Brushing up on history and literature

[PoppyD]

Hi ladies,
My oldest daughter is in 4th grade and I know things will ramp up in all subjects next year. We will be using CTC. I'm so excited about this, but I just didn't receive a very good education in history and really not with literature either. I'm trying to find a textbook, a certain path with living books, an online class like Omnibus, or even just buying a high school homeschool package to start self-educating - although that last one will be quite expensive. Do any of you have any recommendations for how to start this process and what to use? I know I will learn by reading along with her - but A) I have other children so won't be able to read it all with her, and B) I would rather start before her.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Poppy

[Jennymommy]

Many ladies here pre-read the curriculum books over the summer You could order early and read ahead, getting familiar with the content and guides and get yourself educated in the process.

[PoppyD]

Yes I suppose I could do that. I guess I was thinking a more advanced level but maybe CTC material would be sufficient.

[LynnH]

I always read all the material the summer before my ds uses the guide and I can't tell you how much I have learned that I never knew! CTC starts out with biblical history and it may seem like things you know at first, but soon you will get into things that the average person doesn't know. I think it also helps if I read it over the summer because then I am excited about my ds starting the guide and learning everything I did. My excitement helps him to get more excited. If you did read stuff that was more advanced I think the temptation would be to try and pass all that advanced knowledge on to your dd before she is ready for it. At least that would be my tendency. Staying just slightly ahead of her will allow your knowledge to grow along with her.

[Nealewill]

Reading the books from CTC is more than sufficient I have read several and they are wonderful! Some stuff I already knew and some stuff I learned I think one of my favorite things about homeschooling is remembering or learning new things.

[my3sons]

I understand what you are saying about wishing you had a more full education in history and lit when you were growing up! I wish I had too, but I find I am loving living vicariously through my children as they do their HOD guides. It helps me to remember that we are not having to be the end-all-know-all type teacher in a CM style of education. Textbooks are not used, but rather living books, and as such the children are responsible for making connections, and there are usually more answers than 1 that are correct. The role of the teacher shifts in a CM education, and instead of us feeling like we have to have all of the answers and be encyclopedia like in our knowledge of a given subject matter, we can instead be in the role of receiving an outstanding education alongside our dc instead. So, you can enjoy reading the books for CTC beforehand, or you can even just read through the CTC guide's introduction, skim the CTC guide's key ideas in the boxes (as these sum up the big ideas of what is being taught each day), or even just read through the descriptions of all of the resources via the packages described online on HOD's website or in HOD's catalog. Reading the backs of the books you will be using and skimming through the pictures gives a snapshot into the year as well. I think you'd enjoy this much more than trying to read a dry textbook overview type book of history. I know some ladies enjoy reading the resources before their dc do, and I know some ladies either don't enjoy that as much or don't have the time do so. If you enjoy pre reading the resources and have the time and the inclination, wonderful! If it will steal your thunder and fresh joy at experiencing the books with your dc during the school year, then by all means, wait! I feel like I am receiving an outstanding education right now as I teach HOD to my dc, and I don't often pre read books before beginning for various reasons. So, give yourself a break and don't feel like you have to study the time period beforehand in order to be a great teacher! You already ARE a great teacher, just being the loving mom of your kiddos and choosing a Christian curriculum like HOD that uses awesome books and materials! You have many wonderful homeschooling days ahead of you, and I can't wait for you to start this journey!!!

In Christ,
Julie

[PoppyD]

This is all helpful! I could definitely order CTC early. I was planning to get it in April anyway. I've also thought about getting Susan Wise Bauer's History of the Ancient world (and the following volumes) just to get an overview in story form. This has given me a lot to think about.