No, I’ve always been intimidated by the scope of them, and also slightly dubious of the ‘buy the WTM, now buy The Story of the World, now buy the matching activity books…’. But you think they’re good? I also hesitate because our history encyclopedia is good and gives a brief introduction to ‘everything’, and I wonder if I’d be buying more stuff just to make me feel better without actually adding to the content we already own. I’m a sucker for ‘buy it now, regret it later’!
They are really good, and for many people in my circles they are the only Susan Wise Bauer thing they do (more so than reading WTM). Kids love their recorded versions with Jim Weiss. I think they are available as a download if you want to just try one.
I agree! And I only just used them last year. The readings are short and engaging and often our study was just the reading (around 5 minutes) and any discussion that ensued. Because my children were 3, 4, and 6 last year, we did make use of the coloring pages most days. But we didn't do a fraction of all that is outlined in the activity book. I also agree that the audio is great too.
Glad you're back! Would you recommend the pencils you bought? I'm about to refresh my supply and am always open to seeing if others like/would recommend materials they are using.
Thank you Susie! Your comment made me laugh. Since I bought the pencils I have devoted not a little brain space to thinking about pencils, and it’s nice to see I’m not alone! I bought the very standard Staedtlers because they were cheap. Then when we started using them I realised I don’t think I have ever bought pencils before, so all the pencils we own must be freebies, gifts, or tiny stubs my husband and I have probably had since school! So for me, the new pencils are a huge luxury and I realise how tired our old supplies were. But the children find them rather long and I belatedly remembered that shorter pencils are supposedly easier for little hands. So they will probably continue using the stubs, because who knows how many years it will be before I buy new ones!
Hmmm. This is giving me ideas about how we do maths worksheets...
Have you tried any of the Story the World books to match the phase of history you’re in? They are good!
No, I’ve always been intimidated by the scope of them, and also slightly dubious of the ‘buy the WTM, now buy The Story of the World, now buy the matching activity books…’. But you think they’re good? I also hesitate because our history encyclopedia is good and gives a brief introduction to ‘everything’, and I wonder if I’d be buying more stuff just to make me feel better without actually adding to the content we already own. I’m a sucker for ‘buy it now, regret it later’!
They are really good, and for many people in my circles they are the only Susan Wise Bauer thing they do (more so than reading WTM). Kids love their recorded versions with Jim Weiss. I think they are available as a download if you want to just try one.
I agree! And I only just used them last year. The readings are short and engaging and often our study was just the reading (around 5 minutes) and any discussion that ensued. Because my children were 3, 4, and 6 last year, we did make use of the coloring pages most days. But we didn't do a fraction of all that is outlined in the activity book. I also agree that the audio is great too.
Glad you're back! Would you recommend the pencils you bought? I'm about to refresh my supply and am always open to seeing if others like/would recommend materials they are using.
Thank you Susie! Your comment made me laugh. Since I bought the pencils I have devoted not a little brain space to thinking about pencils, and it’s nice to see I’m not alone! I bought the very standard Staedtlers because they were cheap. Then when we started using them I realised I don’t think I have ever bought pencils before, so all the pencils we own must be freebies, gifts, or tiny stubs my husband and I have probably had since school! So for me, the new pencils are a huge luxury and I realise how tired our old supplies were. But the children find them rather long and I belatedly remembered that shorter pencils are supposedly easier for little hands. So they will probably continue using the stubs, because who knows how many years it will be before I buy new ones!
Ha! I'm glad I'm not alone in devoting brain space to pencils :) I tried a couple of different kinds last year - but they either broke easily or were too bulky. I think i'm gong to try these "golf pencils" https://www.amazon.com/Dixon-Ticonderoga-Golf-Pencils-13472/dp/B00SAIBPGM/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3RQKPE5HWGI12&keywords=ticonderoga+golf+pencil&qid=1692155530&sprefix=ticonderoga+golf+pencile%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-2 for my 4, 5, and 7 year olds. If they are amazing, I'll report back. But I imagine they'll be just fine - and will be used amongst our various pencil stubs as well.