Question about 6-7-8th grade history curricula as I prepare with/for more rigor....

[Janie]

Many of you know that I am now teaching in a private Christian school. Next year I am assigned all middle school (6th-7th-8th grade) history and English back to back. I can use the combined two periods anyway I like. And I have the option to change the curriculum. I want to be wise in my choices so that the students will be prepared for AP level history in their high school years. Right now, the academic level is abysmally low.

Currently, the history curriculum is Abeka NWH (6th), BJUP World Studies (7th), and BJUP American Republic (8th). I continue to push the move to classical education with some slow success. Though I really want to change to a classical-friendly classroom curriculum, I already have a lot of time and energy invested in preps from the Abeka NWH and BJUP World Studies from this year. I won't have the option of my old homeschooling days to change books whenever I want, so my choices will need to last a while.

Would you list your suggestions for curriculum at these grade levels that will prepare students with and for more rigor? Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!

[cajun.classical]

Janie,

For world history, how about Streams of Civilization? I've taught this at the junior high level several times and I really like it. It has a worldview focus which is great for discussion and essays and more rigorous analysis. But it's also a textbook so your school may be more comfortable with it. You can do both volumes in one year; although ideally I like to spend 2 years going more in depth, assigning a select few works to study in depth (history and literature). Maybe 6th World History One and 7th World History Two and 8th for American, if they want to keep that order. Streams of Civilization also has a very nice integrated timeline.

Since you've got that English class period as well it would very easy to line up some literature to go with your history.

I'm kind of in the reverse situation as you. I started out in the classroom and am now in the homeschool. I love the freedom of being to try new things much more easily.