History Odyssey users,

[MelissaM]

how do you decide which level? My dd (will be in 5th next school year) is bright and curious but not academically advanced. I want to build her writing skills and her knowledge of ancient history without overwhelming her. Both levels looked appropriate. FWIW, I will have a 1st grader in the mix. My oldest (will b e in 8th) is undecided if she will hs next year.

So...is it easier to beef up level 1 or tone down level 2?

[Jenny in Atl]

I think level two for fifth grade. I'm using the level one with my 2nd grader and level two with my sixth grader. With level one, there are lots of History Pockets in the Ancients and crafts in the middle ages. Level two is more about outlining, summaries, and timelines. There are samples of both levels, bks and lessons on the site.

[Pensguys]

I'm using Level 2 with a 5th grader this year and plan to go to Level 2 Early Modern next year when he is in 6th. You don't HAVE to do all the writing assignments that are listed. You don't have to do all the outlining that is required either. Start easier and gradually build up. I think you'll be fine.

[Heather in VA]

Now it's probably wise to listen to this very wise women who are using it but I thought I'd share something I discovered while I was researching it. They do a very good job of stepping up the difficulty each year so that Level 1 Ancients is much easier than Level 1 Modern. So if you are doing Ancients or Middle Ages then probably Level 2. But if you are doing Modern - you should use Level 1.

[jeri]

My 5th grade dd is a pretty good writer, and rather diligent as well. She did Ancients level 2 last year, but we both noticed that MA is a pretty good leap from Ancients ! I think it is because of the sheer number of lessons in MA. I only have my dd do HO twice a week and I really think it would take 4 times a week to do a thorough job. That said, I have edited some of the projects and reduced the number/amount of work the author proposes. Also, I don't think we are going to get thruoght HO for the year. She is almost done with MA for Europe, but I think we will skip the rest of the world and go right into the Renaissance. (Now I feel so ethnocentric!) So, you might choose to take it on, but be prepared to edit.

jeri