Favorite American History Read Alouds

[LynnH]

My ds who will be 10 and in the 5th grade is going to do Preparing next year. He has had some American History in his ps, but not a lot. I am taking the suggestion of those here on the board and doing read-alouds this summer that cover American History so at least I will feel like he has gotten some and then I know more is covered in the last part of Preparing. What are your favorite American History Read Alouds? I looked at the Bigger extension package and got some ideas, but I don't know how many we will fit in, so I was wondering which ones are everyones favorites?

[Carrie]

Lynn,

If your son is an avid reader, it might also be a good idea to have him read through the two Eggleston books that we have scheduled in Bigger Hearts. He can just read them cover to cover with no certain schedule, as they are interesting and do a good job of giving an overview of the famous men and women in American history.

The Story of the Wright Brothers and Their Sister would be another great read aloud. It's in the Bigger Economy Package. You could also have your son read through Journeys in Time from the Economy Package. It's very visual and interesting too.

From the Extension Pack, Ben and Me, By the Great Horn Spoon, and Bud and Me are my personal favorites. I do love all of the books in the Extension Package, so you can't go wrong there.

Blessings,
Carrie

[LynnH]

Carrie,
Thanks again for responding. At this point my son isn't an avid reader, he has to read 30 minutes a night for his homework in ps and he counts off the minutes. My prayer is that hsing with Preparing will change that in him. He does love when we do read-alouds though. I looked at the text of the Eggleston books and I may get them for myself, because I got drawn in and read 15 pages online.
The Wright Brothers book would work well I think because we live only 45 minutes from the Air Force Museum and so we could do a field trip up there after reading the book and he would love that. I borrowed By the Great Horn Spoon from the library just to look at it and it looks great also. I also just checked out the Pioneer Sampler from the library and I could see him really enjoying reading that and doing the activities.
Lynn

[Carrie]

Lynn,

Those are all great ideas! I agree that you'll want to read books that will be of interest to your son, especially if he's not an avid reader. You'll want to keep it to books that will build enthusisasm for reading. The Wright Brothers is a great one! So, if Bud and Me (if you have a good interlibrary loan to get that one).

I can't remember for sure if you have other kiddos you'll be reading aloud to too, or if it will just mainly be your son? That would make a difference on read-aloud suggestions!

Blessings,
Carrie

[dolphingirl]

My 8 year old son has absolutely loved American Pioneers and Patriots, a Christian Liberty Press book used in Beyond Little Hearts. It does a great job of teaching about U.S. history from the 1500s to the late 1800s in a story format. The stories and characters are very interesting to read about and I think it would be entirely appropriate for a 10 year old.
Just have to mention that Toliver's Secret is one of my favorite historical fiction books about the Revolutionary War period of time!
Kristin

[netpea]

We've been doing the extension books as read alouds. We've worked our way through Pedro's Journal, Pocahontas and The Strangers, Almost Home, Ben and Me, and we're almost through Guns for General Washington. My 8yo son and 6yo daughter liked them all.

[LynnH]

Carrie the read alouds will be mainly for my son. My 14 y/o dd may listen in some, but she is in 9th grade Honors English next year at ps and will have extensive summer reading to do so my guess is she will do that when he and I are reading aloud. I really think with the right type of books my ds will get to the point where he enjoys reading more. I have seen sparks of that, but due to his Cerebral Palsy he is so tired at the end of the day after being in ps all day he just can't seem to become enthusiastic about anything. His ps teacher is a friend and a wonderful teacher and she does read alouds, and those he will come home and tell me about.