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Bookswithtea
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I'm wondering...do many of you do isolated history units based on interest...you know, 2 months of WWII, a couple of weeks off, 4 weeks on the Irish, time off for Christmas, 2 months on Abraham Lincoln...
Or do you plan "this year we are studying world history."
I realize I am slow...but it occurred to me today that perhaps children can study randomly and learn enough of history to have some good solid "hooks" and then study "world" or "American" history in High School, in a more chronological way.
If you've studied history more randomly for several years, are you happy with the results?
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TracyQ
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We've studied history randomly during their elementary years, especially because we used Five in a Row, which studies history randomly.
This hasn't been a problem at all for our kids. In fact, they watch The History Channel, or read a book or whatever, and we're not going to not do that just because it doesn't *fit into* the chronological history.
The thing we use to tie it all together is a time line, which is very helpful and I think necessary when studying history non-chronologically.
Now, yes, my son is studying World History this year in 10th grade, and American History he'll do next year in 11th, and will do them pretty much chronologically, and as thoroughly as possible.
I do believe my kids have a good grasp of history, and when it happened, and why, etc. up to this point anyway. 
Hope this helps!
Tracy
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Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
 homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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Leonie
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We have always studied history more randomly - and its made it a bit more of a story. Just like reading the Narnia books out of order  - we piece the bits together and have an "aha" moment, when we see how the story fits.
My eldest son has a BA in history and politics and his Honours year thesis was on the Ccrusades. Having looked at history non chronologcially in his childhood and teens did not seem to tbe a disadvantge for him.
HTH! And - YMMV ( your mileage may vary  )
Leonie in Sydney
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Elizabeth
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Leonie wrote:
My eldest son has a BA in history and politics and his Honours year thesis was on the Ccrusades. Having looked at history non chronologcially in his childhood and teens did not seem to tbe a disadvantge for him.
HTH! And - YMMV ( your mileage may vary )
Leonie in Sydney |
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For what it's worth, we were blessed to have Leonie's son visit us. He toured Washington DC and some Civil War landmarks in VA. My husband was amazed at the depth and breadth of Luke's knowledge of United States history. He was far and away more learned than most US citizens. Remember, he's Australian!Definitely not a disadvantaged historian!
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Willa
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Kathryn Therese wrote in a similar vein to Leonie and Tracy's points on history -- HERE (I think you have to scroll down a bit).
My kids as well have gotten a good sense of history just by reading widely and then connecting the pieces of the puzzle over time. We did try to follow a chronological cycle at first but what they remembered was the individual stories, not the whole picture. The "whole picture" came over time and with their "fun" reading.
I think the cycle was actually more helpful for ME than for them
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Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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Kelly
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Although we do history chronologically, we have always allowed for forays into other historical periods when the mood suited us or an opportunity presented itself. When we finish our study of whatever it was that pulled us off on a "rabbit trail", we then simply go back to where we left off with our chronological studies. Although it makes the chronological process move verrrry slowly, it works. Guess there's more than one way to skin a cat!
Kelly in FL
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Leonie
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Elizabeth - Luke loved visiting places with your dh - got to 'see" the real historical sites !]
Leonie in Sydney
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Bookswithtea
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How encouraging! I had no idea that this could work. I guess my brain is used to working from "point A to point B"
I'm inspired!
Thanks so much,everyone.
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guitarnan
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We try to do it in an organized way, because my son adores history and is a black-and-white kind of person. Jumping from one era to another would probably fry his brain. Last year we did U. S. history from exploration to about 1890, so we picked up from there this week and will go to the present day. My daughter (science gal) kind of hangs in there for the fun stuff (she's in 3rd grade), and if I can drag in American Girls stuff she's on board. To get her involved, right now we're reading "The Orphans Find a Home" (Ecce Homo Press) and she's hooked. It's set in 1890's New York and describes Saint Frances Cabrini's work with immigrant orphans. So far, so good!
I think chronological studies make sense to older children, but younger ones would rather be part of the experience (via stories, timelines, hands-on projects, etc.). The cohesiveness will come along later, especially if you decide to focus on Church history at some time in the future.
One history story I tell everyone...when I went off to UCLA from my tiny Catholic high school, I was pretty sure I was a small fish in a huge pond. One surprise to me was how much more I knew about western history than many of my friends. This was due entirely to my Catholic education. I could identify saints in paintings. I knew which Popes did significant things. I had a good idea of how the Church influenced western history. My roommate was astounded. I guess I'd always thought that public school students learned the same things...wrong. She was really envious, because I knew it all from long ago. So, if there is anything you teach your children, make it the history of our Church, with some saint stories and art thrown in. College history will be very accessible to them.
I'm a big fan of historical rabbit trails. You have to take opportunities as God presents them to you. Sometimes that means you take a giant leap of time...and faith...it works out.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Kelly
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guitarnan wrote:
One history story I tell everyone...when I went off to UCLA from my tiny Catholic high school, I was pretty sure I was a small fish in a huge pond. One surprise to me was how much more I knew about western history than many of my friends. This was due entirely to my Catholic education. I could identify saints in paintings. I knew which Popes did significant things. I had a good idea of how the Church influenced western history. My roommate was astounded. I guess I'd always thought that public school students learned the same things...wrong. She was really envious, because I knew it all from long ago. So, if there is anything you teach your children, make it the history of our Church, with some saint stories and art thrown in. College history will be very accessible to them.
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Nancy, this is a great story. I never thought about Church history in that light, even though, academically, I knew it to be so!
Kelly in FL
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TracyQ
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guitarnan wrote:
| So, if there is anything you teach your children, make it the history of our Church, with some saint stories and art thrown in. College history will be very accessible to them. |
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Nancy,
GREAT point, and thank you!!! Yes, we're using From Sea to Shining Sea this year with my 8th and 5th graders. We're doing the History of America from St. Brendan through today, bringing in lots of projects, videos, documentaries, historical fiction, and biographies, etc. AND the history of the Cathoic Church in America.
Next year, we'll use All Ye Lands, and bring in World History and the History of the Catholic Church in the very same way, I believe.
Thanks for your story, it helped a lot!
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Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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Marybeth
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I loved loved history in my Catholic elementary school. It took be aback in high school b/c it was so politically correct being a public school. ugh! It was an awful 3 years of study. Also, b/c I was given many detentions and warnings b/c of my strict anti-abortion views.
I aced history classes in college based on what I learned in elementary school. I'm hoping my ds loves history and wants to read read read about it like I did.
My Dad saved my love of history in high school by taking us to DC and Pennslyvania. I am so blessed he did that b/c my teachers were worthless. 
Marybeth
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guitarnan
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Tracy and Kelly,
Thanks for your kind words. One side note: the same roommate (music major) didn't know the words to any religious Christmas carols. She'd never learned them in school, nor was she from a churchgoing family. Sigh.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Topic: Do you "plan" history?
