My 8th grader is using History of Science just for the literature and history this year and we love it. Definitely could be used as a high school curriculum because it is so rich and deep.
Reading the comments here- is it typical to use an assigned grade level curriculum in a different grade? I’m considering homeschooling my 6th grader (currently HSing her little brother) but she is very rigid in her expectations and sensitive to doing “baby work” but does need a lot of review.
It’s truly what works for each family. You will find curricula that designates level vs grades. Meaning it can cover a wide range of ages. I can honestly say, that most middle school curricula out there (secular ones) are not babyish. It’s actually quite the opposite, it’s a bit harder to find resources that retain some whimsy of the younger years. What you are seeing discussed has more to do with a frequent question regarding this level, in which I addressed. This specific level and even level 7, is frequently discussed in groups due to its content and rigor. Which is why, some families want to know if they could use it with an older child. Which is what I broke down. You will find families that ignore the grade designation all together or adjust to their needs. When many look at programs that have a different grade, is usually due to the appeal of the actual theme. For example, this is history of science. A lot of STEM kids that haven’t used this curricula before, come into it wanting to know if they can still use it. With BYL, it’s levels and not truly grades. There’s a range that provides wiggle room. So all in all, you would have to look at the content itself if you consider something that’s outside of the stated age or grade range. Hope that helps!
It can definitely stand alone if that’s your homeschool style , meaning Charlotte Mason inspired homeschoolers. You still need math , and as I explained in the video, a science kiddo , will probably need more in the science department too. I blend because I’m not a CM homeschooler, and I prefer to use curricula as resources vs a structure outline. But it can stand alone for the right family with some areas of add in to satisfy certain requirements . English would be the least of my worries to supplement, it’s pretty rich as it is.
Yes, the Joy Hakim books I showed plus a few others are the required spines, plus some video lessons and more. You can see the full required booklist for each level on her site too. There’s suggested hands on activities, but you still need a science program for a stem kid to coincide with it.
@@Arleneandcompany Thank You so much! I know high school curricula is so hard to find with Science & History companies and wanted to make sure there wasn’t possibly another set to be purchased after buying from BYL.
@@raelenemj8297 totally understand, just keep in mind that this is really a history curriculum. It does offer hands on elements as you dig into the history of science . For some kiddos , this is more than enough to fit the slot of science as well, but for STEM kids, you would probably need to add a science curriculum. It depends on your style, your learners and goals.
How Eurocentric is Hakim’s History of Science? Planning for 8th grade one year of world history for a kiddo who loves science but dislikes history. I’m considering combining Oak Meadow 6/7 grades of world history into one year vs BYL level 8. Thank you!!!
It’s not perfect, like her other series , but in truth , none are. I never use one source for history, and they are not the only spines included in the booklist, only the ones I bought vs borrowed. It has an engaging approach to the topic, but of course a bigger focus on western scientists or discoveries. It includes some discussion of non-Western contributions to science, but not as much as the others from the areas we have read. I still find it to be a good jumping off point . And the creator provides additional reads with opportunities to dig outside of them. Scientist profiles , research etc. Take a look at the full booklist that’s in her sample on her site, and see what you think. As a multicultural family (I’m Dominican), I always look at it as one piece of our history study, regardless of the resource or how much we may love it. Combining 6/7 of OM will most likely be a lot. They are very full years with a big writing focus and heavy on hands on experience, which they’re known for. Would they like grade 8 civics? I know you said not a history fan, but civics is a great course too. I’ll be sharing a more in depth look of that too. Hope that helps.
@@Arleneandcompany Thank you! That’s really helpful! Yes, I think OM Civics will work well. I’m thinking of using it for 9th grade. Look forward to your video on that.
I used BYL 8 with my 10th grader as his independent work. It was an add on to our Sonlight World History HBL since we did it as a read aloud.
Awesome, it really is a level that can easily be used with a high schooler.
My 8th grader is using History of Science just for the literature and history this year and we love it. Definitely could be used as a high school curriculum because it is so rich and deep.
Sure can! Glad you guys are enjoying it too!
Reading the comments here- is it typical to use an assigned grade level curriculum in a different grade? I’m considering homeschooling my 6th grader (currently HSing her little brother) but she is very rigid in her expectations and sensitive to doing “baby work” but does need a lot of review.
It’s truly what works for each family. You will find curricula that designates level vs grades. Meaning it can cover a wide range of ages. I can honestly say, that most middle school curricula out there (secular ones) are not babyish. It’s actually quite the opposite, it’s a bit harder to find resources that retain some whimsy of the younger years. What you are seeing discussed has more to do with a frequent question regarding this level, in which I addressed. This specific level and even level 7, is frequently discussed in groups due to its content and rigor. Which is why, some families want to know if they could use it with an older child. Which is what I broke down. You will find families that ignore the grade designation all together or adjust to their needs. When many look at programs that have a different grade, is usually due to the appeal of the actual theme. For example, this is history of science. A lot of STEM kids that haven’t used this curricula before, come into it wanting to know if they can still use it. With BYL, it’s levels and not truly grades. There’s a range that provides wiggle room. So all in all, you would have to look at the content itself if you consider something that’s outside of the stated age or grade range. Hope that helps!
Is BYL great as a stand-alone curriculum? Or would you add more to it like Oak Meadow for English?
It can definitely stand alone if that’s your homeschool style , meaning Charlotte Mason inspired homeschoolers. You still need math , and as I explained in the video, a science kiddo , will probably need more in the science department too. I blend because I’m not a CM homeschooler, and I prefer to use curricula as resources vs a structure outline. But it can stand alone for the right family with some areas of add in to satisfy certain requirements . English would be the least of my worries to supplement, it’s pretty rich as it is.
For the Level 8 Science part is there a certain spin/curriculum that is required? Or is it just readers?
Yes, the Joy Hakim books I showed plus a few others are the required spines, plus some video lessons and more. You can see the full required booklist for each level on her site too. There’s suggested hands on activities, but you still need a science program for a stem kid to coincide with it.
@@Arleneandcompany Thank You so much! I know high school curricula is so hard to find with Science & History companies and wanted to make sure there wasn’t possibly another set to be purchased after buying from BYL.
@@raelenemj8297 totally understand, just keep in mind that this is really a history curriculum. It does offer hands on elements as you dig into the history of science . For some kiddos , this is more than enough to fit the slot of science as well, but for STEM kids, you would probably need to add a science curriculum. It depends on your style, your learners and goals.
How Eurocentric is Hakim’s History of Science? Planning for 8th grade one year of world history for a kiddo who loves science but dislikes history. I’m considering combining Oak Meadow 6/7 grades of world history into one year vs BYL level 8. Thank you!!!
It’s not perfect, like her other series , but in truth , none are. I never use one source for history, and they are not the only spines included in the booklist, only the ones I bought vs borrowed. It has an engaging approach to the topic, but of course a bigger focus on western scientists or discoveries. It includes some discussion of non-Western contributions to science, but not as much as the others from the areas we have read. I still find it to be a good jumping off point . And the creator provides additional reads with opportunities to dig outside of them. Scientist profiles , research etc. Take a look at the full booklist that’s in her sample on her site, and see what you think. As a multicultural family (I’m Dominican), I always look at it as one piece of our history study, regardless of the resource or how much we may love it.
Combining 6/7 of OM will most likely be a lot. They are very full years with a big writing focus and heavy on hands on experience, which they’re known for. Would they like grade 8 civics? I know you said not a history fan, but civics is a great course too. I’ll be sharing a more in depth look of that too.
Hope that helps.
@@Arleneandcompany Thank you! That’s really helpful! Yes, I think OM Civics will work well. I’m thinking of using it for 9th grade. Look forward to your video on that.