[ High School and Self-Education Board ]
Posted by Hallie on 10:32 Jul 28
Last year for 5th grade we used Kingfisher. We all hated it - it was very dry. I used alongside an old Hillyer's Young People's Story of our Heritage, which really seemed to bring history alive - but not in a condescending way like some other materials out there. We did outline the Kingfisher, and my kids did 2 "projects" every week using the internet for research (mini reports, maps, some drawing, etc. - added clip art.. had all the pages comb bound, they are awesome - when their evaluator saw them, she said it was comparable to what kids would do in highschool)
So, I got rid of the Kingfisher and purchased the Spielvogel, because so many people recommended it for logic stage. Well, it's not that I don't like it, but I really think some of it will go over their heads - especially in terms of all the end of the chapter questions. My kids are very bright and capable, but I don't understand why they shouldn't wait to use it for rhetoric?
I have the DK History of the World, which looks like it will be good to outline from, and I still plan on having them do two weekly projects, and continue using the Hillyers. I like the layout of the DK and I think it looks like more FUN, bright and colorful, visually and aurally appealing than the Spielvogel. I know that SWB would say it should be for primary grades, but the book is INTENDED for a middle school audience. Aren't kids better off using easier materials and extending on them, than trying to take more difficult ones and bring them down?
I guess I don't understand why "pushing" would be important at their age. I mean, I can see the math, grammar; the "technical" pushing ahead as they are ready, but should history go in that category?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Hallie