1st history, not SOTW

[Targhee]

I am trying to decide on history (ancient) books for DD 1st grade next year. I would like to use a spine book for context, but use other books (picture, readers, easy chapter, read alouds, etc) for the depth. I was thinking of using Hillyer's "A Child's History of the World" or "A Little History of the World" (http://www.amazon.com/Little-History-World-E-Gombrich/dp/0300108834/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206684712&sr=1-1) by Gombrich as a spine text. I've also been making a list of other books to use for depth (there's a lot of great stuff out there!). But it is becoming a little overwhelming to make my idea a reality (creating a year long schedule of readings with corresponding supporting books). There has to be someone out there who has already done this!

Does anyone know of a good reading schedule/guide using either of these books as a foundation, and supplementing with lots of other great books (I know that Sonlight 1 uses Hillyer, but for other reasons I am not using Sonlight)?

Has anyone used either book for their ancient history? Likes and dislikes?

BTW: I am not using SOTW because I don't like the fictionalized character accounts (my DD is so concrete that she still has a hard time separating these stories of "let's pretend there was a child at this time, this is probably what he does" from actual history. To her the fictional child is as real as Alexander the Great).

[dalynnrmc]

I haven't used either of these, but we're using Mystery of History which has an excellent book list in the back that includes suggestions for younger/middle/older children with each lesson. We're also including some of the suggestions from SL Core6.

Can I ask if the reason you're not using Sonlight is because you aren't Christian (and/or don't want the Christian worldview in the history)? Mystery of History is also Christian, fwiw. Winter Promise (also Christian) has a setup similar to SL but uses MOH as its spine instead of SOTW, and I see it to be much easier to navigate (teacher-wise) than SL. I've not used it, only looked at it online, but I would purhcase it had I the money.

I have a spreadsheet of books we're using with ancient history to go along with the lessons for Mystery of History, that includes a lot of the MOH suggestions as well as several of the SL suggestions. (A few of them are the same.) I also have a .doc that has all of the suggestions in MOH. If you'd like either or both of these (even if you don't want to include the Christian worldview, the lists would be there), PM me your email and I will happily send them. :)

and welcome to the board! Where are you, to be up at this time? (Just curious. LOL)

[Chris in VA]

I've heard the Gombrich text is really for older kids--but my sil is intrigued by it for first grade, too, so go figure. Haven't seen it myself. It may be that some think it includes too much detail for first grade, idk.

May I ask a quick question? What is the difference between using SOTW, with its fictionalized character accounts, and using fiction books? Does your daughter know the characters in the picture/chapter books for supplemental reading aren't real? Just fyi, when I get to the few sections of SOTW that are like that, I always preface it by saying, now here's a story that tells us what someone's life may have been like. I think I know what you mean, about the way SWB just throws the accounts in there without the prefacing statements I would make. But I was just curious as to why you think it's different than reading a storybook.

[SS in MD]

Daylnnrmc,

We are considering using MOH 1 with my 3 older dds (12,10,7). How is your younger dc liking it? I looked at some samples of MOH, and am worried it might be over 7 yos head. Also, just wondering if we took the MOH path, would MOH 2 be too much for her the folowing year (I heard it's a lot of church history)... just wondering all these things! LOL!

Would you mind sharing the spreadsheet of books with me? I would be a great help...

Thanks for your post.

[vmsurbat]

It uses a spine, and lists readers in three age categories: K-2, 3-5, 6+ which gives you lots of options. I believe for the younger crowd it schedules SOTW (as it is the only book you listed targeted for that age group) but it should be easy to schedule in CHOW instead (the next book targeted for that age group). Paula's archives lists a number of SOTW/book x schedules. Personally I would not use MOH with a 1st grader (although I did *very much* enjoy using it with the targeted grades.) as I think there are far better resources for inspiring such young students with the heroes of history.

If I recall correctly, it also lists some timeline suggestions and a narration/writing question each week.

HTH,

[TwinMominTX]

with my 1st graders and they (and I) really enjoyed it. We were using Sonlight 1 (very loosely).

[WendyK]

I am trying to decide on history (ancient) books for DD 1st grade next year. I would like to use a spine book for context, but use other books (picture, readers, easy chapter, read alouds, etc) for the depth. I was thinking of using Hillyer's "A Child's History of the World" or "A Little History of the World" (http://www.amazon.com/Little-History-World-E-Gombrich/dp/0300108834/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206684712&sr=1-1) by Gombrich as a spine text. I've also been making a list of other books to use for depth (there's a lot of great stuff out there!). But it is becoming a little overwhelming to make my idea a reality (creating a year long schedule of readings with corresponding supporting books). There has to be someone out there who has already done this!

Does anyone know of a good reading schedule/guide using either of these books as a foundation, and supplementing with lots of other great books (I know that Sonlight 1 uses Hillyer, but for other reasons I am not using Sonlight)?

Has anyone used either book for their ancient history? Likes and dislikes?

BTW: I am not using SOTW because I don't like the fictionalized character accounts (my DD is so concrete that she still has a hard time separating these stories of "let's pretend there was a child at this time, this is probably what he does" from actual history. To her the fictional child is as real as Alexander the Great).

We have the Hillyer book. I tried it. DS didn't take to it at all. Too bad because I think it is a lovely book.

I use SOTW.

[Targhee]

Can I ask if the reason you're not using Sonlight is because you aren't Christian (and/or don't want the Christian worldview in the history)?
I use a state charter school to access funds to use for HSing, which means I can't use it to purchase any religious materials/integrated religious instruction. So yes, we are looking for a secular history program.

I have a spreadsheet of books we're using with ancient history ...
I'll PM you - this sounds great!

and welcome to the board! Where are you, to be up at this time? (Just curious. LOL)
Good question:tongue_smilie: West coast US. I should have been in bed. Staying up late is my Achilles heel.

[Targhee]

We have the Hillyer book. I tried it. DS didn't take to it at all. Too bad because I think it is a lovely book.

Why didn't your son like it? I actually haven't got to see CHOW yet.

[Targhee]

I've heard the Gombrich text is really for older kids
I checked it out from the library. I think it would work for my 1st grader. But I am wondering if the Hillyer is better?

What is the difference between using SOTW, with its fictionalized character accounts, and using fiction books? Does your daughter know the characters in the picture/chapter books for supplemental reading aren't real?
I am not planning on using fictional stories for supplemental books, rather factual accounts written for children. I will use fictional stories to study literature, and for pleasure read-alouds. For example I would use this (http://www.amazon.com/Cleopatra-Diane-Stanley/dp/0688154808/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206731471&sr=1-1)book about Cleopatra over this (http://www.amazon.com/Asterix-Cleopatra-Rene-Goscinny/dp/0752866079/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206731404&sr=1-5) book.

DD knows that some stories are made-up, and some are real. She has a hard time separating the elements of truth and fiction if they are in the same story. I found this out (unfortunately) after using a picture scripture book that had some "extra" (inconsequential) things added, which she now has cemented in her mind as part of the story. I am sure she will mature and develop the ability to separate fact and fiction, but for now I would like to make it easy to know what is accepted fact and what is fiction. I guess I could do as you, and preface those readings in question. Thanks for the suggestion. :001_smile:

[training5]

The Calvert School which publishes CHOW has a workbook for it and a computer CD. You might check it out on their website. www.calvertschool.org