One of the great things about the Big Ideas through History program is that it can be successfully and easily used not only by students of different ages in the same family, but can also be reused as kids grow and are ready for more depth in each topic.
Tips for Using BItH with Middle School Aged Students (6th-8th grade)
For learners 6th to 8th grades, I suggest doing history work two or three times weekly, covering one section per week. This means you would get through about one unit each month (3 sections plus one peoples).
I recommend picking age and level appropriate chapter books or novels for your student to read independently throughout each Unit (the number will vary based on how quickly your student can read independently), plus a historic text from each Unit to read aloud with your student throughout the Unit.
For each section or peoples on a two day schedule I suggest:
Day 1
- Read from a suggested reference book or web article from the section’s recommended resources and discuss the main points for the section.
- Complete the suggested Section Activity.
Day 2
- Review the topic by reading a short section from another suggested reference book or web article from the Section’s recommended resources and review the main points for the Section.
- Watch a web video from the Section’s recommended resources or
- Explore an interactive website from the Section’s recommended resources or
- Watch a recommended movie or show.
- Complete the Section Quiz, Unit Quiz Show, or Add-on Writing Project (on the last week of the Unit when there is no quiz for Peoples section).
For each section or peoples on a three day schedule I suggest:
Day 1
- Read a suggested reference book or web article(s) from the Section’s recommended resources and discuss the main points for the Section.
- Complete the suggested Section Activity.
Day 2
- Review the topic by:
- Watching a web video from the Section’s recommended resources or
- Exploring an interactive website from the Section’s recommended resources or
- Watching a recommended movie or show.
- Complete the Section outline, highlighting the main points for the Section.
Day 3
- Review the topic by reading a short section from another suggested reference book or web article from the Section’s recommended resources and review the main points for the Section.
- Complete the Section Quiz, Unit Quiz Show, or Add-on Writing Project (on the last week of the unit when there is no quiz for Peoples section).
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