Chronological Schooling

Okay, this idea is from a while ago, but Kevin thought it was soo good that I should get it down. Originally this idea was kind of in the homeschooling context, but I now realize that it would work well in any educational setting. As a homeschooler, just know that I am anti-establishment for very many reasons which I'm sure we will get to eventually. Anyway....

Chronological education:

Wouldn't it make more sense to teach children chronologically. I mean take your 12 years of education, break them up into 4 year segments; then look at a time line of the history of the world and go! Each 4 years the same chronology is repeated but with more detail. Let's face it - a 1st grader can't study Ancient Greece the way a 5th or 9th grader can, so information needs to be revisited. The entire historical time line can be segmented into 4 parts - one to be covered each year. Through the study of that particular time segment, literature, art, science, vocabulary, and spelling can all be learned. Sort of a large ongoing unit study. Math skills would be taught separate from the unit study, but could be enhanced by historical math games to reinforce those new skills. So basically, the first time a child learns about Ancient Greece, s/he will learn about the time frame, contributions, geography, games, foods, recreation and stuff like that. When it is revisited 4 years later, mythology and folklore will be introduced, governmental structure, religious practices, cultural traditions, art, etc. and the 3rd and final time it is revisited, study the era through literature, art, science, government, wars, monarchies, moral and ethical dilemmas and so on.

It makes more sense to teach children all subjects at once through time. Currently a 5th grader might be learning about physical science, but reading "Goosebumps" and studying state history, doing fractions and percents, and probably isn't taking much in the way of art. So many different eras are represented at one time and for a child it makes more sense if it all fits into place and weaves in and on itself.

A logical approach if you think about it. I mean it's hard enough to keep a child engaged in an institutional setting- might as well make it relevant and meaningful. And for you homeschoolers, if you like the idea, you don't even have to spend tons of money on a program like KONOS if you don't have the resources. Use your public library! Get yourself a good history of the world, tape it to the wall, break it up onto four segments and spend a year teaching the first segment. The nice thing for multi-kid families is that you can all study the same era over the course of the year and just add more detail and self-study for the older ones. Less work for you my dear homeschooling parent! And with using the library, every thing is free, as long as it makes it back on time, and new resources, videos, etc. are coming out each year to further enhance your more detailed studies.

Just a thought :)