The Mystery of History, Volume 1: Creation to the Resurrection

I just have one complaint about this curriculum - I didn't write it! As a two-decade home educator, I've been trying to write a needed missing link in home education. This book is it!! There seems to be two basic types of history books out there: 1. Textbooks that give trite summaries that fail to inspire our kids to interact with historical periods and that tend to instill a sense of boredom. 2. Exciting "idea book" type hands-on programs that give timelines, maps, ideas, crafts, etc. that you are told to integrate with historical instruction. The problem is, most of us don't have the time, knowledge, or money to buy or research these historical periods to teach the "meat" of information we don't know ourselves. Plus, there are those days as a homeschooler where we need the kids to be more autonomous than others. If the curriculum depends on us 100% of the time, we're going to fail. If the curriculum depends on handing a kid a big book or computer and hoping they discern what the key points to isolate, they will often become distracted and fail. With this self-directed approach, assessment becomes a big issue - either by neglecting to test or by exhausting the home educator who is required to create these constant assessments. Mystery of History gives the beginner to advanced home educator the best of both worlds. A great, easy-to-read segment of history is covered each day. The student is able to read it themselves and then, is asked to write a summary card of the key point and dates. A timeline is recommended with the choice of format. The teacher can be as involved or uninvolved in the process as life dictates that day and then, can assess student comprehension based on the cards and regular testing provided in the manual. Additional ideas, crafts, reading etc. are given for varying grade levels that allow the teacher to amplify and expand the info given when desired. It's chronological (very helpful with learning challenged kids) and a perfect balance between self-directed and teacher supervised. Ample opportunities for creativity abound, but consistent no-frills flow is also insured. It works well with multi-grade teaching since the text is supplemented with advanced work suggestions. I love this and will just have to file away my efforts at writing the same concept.

This curriculum is just what I was looking for! The events are in chronological order, integrating Biblical history with "secular" world history. This key element helps my kids see that Biblical characters were real and not fairy tale. So often we get one or the other but not both combined. This book also points out that man was created intelligent and innovative, judging from ancient artifacts, which are shown in photographs throughout the book. The pretests, map work, engaging activities, memory cards, reviews, and timeline reinforce what they've learned. The activities are divided for Older, Middle, and Younger students, so it is perfect for multi-level teaching. The lessons can be read to early elementary students, while the older students (6th grade & up) can read and study independently if desired. Further research and supplementation would be necessary for high school students. It is not overwhelming as I thought it might be. It is just right and my kids love it!!!

We are using this along with Story of the World Volume 1. It's been a great history program for our family. It gives our 5th grade just a bit more to chew own. If you google Paula's Archives you will get a list that correlates the two programs together. We use the Story of the World Activity pages and suggestions.

This book is excellent for homeschooling - designed so that it can be used for three different grade school age groups - full of world history information paralleling it with the Bible - there are instructions for making maps, a time line, etc - lots of photos, especially of artifacts from museum which can help the student understand ancient times - bought this for my grandchildren who are being homeschooled but we are seriously considering using it to write curriculum for our church's Bible school - impressed with the easy-to-understand but carefully researched material -