4Real Forums: From Sea to Shining Sea-How to use?

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Topic: From Sea to Shining Sea-How to use?

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JSchaaf
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Joined: Feb 22 2005
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Posted: May 25 2011 at 9:18pm \| IP Logged

Well, I just packed up our Abeka world history materials to return. Why didn't I believe they were anti-Catholic? Dh and I spent an hour after dinner reading bits of the text to each other. He normally doesn't care what curricula we use, but was in agreement with me that Abeka is not what we are looking for.

I think we are going to use the books from the Catholic Textbook Project and start with the American History book. My girls are 4th, 6th, and 7th grade. Now for my questions:
Can I use this same book for all three? I think I can...it looks like it will hold the 4th graders attention as a read aloud.

HOW should I use it? My plan is to read a section and have the girls narrate, orally for the younger and written for the olders. Then I was going to have them do a notebook page (I'm trying to decide between a BOC or a timeline), a map (if relevant) and some additional reading. And them move on. Big question-Is it ENOUGH? What about quizzes and tests? Abeka has lots of those, and a nice report card to fill out.

So I guess I need a little hand-holding and reassurance. Do you think my history plan will work?
Thanks!
Jennifer

guitarnan
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Posted: May 25 2011 at 9:36pm \| IP Logged

Jennifer, your plans sound great to me. This book does make a good read-aloud - that's how we used it for dd.

You could make up your own tests if you wish, or have your girls do reports/projects periodically...or both...

Maps are great for American history - map work really helps to visualize the Westward Expansion. (When I was in 8th grade I made a wood-burned map of the major pioneer trails to the Pacific...maybe I'm biased!)

(FWIW, I'm in the same boat (at 9th grade level) with history...someone needs to write a Catholic ancient history textbook that is new, visually rich and at the right reading level.)

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Grace&Chaos
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Posted: May 25 2011 at 10:43pm \| IP Logged

This was our spine for the year. My dd 11 enjoyed it very much. I had her start a BOC this year and that has worked well too. I just asked for oral narrations and once a week to check in with her BOC.

My approach to testing has been to have her write an essay at the end of our terms (this is includes an outline, draft and final paper). For example the first term she wrote about the American Revolution, the second term she wrote two (out of choice) Lewis & Clark and Western Frontier, this last one was on Slavery and the Civil War. By this last paper she has become a pro at outlines (thought process) and you can really see the connections between all her reading sources for history.

Overall I think this source is a good solid spine, especially for the grades you mentioned.

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motherheart
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Joined: May 24 2011
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Posted: May 26 2011 at 12:21am \| IP Logged

Hi Jennifer,

Yes, your plan sounds great. Each chapter has a test at the end. They also sell a teacher's manual to accompany the text which has the answers to the chapter tests, plus other quizes, and enrichment activities.

My son has enjoyed the first two texts very much. My daughter is finishing the first, and does not like it as much, but she is learning the material.

I, myself, like them.

Mary

Mom21
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Joined: June 10 2011
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Posted: Sept 14 2011 at 3:37pm \| IP Logged

My DS is in 5th grade and we are using From Sea to Shining Sea. I just ordered the workbook CD as I think it will help my son with comprehension. It is a great text but somewhat higher level for my kiddo. Has anyone used the workbook CD with this text? I was able to download chapters 1-3 from the Catholic Textbook Project website to give it a try before purchasing the CD and I did like it and so did my son.

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