Order of history

[lisandpat]

Hello All,

I am considering using Bigger for my dd - 2nd grade. My question is concerning why some choose to do American History first versus World History. In comparing HOD with Sonlight I have been pondering this issue. I look forward to your input.

Thank you.

Lisa D
Ohio

[Heart_Mom]

Hello All,

I am considering using Bigger for my dd - 2nd grade. My question is concerning why some choose to do American History first versus World History. In comparing HOD with Sonlight I have been pondering this issue. I look forward to your input.

Thank you.

Lisa D
Ohio

I can tell you why we left SL for HOD: The introduction of false gods and religions at the young ages, like SL does, is waaaaay too young, in my opinion. I want my children to be thoroughly grounded in TRUTH before they encounter the foolish and false ideas of many ancient cultures.

I'm sure others will chime in, but that's why we fled SL and are finding a safe haven here at HOD!

[krismoose]

Hi! We tried out SL K before finding HOD, and abandoned it for the same reasons as heart_mom. We found that we wanted to wait until our dc had solid foundations in the truth before introducing false religions. My dh and I want to teach our dc about our nation's Biblical heritage and the people who have been part of it. We've found that there are plenty of opportunities to discuss multicultural and evangelical issues within this context. This is from the "A Look at Each Subject" link on the HOD website:

In the area of history, you’ll notice that our programs begin with the Bible and then move into early American history. We believe that it is important to start with the Bible first and foremost, since it is truly the beginning of all history. Little Hearts for His Glory gives a broad overview of history from Creation through present day, and emphasizes God’s plan throughout history. Overall, children learn a great deal of Bible history and U.S. history with brief introductions to a few other people and events.

Next, Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory and Bigger Hearts for His Glory move into American history for several reasons. After having our oldest son move through the time periods chronologically from the Ancients to the present, we found that we would have preferred to wait to discuss myths, legends, other gods, and pagan cultures until he was older and more ready for these concepts. We also found the study of the early time periods was often filled with weighty topics, barbaric behavior, and many stories of cruelty. Even in watered down fashion these don’t seem to be appropriate topics for young children.

Instead, we want our young children to be inspired by stories of American heroes. We want to lead them to see God’s providence in the history of our nation. Since the ancient times are so far removed from the world that we live in today, it seems more logical to begin our study with the patriotic heritage that surrounds us daily. By reading history stories, students can enter the past and see it come to life.

Along with the history stories, we wanted to incorporate hands-on activities. While kinesthetic learners especially benefit from this type of learning, all children enjoy variation in their day. Before you say that you aren’t up to hands-on activities, you should know that all of our activities are written to be quick, educational, safe, and easy to clean up, and require only items you readily have on hand. Bible study, devotions, poetry and rhymes, music, (and in the upper mid-elementary programs) narration, timeline, notebooking, research, and geography activities are also integrated with the history stories.

With Preparing Hearts for His Glory, we move into a one-year overview of world history. This shows students that the flow of history is really one continuous story. It gives them some "mental pegs" on which to hang information later when they will take an in-depth look at the various time periods.

The next guide, Creation to Christ, takes a deeper look at the ancient time period by weaving Biblical history with secular history. Our newest guide, Resurrection to Reformation, focuses on the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Reformation. The two program guides scheduled for release after Resurrection to Reformation will continue to break history into chronological time periods, starting with the Age of Exploration and finishing up with the Modern Times.

HTH

[raceNzanesmom]

Agreeing with the above posts. I also appreciate that HOD doesn't throw young children into the harsher truths of US history (wars, strong politics, etc). I want that young innocence protected until he's mature enough to handle more, and even then I want it gentle and in little bits.

[my3sons]

We enjoyed doing American history through Beyond and Bigger Hearts for these ages so much. By the time we'd worked our way up to CTC - which is the ancients time period - I was oh so glad we had waited to study the ancients until my ds's faith was more grounded, more deep, and more intact. CTC also made sure not to "glorify" false gods and the worship of them, but rather to bring all glory to God, showing pagan worship to be sad, misguided, and wrong. "Genesis Finding Our Roots", the Biblical discussions and connections with history, and the history projects really helped us navigate that time period keeping Christ front and center, while still giving an accurate picture of what happened in history. I cannot imagine studying the ancients any earlier. On the flip side, studying American history in Beyond and Bigger really inspired our dc, and fit their age levels so well. The devotions and Bible study boxes in Beyond and Bigger laid the groundwork beautifully for PHFHG, and then, by the time my ds got to CTC, he was ready for it. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[holdinon]

Agreeing with the other posters here. I agree totally in regards to being spiritually grounded before introducing false gods, etc. However, in addition to the totally "religious" reason, here is a brief synopsis of the two different paths we have taken.

We began with ancients with my oldest dd in first grade. I didn't get into anything too gory or wildly inappropriate, and it was done in a tasteful manner. However, she really did not understand much of it, as it was so far removed from her. It was just like a make believe world to her. She wasn't scared or anything like that, and I don't think it necessarily harmed her faith in God. It just wasn't real as far as she was concerned. We had of course told her that the idols and such were not right, and that there was only one true God. So in her mind all the other stuff was fairy tale.

My younger children began with American History. They have (all) absolutely loved it. They understood it, because these people are real to them. We were able to trace our great-great grandparents and know how and why we got to this country. They have seen cane mills, corn fields, and milked a cow. We have visited Indian reservations. We can read the Declaration of Independence, see when and where our laws that we follow every day originated. We celebrate Independence Day. They have ridden in a horse drawn carriage. Their grandparents and great grandparents tell them stories of when they were a kid. So American history is not that far removed from them. They can relate to it. And, though they still have many, many more details to learn about our country's history in years to come, they do understand what they have learned so far.

Fast forward to when my oldest began her 5th grade year, where she began covering ancients again. It was as though she was studying it for the first time. Other than other people worship idols, she really didn't remember any of the other stuff we had talked about in the early years. At this age, she was able to understand why these people did/believed what they did. She was also able to internalize that there really were/are people who believe this way, and understand how important a biblical world view is. She hadn't done anything in life to relate to ancient history the way that the youngers can relate to American history. However, she had gained the maturity to be able to learn a about different times and places and come to understand a bit more of the culture.

There was a time I was firmly in the "classical" mindset. And I also wanted my kids to be mission minded. But having gone both routes, I am convinced that it makes more since to hold off on the ancient history. There are, of course, others who think differently, and each family has to decide for themselves, but that's our experience

Angie

[lisandpat]

I want to thank all of you for posting such detailed responses! I agree with what each one said and feel quite relieved in going forth.

Blessings!

Lisa D in OH