Chronological History Plan
American History (Exploring America, Colonies)
2nd yr- World History Overview (Middle Ages, 50BC-AD1500)
American History (Revolutionary War)
3rd yr- World History Overview (Renaissance/Reformation/Revolutions,1500-1920)
American History (Pioneers, Civil War, Native American Indians)
4th yr- World History and American History Merge (Modern History, 1920-2000)
British History
5th yr- Non-European Continents and Cultures
British History
6th yr- World History in Depth (Ancients, Creation-AD500)
7th yr- World History in Depth (Middle Ages 500-1400)
8th yr- World History in Depth (Renaissance/Reformation/Exploration 1400-1600)
9th yr- World History in Depth (American & French Revolutions 1700-1800)
10th yr- World History in Depth (American Civil War, Victorian Age 1800-1900)
11th yr- World History in Depth (Modern History 1900-today)
We study world history in chronological order. The first four-year cycle begins with a brief overview of ancient history. This is where I differ somewhat from Charlotte Mason methodology. She did not include biblical readings with history but studied it separately. I want my children to realize that the Bible is a valid historical record of the Hebrews (and other early civilizations) and so, have included it in our study of ancient history.
At the same time we study American history and the two studies (world and American) merge in year four with the 20th century. Meanwhile, in year four and five, the student studies British history, which is really a study of our own ancestry. By this time, the students are making daily connections with the literature readings and their excitement is truly a joy to behold.
In year five we take a break from the chronological study of history and study non-European cultures. The focus is on geography as well. We loosely follow Sonlight’s year five booklist; but you will see that I have made quite a few changes, and additions.
The World history cycle starts over in year six with Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. And in year seven the student continues the study of world history by moving on to medieval times using many original sources..
I believe Charlotte Mason’s educational theory is a classical model of education but 'pre-Dorothy Sayers.' If you would like to read more about this, I highly recommend the following sources as starting points:
Norms and Nobility by David Hicks
Reforming Education by Mortimer Adler
Karen Glass’ article about classical education and Charlotte Mason found at:
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/morecharlotte.php
Archives of the CMseries yahoo group-look up classical and Karen Glass
ssical and Karen Glass
Linda,
ReplyDeleteIf you have a chance, I'd love to know what books you use in your history rotation.
Thanks,
Sonia
Sonia, my booklists are located on my sidebar under Our Curriculum. Each year will have the history books listed.
ReplyDeletehth,
linda
Got it, Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSonia
This is our first year using AO (yr 2 & 4 for 3rd/5th grade), but I like your history scope & sequence much better. We are planning on adding Old Testament History, but I see you start it with year one.
ReplyDeleteMy question is since this is our first year using the CM method and AO, do you recommend starting both of my dd's (3rd/5th) in yr1 with current yr1 assigned books or follow the scope & sequence for yr1 and assign individual books (same history period) to their individual level of reading?
I just want to say that you have an awesome website and very informative! I've gleaned and learned so much from your website.
Thank you for sharing your heart, experiences and knowledge.
May the Lord bless you richly!
Sharon Nelson
Topeka, KS
Sharon, I'm not sure I understand your question. Did you complete AO years 2 and 4 and now wanting to backtrack to AO year 1? If you are talking about AO's curriculum, I suggest you ask the ladies on the Ambleside board. I've lost track of what they are now doing and probably the AO moms who have used their curriculum are better qualified to answer that question If you're referring to mine, please let me know. I'm just not sure what you are asking
ReplyDeleteI apologize for not being clear.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't started school yet. We are planning to start on 9/4 and I was planning to use AO Yrs 2 & 4 for my 3rd & 5th grader. As I was looking thru your history scope and sequence, I liked yours better plus I thought of possibly consolidating the girls and having them study the same time period except have each girl study / read books at their own level (my 3rd grader still needs me to read to her and still working on her speed and words - my 5th grader is an avid reader). I thought it would simplify my teaching a little since I have a 12th grader that I want to spend some quality time with also.
I guess my question would be if I wanted to teach your yr1 history sequence, would that be too easy for my 3rd/5th grader? Or is it more realistic to have each dd start in their own years using your S&Sequence?
I hope the question makes sense.
God bless!
Sharon Nelson
Well Sharon, personally I wouldn't have my fifth grader do year 1. This Country of Ours would be appropriate, but the other books, although interesting, would not stretch him. I think this is extremely important.
ReplyDeleteI would start him in year four then he could begin British History at the beginning and concentrate on the 20th century as well. He doesn't have to do CHOW (too easy) because in year 6 World history begins again with more difficult books.
If you decide to begin your younger child with a lower year, your oldest could listen in on the US history readings from THIS COUNTRY OF OURS if he hasn't had any American history.
That's what I would do, but I don't know your children or family situation so take it with a grain of salt.
Warmly,
Thank you so much for sharing your history Scope. It was extrememly helpful to see how much you do. I tend to overload and want to avoid that as my son is only 6. I really liked seeing the order in which you're planning it. Thank you so much for sharing. Your blog comes highly recommended and respected. Blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteSuzy
You are most welcome, Suzy!
ReplyDeleteWhere would you suggest I start history next year--We have studied SOTW first book our first year of HS, and now have studied American History for the last one and a half years using truthquest. I am panicking a little because my oldest, 4th grade son, will be in 5th next year, and we haven't done an overview of world history yet. Your guide suggests starting in-depth world history in year 6. I have a 7 year old daughter, in 2nd grade currently, and we study history all together. How would I need to modify things?
ReplyDeletejbbllang,
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could have your son begin reading CHOW on his own. Just begin during Medieval times and skip the ancients since he has studied them. Meanwhile, he could continue studying US history with you and your daughter if you wish or do it on his own.
Your daughter could begin the Year 2 history next year. She would study the Medieval times (but slower than her brother since he is older and needs to complete CHOW in one year-that shouldn't be too difficult at all. It's much easier than SOTW)and also continue with US history using TCOO or another book of your choice.
DOes that make sense to you? If I am unclear let me know.
You were very clear. And it seems really do-able too. It took me a minute to figure out TCOO, but I did, and we have that book already! Thanks so much for your time and all the info you have shared. I know from your latest message, that you have been very busy lately.
ReplyDeleteHi, Linda...
ReplyDeleteI have been pouring over your site for a couple of weeks now, and I have learned so much! Thank you for sharing all of this!
My oldest daughter, age 7, has just completed AO's Year 1. My youngest, age 5, will be starting Kindergarten this year.
I am very intrigued by your History scope, and I've really been trying to figure out how to incorporate it into our schedule without having to do the same thing 2 years in a row. (Once for my oldest, then for my youngest.)
I was wondering if you thought it would be too much for my youngest if I combined them in History and started with Year 1 this year? Would the readings get too advanced for my little one? Would my oldest be missing out on something in Year 5 or so?
I really appreciate your thoughts on this!
Thank you, again, for this beautiful and most helpful site!
...kelli
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI love your website! I am trying to do History w/ all of my children, 4 school age, 7 all together. I am REALLY struggling w/ this. I need simple but am having a hard time figuring this out. I want to do American but am worried that my older girls won't get a good idea of Chronological History as they are in the 8th and 9th grades. I also worry about how to integrate the Bible as much as possible in the Old Test./Anciets study. We have timeline books and timeline figures. Some have said do NOT do American and World History at the same time. I would be very interested to hear what you or others think about the easiest way to do Bible/History together as a family w/ a wide range of children.
Thanks so much,
Kim
Kim,
ReplyDeleteWhat are the ages of your children? How have you homeschooled in the past? What history have they studied already? I need more info in order to be of some help.
Kelli,
I just found your question. I trust you found a suitable plan for your children
Hi,
ReplyDeleteMy chidren are 14, 13, 11, 8, 4, 3 and 7 months. We have not done "formal" history but my older girls, ages 14 and 13, have read A LOT of books, they love to read. My son, 11, does not care for it too much. We have been pretty relaxed, getting the basics done and reading lots of books.
I really want to do more in the way of a CM approach but need/want to combine History and Bible with all the children.
Anyway..I appreciate any and all advise.
Kim
Kim,
ReplyDeleteMy children have NEVER mixed up US and World history. They are SO different from each other in respect to culture, dress, people, etc... I wouldn't worry about doing two strains of history.
Here's a suggestion:
You could have your oldest 2 children study World History from the beginning including Biblical History on their own. My year 6 booklist does this. Look at my curriculum page to find this. Maybe you could look at it and pick and choose what you want. The Geurber books on the Greeks and Romans are perfect for that age. They could begin timeline notebooks to help keep it all straight in their heads.
Meanwhile, you could begin studying US history with ALL your children by reading aloud a text such as This Country of Ours and adding some age appropriate biographies and historical fiction. Look at my booklists or Ambleside's for book ideas.
They can take turns narrating and using the red and blue bead concept or creative narration jar. I have written about this extensively. Look at my categories under 'Narration' if interested.
hth,
lindafay
Let me know if this isn't clear.
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteFirst off let me say that I am absolutely thrilled to have found your site. What a breath of fresh air! Thankyou for all the time and love you have put into sharing all that you have!
Currently, I am doing AO with my 9 & 7 yr. old. I am following Yr.2 and having us all doing our reads/narrations together. (I also have two other younger ones that choose to listen in occasionally)
After looking through your Scope/Sequence I really like your plan so much better. And seems to be more of what I've been wanting to implement.
My question is: I feel a bit overwhelmed with the thought of having all my children studying a different time period. What would be your input on how to study together and what Year (of yours) to start in? How would it work for me to do some of the reads outloud and then figure out which books the older could read and do the same with the younger as well. (all studying in the same year?)
Thanks again for all your wonderful insight and help.
blessings,
Teri
Teri,
ReplyDeleteMy answer: I don't know. I stopped trying to put my children together since they were two, three and four years apart in age. The spread was just too much.
It doesn't mean you couldn't do it. You can go through the Ambleside booklists and my own and pick out age appropriate fiction and hist. fiction to go with your history choices and children's ages, but it would be a big job.
If you only have two children then it shouldn't be difficult having two years going. If you have more children in school, I would never recommend a mother read aloud to children in three different years, but usually the oldest child is mostly on his own at that point so you don't run into this problem.
I no longer keep up with AO's booklists so I don't know what your children have studied. Because of this, I can't really offer a year suggestion. Sorry :(
I would like to do world history with my 15yo, what do you suggest? I need to do this in one year. Also, my 12yo just finished American History, do you have any suggestion on what to do next?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteI suggest you begin in year 6 of my curriculum/booklist suggestions.
I need to know more about your fifteen year old's previous educational background in order to address that question.
Hi Lindafay,
ReplyDeleteI have four girls (one going into 11th grade in the fall, one going into 9th grade, one going into K, one preschooler). Last year was our first year using CM and we did AO year 7 (which is Middle Ages). I plan to use HUFI in the fall. I see the rotation will work out nicely for my 9th grader. I am concerned about my oldest not having enough time left schooling to complete the history rotation. She hasn't had a good American History in her highschool time. Any suggestions?
I appreciate any help.
Sincerely,
Cindy
I would have her use just one term to study the American and French Revolutions from year 9. You'd have to pick the most important books to read. Then immediately move her up to tenth year. Then she will have studied the Civil War era and Modern World History. You can look in the files at our forum for a suggested lighter load for years 9 and 10.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for sharing your wisdom. Sometimes it's the simple answer that eludes us. :)
Delete