American History/Geography Resources

[and4judge@mac.com]

This year I have begun using a Latin Centered approach to our homeschool. I am enjoying this simplifed, yet effective approach. However, history/geography is still getting the better of me. Those subjects seem to want to take over. Last year we used Tapestry of Grace for most of the humanities subjects. This year I have tried to use it only for the history and pare it down some. It's not working so well.

I am thoroughly enjoying the Memoria Press guides for Prima Latina, Christian Studies I, and First Form Latin. The lessons are straight forward, interesting and doable. The format of the material helps me to know exactly what information is important. Is there something that is comparable for history and geography? I am currently teaching a 3rd and 8th grader.

I have looked on the Highlands Latin School website, but it does not mention what resources they use.

Any suggestions?

Thank you,

Dana

[tanya]

Dana,

We do have study guides for our Famous Men history series that would simplify your life. They are similar in format to the Christian Studies guides. HLS uses D'Aulaires Greek Myths in 3rd grade, Famous Men of Rome in 4th, FM of the Middle Ages in 5th, and FM of Greece in 6th. But you can really do these books in any order (see the articles Cheryl Lowe has written for our catalog that you can read on our website about teaching history chronologically).

For your 8th grader, I would suggest Famous Men of Modern Times, which is definitely the most difficult of this series. I will also soon have a study guide available for Dorothy Mills' history of the ancient world. If you want to send me your email address, I will contact you when I have that ready to go and you can purchase it before I send it to the printer.

For geography, HLS uses the Milliken map books. I really like Hillyer's A Child's Geography of the World to go along with this study. HLS does states & capitals in the 3rd grade, the western hemisphere in the 4th, the eastern hemisphere in the 5th, and then practices mapping the world throughout the 6th. The 6th grade also does a comprehensive American history study. My favorite books for this at the moment are Guerber's Story of the Thirteen Colonies and The Story of the Great Republic. I also like a little book called A Little History of the World by E. H. Gombrich. These are my personal favorites. There are also several good American history books by Edward Eggleston that have been reprinted by Lost Classics Books.

I hope all this information doesn't confuse you more! Feel free to contact me if you have other questions, and I'll be glad to help you.

Regards,

Tanya
tanya@memoriapress.com

[and4judge@mac.com]

Tanya,

Thank you for all your suggestions. I do own one of the Eggleston books, First American History, and I see that he wrote one that would be helpful for older students. I do like the fact that they include comprehension and essay questions.

I would love to use the Modern Famous Men series, but it leaves off at the point we are currently studying. Sigh. One of your suggestions was to use the Guerber books. My daughter is reading The Story of the Thirteen Colonies. I have her take notes as she reads, and occasionally write a summary. What type of output do you expect from your students? Would you recommend me prereading the chapters and coming up with key facts, terms and events? This is the part I am struggling with - output.
I have been homeschooling for a long time - I have one child in college, and the hardest part has been to determine what is the appropriate output.

Once again I have to mention how much I love MP's products. They are by far the resources that have been most helpful in homeschooling my children.

Thank you,
Dana

[tanya]

Wow! It sounds like you and I are on the same page. I'm actually working on a guide for the Guerber books that will include drill questions for retention, but it will be too late for your daughter. Here's what I'd do at this point: Do you have Everything You Need to Know About American History? It goes along well with the Guerber books and is a general outline of the really important information. I'd use that as a guideline for memory work. For example, have her memorize the causes and results of the wars, the important dates on the timeline, read biographies of some of the people mentioned and write about them, read and summarize the important documents, etc. I'm sorry you are ahead of me, but maybe I'll be ready by the time your younger children get there.

I'm also sorry that Famous Men won't work for you. What is the time period you wish to study? Maybe I'll have some other ideas.

Regards,

Tanya

[and4judge@mac.com]

Tanya,

I do own Everything You Need to Know About American History. Your suggestion to use this as a guide to memory work is excellent. I've been reading between that book and the Guerber books and I see how well they line up. I also own Artner's guide, so I am using all the above to help me cobble a plan together that teaches history, but doesn't take over the curriculum.

You asked what time period we are studying. Currently we are studying the beginnings of the Massachusettes Bay colonies - 1/2 way through The Story of the Thirteen Colonies. Any suggestions you have are welcome.

Once again I appreciate your time and service.

Dana