American History for 8th graders.

[mkel]

Originally Posted by crazymama

We will be using the Hakim books, I have them and really like them. We are not Christian so I guess her lack of a religious focus in her books isn't a big deal to me, in fact it makes them more appealing to us.

Originally Posted by chicamarun

This is one of the reasons I think it appealed to Jake - he is tired of "all the Bible stuff" in every subject. He doesn't mind some as he sees it as history as well but he's just not (in his own words) "bibley"

Totally understandable!

I'm more concerned about the historical inaccuracies. But, then again, is there any perfect History text? I'd venture to guess most have some discrepancies, somewhere.

[crazymama]

Your right, there is no perfect history book. They are all in the eye of the one viewing history. For me, anything that puts Native Americans in the light of being horrible savages is way off the accuracy charts, this was their land first and we came and acted like savages taking it away.... but them maybe I'm sensitive since hubby is Blackfoot? Anyway, my point is, if I were to write a text in the ways that I see history it would probably be very different than someone who isn't sensitive to the Native American side of our country.

And Dana, I agree, there has to be some religion in history.. after all it shapes so much of it (and not just Christianity), but I really don't think that should be the sole focus on any history text, ever.

[Mitchell1982]

My dd (13 yo) is doing a series from ~1600 to 1849 by a California High School teacher called MODERN HISTORY: Early American History: native Americans through the Forty-niners. The teacher's name is Linwood Thompson. He majored in American History and minored in drama so his lectures are quite entertaining. He dresses up (complete with props) and is great with accents. When he talks, he takes on the persona of whomever he is talking about. For example, when discussing the Vikings, he was very convincing. My 10 yo loves to watch the video, he is so entertaining even though she isn't doing this curriculum just yet.

Anyhow, this comes with a work book. For each lesson (30 total) there are definitions and short answer questions. Each lesson also has an essay to write but if he isn't to the point of writing 5-6 paragraph essays, he can skip this part. My dd is doing it for a High School elective so the writing portion is madatory for her. The text book that accompanys the lecture with reading for each lesson is called "The Story of America - Beginnings to 1914" along with outside reading of Danial Boone, The Alamo, Ben Franklin, etc.

THese videos are 1/2 hour each and come from The Teaching Company. If you watch their sales, you can get these lectures for 80% off but you have to order the workbook over the phone instead of online.

HTH's.


Kim

[chicamarun]

I was just talking to someone about those videos yesterday and it turns out they are at our local library Always worth checking into!!

[Jackie]

I've never heard of them; I'm going to check out our library. It really does have a lot of stuff!

ETA: We have two copies. One is checked out, and I'm having the other sent to my branch!

[TeacherMom]

ok am I the only one who did not realize that people had US history in jr high? I went to school from 4th to 10 grade in BC so my schooling was filtered with the explorers. Canadian explorers and some US exploreers.

[Emma's#1fan]

TMom, as homeschoolers, we do not have to teach US history at a specified time. We covered it in elementary and will cover it again in high school.
It is an "a-g" subject requirement for freshman admission to the University of California and Cal State universities. Cal Baptist is a private university and while it doesn't require US history, they would like it if students covered the same "a-g" subject requirements as UC and CSU. However, the "a-g" subjects are not required. So we are doing it again so we can cover the necessities and cover ourselves incase Ems decided to apply for Cal Baptist.

[Jackie]

Another option is to check out The Baldwin Project. These are old books on-line. I've been reading them to my kids; it's got me considering a Kindle or Nook! http://www.mainlesson.com/main/displ...rticle=feature

[TeacherMom]

Originally Posted by Emma's#1fan

TMom, as homeschoolers, we do not have to teach US history at a specified time. We covered it in elementary and will cover it again in high school.
It is an "a-g" subject requirement for freshman admission to the University of California and Cal State universities. Cal Baptist is a private university and while it doesn't require US history, they would like it if students covered the same "a-g" subject requirements as UC and CSU. However, the "a-g" subjects are not required. So we are doing it again so we can cover the necessities and cover ourselves incase Ems decided to apply for Cal Baptist.

THis is one of the schools I was looking into this year. We decided to wait another year with dd to finish her Music AA degree in town before sending her out as a transfer student btw.
But thanks for clearing it up. I have done US twice have one more round with ds cause we increase what we learn as we go. But I didnt know ps was supposed to teach it in Jr.

[Emma's#1fan]

Never heard of the Baldwin Project. I need to look it up. Thanks for sharing.