Looking for interactive and non-boring Social Studies for High School...any ideas?

[Kelley]

I have managed to stay away from textbooks....
I would love to be able to stay away from the boring:p textbooks in High School, any ideas if such a worthy curriculum is available for the High School years in regards to Social Studies.

I love history to be a "story", for that in reality is what it is....Textbooks IMHO kill the love for history....

Thanks!
Kelley

[Kareni]

You might look into Trisms; it's a research based approach to history. There are some users on this board so it has been mentioned previously.

Regards,
Kareni

[Nan in Mass]

That covers history, literature, philosophy, and government all together.

[Michelle in AL]

How about KONOs' high school history? I've not used it, but it looked like it added in activities and literature when I saw it several yrs ago.
Blessings, Michelle

[Lynnatbeach]

Oh yes! Konos History of the World 1 and 2 are fabulous!
There is a message board you can join to get the specifics, but those kids are loving history!There is also a high school American history. The Hulceys have taken Konos HOW students on field trips to Europe!

[Tami]

Have you taken a look at TruthQuest (http://www.truthquesthistory.com/store/products.php?categoryParentName=Books&categoryName=Age+of+Revolution&itemId=32)? This is a living books approach with Christian analysis and commentary. The commentary could be skipped if you need secular.

Otherwise, Tapestry of Grace, Ambleside Online's House of Education, and Sonlight all come to mind. These are all Christian, as I'm sure you're aware.

I also like TWTM's high school ideas.

[Kelley]

Thanks for the ideas...I will do some research.
Kelley

[StaceyinLA]

sort of do something on my own.

I'm going to use online timelines to pick out historical things we need to study and have my kids research them, write papers, and put the information on timelines.

Another thing I am considering is just using my timeline figures purchased from Amy Pak, and using them as the guide for items to study. We'll use many books from our home library, as well as the internet and library (for the more important topics), and the kids can write reports, etc. Of course we will have some discussions as well.

I think this will work out so much better for my kids, and it won't cost us nearly as much as some of the other programs.

[Tina]

We're using the Teaching Company high school history video classes with our readings. Linwood Thompson dresses the part of someone in that day's lectures. He does a nice job getting you to see different characters viewpoints,too.

[Nan in Mass]

Peace walking LOL.

[Tami]

also looks interesting. I'm actually thinking about using their science/history guides at some point. I like that they have activity choices in a variety of learning modalities.

[danielle]

How about Annenberg/CPB. The Biography of America series is great. They have lots of civics and a Western Civ class. Most of the series have companion websites for further info, and texts if you want them. www.learner.org (http://www.learner.org)
Danielle