Customer Reviews

History Pockets: Moving West, Grades 4-6+

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently purchase about 8 of the titles in this series. We started with the Civil War pockets since my 10 year old son is most interested in American War History. (After this one I intend to go back in time and do the Ancient, Native Americans, Explorers, Colonial America, REvolutionary and Moving West.)

These books are the backbone of my American History curriculum for our homeschooling. I then supplement the sections we are most interested in with library books, videos and internet sources. In addition to history we are learning United States Geography. Each section, we pick a state to learn about that corresponds in some way to the lessons. For instance, we are currently doing the "Great Leaders" section in the civil war book so we are listening to a boigraphy of Robert E. Lee and studying the state of Virginia, his home state.

My 6 year old son isn't getting into it too much but needs the hands-on activities as well as the practice sitting still and listening to me! For him (the others listen, also) I read a picture book that corresponds with the activities, and then consider his history lesson finished.

My 10 year old son is really enjoying it and wants to do it everyday. He enjoys taking his time and making the coloring and crafty parts very neat. He says that he likes this class because afterwards he has something he created which can help him remember the material- and he feels proud about the nice work he has done and can show it to "Papa" when he comes home from work.

My 11 year old daughter is a little less enamoured but is willing. It does seem to be growing on her - especially the additive geography that we are doing.

The prep time is pretty minimal- making a few copies, getting the corresponding library materials and doing some internet searches perhaps. We also hung a large timeline on the wall and are hoping to add something to it one of these days. So many ideas and too little time!

To sum things up, I have found the Civil War Pockets to be well laid and easy to use. When supplemented with other materials, and put into context, the "pockets" can offer a well rounded HISOTRY (or other, since they even have LITERATURE pockets) lesson for up to grade 6 or 7.

I purchased this History Pocket because I had the Explorers one and found it very useful. I think this one is even better for California History.

This is a good complement to our study of American history. The kids enjoy making the "pockets" and the directions are easy to follow.

I haven't used the book yet, but the projects look great: fun and challenging. I like the idea of having a "book" to keep all the projects and information in together. The completed books are sure to become keepsakes of our study of American history this year. I also bought the Explorer History Pockets as well and even used this format to make our own "pirate" books too.

I've been impressed by the content of all the various "History Pockets" books we've used in our homeschool. They are especially helpful for visual and tactile learners. However, they have been rather hit-or-miss with my children. My 2nd child absolutely *LOVES* working on the activities. However, my oldest hates all the cutting & pasting involved and finds it to be busywork.

I would recommend the "History Pockets" to students who don't mind all the prep work involved in making the folders/lapbook.

I absolutely love these books! They are very engaging and my son actually WANTS to do the projects. We use this series to supplement our homeschool curriculum. I usually have a hard time getting my son to do "crafty" things, but when we finish one of these books he actually wants to know what book is next. Lots of fun.