Classical: First grade history-- which one?

[Savoir Faire]

So I finally have decided (after going back and forth) that we will do Classical Education for both kids, instead of doing CM for one and Waldorfy for the other. (We're going to alter it in places to help the child who might be a little bit more...uh....resistant.)

I've really enjoyed looking ahead, especially at geography and history, and seeing how everything will fit together.

Seeing the big picture is really helpful!

Anyway, I have been thinking about how we want to approach first grade history. We're doing the Greeks/Romans/Egyptians and I have considered Story of the World, Vol1. But...I am not sure if it is just TOO advanced for my kids.

I had also considered nixing SOTW and reading books such as "You wouldn't want to be cleopatra," "Black Ships Before Troy" and hopefully a few other kid-friendly classics.

Does anyone use both SOTW and other books, or does it make better sense to pick one or the other? I don't mind reading, but I'm just looking at all this material...and I can't be reading for five hours straight each day, as we'd also have plenty of other things we need to cover.

[MyLittleWonders]

We started SOTW vol. 1 when ds#1 was six. My then 4 year old ds#2 listened at times, but it was mostly directed at ds#1. We did a chapter or so a week (usually read a chapter in one sitting on the couch in the afternoon), and then on other days we would read something else related. I kept it pretty light the first year; it wasn't until ds#1 was 2nd grade that we started doing some mapwork and/or copywork/narration based on the week's reading.

[CariOfOz]

We're History Odyssey users It uses SOTW as one of it's spines, but my kids aren't loving the stories honestly... they find some of them boring, so usually I preread and pick the interesting parts to share with them We DEFINITELY use other books though, this year I'm planning to get a few 'Horrible Histories' to try out with them, and I go to the library and pick interesting books to go along with.

[natashaccat]

we use History Odyssey also and like it a lot. That being said, it's taken us over a year to get 1/2 way through and much of the suggested reading can be a bit over the head of a 1st grader, either too long for her attention span or a bit more violent than DDs was prepared for. History is bloody business, you need to be prepared to discuss war, religion, social injustice etc...

In retrospect, I feel that I jumped the gun in starting classical history so early. I really should have continued with this one: Celebrating Our Diversity: Using Multicultural Literature to Promote Cultural Awareness and also worked more on geography.



Here is a link to Celebrating Our Diversity, it's free to download the text.
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal...accno=ED397430

[theretohere]

We have SOTW 1 and started it at the beginning of the year. We didn't stick with it- for now it was too much. Instead we're studying topical history topics as they come up through the year. We'll restart SOTW 1 next year I think when DD1 is 6.

[Savoir Faire]

Thanks--- I'm thinking I might do SOTW when the second "round" of history comes up.

For now, I think I'm going to go with some of Usborne's books on Egyptians, Castles, Knights and such....with some other reading thrown in.

Thanks again!!

[CariOfOz]

Originally Posted by natashaccat

we use History Odyssey also and like it a lot. That being said, it's taken us over a year to get 1/2 way through and much of the suggested reading can be a bit over the head of a 1st grader, either too long for her attention span or a bit more violent than DDs was prepared for. History is bloody business, you need to be prepared to discuss war, religion, social injustice etc...

I do agree that some of the reading is a bit more involved than most kids that age can sit through, We pick and choose a couple and definitely don't try to do them all (even IF we could find them all here!) The kids love the activities and maps that come with it though... even my K, 5yo wants to do the maps and history pockets along with his brother. And he's picked up a fair bit of info from it too!

Here is a link to Celebrating Our Diversity, it's free to download the text.
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal...accno=ED397430

Oh that looks interesting! off to have a geek because I DO have a 3rd grader

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by natashaccat

we use History Odyssey also and like it a lot. That being said, it's taken us over a year to get 1/2 way through and much of the suggested reading can be a bit over the head of a 1st grader, either too long for her attention span or a bit more violent than DDs was prepared for. History is bloody business, you need to be prepared to discuss war, religion, social injustice etc...

In retrospect, I feel that I jumped the gun in starting classical history so early. I really should have continued with this one: Celebrating Our Diversity: Using Multicultural Literature to Promote Cultural Awareness and also worked more on geography.



Here is a link to Celebrating Our Diversity, it's free to download the text.
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal...accno=ED397430

I thought I would share this link:

http://www.culturecottage.com/





and ask -- is this the book that they link you gave is to ...

http://www.amazon.com/Celebrating-Ou...2482127&sr=8-1

maybe you can't tell, i can't. so the link you were able to share is 3rd to 6th -- you used one that was kindy or 1st level??

[natashaccat]

Originally Posted by Momma Aimee

I thought I would share this link:

and ask -- is this the book that they link you gave is to ...

http://www.amazon.com/Celebrating-Ou...2482127&sr=8-1

maybe you can't tell, i can't. so the link you were able to share is 3rd to 6th -- you used one that was kindy or 1st level??

Celebrating Our Diversity Grade K-2 (Paperback)

This is the one that I used...

I like this one and History Oddesy so much that I'm alternating between the two...it gets kinda nutty with to many projects going on at once but I just couldn't choose one over the other.