Social Studies in Our Homeschool
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It’s now the third week of the Virtual Curriculum Fair. This week’s theme is Exploring Our World: Social Studies and more Science—includes history, geography, world cultures, worldview, biology, botany, geology, etc. So, I’ll be sharing what the boys are doing for social studies this year ~ World History and Civics.
Social Studies in Our Homeschool ~ World History Survey for High School
After a year of more specialized Western Civilization during freshman year using the materials for the Academic Decathlon and a year of merging AcaDeca materials with Sonlight’s Core 100 American History studies, we elected to do a survey of World History for P’s junior year.
While he enjoyed many of the books in Sonlight’s program last year, we opted to go to a textbook format to be the base of the world history survey this year. He is also incorporating the AcaDeca materials on World War I as part of the course (which includes a rather broad survey of subjects on that topic.)
Holt’s Human Legacy was one of the programs we were considering and I took it as a sign from above when I found it for half off on the used curriculum shelf in our correspondence school. P took a glance and said it looked fine to him. Then, I went searching on Amazon and eBay for the teacher resources on disc so I could have ‘worksheets’ for him to complete as proof of work. After the labor intensive American History with Sonlight, have the option to do a chapter test with multiple choice and fill in the blank to grade seems heavenly for me.
That being said, we are integrating some additional reading, related movies or documentaries and a research paper to go with his history study. How much is expected is tied to whether or not he makes the Academic Decathlon team this year (as that means until late February there’s a lot of crunch studying for the competition…all based on World War I.)
I know that some homeschoolers will shun a traditional textbook, but I have to admit that the survey approach and ready made teacher resources have been beneficial for us. Plus, it is a transition to when he will be going to college where textbooks are typical. While I did not order mine through them, I believe Saxon Homeschool has this particular program available as a set (student book and teacher resource discs) for $200. Something I didn’t realize is how much was included on the teacher resource disc and picked up their learning through movies educator resource in print only to find I had it on the teacher resource disc.
Social Studies in Our Homeschool ~ Civics for Middle School Students
After falling in love with the layout of Notgrass’ America the Beautiful after reviewing it through the Schoolhouse Review Crew. So, I purchased Uncle Sam & You for my 8th grader to do for social studies this year.
In this month’s Language Arts in Our Homeschool This Year post, I already shared the literature books they incorporate into the program. I love the layout and the ability to have ‘worksheets’ through use of their Student Workbook and Lesson Review. There are several tasks per lesson, although we are not using all of them.
He is building vocabulary (which we enter into VocabularySpellingCity for review) and reading some original letters and speeches in The Citizen’s Handbook. And, on Friday of each week, R is learning a bit more about a national holiday.
Curious about past years in our homeschool? Visit How We Are Exploring Our World as Homeschoolers and Learning About The World Around Us which covered the 2011 – 2012 school year.
How do YOU approach learning different social studies subjects in YOUR homeschool?
Any favorite products or curriculum that you absolutely loved?
Check out all of the other great ideas for how homeschoolers are Exploring Their Worlds.
A Classical Approach to Ancient World History for All Ages by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds
Supercharged Science’s eScience Program by Kristi K. @ The Potter’s Hand Academy
Social Studies & Science Resource Lists by Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses
History and Science: Learning About the World Around Us by Leah@As We Walk Along the Road
Designing a Unit Study for History, Geography, or Science by Amy @ Eclectic Homeschooling</ p>
Virtual Curriculum Fair: Social Studiesby Joelle @ Homeschool for His Glory
Uncle Sam & You- Notgrassby Lynn @ Ladybug Chronicles
My Favorite History Books for Boys by Monique @ Living Life and Learning
Social Studies in Our Homeschool by Laura @ Day by Day in Our World
A Peek into our Homeschool: The Sciences by Brittney @ Mom’s Heart
Our Curriculum Choices 2014 ~ History & Science by Renata @ Sunnyside Farm Fun
We’re having a Social Studies-heavy Year by Debra @ Footprints in the Butter
Our Journey Around the World by Laura @ Four Little Penguins
My Favourite Social Studies Curriculum by Kim @ Homestead Acres
Raising Map Nuts: Learning Geography Naturally by Kristen @ Sunrise to Sunset
The Whos, Wheres and Whys by Michele P @Family, Faith and Fridays
Exploring Our World: Social Studies and Science in our Classical Homeschool by Sharra @ The Homeschool Marm
Time Travel Throughout the World {or History and Geography in Our Homeschool} by HillaryM @ Our Homeschool Studio
Virtual Curriculum Fair Week 3: Exploring Our World – Social Studies and More Science</ a> by Stacie @ Super Mommy To The Rescue
Why We’re Ditching Story of the World
by Tauna @ Proverbial Homemaker
Speaking as a former textbook shunner—yes, there definitely are times when a textbook is good thing! While I do like a “living books” approach to social studies, it can very easily overtake your life.
And it can be very disheartening after spending a year on a part of history or the world, only to find that your kids have not really retained much. Yes, they remember some stuff. Vaguely. But the time put in isn’t justified by the end result. I think there is something to be said for “less being more.” As they get older, we do want them to retain more, rather than just getting the “flavor” of things.
We are Notgrass lovers as well. Looking for to using Uncle Sam series next year!
I don’t have high schoolers yet but will keep that one in mind. I do love America the Beautiful as that is what I am using with my son. I am thinking of purchasing Uncle Sam & You for my son for when we finish America The Beautiful.