Need help with history curriculum for 11th grader....

[momof2boys]

I am starting to plan for my sons 11th grade year. Last year for 10th grade history we used ABeka. It was easy and since I was working full time it fit the bill. However, I am no longer working and would like to branch out with history(sons favorite subject) but there are so many choices. I am thinking about Sonlight, Biblioplan,TOG, Paul Johnsons A History of the American People to name a few. I have even thought about using the WTM suggestions. Would love to get others opinions on the above mentioned curriculums/books. Also how do you add in papers for them to write about? DO you use a prepared literature program or something else? I would also love it if you all could expand on your literature program with your highschoolers.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read and respond!!
:confused: :001_smile:

[kathleen]

Tapestry of Grace, Paul Johnson, and WTM are all wonderful ways to go. I am not familiar with Biblioplan enough to make a judgment, and though I have used Sonlight in earlier years, I'm not keen on their upper level history.

With TOG, there is a writing plan built in, so you wouldn't need to add in papers--they're already added in. With Johnson's book, you need to read ahead and prepare writing assignments, discussion questions, and exams. I am doing that right now for Johnson's book Modern Times, as I will be teaching 20th C history and literature next year. It's somewhat of an arduous process for me, but I'm learning a lot and really enjoying it! I am developing a literature program, too, though I'm certainly not doing anything from the ground up. I will be using lots of othe resources--Sparks Notes, Progeny Press Guides, and some others. Again, with TOG, this is already done for you.

I have to say that I really love Paul Johnson's books, and highly recommend his A History of the American People for a study of American history (using other sources as well--primary sources especially).

[Raders Fan]

We used Paul Johnson's History of the American People. I didn't worry about creating tests. I knew he was doing the reading, and he has something close to a photographic memory. He read several works from the WTM list and wrote papers on them. (Edmund Burke's Taxation of the American People, Communist Manifesto, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Crime and Punishment, The Gettysburg Address, Team of Rivals, Theodore Rex, and The Great Influenza. There were probably others, but I can't remember them offhand. He also entered a few essay and oratorical contests, most of which had US history or government themes. Then he took the AP. He got a 3 on it, which was fine. We didn't do any prep for it.

Jennifer

[Love2Smile]

How about Notgrass, many people at the Sonlight boards use it for Highschool history, ive considered it myself when I get there