We started the 2013-2014 school year trying out a new history curriculum. I was wanting to do American history with my kids and was having a hard time locating one I thought would work. The two previous years, we had used Mystery of History from Bright Ideas Press. Bright Ideas Press history, All American History, looked a little too challenging for my younger kids, so I choose My Father’s World: Adventures in U.S. History.
The first few weeks, we struggled and had a lot of tears. The kids did not like the change. It was TOUGH. They cried, then I cried. I was determined to give the new curriculum a chance, though. I know that sometimes change can be hard, but that if you give things a chance, it could work out. I told myself that we would give the new history until the end of the year. I wanted to make sure that we gave it our all, before we switched curriculums. The kids like the time period that we were studying. They just did not like how it was presented, they did not like that there wasn’t daily activities or projects. With this curriculum, there was a lot more copywork, than anything.
The end of 2013 came and I knew the time had come. We were going to change history curriculums. The problem was, which one do I choose now? I had wanted to teach the kids American history. I have just had a hard time trying to find one that I liked. I knew we needed to go back to something that we were familiar with. One of the joys of homeschooling, is using curriculum that fits the needs and learning style of your children.
So what will we do now? One thing we will do is continue to read the books that I picked up on American history. They are short readers that the kids can read on their own. We also have the Little House on the Prairie books that we will read together.
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My kids have asked to go back to Bright Ideas Press, Mystery of History. Since we finished with Mystery of History: Volume 1, last year, we will begin Mystery of History: Volume 2, this next week. I already had this Volume on our book shelf, so it will save us money for the time being. In the mean time, I will be saving to purchase their All American History Jr. I would love to be able to look at the books and see what all the Jr. section covers. Hopefully, we will be able to start this in the fall.
After 11 years of homeschooling, I am learning it is okay to change curriculums, even during the middle of the school year. One of the joys of homeschooling, is being able to meet the needs of your children if something isn’t working. So mom, don’t give up if you are having a rough time. If you feel like you have given the curriculum a fair chance, and it still isn’t working, then change! You will eventually find something that will work, or a curriculum that you can tweak enough to make it work for your family.
Have you ever had any curriculum that made your kids break down in tears? Have you had to change curriculums in the middle of a school year? I would love for you to share your experience with us!
