Any thoughts of Streams of Civilization?

[mcmom4]

I was reading SWB article on Why Writing Programs Don't Work and was encouraged again about what to do with my middle schoolers....at least until she comes out with a Writing with Ease for their age! In earlier writings she recommends Outlining with Kingfisher History Encyclopedia. After reading reviews of this, I'm not sure about that one.
I looked into SoC to use as a history spine, but also to use in outlining.
Any thoughts on this book? :confused:
TIA!

[Leah]

The text is rather light on info in some areas and its writing style is on the dry side. I think it does have a place as a spine in a course that includes a lot of living books and reading of all kinds to round it out.

[Beth in Central TX]

I switched to Streams of Civilization Vol I this year with my older boys, and I rather like the book. We look up and/or discuss the vocabulary words in front of the chapter. Then my boys read the chapter, take notes, and do mapwork (from Knowledge Quest Maps). I have them take the test and do one of the projects listed for the chapter. We did read through Story of the Ancient World also, which was a more engaging text.

Instead of outlining someone else's work, I now have my boys take notes when they read through textbooks: http://www.nwlg.org/pages/resources/knowitall/studyskills/notes4.htm They still outline, but it's to organize their own thoughts for a composition.

[HollyDay]

We are using Streams vol 1 to supplement SOTW vol 2 and I will use Streams vol 2 to supplement something next year. Yes, it is dry but the content to excellent. It is not "babyish" as I think a great deal of SOTW is becoming. No flames please - SOTW seems to be geared toward younger students. Streams is geared more toward High School. Frankly, my 6th grader just doesnt like the story line of SOTW "Imagine you are on a magic carpet. . . ." She finds it talking down to her. But, Streams is a bit too dry (again, geared toward high school). So, I glean the info from the 2.

Know any program that covers what SOTW covers, isnt expensive and will appeal to a Jr High student? I looked at TruthQuest but that seems to focus on US History and I want World and US.

[Melissa H. in GA]

He is enjoying SoC 1 so much this year. We are supplementing it with living books and some projects that are listed in the front of each chapter.
Just so you know, he is in grade 9.

HTH,

Melissa

[Kathie in VA]

I'm debating between using Streams of Civ II or the Guerber books from Christin Miller for my rising 7th and 8th graders. We'll be reading Story of the Ren/Ref next month and could do Story of the 13 Colonies and Story of the Great Republic next year. (I already have these books, I don't have SoC yet.) I was considering Truthquest or TOG but don't think I'll go those routes as they would take too long. I'm hoping to complete our history cycle next year (& stay close to my rising 3rd grader who will be doing Am Hist w/Classical Conversations-Foundations). However both TQ and TOG offer guidance to see biblical threads in history, I don't think I'll get that with just the Guerber books... and I know I won't see that without help. Eventhough the Guerber books are written from a Christian they are just a narrative of history, not commentary on it. So I was wondering, does Streams of Civ offers this type of commentary?

tia

[Beth in Central TX]

Eventhough the Guerber books are written from a Christian they are just a narrative of history, not commentary on it. So I was wondering, does Streams of Civ offers this type of commentary?

Yes, Streams of Civ Vol I has biblical commentary. It was heavier at the beginning of the book. Right now we are reading chapter 6, "Classical Greece and Hellenization" which is 22 pages long. This chapter has 2 blue additional information boxes with biblical commentary, one on Esther and one on Daniel. I don't remember any commentary in the chapter text itself.