Suggestions for 7th grade history middle ages/reformation

[Suzybearybake]

We planned on using BJU's world History program, but it seems to cruise through history from the renaissance to current history in one year. It doesn't take the time to really cover anything well. I can't afford to spend hundreds on a new program at this point. We have already been through all of the Story of the World books and have used the Greenleaf Famous Men series. We did ancients last year on our second round through and would like to continue chronologically if possible. I do not want to go the Beautiful Feet route. I already have alot of the literature that I want to use I just need a spine to keep me on track. My oldest is going to start Omnibus, but this one is not ready to jump in with him at this point. I looked at Mystery of History 2 and from what I was told it seems to be similar to what I am looking for except not quite covering the same time period that I need. Does anyone have any curriculum suggestions that I should check out? I have the Speivogel Western Civilization and Human Odyssey texts already but no answer key for the text and no idea what to do for quizzes or tests. Where would one get them? Are they even available?

[cajun.classical]

We planned on using BJU's world History program, but it seems to cruise through history from the renaissance to current history in one year. It doesn't take the time to really cover anything well. I can't afford to spend hundreds on a new program at this point. We have already been through all of the Story of the World books and have used the Greenleaf Famous Men series. We did ancients last year on our second round through and would like to continue chronologically if possible. I do not want to go the Beautiful Feet route. I already have alot of the literature that I want to use I just need a spine to keep me on track. My oldest is going to start Omnibus, but this one is not ready to jump in with him at this point. I looked at Mystery of History 2 and from what I was told it seems to be similar to what I am looking for except not quite covering the same time period that I need. Does anyone have any curriculum suggestions that I should check out? I have the Speivogel Western Civilization and Human Odyssey texts already but no answer key for the text and no idea what to do for quizzes or tests. Where would one get them? Are they even available?

If all you are looking for is a spine, then how about Geurber's Story of the Middle Ages and THe Story of the Renaissance and Reformation. I think these would be great for 7th grade and you can fill in with the other books that you've already picked out. If you are looking for a little more, consider Truthquest Middle Ages. It schedules the Geurber books and will give you commentary for discussion as well. These are not expensive at all.

[RhondaM.]

If all you are looking for is a spine, then how about Geurber's Story of the Middle Ages and THe Story of the Renaissance and Reformation. I think these would be great for 7th grade and you can fill in with the other books that you've already picked out. If you are looking for a little more, consider Truthquest Middle Ages. It schedules the Geurber books and will give you commentary for discussion as well. These are not expensive at all.

Guerber's Story of the Middle Ages and Truthquest Middle Ages is what we did this year.

The Guerber books are just fantastic. In the back there are suggestions for fiction and non-fiction for each chapter of Guerber. You can easily add in map work. We used Knowledge Quest maps for that.

TQ is very nice...love their commentary and the fact that around here the commentary made for great conversation starters. It gave us a jumping off spot for discussions that otherwise might not have happened....but you don't need it if you are trying to get things done cheaply.

[Beth in Central TX]

My oldest used Story of the Middle Ages this year. I didn't know that Truthquest scheduled the Geurber books though, so that probably would have been helpful.

I'm going to use the Western Civ text along with Omnibus I next year. Wadsworth has some great on-line resources including quizzes for this series: http://www.wadsworth.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20bI&discipline_number=21&product_isbn_issn=0534600069 I'm using an older version, but I did call to get the teacher's manual from the publisher.

HTH!

[Lynnatbeach]

I can't afford to spend hundreds on a new program at this point. We have already been through all of the Story of the World books and have used the Greenleaf Famous Men series. . I already have alot of the literature that I want to use I just need a spine to keep me on track. Does anyone have any curriculum suggestions that I should check out?

Yes! Check out Konos unit Studies.
Each unit study focuses on a character trait, and the unit on "Obedience "covers the time period you are interested in.
"Obedience provides for 9-18 weeks of science, history, literature, art, music, and Bible in a fun, hands-on teaching style. This 200-page unit was expanded from 30 pages from the original Volume I of KONOS. The Obedience (http://www.konos.com/elemcurriculum/obedience.htm) curriculum includes units on Properties of Light and Authority, Kings and Queens and Horses and is one of our most popular units ever as children give reports on Medieval kings and queens, read The Door in the Wall, build a walk through castle, have a jousting tournament and finish the unit with a fabulous Medieval Feast."
When we studied this unit, my dd made a light house, the castle, designed costumes and planned the menu and entertainment for our Medieval Feast, that also included a craft market fair, ( the kids bartered with trade goods they had made), along with a research paper on a King Richard. She also learned about composers, scientists and artists, made a stained glass window art, and so much more!There are several literature suggestions, so you have the flexibility to choose books appropriate for your son's age and interests. This unit study made history come alive, and made our home school an adventure!