First, can I just tell you how much I am learning during school time? Yes, me, the mom. The one who is the teacher. I’m pretty sure the kids are learning too, and that is…you know…the real point of home education. But I just love how much I’m learning too. Wow.
So now, let’s take a poll… When did you learn World History in school? And how much did you learn?
Me? I had one semester of World History in high school and that was it. And I don’t remember anything about it.
Just the thought of learning World History has always sounded very dry and boring and overwhelming to me. And it also sounded very dry and boring.
AND, I’ve always had such a hard time connecting Bible Times with World History. In my head (limited brain space that it is)…I’ve separated the two. Like there were Bible Times…and there were also Ancient Egyptian times…but I never could put them together.
THAT, my friends, is the reason I love this awesome set of books my boys and I are reading about World History!! They are written by Susan Wise Bauer and are called The Story of the World.
Check it out here.
We are a little over half way through the first book in this four set series. They are so well written that my six year old is understanding it…my eight year old…my eleven year old…and yes this 35 year old mama. We’re all getting it! It all makes sense! The information is captivating and incredibly interesting! (Of course, it’s highly likely that the reason the boys are enjoying the book so much is because ancient times were so filled with fighting and wars and violence and swords…but whatever.)
The best part of these books? The author combines Bible Times and World History for me!! She writes about how Jacob and his sons came down to Egypt and made their home along the Nile and how the nation grew! And then about how things changed years later in Egypt and the Israelites became slaves and how Moses delivered the people. It all makes so much sense!! With dates and everything!
I just love this set of books, and my boys do too! So, I had to share that with you. If you’re a history buff then you know all this stuff already and you’re laughing at me…but I’m okay with that. I finally found a book that makes World History make sense to me!
I just may be able to be on Jeopardy yet.
(Yeah, that was a joke. But you didn’t have to laugh that hard.) ;)
Catherine says
They sounds like a fantastic set of books. I’ll have to have a look around for them here.
I do remember a lot about ancient history from my school days (probably because I chose to major in Egyptian/Greek/Roman history for my HSC) but, it would be great to read about how eveything fits in with bible times too.
Joy @ Five J's says
Story of the World (there’s actually FOUR books in the series) is what I consider one of my desert island curricula — the curricula I wouldn’t want to be without if I were ever stranded, still homeschooling, on a desert island. (The other curriculum is Wordly Wise, but that’s another comment…)
We absolutely LOVED Story of the World. And so did my history-loving husband. He was so impressed how much the kids really UNDERSTOOD about history after reading the books together. The kids even have a fairly decent understanding of the differences between a monarchy, a military dictatorship, and a republic. (How many 4th and 6th graders know that?)
My kids just last week finished reading volume number four. We read all four volumes in just over 2 years, and loved every minute of it! We’re now moving on…well actually BACK to Ancient Egypt using TruthQuest history, but the Story of the World books (I made sure I purchased hardbacks) are still on the bookshelf and will be referred to often for brush up!
I’m so glad you found the series. You definitely won’t be disappointed.
Melanie says
SOTW is good, but you know what’s even better? The Mystery of History. Put ’em together and you’re gold. I’m using them both this year.
The one thing I didn’t like in SOTW is the fact that she adds to some of the Bible stories. TMoH doesn’t do that, and it has way more Bible stories, all put in their proper timeline places.
Devildogwife says
These books sound wonderful! I saw that there are activity books that go with the books. Are you using those or just reading the books? With our love of books and history, I think this might be a set to add to our wish list. :)
Kate says
I have heard amazing things about those books. We use a very similar program – Mystery of History – but the Story of the World books would be next in line if MOH ever stopped working for us.
Delighting in the Days (Stacy) says
I’ve always been interested in these books. They sound great.
Donna says
I’m so glad 2 read this about those books!!!! I have been eye-ing them for months or more and wondering if they were as good as they looked!
(I spotted them at B.A.M.)
-on the wish list they go for sure!!
Edi says
I was surprised at how much both kids loved the first book in the series (we have not got through it all yet)…it’s a great addition to our history lesson.
Barbara says
I don’t remember World History in school-did someone really stand up in front of one of my classes and teach it?!?!?! We are starting school next week, and we will be using Story of the World, book 1. I have been reading ahead and I am SO excited! We are using Susan’s mother’s (Jessie Wise) LA series too – First Language Lessons. Hubby and I met her at a HS conference in the Spring – what an amazing lady!
God bless,
Barbara
Denai says
WOW, those look like great books… I may have to get my hands on them and start reading them OUTSIDE of the public school… with my kids going to public school, I worry about the evolution thing and crossing it with christianity… I must start now so they don’t belive their teachers later!!!!
Sherry says
I’m going to have to check those out. I love history, although I didn’t much growing up. Thanks for sharing!!
Diane says
We use SOTW also and are half-way through the third volume. My kids and I love them too. Susan Wise Bauer does a great job! I love her book The Well Trained Mind as well!
Joelle says
I think I did a couple years each of American and world history when I was homeschooled. Then my parents felt it was very important for me to learn about Christian history (the Protestant reformation, etc), so I did that for about two years. Then I homeschooled for 9th grade and took world history then, and I went to a Christian school in 10th grade and took American history. I took two semesters of history in college, too, and was almost going to be a history major, but I switched to journalism. So that’s my, uh, “history” of learning history…
Teresa says
I felt, feel the same way about history. It was a short little lesson taught to me in a semester and I don’t remember a thing about it! When we get to that point in homeschooling (my kids are still young) I’ll have to look into these books!
Heather P. says
OHHH!! Sounds like an excellent set!
Thanks so much for the recommendation. I am just getting started with my five year old son, so I appreciate any and all recommendations!
Faith says
We read these when the kids were younger. Loved them!
Tanya says
Aren’t they awesome books! Our curriculum, My Father’s World, uses them and I have loved learning, Oh, teaching using them:)
Rachelle(aka mamabear) says
We just love Story O f The World !! I cheated and got them on Cd’s :-) The children beg to listen to them!!
Blessings-
Rachelle
Lisa says
Hey! I “found” you searching for a recipe for whole wheat pretzels (they are rising right now). I also got the Jim Weiss recordings of the Story of the World. We are using Tapestry of Grace, and listen to the different chapters as they fit in. I am thankful for your blog, I will be reading older posts and learning.
DawnJoy says
Thanks so much for the recommendation of these books. I just ordered all four and the activity books too. And, I don’t home-school. DD is a little bored at school, so we are gonna incorporate some FUN learning into our everyday. I also got a science experiments book.
I saw that pioneer women had an entry on the history books a while back and I forgot about them. Thanks for the reminder. I can’t wait to get them. I want to learn History too.