So I have a 6th grade ds, avid reader.

I wanted to finish up the end of World History...so I decided to use the second half of Notgrass World History.

I have been a literature (Winterpromise) user for years...and I THOUGHT I wanted a textbook..just get through it kind of year this year. However..In looking through it...it does really cover highlights...and it seems kind of dry. And the literature that goes with it is a bit over ds' head..definately more high school. I was going to deal with it and exchange for other things...but now the Notgrass is needing so much changing for me to make it work..I'm wondering if I made the right choice.

I have been looking at Sonlight 7..world history part 2. And it is starting to look more appealing. I am just a literature kind of girl, I guess. The literature is more age appropriate, etc. DS says he just wants to do the Notgrass...but he hasn't read any of it or looked at it....I think he just means he wants a textbook type study this year. Not so much reading.

I'm torn...I did kind of want a simpler year this year.....but the Sonlight really does look more appealing...

However...cost is a factor as well. I already have the Notgrass.

What would you do?

jules

This post was edited on Jul 28, 2010 11:50 PM

Core 7 would probably be perfect for your son. Because he's an avid reader, he could do all of the history, readers, and read-alouds on his own. But if you really want to simplify, have you looked at BJU World Studies 7? It covers world history from 1100-present, and will cost a whole lot less than SL 7.

From reading your post....here is what I gleaned....
1. Your son wants to try Notgrass (Textbook approach)
2. You have purchased Notgrass
3. You like literature-based
4. Purchasing additional curr. (i.e. Sonlight) is not a feasible option from the money stand point.

I would say try the Notgrass - you have it, your son wants to try it. You can add additional liteature if needed (use the library or used book sources). Finding a good match for curriculum is also about the student. If the student wants to try textbook-style learning - it may be time to explore that option. That said, it doesn't mean, you won't ever go back to lit. based curr. Two years ago - my daughter requested to stop WP and go with BJU Her. Studies. In truth, she gave WP a good try (18 weeks is when we stopped) - I loved the WP/lit based with activities. She enjoyed the textbook approach for a while and now we are heading back towards more lit. based/unit study.

I would have your ds look at Notgrass and make sure he likes it before I made a decision. How can he know he wants to try something he hasn't seen?

ncmom2boys =)

Can you use the library and the SL catalog? That way you could use waht you have but add real books.

I'd have him try the Notgrass and go from there.
He may find it really boring and want to go back to
the literature. If he likes the Notgrass, you could always
have some SL titles around for him to enjoy on the side.

I'm a spine person, but appreciate good literature too.

Michelle32

Can you return Notgrass?

I was in your exact position last week with my 10th grader.
I ordered Notgrass but it looks soooo bland and boring I returned it. CBD is great with returns. My dd is now going to be doing Core 7. I ordered the IG and only 'some' of the books not at our library. We have a fantastic library so we are able to do it real cheap.

I think Notgrass with a 6th grader would not turn out to be a good year

"I think Notgrass with a 6th grader would not turn out to be a good year "
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I agree with this. Notgrass World History *is* intended to be for high school, so what you're feeling about the literature being over his head and that sort of thing is legitimate. Return it if you can. If not, maybe let him try it but prepared to switch if he dislikes it as much as you think he will.

I was also thinking that BJU might be a better choice if your son really wants to do a textbook. But make sure to get the student worktext, and you'll need the answer key for that. There are activities and other extras in the main TM that you can add for him if you want, OR just get some of the SL books to go along with it for extra reading. That way you wouldn't have to invest in an entire SL core. BJU isn't cheap either, but I think it's less than SL, especially if you can find it used.