Well, I thought I had our history and literature set for 9th grade

[Deece in MN]

I was talking to my dh a couple days ago about this next year for our ds who will be in 9th grade. I mentioned following the classical 4-year sequence for history/literature. He stated that he would really like us to follow the more traditional high school sequence of American History, World History and Civics/Government.

So, I started looking at some other options. My Sonlight catalog arrived a few days ago so I looked at that and am somewhat considering Core 100 (1 year Am. History course). The more I think about it, I am not sure this is what I want. We have done some SL cores over the years and honestly we have yet to finish one completely. We like the books and read those (most of them anyway), but the main history portion just doesn't seem to work for us.

What are some other options? Should I look at doing a condensed version of years 3 & 4 of the WTM sequence to cover Am. History? Along with that, pick and choose from WTM list of literature selections?

I thought about Lightning Lit. American Literature, but would I just use 1 level or can both be done in 1 year (I haven't looked at this closely so I am not sure how long they are intended to take)?

Then I thought about focusing more on Science and Math and in that case I could just put together a simpler/lighter American History study that would include history/geography and literature, but not have it be the focus like it would if I used Sonlight or some other literature heavy program.

I have our science, math, foreign language, p.e., and grammar/writing all set (I think that is everything) so I am just a bit stuck on history and literature.

Thanks for reading and any advice is greatly appreciated. :)

[Sharon in MD]

intense history side of things. I wanted to follow a more WTM kind of plan, but that was definitely not something that our son was interested in pursuing. So, we went a more text book oriented route and our son has liked that better.

We used BJUP for Geography in 9th grade, took 10th grade off from social studies and have used Notgrass this year for American History. We combined Notgrass, just the history portion, with the Teaching Co. The History of the United States (2nd ed). We did not use Notgrass for lit, although that had been my original plan, because ds had a chance to take Am Lit through our oversight academy with a group of other kids.

I've heard a lot of folks say that they feel like the way Notgrass handles the lit is not meaty enough in the analysis area, because he basically just assigns the books to be read. I was planning to supplement that area with a couple (3 or 4) of the lit guides from another source like progeny or one of the others.

We've been happy with BJUP for Geography and I was going to go with them for AM. History too, but then I ran into Notgrass and really liked it better...so here we are. We are planning to make up our own for next year, 1 Semester of Ancients and 1 Semester of Ren/Ref is what ds said he'd like to do. We won't do a separate lit class because he will be taking a major composition class through the oversight, which I already know will be really demanding.

Anyway, I hope this helps a little.

[LisaNY]

Well, here in NY the "traditional" sequence is World History for 9th/10th grade, American History for 11th, and then Civics/Gov't/Economics in 12th.
(My dd has been in ps since 10th gr)

She has elected to take two CC courses through the high school for 12th.
She's taking Economics and Gov't and English.

[Deece in MN]

I appreciate the responses.
We are going to our state hs conference in a few weeks and I will look at what some of our options are. I am just trying to get some idea of a direction to go beforehand so I can make good use of my time while there. I haven't given much thought to a textbook approach, but I will add that to the list of options.
It is funny how different states (even different districts) schedule classes. I was looking at our local high school class list and they show physical science as the standard for 9th grade and biology for 10th. I was a bit taken back by that as I have always been familiar with biology for 9th, chemistry for 10th and physics for 11th with an advanced science for 12th depending on future plans as far as college.
Anyway, thanks. :)

[Denise in NE]

I was looking at our local high school class list and they show physical science as the standard for 9th grade and biology for 10th. I was a bit taken back by that as I have always been familiar with biology for 9th, chemistry for 10th and physics for 11th with an advanced science for 12th depending on future plans as far as college.
Anyway, thanks. :)[/QUOTE]

This has happened here also. As a former public school teacher married to a current public school teacher, I keep up on all the "latest" (even though we home school ourselves). I believe that school systems in our state are requiring 3 rather than 2 sciences in order to graduate; thus physical science (the "easiest") has been moved to 9th grade.

Denise in NE

P.S. We have been doing Sonlight history for 9th grade, but plan to move on to Notgrass for 10th grade. My plan is to have her complete the first half of Exploring World History (with additional resources for Greece and Rome) next year. I am throwing out the books (due to missing analysis) and using Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Literature instead. The following year, she will finish the text (with additional resources for the Middle Ages/Renaissance) and use Greenleaf Medieval Literature or LL Medieval/Shakespeare. Senior year will consist of Government/Economic courses with an as-yet-to-be-determined American Literature course. We have always studied Geography concurrently with our history studies. This is how WE will approach traditional sequencing - :P)!

[Margaret in CO]

Another thought--you might want to do government this fall due to the election. We're still debating...

[JFS in IL]

the kids may do European and/or World History anytime*, American History is required as an 11th grade course, with a semester each of Civics and Economics in 12th. So if you did stay with classical four-yr - you would not be far off the common high-school series anyway. in fact, you'd probably be getting your kid MORE history than a public school kids, as only the 11 and 12th grade courses are required here.

* kids do not have to take either of these if they do not care to to graduate in Illinois.

[Laurel-in-CA]

Ha, not here in CA. Here phys. sci is normally 8th grade and if you take it in high school (even with a lab) the school will count it as an elective. Lovely to find this out after the fact with our charter!