chapters, but to use the texts as resources. Then he wrote a narration by the end of the week, assimilating all the information. I had these texts on the shelf for a Catholic perspective, but I also used other texts that were secular. This way ds saw both perspectives. It stinks that there are so few good spines for high school. You have my empathy.
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mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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sunnyviewmom
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| Posted: Jan 16 2010 at 11:34am | IP Logged
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Thank you Books! Great ideas! I have the CHC Middle School plans too, but never used that part of it or even looked at it much for some reason. I looked it over a bit last night and your suggestion is a real possibility for us.
Books, I have actually been thinking about you because I remembered that you have used NARS. This is what I think we are going to use, but I feel that I need more information before making the final (big) decision. I would "love" to ask you a few questions about it. Should I ask here, post as a new topic or PM you? Please advise as you see that I am still a "Forum Rookie".
Thanks for the support and suggestions.
God bless,
Dana
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: Jan 16 2010 at 12:57pm | IP Logged
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go ahead and pm me. 
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mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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StephanieA
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I have used Ann Carroll's books as a quick read as well as a planned out year long program with 4 different children. I have decided that the quick read is much better for us. I already teach history from a Catholic perspective, so using it all year long proved overkill (and sincere dislike) for my daughter who is very open to very pro-Catholic stances.
It surprised me, actually. So next child will be using it without the workbook and studying it exclusively.
The boys didn't mind (and mostly enjoyed) the quick plan.
For high school, we also CLEP American History I. We used American Pageant which has proved a great text up until Reconstruction. After that we shelve it and use living books. (The text gets a bit too liberal for me with some material after 1870), although I am thinking about having daughter #4 possibly read through the WW2 section.
I am glad I have Ann Carroll's books, but I like her husband's books better. However, I think Ann's has a place.....just not the only text because honestly so much is left out for a high school survey course.
Blessings,
Stephanie
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Jan 16 2010 at 9:14pm | IP Logged
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We have not used either of these books, mainly because my son looked at them and did not like them. We ended up using a secular textbook for world history (with me pointing out anti-Catholic comments).
If your son really enjoys history, maybe he would like the Didache series book on Church history? There's a lot of western civ (not pre-Christian, obviously) in this textbook, it is definitely Catholic and faithful to the Magisterium and it has gloriously beautiful illustrations and maps. My only complaint about the book is that, like any survey course, it has to jump back and forth from one continent to another...so it's easiest to use with a timeline of some kind so you know when and where you are.
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So Blessed
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| Posted: Jan 22 2010 at 7:35am | IP Logged
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We're using Christ the King, Lord of History this year for 10th grade and my kids and I love it. I bought the workbook that goes along with it so my kids do the questions from both the workbook and the text.
Quote:
| I aslo have The Teaching Company Early American History and World History. I hoped these could provide a balance used along with the Ann Carroll books |
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That's exactly what I'm doing and it's working very well. There are many topics on the DVD's that aren't covered at all in the book or aren't covered as deeply so that has provided just the balance I was looking for. My kids are enjoying history this year and I'm always amazed at how well they're doing on the tests (which I write myself combining info. from both). I really think using both the book and the DVD's has rounded out and solidified history for them this year.
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sunnyviewmom
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| Posted: Jan 22 2010 at 7:05pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for the suggestions.
Stephanie, how do you use Warren Carroll's books with high schoolers? (They look quite challenging.)
Nancy, we plan to use Didache for religion so I'll keep in mind the history aspect as well. DS also plans to do EPIC whenever it is offered at our parish.
So Blessed, that's very encouraging to see! Are you using any other resources or are you satisfied with the text plus DVD? What about American History?
I really appreciate the responses! They are helping me.
God bless,
Dana
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StephanieA
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| Posted: Jan 23 2010 at 8:41am | IP Logged
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Warren Carroll's books are world history and they are very detailed. One son read one volume cover-to-cover, but mostly we use the index and read sections of history that we are particularly interested in or if a child is writing a paper. Also an "controversal" topic areas....like Cortez, Galileo, etc. is always interesting. Carroll documents the heck out of his resources, so you can always check his resources for more info.
Blessings,
Stephanie
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stellamaris
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I found Warren Carroll's books very interesting and detailed, but too overwhelming once you get to the period of time around the Protestant Revolt (aka the Reformation! ). The general flow of history was overwhelmed by all the nit-picky details. They would be good if you were already very familiar with the time period, places, and people involved, but as an initial exposure at the high school level I would have to say they are not appropriate.
We did use Christ the King and LOH, but, as others stated, they were offensively pro-Catholic and my children did not like them at all. Then we tried the History of Christendom series by Warren Carroll with the next child, and did fine until we got to about 1400 (see above). We haven't come up with anything better, though.
I can also highly recommend the Teaching Company series. They are fair and balanced, and I like that they presented the information from the point of view of the people at the time (the presenter dresses up as a personage of the period and explains what he is doing and what is happening historically). This great approach made it possible for Mr. Thompson to present both the Catholic and the Protestant ideas and points of view, which then becomes a springboard for further discussion. I think you could use these as your spine, have your children take notes, and then do more research or reading on topics of interest.
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Caroline
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sunnyviewmom
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| Posted: Jan 27 2010 at 9:18am | IP Logged
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Thanks ladies. Caroline (or anyone), would you recommend any of the other Teaching Company history themed series? I have a friend who owns the Ancient Rome one and I am welcome to borrow it. She hasn't actually seen it herself.
Do you think Teaching Company is "fair and balanced " in all of their offerings, or does it vary?
Thanks
Dana
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: Jan 27 2010 at 10:49am | IP Logged
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sunnyviewmom wrote:
would you recommend any of the other Teaching Company history themed series? I have a friend who owns the Ancient Rome one and I am welcome to borrow it. She hasn't actually seen it herself.
Do you think Teaching Company is "fair and balanced " in all of their offerings, or does it vary?
Thanks
Dana |
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I think its like any secular source...preview the hot spots in history.  I have the set on Victorian Britain that will go along with dd's Lit. for the Young Lady (she is getting high school credit for this course so I needed a spine in addition to the other resources offered at Serendipity). I have previewed about 1/2 of it. The only section we'll be discussing (so far) is the one that heads into feminist ideas when it discusses the plight of the Victorian woman. Its a short section and easy to fix.
I wouldn't buy anything that covers the Reformation/Renaissance period in detail. But overall, I think its a really decent resource and its nice to have a lecture format instead of a book.
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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sunnyviewmom
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| Posted: Feb 03 2010 at 10:33am | IP Logged
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Thanks Books! As much as DS enjoys books, I agree that it is nice to have a lecture format sometimes. Thanks to all who took the time to respond. This has been helpful to me.
God bless,
Dana
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4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Topic: Christ the King, LOH & Christ & Americas
