Planning ahead to high school...some questions...

[Sue G in PA]

My dd will be in 7th next year. I've planned out the next several years (through her 12th grade year) so as to "mesh" my other dc's schedules for History, Science, etc. I'm planning to use MFW curriculum but that might change. Assuming it does NOT change, we will have reached 1850's - Moderns when dd is in 9th. I plan to have her study that time period with us b/c she will not have had a solid foundation in that time period of American History until then. MFW is recommended through 8th grade so I assume I'll have to supplement. Any recommendations for high school level American/World History of that time period? Would Hakim's History of US be challenging enough for a 9th grader? She used Hakim's History of US in 5th for Exp. - 1850 American History and it was too deep for her at that point. Thanks for any suggestions you might have. I'm kind of dreaded hs!

Sue

[kRenee]

Recently, on this board, there was a discussion of what to use for American History. Do a search and if that doesn't answer some of your questions, ask again.

I have a 6th grader also, and I was thinking of using Sonlight and Hakim for 9th. There are some other good choices out there so that may change.

[Gwen in VA]

One caution about advance planning -- stay flexible! Over the years, other options may come up -- a tutorial available locally or a college class that is too good to miss -- or your child may start expressing STRONG opinions on what is really important to him/her. He/she may want computer programming at the expense of history, or music theory at the expense of a fourth year of science.

Advance planning is wonderful, but don't make the plan in stone!

(For the record, for American history we love Clarence Carson's A Basic History of the United States)

[Sue G in PA]

I learned a long time ago not to set plans in stone. Things change, life happens, babies come along :), etc. I might not like MFW for History, etc. or my dc might do as you say...develop other interest :eek: I'm already planning a more science-heavy plan for my ds9 who LOVES science but not so much History! He also love to draw so I'm adding more drawing into his day as well. Anyway...thanks for your warning. I'll search for that Amer. Hist. thread.

[Jan P.]

I personally do not think that Joy Hakim's U.S. history books are high school material. I think if you added primary documents and perhaps some outstanding biographies such as by McCollough (sp?), then you would have a good high school course. I personally like Paul Johnson's A History of the American People. However, I did use BJU's American History book with my ds since he is a "just the facts please" kind of guy. I do like the way that TWTM encourages the reader to do history (read from a spine history book, do mapwork, do timeline work, and write a short paper on topic that interests student). I have yet to get my dc to do this. I think part of the problem is that the "spines" I use take so much time in reading (even SWB's own history book). With all the other subjects to study, then my dd is doing good to write up outlines and summarize the material.

I hope you find your answer as to what to do.
Blessings,