I'm looking to incorporate some American History/learning about the U.S. in our...

[A home for their hearts]

history studies next year. We are still on SOTW 1 and I know this will be covered in SOTW3 but I think it's important for my dc to learn a little about our country now. I've looked over American History Curriculum online and our library just doesn't have any of the books and it's seemed a little too invovled for what I'm looking for. I want something that is easy, perhaps just a read aloud that would lead us to dig deeper if we had the time.

[Cadam]

You could look at the MFW Adventures program. Even if you don't want the whole thing it will give you ideas of some fun books you might just read together.

[JenBlok]

We are also working through SOTW, but I felt that the kids needed to stay in touch with American History as well. I started with Abeka before discovering WTM, so I had alot of Abeka materials. Even though we went ahead with SOTW 1 starting last Jan 2007, we kept on working through the Abeka K, 1, 2, 3 Soc. Studies with my boys: Ds7 - read aloud K/1 student books, complete K workbook, worked through the Community Helpers and Children of the World sections also. Ds9 had already finished through America 2 acoording to the teachers guides... we went ahead with America 3 which is a compilation of biographies of famous Americans. He reads the chapter, writes a narration, reads a library book of that same person, and finally writes a narration based on that book. I feel they will have a working knowledge of American History to fulfill the state standad tests we take yearly. Abeka 4 is the text entitled "History of the U.S" This may be a great read aloud for a true chonological account without too much busy work...

HTH
Jennifer
Ds9, Ds7, Dd3
Abeka Lang Arts, Classical Writing alternating with Stack the Deck (Creative Writing), Evan-Moor Literature Pockets Series, SOTW, Apologia Elem. Science, Latin for Children, Math U See

[Linda in NE]

I opted to do American history in something of a piecemeal fashion knowing I could "connect the dots" later. Here's what I mean.

First, since SOTW1 covers ancient history, I found some books about ancient America and read them where they seemed to fit with SOTW1. For example, Suzanne Strauss Art has written a book about ancient America that would be a read aloud for your kids. It's targeted at a middle school read-alone level. Here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Times-Story-First-Americans/dp/0965655776/ref=pd_sim_b_title_3

There are many other books about ancient times in the Americas. This is just one example.

For more general knowledge about America (i.e., the United States) in more recent history, I chose to use holidays and other special days to highlight some aspect of American history. Thanksgiving and Presidents' Day are obvious ones -- pilgrims and short bios of Presidents Lincoln and Washington. Martin Luther King Day gives you an opportunity to talk a little bit about his life and times. Labor Day -- There really are books out there that talk about why we celebrate that holiday that you can easily relate to American history. Arbor Day is a big one for Nebraska history -- J. Sterling Morton's home is in Nebraska City, and he's the founder of Arbor Day. Trees were few and far between here on the prairie, so he initiated the holiday to encourage people to plant trees. At the Christmas holidays you can talk about the various traditions immigrants brought to America from the various countries of their origins. At the same time, you can talk about how America was settled. The Statute of Liberty says, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." In addition, it was a gift from France. You can connect all that to gift giving during the Christmas season. The Fourth of July is a perfect time to talk about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. They should learn what the fireworks are meant to celebrate. You could study many of the presidents of particular interest by finding out their birthdates and reading about them then.

I could go on, but I'm sure you get my drift. It really doesn't take a lot of extra time. I kept going with our regular history studies while doing these types of things on special days during the year. Just get a good calendar at the beginning of the school year, highlight and special dates/holidays, search your library's catalog, and bring home some age-appropriate books that connect American history to that date.

[A home for their hearts]

We are also working through SOTW, but I felt that the kids needed to stay in touch with American History as well. I started with Abeka before discovering WTM, so I had alot of Abeka materials. Even though we went ahead with SOTW 1 starting last Jan 2007, we kept on working through the Abeka K, 1, 2, 3 Soc. Studies with my boys: Ds7 - read aloud K/1 student books, complete K workbook, worked through the Community Helpers and Children of the World sections also. Ds9 had already finished through America 2 acoording to the teachers guides... we went ahead with America 3 which is a compilation of biographies of famous Americans. He reads the chapter, writes a narration, reads a library book of that same person, and finally writes a narration based on that book. I feel they will have a working knowledge of American History to fulfill the state standad tests we take yearly. Abeka 4 is the text entitled "History of the U.S" This may be a great read aloud for a true chonological account without too much busy work...

HTH
Jennifer
Ds9, Ds7, Dd3
Abeka Lang Arts, Classical Writing alternating with Stack the Deck (Creative Writing), Evan-Moor Literature Pockets Series, SOTW, Apologia Elem. Science, Latin for Children, Math U See

These look like great spines, thanks for all the info.

[A home for their hearts]

I opted to do American history in something of a piecemeal fashion knowing I could "connect the dots" later. Here's what I mean.

First, since SOTW1 covers ancient history, I found some books about ancient America and read them where they seemed to fit with SOTW1. For example, Suzanne Strauss Art has written a book about ancient America that would be a read aloud for your kids. It's targeted at a middle school read-alone level. Here is the link:

.

I was considering doing something like this as well but I really just need something I can pick up and go, no planning ahead needed. I love the idea though!

[AllSmiles]

Here are a few books that are online that may be of interest to you

A First Book in American History (http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=eggleston&book=first&story=_contents)


Four Great Americans (http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=baldwin&book=americans&story=_contents)

Historical Tales: Vol 1: American (http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=morris&book=american1&story=_contents)

This Country of Ours (http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=marshall&book=country&story=_contents)

[LisaK in VA]

My children are very well versed in NON U.S. history... and it's probably a small miracle my oldest knows who the first US President was:glare:

The Abeka history books (especially lower elementary) focus a lot on US history and general information.

My oldest will be doing the Of America Series by Abeka, so that we can get him some more information, and I'll do Abeka side-by side K12 for my younger two as a a read-aloud.

[Christine]

You could look at the MFW Adventures program.

I've been hsing quite some time. . .and for the life of me, I can't figure out this acronym (MFW). I see it named 20 times a day on this board, it seems, and I'm tired of feeling like an idiot, so thought I'd just ask (and declare my idiocy to the world).

[A home for their hearts]

QUOTE=Christine;142567]I've been hsing quite some time. . .and for the life of me, I can't figure out this acronym (MFW). I see it named 20 times a day on this board, it seems, and I'm tired of feeling like an idiot, so thought I'd just ask (and declare my idiocy to the world).[/QUOTE]


LOL I know there are many I still can't figure out either so you're not alone! Sometimes I just sit and stare trying to figure them out. My brain doesn't have time for that! MFW=(are ya ready) My Fathers World :001_smile:

[mommahawk]

We'll be studying the ancients next year as well and I also wanted to add in some U.S. history through living books and read-alouds. What I decided to do is read Edward Eggleston's books as Read-Alouds. One was already mentioned, "A First Book in American History." http://www.lostclassicsbooks.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.100.exe/index2.htm?E+scstore
(Click on American History in the left sidebar.)

Here's a great review on this book:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0377/is_n133/ai_21186015

He has a couple others that you can see in the left sidebar at the Lost Classics Books link. "Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans" is the first one and for the younger set (Ages 6-8). "A First Book in American History" is the second book and for ages 9-12. (There's a third book for ages 12+ as well.) I believe both could be used with younger children as a Read-Aloud. "A First Book in American History" also includes study questions, maps and illustrations.
You can find it online at the Baldwin Project or buy it from Lost Classics. I bought mine used off of Ebay for $.99 + Shipping (copyright 1899!)

HTH!

[Chris in VA]

I felt the same this year--so I added in The Story of The Pilgrims from Christian Liberty Press. It's a sweet, lovely chapter book that details their journey from England to Holland (has several chapters on this), and then to America. We started it as a read aloud in November. I think we read maybe 4 chapters a week, along with SOTW, and nearly finished by Thanksgiving. This year (SOTW 2) we read about the Vikings, so that introduced a little North American history. And, at the end of SOTW 2, you get Columbus and the other explorers, so there is some early history introduced. I was also going to link a little to the holidays, but never got around to it. We did play some games and do some USA puzzles and such, just for fun, and to provide some backround. Also, with the election coming up, there are some nice materials out there you could easily go thru.
I have Homeschool Ponies' United States program--you learn the Pledge, learn about the Flag, etc. It's very simple and fun, and cheap, too.

[A home for their hearts]

:D
I have Homeschool Ponies' United States program--you learn the Pledge, learn about the Flag, etc. It's very simple and fun, and cheap, too.

Is there a place online I can see this? Thanks

[Christine]

LOL I know there are many I still can't figure out either so you're not alone! Sometimes I just sit and stare trying to figure them out. My brain doesn't have time for that! MFW=(are ya ready) My Fathers World :001_smile:
:banghead:

GOT it! Thanks.

[Chris in VA]

Homeschool Ponies Patriotic (disregard price) (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-2747538-7181243?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=homeschool+ponies+patriotic&x=0&y=0)

There's a description at the homeschool ponies site. Also, the patches are just iron-on, "tattoo" kind of pictures, not like nice girl scout patches.

[Uccnorsworth]

I, too, was concerned about this until I found The American Story; this is a book similar to Children's History of the World because it is only one volume. However, it contains about 100 stories of America, and my children really enjoy listening to it. You may want to try it. Amazon sells it.

[Donna A.]

Another option that hasn't been mentioned yet is two more books from Christian Liberty Press:

A Child's Story of America

American Patriots & Pioneers

Both of these have comp questions at the end of each chapter, and the AP&P has some activities you can do, too. You should be able to see samples at www.christianbook.com (http://www.christianbook.com)