Teaching History

[waterdreamer]

Lately I've been reading a lot about Classical Education. And to be honest I just love it. I started teaching my son Science using books, and lots of repetition. And its going really well. However I hit a brick wall when it comes to history.
I would LOVE to find some easy reader books based on historical events, like Ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece.
Any suggestions?

[nee1]

Lately I've been reading a lot about Classical Education. And to be honest I just love it. I started teaching my son Science using books, and lots of repetition. And its going really well. However I hit a brick wall when it comes to history.  I would LOVE to find some easy reader books based on historical events, like Ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece. Any suggestions?

1). 'The Well Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home' by Susan Bauer and Jessie Wise contains lots of curriculum recommendations on how to implement a classical education. (A very good book, by the way). Check out their website: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/.

2). And then search the http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/index.php for possible answers to that question or even still, ask your question on that forum. The forum comprises other parents using the classical model of education.

3). And this site (http://www.design-your-homeschool.com/classical-home-schooling.html) summarises the concepts of classical education. I used the site's recommendations to get the other books and free articles on classical education. Further, the site explains other home-schooling models such as Unit Studies, Charlotte Mason, Thomas Jefferson Education, etc.

[waterdreamer]

Yes, I have that book and been on that forum. This issue is the resources recommended are above my son's head right now. I thought maybe someone here with younger children might have some more age appropriate material that they have used.

Thanks anyhow!

[aangeles]

What is Wesley's reading level now? What kind of Science books is he reading?

[waterdreamer]

Wesley's reading level is much higher then his comprehension. Right now at school he's reading Level H books. At home if he's into a book he can read Level J or K.
Right now for Science we are using books like this www.amazon.com/Where-Frogs-Green-Light-Readers/dp/0152048448/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329703567&sr=1-14
They are very easy for him, so he is able to focus on understanding instead of reading.
Even if we were able to find some picture books that were above his reading level, and I read them to him, that would be great. They would just need to be shorter and to the point to hold his attention.

[fma001]

I'm currently reading the Usborne First Encyclopedia of History to my almost four year old. It's the most basic history book I've been able to find. It has very colorful pictures with short text. We spend a few days on each section. It covers the first farmers, first cities, ancient Greece, ancient Egypt, ancient Rome, ancient China, vikings, the Tudors and a bunch of other things. My First Little House Books are a good intro to pioneer history.

[Mandabplus3]

We are using these not sure they are exactly what you want but we love them. Loads of pictures and fairly simple to understand text, but not self readers for that level. http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Ancient-Egypt-Jane-Walker/9781842367599 there are lots of them on every imaginable topic and they are about $5 on average. We read a double page spread mini topic as story time each day and then some non fiction to keep everyone happy and learning
Have you tried your local library? My daughter was very keen on non fiction and we had lots of leveled readers available at our libraries. PM series was great as was National geographic...and many others. We found Egypt, roman armor, festivals, Australian aborigines, captain cook, history of boats, how people live, and a whole lot of natural geography topics. That's just the ones I remember, she would have read many more without me.

[waterdreamer]

I'm currently reading the Usborne First Encyclopedia of History to my almost four year old. It's the most basic history book I've been able to find. It has very colorful pictures with short text. We spend a few days on each section. It covers the first farmers, first cities, ancient Greece, ancient Egypt, ancient Rome, ancient China, vikings, the Tudors and a bunch of other things. My First Little House Books are a good intro to pioneer history.

I actually just took the Usborne book out from the library this weekend to look over. Thanks for letting me know that it works for your family. I will look at it a little closer.

We are using these not sure they are exactly what you want but we love them. Loads of pictures and fairly simple to understand text, but not self readers for that level. http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Ancient-Egypt-Jane-Walker/9781842367599 there are lots of them on every imaginable topic and they are about $5 on average. We read a double page spread mini topic as story time each day and then some non fiction to keep everyone happy and learning
Have you tried your local library? My daughter was very keen on non fiction and we had lots of leveled readers available at our libraries. PM series was great as was National geographic...and many others. We found Egypt, roman armor, festivals, Australian aborigines, captain cook, history of boats, how people live, and a whole lot of natural geography topics. That's just the ones I remember, she would have read many more without me.

These look great too! I'll have to see if my library carries them.
I have been looking at my local library, the problem is the paperback children's readers are not categorized. So I have to sit and flip through hundreds of earlier readers. Not to mention in our city there are about 10 libraries, which circulate books. Since they are not categorized, what might be there one month, could be moved to another location the next. Luckily these more encyclopedic books are categorized and I can just reserve them.
Thank-you for all your suggestions and tips!

[Skylark]

 I would highly recommend The Story of the World book series by M B Synge

They are written in a very easy language and are quite engaging. We started on them with our 3 year old recently, and she is waiting for our "history lessons" every day ( we do not do it every day, but she really likes it!)

We usually read one chapter at a time. I print out maps and some other pictures to go along with the chapter. In fact I am planning to make simple flannelle-graph  aids for the stories as well, as it makes it more engaging and hands on.

It is a set of five volumes, written at a middle school reading level but comprehension level is good for my 3 year old, since I am the one reading it and she is not concentrating on reading per se. It covers all major events in the history of Western Civilization, from  earliest recorded history to the close of the nineteenth century. With fifty or so short chapters in each volume, the series links the great eras in time and place together by a chain of stories of individuals who played principal parts in the events related. While statesmen and military commanders figure heavily in the narrative, stories of explorers, scientists, artists, authors, and religious figures are also presented.

The author tells the story of the world from a European viewpoint, relating the history of other regions as they became known to Western Explorers.

You can either order them from Yesterday's Classics

Or you can access them for free ( in beautiful printable format), courtesy of Baldvin's Project, since they are out of copyright:

Here are the links to each volume:

On the Shores of the Great Sea: Volume I of the Story of the World series (B.C. 1000 to 0 A.D.) focuses on the civilizations surrounding the Mediterranean from the time of Abraham to the birth of Christ. Brief histories of the Ancient Israelites, Phœnicians, Egyptians, Scythians, Persians, Greeks and Romans are given, concluding with the conquest of the entire Mediterranean by Rome. Important myths and legends that preceded recorded history are also covered.  http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=synge&book=greatsea&story=_contents

The Discovery of New Worlds: Volume II of the Story of the World series (0 to 1535 A.D.) covers the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the middle ages in Europe, the rise of Islam and the Crusades, and finally the age of exploration, and the establishment of trade with the Far East. The book concludes with the Discoveries of Columbus and the Spanish settlements in the New World.  http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=synge&book=discovery&story=_contents

The Awakening of Europe: Volume III of the Story of the World series (1535 to 1750 A.D.) covers the reformation in Germany, the Netherlands, France, and England, as well as the settlement of colonies in America. The rise of England and the Netherlands as sea powers, and the corresponding fall of Spain, as well as the rise of Russia, Austria, and the German states are also covered.  http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=synge&book=awakening&story=_contents

The Struggle for Sea Power: Volume IV of the Story of the World series (1750 to 1815 A.D.) focuses on the age of empire and world colonization. The histories of European colonies in America, Australia, South Africa, and India are related. Also covered are the Revolution in America, the French Revolution, and campaigns of Napoleon.
http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=synge&book=seapower&story=_contents

Growth of the British Empire: Volume V of the Story of the World series (1815 to 1900 A.D.) treats the revolutions in South America and Mexico, the Boer War in South Africa, and the exploration of Central Africa, the Greek and Italian wars for Independence, the Crimean War, the American Civil War, the opening of trade with Japan and China, and the rebellion in India.
http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=synge&book=growth&story=_contents



I also heard that "The Child's History of the world or glimpses into the world's history" by P Sinnett good  as well, you can check it here from openlibrary.org: http://www.archive.org/stream/achildshistoryw00sinngoog#page/n8/mode/2up

Another ones I was recommended, but did not have a chance to check them out yet:

V. M. Hillyer's Child's History of the World and Susan Wise Bauer's Story of the World series, so if anyone had experience with these, I would be curious to hear!

[Skylark]

Oh, and another way we introduce history is reading about famous explorers, famous inventors, famous musicians, poets, etc and then link it to different time periods, eras.

I really liked "Land Ho!" book ( Fifty glorious years in the Age of Exploration) from Scholastic company

Right now we were just reading random books on that, depending on her interests at the moment. But I am thinking creating a large timeline to post on one of the walls, and placing different famous people or events that we are reading about on that timeline. I probably would not get around to doing it for at least another couple of months, but I think it will help the kids to have a visual like this.So wanted to share my idea with you 

[hinata]

There are lots of children´s books for History, the ones that I like the most are written by Demi. You can check them at Amazon: http://www.amazon.es/s?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=english-books&field-author=Demi

If you want more ideas for History books I would suggest you check this blog: http://runofthemillfamily.blogspot.com/search/label/History
This mother follows the curriculum of The story of the world.

I hope this helps!

[Mandabplus3]

I just realized the books I use "100 facts about...." are available on iBooks, some are FREE! Some ore $3-4 and a couple are$ 7-8. that is a lot of knowledge for free!

[waterdreamer]

Thanks so much everybody for the wonderful ideas! My computer is being less the cooperative so ive been reading on my iPhone. So please forgive my lack of response.

[mother of faith]

wow thanks more to add to the link library.

[susankhan]

You have most likely found this site http://www.oldfashionededucation.com/  Tons of info here
Susan khan

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