Combining history content

[Keilleaghn]

We've been homeschooling rather eclectically for the past 10+ years. We have rising 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 9th graders this coming school year. I find that effective tracking of the skill building for the lower grades is lessening as we venture into deeper, more time consuming, discussions in the higher grades. HOD is looking very appealing for that reason. I have the samples practically memorized at this point. :laughs:

But I do have a concern. For our three youngest the best part of learning is history. They love the read alouds, the projects, the timelines, etc....more specifically, studying history together. I understand that their learning would not be hindered if I split them; however, it is really important to them to continue in history together. They already do 95% of other subjects areas individually, so I want to honor their desire to stay together....in fact, separating them would be a deal breaker for us at this point.

So my question is this...is it feasible to keep them together in history (Rev to Rev)...bearing in mind that I have age appropriate reading for each level. Looking at the spines HOD uses, I am confident the youngers would be able to follow along just fine (we have used MOH/SCM this year). We have always tweaked various programs to suit our needs, and I would be fine transferring the skills in Bigger and Preparing history to the readers/read alouds we would substitute. It would only be the basic history we would combine; all other subjects would follow the individual guides...Bigger, Preparing, and Rev to Rev respectively.

I think I'm just looking for verification that it is possible to plug in other history content while keeping all the skill content. It is absolutely not my intention to combine skill levels. My plans are to combine all 4 children in the content study of history only. So the three youngest would listen to the same spines, do modified notebooking, and work on history related art projects, etc. My eldest would be working independently, as she is currently. Each child would have their own level appropriate supplemental history books and readers. 

Having studied the samples online, it seems like it would work to take the skills incorporated in the history and apply them to the modified history schedule. I would be keeping all the skill based aspects of HOD...just transferring them, or overlaying them if you will, onto a different content framework; this would entail taking the left page skills from Bigger and Preparing and modifying them to fit the content of Rev to Rev. The change would affect history only. In all other areas we would continue with the levels specific to each child.

Thanks for any input.

~Killian

[Keilleaghn]

I'd really love to place an order....anyone have any input at all?

Thanks,

~Killian

[my3sons]

...So my question is this...is it feasible to keep them together in history (Rev to Rev)...bearing in mind that I have age appropriate reading for each level...I think I'm just looking for verification that it is possible to plug in other history content while keeping all the skill content...I would be keeping all the skill based aspects of HOD...just transferring them, or overlaying them if you will, onto a different content framework; this would entail taking the left page skills from Bigger and Preparing and modifying them to fit the content of Rev to Rev...

Hi there, and welcome to the HOD board! Honestly, I think you are not getting a response here as we are not sure how to help as HOD is just not written to be used this way. HOD does encourage combining, just within smaller age ranges. A span of 2nd through 9th graders is a larger span than HOD would recommend combining. These links may help explain this...

Question 2: Why do we ask you to look at the placement chart for each of your individual children when considering the best placement for your family?
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9339

Question 3: Why can’t I just place my children in HOD where they would fit next in the history cycle?
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9340

Question 4: Why don’t you recommend having children younger than the target age range of the HOD guide simply listen in with the older student’s guide?
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9341

Question 5: What would my child be missing out on if I did choose to combine him/her in a guide that doesn’t fit him/her well on the placement chart?
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9342

We are doing RevtoRev now, and I know why you are excited to do it - it's a terrific guide and an exciting time period! I think your 7th and 9th grade would love it. However, I cannot imagine tweaking even just the history enough where it would truly fit a 2nd grader or a 4th grader - there are just too many higher level skills tied into it, and you would lose all of the balance and careful planning of the skills trying to duplicate BHFHG and PHFHG skills in place of RevtoRev's skills. Two things I promised myself before trying to help ladies on this board - 1) to pray for the Lord's wisdom before typing anything each day, as I am well aware He knows far better than me, and 2) to not just say "sure, sure, do that and it'll be just fine", when I feel in my heart it would not be. This is hard for me, as I would love to just say "sure, sure" here, but my heart is saying "I don't think so". I am just one person, and you are certainly entitled to your own opinion, but I cannot in good conscience say that I think combining all of your dc ranging ages 2nd grade to 9th grade in RevtoRev for history and trying to modify the skills would be a good fit for everyone. Whatever you choose to do, may God bless your homeschooling and your family, and may He make clear His will for your family, as He certainly knows best!

In Christ,
Julie