Pathway to Liberty History REVIEW

I have been searching for another history curriculum and I am so glad we had the opportunity to review Pathway to Liberty's History Curriculum from Pathway to Liberty Homeschool Curriculum.  I received physical copies of Pathway to Liberty's Universal History Year 1 for both Level 1 and Level 3 & 4.  The books are softcover and spiral bound.  I received the Student Guide and Teacher Guide for both levels in addition to The CHAIN of Liberty book and Studyguide.  The author of this history curriculum, Jayme Maccullough, was a homeschool mom who knew there was more to the regular dry and mundane history texts.  She wanted something that was alive for her boys, would draw them in, and would also share with them the importance of our liberty and what our founding fathers fought for in order for us to have the liberty we enjoy today.  She also wanted to have a strong biblical foundation for how our true history has happened over the years.

I must admit when I first looked at everything I was a little overwhelmed.  The schedule looked a little complex and I wasn't sure how it would all fit together.  As you use the curriculum though you do get used to the pattern and it starts to flow well.  It is a complete curriculum for grades K-12.  One year of the curriculum contains 26 weeks of study (with weeks 25-26 being mostly review).  There are 4 books (years) that include Universal History, the Middle Ages, U.S. History, and World History. Each book consists of 4 levels that are grade specific.  Level 1 is for K5-3rd grade, Level 2 is for 4th-6th grade, Level 3 is for 7th-9th grade, and Level 4 is for 10th-12th grade.  The levels allow you to teach multiple children at the same time.  The schedule is set up for 4 days per week for approximately 20-60 minutes each day.  I'd say 20-40 minutes for the lower level is pretty close but at level 3 we are generally more than an hour when we watch the videos that are an hour long.

Required book list

Teaching multiple children at the same time is a great thing, but not as easy as it sounded.  I have found that with my two, I am still having to do some independent work, but I really do like that they are learning the same thing at the same time.  Because my children are so far apart in age, we don't tend to do lessons together, but there are parts that we can do together and the younger one does enjoy watching some of the upper-level videos.  Also, my older 9th grader is a struggling learner so it is a little more labor intensive for me, but the curriculum is working well.  My 9th grader was VERY reluctant to do the work and of course, dislikes the writing VERY much (he is slightly dyslexic and also dysgraphic), but I think the small amount required is really good for him.  He has also realized that he really is enjoying what he is learning, score!  Little bug is having a ball, especially when she gets to color the pictures!

Level 1 lesson page

Level 1 page

Level 3 lesson page

The Teacher Guide really has most of what you need.  There is also a Teacher Manual that I did not receive, but I think I am going to get.  It has additional resources that go with the curriculum and it is for all 4 years. There are also additional resources you need to purchase (from the required book list).  There is a required and optional book list in both the student and teacher guides.  Each week has a weekly overview schedule.  Each week begins with a scripture, principle, and a leading idea that helps guide the focus for the week. The daily lessons are laid out in grid form with each level taking up a separate column.  This makes it easy when you are teaching multiple levels.  Everyone reads the same scripture with individual assignments being different according to grade level.

Level 1 Table of Contents

Level 3 & 4 Table of Contents

Sample Weekly Overview

The curriculum and lesson guides include optional writing assignments, deeper study, and vocabulary word study.  The author recommends the extras so that your child will be immersed in the current subject and study.  I have to agree with this and I like the way it totally works in a Charlotte Mason style curriculum. A typical lesson might include reading or a video and answering fill-in-the-blank questions.  There is a channel on YouTube that has all the videos and even separate playlists for the 4 different years so you don't have to search so hard to find them. Make sure to also visit the website for additional resource links.

Optional writing assignments and vocab list

Additional online resource links

The CHAIN of Liberty book and study guide that I also received is the foundation of the idea that grew this history curriculum.  Jayme talks about the "links" that "chain" history together through the years.  The "links" include:

• Creation Link
• Dawn of Nations Link
• Moses and the Law Link
• Church Link
• Reformation Link
• First Colonies Link
• First Constitutional Republic Link
• Expansion and Erosion Link
• The World at War Link
• Restoration Link

The links coincide with the curriculum from all 4 years.  For example, with our Year 1 Universal History, the first 3 links are covered. The links are listed at the beginning of the guides as a reminder.  Since these coincide with what we are learning, I am using The CHAIN of Liberty book and study guide alongside with what we are studying each week.  For Universal History, weeks 1-7 cover the Creation Link, weeks 8-15 cover the Dawn of Nations Link, and weeks 16-24 cover Moses and the Law Link.

I really like the way the curriculum is laid out and I like that the kids actually seem to be enjoying it.  I love the content so far and appreciate the apologetics aspect of it.  The fact that it is written from a Biblical Worldview is a winner for me.  I recommend that you check out Pathway to Liberty's History Curriculum.

You can connect with Pathway to Liberty Homeschool Curriculum on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, YOUTUBE, and INSTAGRAM.

Please also take the time to check out the reviews from my fellow Crew members (click on graphic below).  All four years are covered in the reviews so you can get a better idea of what to expect from the other levels.

Broody Time Again!

Here we go again, it's broody momma time!  These hens are such a hoot.  In the above pic two of my broody hens are arguing over who gets to keep the box.  Currently, they were both plastered into the one laying box.  There were of course 8 other boxes to use (7 of them were completely available and empty), but where's the fun in that?!

I love broody season because it is when my hens get to hatch some of our eggs.  I love waiting to see what will hatch since most of my crew will end up being general barnyard mixes.  I'm not sure I'm on board with all the drama that occurs up to hatch time, but the end result is always good for those that make it to the end game.  I don't like when eggs and chicks don't make it for various reasons.

I've decided to set up a dedicated "broody coop" so I guess now is the time for me to move the hens around.  I will be moving some hens out of the green coop where my rooster Sweet Pea heads up the flock.  I will leave my buff brahma in there and probably put Fluffy, the light brahma from the blue coop, over with her.  The two black sex links will move to the blue coop along with the non-laying leghorn I have (she will get to now sit with my crippled rooster who is isolated for his protection).  That should leave plenty of room for at least 3 broody mamas in the green coop.  I currently seem to have 2-3 broody mommas, but one of them is my easter egger who is no longer allowed to sit eggs due to her violent nature once the eggs start hatching!

I will update with the status on all this once I have everyone moved around.  There is a possibility to rehome the two sex link hens with a rooster I need to get rid of, so we shall see.

How is your spring going so far?  Do you have a garden?  Is it planted yet?  I hope to get more planting in tomorrow if the weather holds out good.  Until next time.  Blessings.

Garden Update 2 - April 2019

It may not look like much changed, but we've about got it licked.  Both compost bins are installed now and all but one of the beds is completed.  We still need to put something new around the asparagus and apple mint beds.  I'm leaning towards trying the cement blocks.  It would be more permanent and we wouldn't have to worry about rotting wood or invest more into the composite boards right now.  I'll update when we decide and get whatever we decide on installed.

Some aisle ways still need to be cleaned of weeds but most of it is clear at this point.  All the previous compost piles are now distributed. I even got the rhubarb separated and replanted the other day.  It was doing great but with the hot sun out today, it wasn't looking so good.  Praying it is just the stress of transition and that the transplants will take off after recovering.

I got a few strawberry transplants from my friend whom I had shared with a few years ago. I was so happy to be getting more of the original ones back in the garden.  I lost most of them over the winter.  Praying it all takes off well.

This weekend's project will be clearing the area in front of the garden and getting the rose bushes out and planting/transplanting what needs to be there.  I need to transplant a clematis start to the other side of the entryway, transplant some more oregano, and plant another peony plant I bought last year that never got in the ground!  I also have several bulbs to plant and the septic area to clear out and plant.  It seems endless, but it will get done, God willing!

Hope your spring projects are well underway and going well.  Many blessings to you and your family!