First Book in American History

[gestep]

I lost my original post so here I go again...

We are enjoying Bigger for the most part with one exception. We all find The First Book in American History trribly dry and unengaging. We have enjoyed the other books for the most part (through week 7) and love Stories of Great Americans. I am considering substituting other books in its place. I really do not want to change it since the open-and-go aspect makes it so easy to use but both dc dread the sight of this book. Has anyone done this and have a reading list to share or other options?
My other concern is will the other levels of HOD have this same style or have you found the books in the upper levels more interesting and enjoyable to read? I admit I never found history interesting and have great difficulty retaining any of it but I try to be positive about it. I don't want my dc to be as bored by history as I always was. I truly appreciate the work that has gone into this program by Carrie and enjoy everything else. A story format is ideal for us. Any suggustions???

Thanks for any help,
Gina

[threegreatkids]

I'm sure others can help more, but I thought I'd mention that we're enjoying this book...but one of my daughters enjoys it much more (and retains more) if she has colored pencils and paper to draw while i read. It's a little bit of a stretch for her, but the readings are quite manageable in length. Just wanted to mention the idea of having your kids draw or knit or do something with their hands if it's a bit tough.
And I make sure I say positive things about the book, too, like, "Oh, that's something about Ben Franklin that we haven't read in other books...how interesting!" I think if I said anything even remotely negative about the little red book to the above mentioned daughter, she would take that thought and run with it!

[kiloyd]

I know what you mean. DS loved the history reading from last year in Beyond and begged for me to read more. I like reading it and he listens but no begging for more.

Katherine
ds 8 Bigger
dd5 LHTH
dd2

[gestep]

Doing something else has always been a big distraction, so I don't think that will help with improving interest in the book. Thanks for the suggestion though, I have heard that this works for alot of dc.
I think I will just get a general history of the US (maybe the Complete Book of United States History??) to fill in on days where First Book in American History is used. The topics in First Book are pretty common people and events so we can use a general history or just get some books from the library. Does anyone see any pitfalls by doing this?? I looked again at the books in the future levels and they all look good I really like the Kemp books in CTC. Does anyone know if any of his other books would cover the topics in First Book in Amer History? Thanks again for any help.

BTW: We are using Bigger on an 8 and 9 1/2 yo dd

Gina

[Daisy]

I'm fortunate that my son had quite the American History background before we started this book so he has more mental hooks to hang these stories on. I have found with more challenging readings it is beneficial to allow him to act out the story using clay, imaginext people, his body, etc. It helps him string together a mental narrative.

I also try to look a bit ahead and see what we are going to be covering and check out library books on the topic as well.

I told someone the other day that I really think it is easier to go from Beyond to Bigger rather than just jumping into Bigger as a child's first American history experience. The Bigger history books are definitely challenging as a child's first Am. history exposure.

My son loves the Eggleston books. We just finished the story of Capt. Church and King Philip and he's been acting that out all week. LOL.

[threegreatkids]

I told someone the other day that I really think it is easier to go from Beyond to Bigger rather than just jumping into Bigger as a child's first American history experience. The Bigger history books are definitely challenging as a child's first Am. history exposure.

That makes perfect sense, Daisy!

[Kathleen]

We started Bigger last year, and it was my son's 1st study of American History. And he really loved the Eggleston books!! They are definitely written in a different style than so many books today that try to simplify everything. I think my son liked that he had to think as we read.

Anyway, just wanted you to know that there are beginning HODies that started with Bigger and still had a wonderful experience with the books. Although believe me, I really thought about how I could cram everything in so that Grant didn't have to miss any HOD. Bigger was where he placed...and Bigger was perfect for him. (I am really enjoying the beginning levels of HOD with my little ones though.) I know that Beyond WILL do a great job of preparing them for Bigger, but if you have a child starting HOD who places into Bigger it will not hurt them in the least to start there!

Sorry that I'm not any help to you Gina in knowing what to do about not enjoying the book. Since it's part of the core of the program, I"m thinking that replacing it wouldn't be a good idea. My 1st thought would be to stick with it and see if it grows on you?? But, I'm guessing that you've kind of decided that if it hasn't grown on you already it's not going to. So, I know that's not much help. Maybe you could pray that as you read this book in particular that God would use it to show you HIS HAND in our country's past. Seeing Him answer that prayer would surely make it less dry for you!

Praying that your experience in Bigger will be VERY enjoyable and eternally significant!
Kathleen

[Sheila in OK]

We struggled a bit with this book in the beginning too, especially with my 8yo--my 11yo has done better with it. I think part of it is the writing style is just so much different than most books we read today. I seriously considered swapping it out with something else, but now I'm glad we stuck with it. We're finishing up Unit 10 now and it really seems to be going better. Even my ds is enjoying it more. Just took some getting used to I guess.

Anyway just wanted you to know you're not the only one.

[gestep]

We did Pioneers and Patriots last year (not as part of Beyond though) along with misc library books. We enjoyed these alot, so we have had some background but not extensive. Even my 9 yo, who LOVES read-alouds, does not enjoy this book. However the good news is they love the idea of acting out the stories and said it would be more interesting if they could do that. I will save the acting out as a special treat for First Book in Amer. Hx. Thank you Daisy for the idea! And thank you to everyone for suggestions and support. I didn't want to sound negative about it and was hesitant to ask, but I am so glad I did now!

[Carrie]

Gina,

The ladies have given you great suggestions already, so I'll just add one more. If your kiddos are of an age where they can read this particular book on their own, you may find the readings go better. Sometimes kiddos who are not strong auditory learners will just shut down when a book with a more challenging vocabulary is read aloud. If they are visual learners, then reading the book to themselves may help with part of this problem. I know I'm a visual learner and do much better when I read something myself. The reading also goes faster that way.

One pitfall to switching out the Eggleston book would be that all of the activities on the left side of the plans revolve around Eggleston's telling of the story. So, if you use a different American history resource it may have a different focus, and the activities may not match well.

I'd also advise giving it some more time. I do believe Eggleston is an acquired taste that pays big dividends in the long run. I'll link you to a past thread on the topic. If time is short just read the last several posts on the thread for a great discussion and some food for thought. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5026

Blessings,
Carrie

[gestep]

Thanks for the links and advice. I guess this has been discussed a few other times-I just did not find it in my search. LOL We tried acting it out and it was successful. I still had to to do most of the narrating, but I had them read it again for the details. They were excited to act it out so the motivation was there. Both dd still prefer having me read out loud so we will continue on this way. I really do not want to make more work or substitute so we will stick it out. Considering how much we enjoy everything else I guess it is not so bad of a read (still not our favorite though) thanks again ladies!

Gina