Is SOTW2 enough for a 6th grader?

[Pajama Mama]

Ds10 had gone through SOTW 1 & 2 in 1st-2nd gr. He then tried a yr in ps and then came home again. We did some American History in 4th. Dd is in 1st gr this yr so I pulled out the SOTW CDs bought some new activity pages for her(and 5th gr) and started the ancients. I panicked thinking SOTW wasn't enough for a 5th grader--so I bought TOG Redesigned. I really like it but I don't think I used it that much to justify buying TOG2 in the fall. I already have the SOTW2 CDs and I just bought the activity guide--I also ordered 2 sets of activity pages.

Is SOTW2 enough for a 6th grader? Ds(who will be 11) loves the CDs, the map pages and some activities. He still remembers things from 1st gr that he heard on the CDs:) I supposed I can just add some reading books from TOG2 or SL for his age group. Ds has Asperger's which tends to make him less mature than his actual age. Maybe that's why he isn't bored with SOTW.

Has anyone used justSOTW with an older kid? It would certainly make life easier if they were using only one program. They are both in a cyberschool that provides "history" books. Those books are so dry but we do read them. I can't imagine another year with SOTW, TOG and the CS's history books.

I'd love to hear how others have kept SOTW interesting for the older kids. Thanks for reading.

Nancy

[5wolfcubs]

I did TOG Yr 1 this year also, but haven't purchased TOG Yr 2. My current plan is to use SOTW 2 w/ the tests for my dd who will be in 6th grade.

I'm planning to get her Nothing New Press's Story of the Middle Ages and Story of the Ren/Ref (think those are the titles) to read through and maybe outline or narrate or something from. This would be equivalent to the additional history you're doing w/ the charter school. And she'll read a lot of historical fiction from the library.

So, I can't say I've just used SOTW w/ an older child, but that is my basic plan!

[ncmomo3]

I am doing it with a 7th and I also use it very closely with Kingfisher and Usborne. I also incorporated History Scribe sheets(they have been nice for variety) for extra emphasis on certain topics. It is going very well.

[HollyDay]

I dont think so. I am using it in 6th but supplementing with SOC, readers, MOH vol 2, Gruebers, and various other sources.

[KathyBC]

... starting SOTW 1 again in 7th grade. I plan to add in some SL titles and IEW Ancient History, along with the maps from the AG.

I can't imagine another year with SOTW, TOG and the CS's history books.

Yup, that sounds like too much. If he loves it and remembers it, then go for it!

[runningirl71]

My DS listened in on the SOTW reading ( dd was in 3rd grade at the time), did the maps and activities, but I also had him outlining the coordinating pages (that are in the activity book) of the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia. He is a voracious reader, so he did a lot of the suggested titles out of SOTW and WTM as well. I also had him doing a book list for literature, which tied in well to history. I think it was enough! I've seen that not having something REALLY overwhelming created a love for history.

He also outlined the Kingfisher for ancients as well when he was in 5th grade. We put him in a classical school for 7th but had to pull him out, and now he will be reading SOTW 3 and 4 and outlining the Kingfisher. I did buy SL core 7 to help me plan since I had to scramble for books at the last minute. I am excited though and I know he will enjoy it.

HTH!

[Kelli in TN]

We did SOTW 2 with a 6th grader, and in fact he is doing SOTW 3 this year and will do SOTW 4 next year as an 8th grader.

I think it needs a good bit of supplementing but that is easily done with library books. I do use Kingfisher along with it. It is laid out so well, that it is hard to go wrong with it!

[Cornerstone Classical]

I was actually thinking of doing SOTW in grades 4-6 and doing the Kingfisher w/outlining as suggested in the WTM with the reading lists suggested also in the book. So some of you are doing this?? And it's working well???


TIA

[Pajama Mama]

Sorry, I took so long to respond. We were out spending some of our tax refund:willy_nilly: I'm glad to hear others have used SOTW successfully with an older child. I will definitely need to supplement alot for him. He does enjoy reading history books(except the one from the cyberschool:rolleyes: ) So I will plan out books to go with each chapter. I may also look into Runkle's Geography for him. He loves the map work from SOTW but it's pretty easy for him. We'll see...

Thank you all for talking me out of spending the money for TOG2 Redesigned. I think I'll plan on using TOG for 9th gr when we do the ancients again.

Nancy

[AngieW in Texas]

My Aspie was in 4th grade when we did SOTW1. I tried supplementing up from SL Core 1 for her and her 1st grade sister, but it was way too much work. The next year I did the 2nd half of Core 6 over a full year for my 5th and 2nd graders.

My Aspie especially enjoyed the Foster books that SL added to beef up the level. My other two girls liked the Foster books okay, but my Aspie LOVED them.

In your case, I would use SOTW2 and look at pulling in any of the SL books scheduled for Core 6 that look interesting to you and are easy for you to get hold of.

I like having a plan to follow, but I know that not everybody does.

[ArwenA]

We don't use just SOTW but with supplemental books it works well for the logic years. I'm starting to like TOG less the more I look at it and LOVE SOTW so I think we'll be continuing this.

[runningirl71]

I was actually thinking of doing SOTW in grades 4-6 and doing the Kingfisher w/outlining as suggested in the WTM with the reading lists suggested also in the book. So some of you are doing this?? And it's working well???
TIA

Yes, I thought our year last year was very successful. The SOTW activity guide has extensive fiction and non fiction reading lists in each chapter. The geography maps could be tweaked to challenge an older student as well. And, some of the activities suggested are just as fun with the older as with the younger. It just takes some time to plan it out and coordinate the literature/non-fiction readings with the chapter you're doing with SOTW, making sure your library has what you want. I have been able to find a majority of the books listed in the activity book at the library. I heistate to buy literature new b/c what I think my child may like, doesn't always work out. So, I would write out a list of books and then let my older student pick the ones he was interested in. Also, we did three or four biographies that I had him write reports on. I know that it doesn't seem like it could be a complete program on its own, and last year I kept wondering if we were doing enough, but at the end of the year I looked over my son's work/portfolio and it seemed like we covered a lot! We did a history notebook with the topics suggested in TWTM and that worked out well, I thought. Programs that are all put together for me or a little stifling to me. I like having the flexiblity to plan my own program, but I like the guidelines from TWTM and extensive book lists, to give me a base to work from.

[matermagistra]

...doesn't Sonlight use SOTW in some of their higher cores? I think it would be fine to use as a spine. Check out TruthQuest History, too. They list TONS of books by topics that could supplement it.