And for all their talk about integrating skills with the content, most publishers had separate chapters on map reading skills, and few other skills besides map were included. Any thinking skills beyond finding and memorizing facts were few and far between, so that children have no opportunity to consistently use and practice them. Since there is no widespread agreement on what should be taught in each grade, you can be assured that you will do no damage to your own curriculum by making adjustments that fit your situation. If you are teaching children of several ages, it is perfectly all right to have all of them studying Columbus and the explorers at the same time. Or all can study ancient Greece at the same time.
Younger children can read easier books, help make posters or scrapbooks, or take part in skits.
They can enter into discussions or sharing time where family members contribute information from their reading or, better yet, raise questions they would like to find answers for. A simple start is to have your children look through the unit in the textbook and list people and events that are included. Then take a family trip to the library or send your older children. Get a variety of children's books on Drake, Balboa, DeSoto, and others in the list, being sure to include some easy books for your youngest children. A technique to use often is to help children write questions they want to find answers for.