Category Archives: Story of the World

Jul 7 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 2, Chapter 1

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We started the second volume of Story of the World during what is officially our summer break because (1) my children asked for history and (2) the textbook has 42 chapters while the school year only has 36 weeks. It is recommended that we cover one chapter per week, so we need to cover six chapters before we start our new school year in August. Of course, nothing bad happens if we get behind or if we finish the textbook after we close our 180 days of school next year…

But when my five-year-old says, “Mommy, we have not done history in a long time. We need to do history!” and when my son says, “When do we start studying about the Middle Ages, mom?” I know it is time to start photocopying the activity pages and order extra reading material from the library.

Magic carpet craft activity

I printed out a picture of them so we can glue their faces onto the page provided.

Just to clarify, the Activity Book gives parents permission to photocopy activity pages (maps, coloring, craft patterns, paper dolls etc) for the needs of their family. Also in the Activity Book one can find lists of corresponding literature, fiction and non fiction, which one can purchase or borrow from the library, to enhance the study of each chapter.  Continue reading »

Jun 30 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 1, Chapter 42

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Chapter 42 is the last chapter in the Story of the World volume 1. It deals with the end of Rome.

The map gives the children a chance to identify continents and countries.

We made a Roman emperor scepter for our craft or activity. I knew we had all the materials around the house, so I did not need to improvise or buy anything new.

Scepter Craft

Recycled dowel and old tennis ball, getting ready to find new life together as a scepter

I can’t believe we’ve done it! We have finally finished it… I don’t know if it would have taken me less time had I not been blogging about it. Sometimes blogging about each chapter slowed me down, but other times it motivated me to work with them through some of the activities (besides coloring and map work).  Continue reading »

Jun 29 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 1, Chapter 41

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Chapter 41 talks about the attacking barbarians: Attila the Hun, Stilicho, and the Visigoths.

My son decided to draw a picture of Attila the Hun based on the description by Edward Gibbon, who is quoted in the Story of the World.

Attila the Hun sketched by a boy

My son sketched Attila based on the description in the activity book

The kids were really disgusted by the Huns’ habit of eating raw meat which had been spiced up between their saddles and their horse. Continue reading »

Jun 28 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 1, Chapter 40

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By the time we reach the end of the school year and the end of the history book, Rome begins to weaken and this is also the title of Chapter 40. The Celts and Boadicea captured our imagination.

The kids colored the queen of the Celts in pretty pink and green colors. Then, we had a Celtic feast as suggested in the Activity Book: berries, grape juice, bread, and (vegetarian) chicken.

Celtic Feast

Grape juice instead of wine, berries, bread and vegetarian chicken patties

We ate with our hands, as no silverware was allowed. Continue reading »

Jun 8 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 1, Chapter 39

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Rome and the Christians or Chapter 39 brought up the subject of persecution. I have been enjoying ancient Rome up about until this point. Nero and all the Christian martyrs, not to mention how poor ol’ misguided Constantine and his Sunday law pretty much end all the fun I had with Rome.

Map of Roman Empire colored by boy

Map colored by my son

We made a secret symbol for our family. Continue reading »

Jun 7 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 1, Chapter 38

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Chapter 38  is titled The End of the Ancient Jewish Nation. I read the story to them and they colored the map. They also colored the flag of Israel. I pulled up the Israeli flag on Google Images, so they can see how to color it. Later on, I noticed that the Activity Book specifies the colors needed.

Star of David coloring page

The Star of David and the Israeli flag, colored by my son

I would like to make latkes, but lately we have been making doughnuts and other fried foods a bit too much – too much for us. I need a break from grease for a bit. I don’t like to fry food anyway.

Playing Dreidel with LEGO bricks

Playing Dreidel with LEGO bricks

We made our dreidels and played the game. It was really fun. We had never played dreidel before. We used LEGO bricks. Somehow, the dreidel fell on All or Nothing most of the time.

Jun 5 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 1, Chapter 37

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The Beginning of Christianity or Chapter 37 marked a welcome connection between the Roman Empire and the life of Jesus Christ. My five-year-old daughter asked me, before we started this chapter, whether Jesus lived close to the time of Caesar. I was impressed with her question and honestly I could not tell you if she made the connection herself from her previous Bible lessons or if she just happened to wonder.

Map of early Christianity colored by a boy

Map colored by my son

She has been taken to church since she was six weeks old, as opposed to me. My parents did not take me to church but once a year, for Easter. Continue reading »

Jun 4 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 1, Chapter 36

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The First Roman Prince or Chapter 36 happened fast. The children colored their maps and the portrait of Augustus Caesar.

Augustus Caesar colored by a boy

Augustus Caesar colored by my son

In case you are wondering what the drawings are at the top, they are lions and angels, added by my son and his imagination.

I read the entire chapter. Sadly, I chose not to make a toga. I took sewing in college but I just don’t feel very motivated to make a toga for the kids at this point.

The other suggested activity also seemed tiring and complex, so I skipped on to the next chapter.

Jun 3 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 1, Chapter 35

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Caesar the Hero or Chapter 35 was sad. Really, really sad. It was tough to introduce the kids to the way Julius Caesar died. Again, I question the generosity of violent details in this history curriculum for first graders. I understand that they made it usable by children in grades 1-6, but it really was geared to first graders in the first place.

Boy with flag craft

Our Caesar with his flag

My librarian actually posted a note on some of the ILL titles she ordered for me. She wanted to make sure I reviewed these titles, because she deemed them appropriate for high school or, at the very least, for somebody in middle school. I told her that I previewed everything anyway and I thanked her for her concern.  Continue reading »

Jun 2 2015

Story of the World, Vol. 1, Chapter 34

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Chapter 34 took us back to my favorite ancient civilization – Rome. The story of Julius Caesar touched us all in a profound way. They were amazed by his ambition and life.

Boy with leaf crown

My JC wearing a leaf crown and a shirt declaring, “I will.” A coincidence, but a fitting one.

This is why I love homeschooling so much. I had fun in school growing up. Learning to me is a pleasure and a lot of fun. When I teach my children, I re-live those moments of my childhood when I had fun learning. On the other hand, when I learn new things in order to present them to my children, it’s fun also, because I love to study and find out new things.  Continue reading »