Selecting a Core Textbook

 

Connecting with History uses what we call Core Textbooks to give a quick overview of a time period before digging more deeply into the layers of history through "living books."

Each age level is assigned a core textbook, which is read throughout the entire year. Many core textbooks can be used by more than one age level.

When selecting a core textbook, consider whether your children can share textbooks and whether your child will be able to use a textbooks for more than one school year.

Connecting with History Companion Reader series

Beginner, Grammar, & Logic levels - Volumes 1, 2, 3, & 4

These are anthologies of articles and stories collected specifically to coordinate with Connecting with History. Each chapter includes informative articles and historical stories written for young people on the subjects and themes presented in the corresponding units of Connecting with History. These lend themselves well to reading aloud as a family.

 The younger members of the family may find the non-fiction portions at a higher level than they are ready to absorb. In this case, it's best that the parent reads the information and relays it to the child in a simple way rather than reading it directly to them.

How Our Nation Began

Beginner level - Volumes 3 & 4

The text presents the context for the founding of the United States including the years of the Crusades and exploration. Told in story-telling fashion, students are drawn into the events leading up to the American Revolution and the key events of the War for Independence. Color illustrations.

Light to the Nations, Part 1 

Logic & Rhetoric levels - Volumes 2 & 3

A modern Catholic textbook containing longer articles interspersed with sidebars and beautiful, full color pictures and illustrations. Assigned under the Logic level. Full color photos, illustrations, and maps.

American History Supplemental Reader

Beginner & Grammar levels - Volume 4

Similar to the Companion Readers, this is an anthology of articles and stories collected specifically to coordinate with Connecting with History. Each chapter includes informative articles and historical stories written for young people on the subjects and themes presented in the corresponding units of Connecting with History.

The younger members of the family may find the non-fiction portions at a higher level than they are ready to absorb. In this case, it's best that the parent reads the information and relays it to the child in a simple way rather than reading it directly to them.

From Sea to Shining Sea

Logic, & Rhetoric levels - Volume 4

This text tells the story of North America, the Indian nations, European colonization, the founding and history of the United States up to the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Told as a series of stories, with thumbnail biographies, lives of the saints, maps, illustrations, and other supplemental material. Color photos, drawings and maps.

This may be extended into the lower Rhetoric level in place of Lands of Hope and Promise, which is a much more challenging text. Even though From Sea to Shining Sea is written for middle school, our purpose for Core Texts is to give the kind of broad overview which this text provides.

Lands of Hope and Promise: A History of North America

Alternate Rhetoric level - Volume 4

This volume presents the history of North America from the landing of Columbus in 1492 to the late 20th century. It tells the story of the French, the Spanish, Dutch, Russian, and English settlements, and of the native peoples and cultures with which they interacted and came in conflict. Color photos, illustrations and maps.