April 14, 2009 3:17 PM
Homeschooling history recommendations?
From Michelle:
I'd like to ASK for a recommendation.Anyone know of a suitable children's read-aloud history book? I wanted to get either SWB's The Story of the World
or Hillyer's A Child's History of the World
, but I found so many really bad reviews of both. Not because they are Christian-based, either -- SotW was said to be full of historical inaccuracies, and the later chapters of Hillyer were said to be full of racist (anti-white) and environmental propaganda. Anyone know whether Gombrich's A Little History of the World
is as good as it looks?
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Comments
We have enjoyed Genevieve Foster's World of Columbus and Sons (and John Smith, Augustus Caeser's World, George Washington's World, Abraham Lincoln's World); anything by Jean Fritz, Mystery of History 1,2,3- the last volume is a beautiful hardcover with many beautiful illustrations/real artwork; and for older students- Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong.
Posted by: Susan T | April 14, 2009 5:29 PM
Kendra at Preschoolers and Peace recently wrote a review on different history curricula. Maybe it will be of help to you...
http://www.preschoolersandpeace.com/?p=589
Posted by: Nicki | April 14, 2009 6:48 PM
We love Story of the World, we are half way through Medieval Times, I find that it lines up pretty well with the supplements that I use (Kingfisher and Usborne) so I haven't noticed any inaccuracies, but I am not a history professor either. :) There are A LOT of options out there, good luck finding what works for you.
Amie :)
Posted by: Amie | April 14, 2009 7:17 PM
Amie, I am not an expert at history either, which is why I don't want to use SotW. I'm afraid that I won't know which things are incorrect, and teach them to my kids as though they are true.
Susan, thanks for the recommendation of MOH. I actually used that when my kids were younger and loved in. Unfortunately I sold my copy, and I wasn't sure I wanted to spend another $40 per volume. But it may be the best choice!
Posted by: Michelle Potter | April 14, 2009 8:01 PM
What age?
We have had our boys read lots of historical fiction by Henty. It rounds out textbooks well. There are plenty of historical facts in his stories. But the main character, always a young boy, is fictional.
We start with "The Cat of Bubastes," set in ancient Egypt. There are a lot more. "The Young Carthaginian" has been a favorite of all of them.
Posted by: Marie | April 15, 2009 3:18 AM
I too hopped over from bloglines to recommend Mystery of History... we're enjoying with my history-loving 1st grader, but it's targeted for 4th-8th grade, and has activities to even be expanded (for discussion and research) for high school students' participation.
The thing I love about it is the integrated biblical history with secular history, and unlike what I've heard about CHOW and SOTW, it maintains a perspective of biblical authority. We are greatly enjoying it, and it's broken up into 36 weeks of lessons, complete with quizzes & tests for those that would want that (I usually just talk through those with my little guy to gauge comprehension and retention).
Posted by: Jess @ Making Home | April 15, 2009 5:50 AM
I use both SOTW and CHOW - they are great for an overview of history in an interesting way - my children have loved them. They do not have a lot of "pith" but are great for just getting the overall flow of history. When the children are older we read "Christ the King Lord of History" which gives more of a Catholic world view.We supplement with living books for all of them
Posted by: Marilyn | April 15, 2009 8:20 AM
Another whole-hearted recommendation for Mystery of History!
Leslie
Posted by: Leslie | April 15, 2009 10:37 AM
I was using SOTW but have just become slightly disenfranchised... looking at the Phoenicians, SOTW makes a big deal about their glass blowing... and doesn't even mention that they invented the alphabet!
I really like how they weave different things together - inserting the story of Abraham and Moses so that children who have heard Bible stories have something to "hang" that knowledge on.
We supplement with Kingfisher Encyclopedias and internet lesson plans (I didn't purchase the SOTW activity book).
Be very, very careful of the unabridged G.A. Henty. It is SHOCKINGLY racist.
Posted by: Milehimama | April 15, 2009 10:44 AM
One more word about Bauer's SotW: After reading these comments, I looked for reviews online. I read the reviews at Amazon. Most of the comments were replies to one reviewer, who found SotW lacking. The criticisms seemed to be two-fold: 1) the history was occasionally vague, in generalities, and 2) Bauer seemed to confuse history with myth.
First, this is a beginner read-aloud history text, in story form, for 1st graders. I ignored the first criticism b/c of this. It seemed the reviewer wanted a more advanced text for her/his 6 yo.
Second, I suspect that critics who thought Bauer confused "history" with "myth" were actually affronted by her inclusion of Biblical history in her text. They deem the Bible, and its contents as "myth," and don't want it in their history texts. Granted, some homeschoolers are not Christians, but if they don't want a history book written by a Christian pastor's wife, they should go ahead and state their bias clearly.
Don't know if these impressions help, but thought I'd add them.
Posted by: mary kathryn | April 17, 2009 1:34 PM
SOTW does include myths and stories, but labels them as such. Mrs. Brauer does not label the stories found in the Bible as myth, though. For example, the story of Moses and the Exodus appears in the section on the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. The story of Abraham as the first monotheist appears towards the beginning.
I only have the 1st book so far, but I have been happy with it (omissions aside; OTOH, as mary kathryn pointed out, it is a basic elementary history, not a high school level text.)
Posted by: Milehimama | April 17, 2009 7:19 PM
Mystery of History is SO good! It is easy to use and the lessons are so very interesting for all ages! I just love that it is written strictly chronologically. Most world history books are mostly chronological, but somewhat "cultural." Not this one. My name and phone number are listed on the website if you happen to have questions about it. I have used volume 1 and 2 and we are almost done with volume 3.
Posted by: Tracy Adcock | April 18, 2009 1:11 AM
