So, if I loved SL for elem, but am considering sth meatier for high school???

[StephanieZ]

What are the best options?

I have really gotten the hang of SL cores and am happy with them thus far. My oldest will be in 8th gr next year and doing Core 7.

After that, it's high school time. . .

I am considering alternatives.

For high school history, I want her to focus on analyzing events as well as cataloging them. I want her to write analytical essays regularly (causes/effects/etc) as part of her studies . . . I want her to analyze what she reads as well (lit analysis). . .

What are some good history options for high school? I would continue to use SL for my younger children, so I don't want/need sth that lends itself easily to combining children. Sth that is mostly independent would be ideal. . .

Please, ladies, give me a list to research!!

TIA!

[GVA]

We're involved in Classical Conversation's Challenge Program and are happy with that at present, but if that falls through at some point, I'm thinking of either Ominbus online through Veritas Press or My Father's World.

We used Sonlight for years, but like you, I became convinced that we had to make a change. No regrets.

[AngieW in Texas]

I'm switching to Oak Meadow for high school history. I'm not sure about their English though.

[mom2paul]

Tapestry of Grace
Veritas Omnibus
Trisms
Beautiful Feet
Truthquest
Notgrass
Konos HOW
History Odyssey
WTM format

Just a few off the top... have fun! :)

[Lori D.]

For high school history, I want her to focus on analyzing events as well as cataloging them. I want her to write analytical essays regularly (causes/effects/etc) as part of her studies . . . I want her to analyze what she reads as well (lit analysis). . . What are some good history options for high school?

What history looks like here:
- we read aloud/discuss as we go
- we read excerpts from other non-fiction resources
- once every 3 weeks, they jot down 20 key timeline entries from the decade or time period we've been studying
- once every 6-9 weeks they write a longer paper (3-6 pages) on a topic from history
- they solo read historical fiction (some Sonlight titles)


What literature looks like here:
- usually falls within the time period we're studying, but not always
- I choose a list of classics, picking from various book lists: SL, WTM, Veritas, Omnibus, etc.
- we read aloud/discuss as we go
- we use questions from the first few chapters of The Well Educated Mind to help analyze
- we use study guides
- they write either short paragraphs from time to time in response to the literature, or a longer analysis at the end of the work

Now I'm just going to throw some past threads and some resource ideas/websites at you to help you with your research and thinking. Hope that is what you're looking for! :001_smile: Warmest regards, Lori D.


Past threads to help you think through the "big picture" of what you want high school history/lit. to look like:

- What are the Benefits of Doing The Great Books as Opposed to Traditional Route
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115693&highlight=history+literature

- What Have You Used for High School Literature Study
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113571&highlight=history+literature

- Great Books Study -- What Are You Using
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84380&highlight=history+literature


Literature programs we've used and liked:
- Windows on the World = http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/ILA-T
Christian; one semester; teaches annotation and analyzes 6 short stories; great section teaching how to write a literary analysis essay; see sample pages at www.rainbowresource.com, and possibly at www.christianbook.com

- Learning Language Arts Through Literature, Gold: American Literature = http://www.commonsensepress.com/gold.htm
Christian; one semester; covers 10 short stories, 3 novellas, the essay, and about a dozen poets; not in-depth, but there are some good questions and writing assignment ideas; see sample pages at www.christianbook.com


Literature Programs we haven't tried, but have heard good things about:
- Lightning Literature = http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/book/blight.asp
Christian; one semester long; with lots of writing assignment ideas

- Teaching the Classics = www.teachingtheclassics.com
Christian; teaches YOU how to guide literary analysis discussions



Literature guides we've found very helpful:
- Discovering Literature series, challenger level = http://garlicpress.com/cgi-bin/shop_gp.cgi?product=LITERATURE
secular; lit. guides from Garlic Press with chapter summaries, great discussion questions, great literary terms info and examples, great writing assignment ideas; can see sample pages at www.rainbowresource.com

- Progeny Press = www.progenypress.com
Christian; a little background; very small amount of literary analysis info; guided series of questions, often around Christian moral themes with comparisons to Scripture, a number of writing assignment ideas; can see sample pages at www.rainbowresource.com

- The Great Books = www.thegreatbooks.com
Christian; guided discussion through series of questions with worldview emphasis

- Spark Notes = www.sparknotes.com
secular; free online guides with lots of analysis on characters, themes, symbols, motifs, etc.

- Glencoe = http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/
secular; free online guides with lots of good background information, and some worksheets on comparing characters, tracing plot line, etc.