We are using SOTW this year and I’m loving it. It has created so many talking points so far. My biggest thing I tell fellow Christian homeschoolers is just to make sure you are leading it as the parent. I warn them that they approach teaching about gods from a very neutral, history teaching perspective. I feel like it definitely requires follow up to reiterate that there is only one true God and the biblical connection to worshipping false Gods.
Yes exactly. I think that’s why I don’t have an issue with it is because I automatically take the lead but I understand that some don’t. Which level are you on this year? We just moved into level 2
I used SOTW as the books were being written. MOH had not yet been written and for that I’m thankful. In my desire to want a curriculum that leaned Christian I probably would have chosen MOH but I ended up liking SOTW so much more as I grasped the big picture. It’s more critical thinking oriented and sort of an intro to a great books classical education style for the Littles. Susan Wise-Bauer was a year ahead of us in the writing so I was always grateful she got the book and workbook done before we entered the next year. MOH came onto the seen and I did buy the curriculum but we used it as a tremendous source book but not a main curriculum.
What a wonderful review! I love your reasoning behind why you use it even though it is not a Christian curriculum. We finished Vol.2 this last year and will be going into Vol.3. Vol.2 had more projects that I skipped than Vol.1 particularly on Islam. One thing re: the activity book, the first year I used the hardcopy and found it difficult to copy on my printer without removing it from the book on the perforations. I purchased the PDF file for our second year and it was so much easier to click and print! One con with that was I either had to print off map questions too, or I had to open my laptop to read them. Pros and cons to everything 😄 Blessings on this coming school year!
This was so helpful for me! Thank you. Our oldest will be in first grade next year and we are required by state to teach history. I was on the fence about SOTW but your review (along with some others) has helped us to decide to go with this one!
I’m so glad to hear that. Be sure to stick around for next weeks video because I’m actually planning to share tips on how to organize and set up story of the world. I hope it can help as well
You are so right. So much of understanding the Bible comes from knowing of the false God's of other cultures and why they were such a threat to the ancient Christians.
I have integrated MOH and SOTW together. I loved both for their different strengths and found a document that integrated them chronologically so I took it and ran with it and made an excel spreadsheet that lays all the details out in a user-friendly way! It is great to be able to get a very well rounded history curriculum!
Great video! I agree with your perspective, we need to know about all cultures and beliefs as they shape societies and buildings and governments in history, just need to clarify whats true and what's not. :)
My comment was long so I will post this here...did some research and Teachers Pay Teachers has some tie in sheets for these books too. Found a bundle for $6 US.
@@LifeintheMundane Are you using Biblioplans textbook they have? I think we will start with story of the work and then move to biblioplan. I really love the concept of biblioplan but I think it might be a little too intensive for my young kiddos.
@@amberdawn7011 yes we use the textbooks from Biblioplan but I agree story of world is much gentler. That being said you can use story of the world alongside Biblioplan family guide as well if you want to.
@@LifeintheMundane How do you feel the biblioplan textbook is compared to story of the world, when it comes to being entertaining for little kids? I will have a 6 year old and 9 year old for next school year who are very active boys who have a hard time sitting through something they are not interested in🤪
I was given a few copies for free and I am planning to use the Volume 4 this year but it's the textbook only so I am really trying to figure out how to use it. I'm not super-concerned about it not being explicitly Christian. That would have been nice but we can always discuss that perspective even if the source material is not. We have used Easy Peasy for some of our history in the past and while the source is Christian it links to a lot of materials that are not. And we're Canadian so our Canadian history books are not Christian either though I did find one Christian book that can tie into a non-Christian textbook. My youngest loved learning about the different mythologies because she is a very creative type and loves making up stories. That is how she views those of the other cultures too. I think if you're doing a good Bible study alongside where they get the truth it is helpful. We have done both secular and Christian science. The kids seem to prefer the Christian so we're sticking with that. My grandparents are from the Soviet and were in Europe during World War 2 and I grew up on the stories. I guess it was their coping skill. I heard fairly graphic details from a young age so I have no problem with the violence in history. It happened. My grandma told it as an adventure story (no pity parties) when putting us to bed so it seemed exciting. I am assuming the books don't go much deeper than that either. Pretty sure my own love of history started with her stories and the WW2 documentaries I would watch with my grandfather.
The student pages are included with the activity book. They include coloring sheets, maps, etc. the activity book includes things like comprehension questions, additional reading ideas, and hands on activities that bring the text to life.
Do you think it would be ok to use out of order? I want to order from a company that has book 2 and other books that go with the time. Do you think it would be better to go with book 1 first? For first grade we've been doing early American history through Notgrass.
I know many people who have done them out of order. I would just suggest doing some kind of time line activity so they can understand the order but definitely you can read them out of order
I totally agree with you our kids need to know the world so they can combat the world. Live in the world but don't be OF the World!! My synapses of that scripture 😉🤣
We are planning to start using SOTW this fall. Do you recommend getting the encyclopedias that the activity book recommends? Are they worth it? If so, which one do you prefer?
We have them and they can be really helpful when I remember to use them. I will be honest though and say I very rarely remember to pull them out. We have several from Usborne. I really should pull them out more (thanks for the reminder)
Don’t know why am watching I know it’s not really my opportunity to justify whether or not it’s a good video because I’m a atheist but Hope you are doing OK during these times 💜💜✌🏽
We are using SOTW this year and I’m loving it. It has created so many talking points so far. My biggest thing I tell fellow Christian homeschoolers is just to make sure you are leading it as the parent. I warn them that they approach teaching about gods from a very neutral, history teaching perspective. I feel like it definitely requires follow up to reiterate that there is only one true God and the biblical connection to worshipping false Gods.
We LOVE the audio! When we take school on the road we take it with us!
Yes exactly. I think that’s why I don’t have an issue with it is because I automatically take the lead but I understand that some don’t. Which level are you on this year? We just moved into level 2
I used SOTW as the books were being written. MOH had not yet been written and for that I’m thankful. In my desire to want a curriculum that leaned Christian I probably would have chosen MOH but I ended up liking SOTW so much more as I grasped the big picture. It’s more critical thinking oriented and sort of an intro to a great books classical education style for the Littles.
Susan Wise-Bauer was a year ahead of us in the writing so I was always grateful she got the book and workbook done before we entered the next year.
MOH came onto the seen and I did buy the curriculum but we used it as a tremendous source book but not a main curriculum.
That is so interesting and I agree it is defiantly written with more critical thinking.
Thanks so much for your comments.
What a wonderful review! I love your reasoning behind why you use it even though it is not a Christian curriculum. We finished Vol.2 this last year and will be going into Vol.3. Vol.2 had more projects that I skipped than Vol.1 particularly on Islam. One thing re: the activity book, the first year I used the hardcopy and found it difficult to copy on my printer without removing it from the book on the perforations. I purchased the PDF file for our second year and it was so much easier to click and print! One con with that was I either had to print off map questions too, or I had to open my laptop to read them. Pros and cons to everything 😄 Blessings on this coming school year!
Hannah Fourtner I totally forgot they offered a PDF yes I could see how that would be way easier.
This was so helpful for me! Thank you. Our oldest will be in first grade next year and we are required by state to teach history. I was on the fence about SOTW but your review (along with some others) has helped us to decide to go with this one!
I’m so glad to hear that. Be sure to stick around for next weeks video because I’m actually planning to share tips on how to organize and set up story of the world. I hope it can help as well
You are so right. So much of understanding the Bible comes from knowing of the false God's of other cultures and why they were such a threat to the ancient Christians.
👍
I have integrated MOH and SOTW together. I loved both for their different strengths and found a document that integrated them chronologically so I took it and ran with it and made an excel spreadsheet that lays all the details out in a user-friendly way! It is great to be able to get a very well rounded history curriculum!
Oh that sounds wonderful.
Wow that does sound amazing! Is your spreadsheet for sale??
@@brownfamily6901 I would be happy to send it to you at no charge as long as you don't sell it.
@ laura france is there a place you can find that document Or share your spreadsheet ? Please and thank you.
What is MOH?
Great video! I agree with your perspective, we need to know about all cultures and beliefs as they shape societies and buildings and governments in history, just need to clarify whats true and what's not. :)
Exactly
My comment was long so I will post this here...did some research and Teachers Pay Teachers has some tie in sheets for these books too. Found a bundle for $6 US.
Awesome
I’m curious if you’re still using Story of the World? If not, what have you used in these last four years?
We completed all four years of Story of the World and loved it. We now are using Biblioplan.
@@LifeintheMundane Are you using Biblioplans textbook they have? I think we will start with story of the work and then move to biblioplan. I really love the concept of biblioplan but I think it might be a little too intensive for my young kiddos.
@@amberdawn7011 yes we use the textbooks from Biblioplan but I agree story of world is much gentler. That being said you can use story of the world alongside Biblioplan family guide as well if you want to.
@@LifeintheMundane How do you feel the biblioplan textbook is compared to story of the world, when it comes to being entertaining for little kids? I will have a 6 year old and 9 year old for next school year who are very active boys who have a hard time sitting through something they are not interested in🤪
@@amberdawn7011 for that young I would definitely use story of the world.
Very helpful. Thank you.😊
So glad to help
I love your reviews! Always so helpful! Thank you so much!!!
You are so welcome!
I was given a few copies for free and I am planning to use the Volume 4 this year but it's the textbook only so I am really trying to figure out how to use it. I'm not super-concerned about it not being explicitly Christian. That would have been nice but we can always discuss that perspective even if the source material is not. We have used Easy Peasy for some of our history in the past and while the source is Christian it links to a lot of materials that are not. And we're Canadian so our Canadian history books are not Christian either though I did find one Christian book that can tie into a non-Christian textbook. My youngest loved learning about the different mythologies because she is a very creative type and loves making up stories. That is how she views those of the other cultures too. I think if you're doing a good Bible study alongside where they get the truth it is helpful. We have done both secular and Christian science. The kids seem to prefer the Christian so we're sticking with that.
My grandparents are from the Soviet and were in Europe during World War 2 and I grew up on the stories. I guess it was their coping skill. I heard fairly graphic details from a young age so I have no problem with the violence in history. It happened. My grandma told it as an adventure story (no pity parties) when putting us to bed so it seemed exciting. I am assuming the books don't go much deeper than that either. Pretty sure my own love of history started with her stories and the WW2 documentaries I would watch with my grandfather.
That is awesome that you had a love of history from such a young age and you got to hear first person accounts
Great review. Learned lots.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for sharing.
Happy to help.
Thank you, I have been thinking about using Story of The World.
Glad it helped
Thank you - I really appreciate this info! What ages did you use Vol 1 for/recommend it for?
I believe we started when my oldest was 1st or 2nd grade
Great job. 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks
Thank you so much.
You're welcome!
What is the difference between the activity book and the student pages?
The student pages are included with the activity book. They include coloring sheets, maps, etc. the activity book includes things like comprehension questions, additional reading ideas, and hands on activities that bring the text to life.
@@LifeintheMundane thank you.
Do you think it would be ok to use out of order? I want to order from a company that has book 2 and other books that go with the time. Do you think it would be better to go with book 1 first? For first grade we've been doing early American history through Notgrass.
I know many people who have done them out of order. I would just suggest doing some kind of time line activity so they can understand the order but definitely you can read them out of order
I would get them in order. They were meant for you to use in order. Book 4 definitely has themes you want to use with older students.
What's age appropriate? Do you think 10yrs old can use these books?
Yes that’s a perfect age.
I totally agree with you our kids need to know the world so they can combat the world. Live in the world but don't be OF the World!! My synapses of that scripture 😉🤣
So true
We are planning to start using SOTW this fall. Do you recommend getting the encyclopedias that the activity book recommends? Are they worth it? If so, which one do you prefer?
We have them and they can be really helpful when I remember to use them. I will be honest though and say I very rarely remember to pull them out. We have several from Usborne. I really should pull them out more (thanks for the reminder)
@@LifeintheMundane Thanks!
I need something like this for American history.
I know, right? We will be doing American History next year and I’m definitely going to be on the look out.
Don’t know why am watching I know it’s not really my opportunity to justify whether or not it’s a good video because I’m a atheist but Hope you are doing OK during these times
💜💜✌🏽
Thank you for watching and yes we are doing well! Hope you are doing well in these crazy times as well!
Life in the Mundane ☺️ thank u.
Funny I thought this was a Christian curriculum! Isn’t it?
Its considered neutral