Fifth Grade History

Books, Books, Books... and all for History.  I planned out, as close as I could, our study of American History for the rest of this year.  I found myself really having to pick and choose between some of the books I have and the things I want to cover.  I truly wanted to do the Queen's study of Sacagawea with the book and study guide for Stream to the River, River to the Sea.  However, there just isn't going to be time unless I make our US History Study a two year venture.  That would mean US History for 5th and 6th Grade, and then not venturing back until High School.  I wasn't ready to do that. It's a consideration, but I'm going to think about it some more before I veer away from my plans.

Some Charlotte Mason users believe in following two history programs at once... both a World History and a Country history at the same time, with them converging at some point.  However, I am not ready to do that either.  Seems like a lot of planning work.  Either that, or I would have to spend a lot of money on a program that already does this.

History is one of those things that I just am not entirely sure how I want to cover everything.  Sometimes, there are so many options that it can be mind boggling.  It would be very simple to just buy a pre-packaged curriculum... and I still might.  The problem with some of those, including Charlotte Mason ones, is that I don't like everything that comes with the package.  It may be wonderful for history, but the Bible Study may not be what I want, or the science is horrible.  Often, pre-packaged curriculum is usually just VERY expensive.

Not including the books we have already used or the ones we are currently using, I have eleven books and two more study guides that I want to use for history this year.  This isn't including A Child's Story of America, which is our spine.  This also isn't including Ben and Me, which we just began today.  Some of these books will be read at the pace of a chapter per day, depending on the length of the chapters.  Other books will be read more slowly.  I have a rather interesting mix of books we are reading.  I surprised myself by cutting two books from our list that I had gotten expressly for the purpose of using for history. 

I did make sure to include my personal favorite, Caddie Woodlawn.  It's a bit of a long book, and may take us a bit to get through.  I re-read a few sections of it tonight and remembered why I loved it so much as a girl.  It's just one of those stories that stays in your heart for a long time.  I remember, as a girl around Laura's age, getting the book from a school function.  It made an impact.  I must have read Caddie more that I read the Little House books. 

Having favorites from childhood that I can share with my daughters is so wonderful.  I realize that my favorites might not be their favorites.  That's okay.  The benefits of spending time reading to and with my daughters is a special gift.