If you've done SL 1 or 1+2 AND preparing...

[Mumkins]

How did you find going through A Child's History of the World again? Was there enough of a new spin on it? Did you kids mind going though it again? Mine would be doing it back to back.

[momofgreatones]

We used SL 1+2. However, my kids were bored by it because it was just read, read, read all the time with nothing else. They didn't get much out of it, because every time I picked it up to read they said, "this is boring, Mom." I however, really like the book, and I think my kids will too, the way HOD does it. It is read in smaller increments and includes activities to reinforce and go along with it. This is one reason I was drawn to HOD

So we're looking forward to using the book next year in Preparing. That's just our experience though. If your children loved the book and ate it up already, maybe that would be different. Maybe if they really liked it they wouldn't mind reading it again? There's a lot of info in there, told in such a great storytelling way, and with the benefit of another year of maturity behind them, they might get even more out of it.

Don't know if that helps

Monique

[DHT1999]

We used Core 1 and Core 2. We used Core 2 last year and are using Preparing this year. I wasn't sure how it would work out but I've been very pleased and I'm glad we are repeating it. In fact, my oldest son has both heard me read CHOW (with SL) and he has read alot of it on his own. And, now he's getting it again with Preparing!

For us, this was the right decision. With SL, he listened to the readings and then orally narrated what he had heard. But, now he is doing the written narrations and history activities that go along with the book. He really likes CHOW and doesn't mind that it is a repeat. He loves Grandpa's Box and all the other books. He especially loves how the Bible is used for Storytime and fleshes out the history lessons. Learning to write narrations did not come easily to him and we made very little progress with that with Sonlight. I am so proud of the progress that he has made this year in that area. That was the reason I decided to repeat CHOW with Preparing. I wanted him to learn to write a good narration. And, he has done that this year. He is doing very, very well now.

It would have been wonderful if I had known about HOD from the beginning. But, I didn't! Regardless, we are not bored with CHOW at all. We love it! And, now I KNOW my son has a really good foundation in both world history AND writing so I feel confident that he will do well with Creation to Christ next year.

[3musketeers]

Mumkins,

We too did core 1-2, for the year 2008-2009. We loved CHOW, but with SL for the first year in all our homeschooling we completely burnt out in Feb. from not enough balance in our curriculum. My dss love books, but they also needed hands on things. I some how missed the glazed over eyes and complete boredom. They also ended up reading way to many "girly" books for their taste. Not enough flexibility. I am a box checking kinda gal, so I had trouble subbing other things. My boys, who this year beg for another chapter a night, were asking to please skip story time at bedtime with SL. Now please don't misunderstand. I love SL and I still like to use there catalog for great book ideas. My friends who use it to the fullest, seem to be the ones that can pick and choose from it and add on their own hands on stuff. This was just not me. If it was in the guide, I felt I had to read it. We were reading so much, we never had time to do the History Pockets and other things I had bought for hands on. You may have had a completely different experience. There is alot to love about core 1-2.

But for me

It would have been wonderful if I had known about HOD from the beginning.

I agree and wish I had known about HOD before our year with core 1-2.

I think the way Carrie has used CHOW in Preparing is a completely different method than SL. As with all the books in HOD she has us really digging into the books with activities, vocabulary, time line (although SL did this as well, but in a much more overwhelming volume), narration, and art projects. I love how she ties in Bible and science. We have done Bigger this year to take a break from CHOW for a year. But kiddos at this age need lots of reinforcement, so I don't think it would hurt to reread it 2 years in a row. I think with all the other things she has planned and completely different complimentary readings the dc would feel like it's a whole new program.

If you decide to do it next year we will be right along side you .

We are also loving our BJU math this year. Wondering how you liked it?

Blessings,
Cindy

[Mumkins]

Thanks everyone. My kids actually really love SL. It was me who wanted a more biblical, hands on switch. I like HOD so much better. Preparing I need to probably do in two years and don't want to do Bigger. So I'm trying to figure out what to do this year.

About the BJU question...who was that adressed to? We used it this year, but switched when DS finished. If that was to me, I'm happy to answer.

[3musketeers]

Mumkins,

I thought you were the one that spoke with me last spring about BJU. Maybe I was mistaken. But if it was you, I would love to hear how it is working for you. You can pm me if that works better.

I am really glad you are thinking of switching to HOD. I know you will figure out the best fit for your family. We are looking forward to Preparing in the fall.

[Mumkins]

Yes, sorry. I remeber talking to you now:)

I couldn't stand the TM. It was definantly geared to a classroom and was too packed together, busy and small font. DS liked it enough. I ended up just using it as a workbook really and skipping much of the lessons as he seemed to know most already. I just switched him to McRuffy's 2 and I love it!

[3musketeers]

We have skipped quite a bit of the TM as well. Which inevitably makes the box checker and TM follower in me feel guilty . But my dss have loved it and are doing well. I'm glad you too have found something you love.

[Kirsten]

This is all exactly what I am going through. I too wish I had found HOD before last year. We are now doing SL 1-2 and we are getting bored with it. I am thinking I will try Bigger next fall, since we haven't had any American History yet.
Thanks everyone.

[3musketeers]

Kirsten,
That was me last Feb. We have done Bigger this year and we are going on into Preparing next year. We are absolutely loving it!!! Be sure to check in with Carrie or Julie on any placement questions you might have. They are amazing. Let us know what you decide. Bigger is exciting!

[Kirsten]

Cindy,
Thanks for your information. I too am looking for something with Bible at it's center, but with still a good teacher guide with not a lot of preparing on my part. HOD looks a lot like what I am looking for. I have been in lots of prayer.
Kirsten