The way our family homeschools would be a mixture of "electic" and "classical". We believe in using latin, logic, lots of GREAT books, writing often, memorization etc. However, we use what works best for Shayna.
This morning I asked Shayna what was her favorite "curriculum" or "unit study" we have done to date. Her response was "absolutely, positively, 100 % - Story Of Our World".
Story of Our World is a HISTORY curriculum that was written by Susan Wise Bauer (The Well Trained Mind). The curriculum is so adjustable and flexible - it works well for us ! It can be best described as a "Chinese Take Out Menu". (with the philosophy of, I will take one from column A, one from column B but three from column C).
The core of the curriculum is the "story book" and one of the four "spine" history texts recommened. We own TWO of the spines (the OP Kingfisher and the Usborne World History). Until just recently, we only used the Usborne spine. This year, we started using Kingfisher more (since it fit Shayna's reading level).
The spines have "recommended pages" to read together from a nonficiton source. We usually do this first for background knowledge. Then we read the "story" from the history reader. In the activity book there are questions to quiz your child on. Often we just read the questions aloud to make sure we understood everything. Then Shayna writes a paragraph on the section we read. This is called a narration. Usually, there are two or sometimes three sections that go under one chapter (one main topic - time in history). This is usually our M, T and W. Then on W or TH we usually do the map skills page and read a fiction or non fiction book that the curriculum recommends. Finally, we do one of the projects on F.
I love this curriculum because as a parent, I don't have to think that much ! There are so many choices for us to choose. Susan Wise Bauer gives us spine curriculum pages that match up with the chapters. She has samples of narrations, she has questions, she has map skills ready, she has MANY books listed that you can check out of the library all listed that match the topic, she has coloring pages (great for younger members of the family) and she has craft, science, art projects that go with that time period. In fact, there is so much, you MUST make choices or you will never get through the curriculum. But, the good part, is there is no rush.
We have finished Book 1 and Book 2 in THREE years. (yes, we take our time and love to learn more about topics). Next year, we will begin Book 3. My goal is to get book 3 accomplished in one year (yeah right !).
You can use this curriculum with your entire family - giving the older kids more to do - and the younger kids - enjoying what they can do !
We have bought and added into the curriculum a GREAT timeline made by Homeschool In the Woods. (the timeline is pictured) We use this timeline for EVERY thing we study !
Shayna gives "Story of our World" a huge thumbs up !
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