Tips for Using The Story of The World
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 5:00AM 
Our history curriculum of choice is The Story of The World.
The engaging stories, narration questions, map work, and supplemental activities have always been a great fit for my two children. Even though they are three years apart in age, we have worked through the volumes together, adjusting activities up or down as needed.
In a vlog last spring I detailed exactly how we notebook our way through The Story of The World. Since we use this as our sole history curriculum (I know many that just use it for the "stories" - a supplement to another history program) I wanted to use every feature of the program to its fullest.
Here is how we go through a typical chapter in The Story of The World. After I walk you through our lesson I will tell you why I am so excited about an additional living book resource I've recently come to know!
Gather notebooks, supplies, and and SPREAD OUT for reading and notetaking.
My children each have a SOTW notebook that consists of the activity sheets and any supplementary sheets I've printed. I also have a notebook that is the teacher's ediition of the activity guide.
While I read the chapter to my children, my younger child colors and "takes notes" and my 11 year old is required (this is new this year!) to take notes on the iPad while she listens. (Thank you Jess for this suggestion!) Last year I showed how my youngest took notes on Caesar -- it might give you an idea of how to keep your younger ones interested.
Complete Narration Questions
After the lesson I ask the children the scripted narration questions from the activity guide. My youngest just answers them verbally, but my oldest (if she hasn't detailed the answer already in her notes) types the answer to the question. These notes are then printed and put into her Story of the World notebook.
Map Work
Each chapter comes with a map and scripted mapping activities. After we have narrated, then we get to work on the maps with colored pencils! I absolutely LOVE the map work. The directions go something like this. :
Outline the continent of North America in GREEN. Underline the words North America in GREEN.
Outline the continent of South America in BLUE. Underline the words South America in BLUE.
Outline the strip of land between North and South America in ORANGE. This strip of land is called Central America. Underline the words Central America in ORANGE.
These mapping directions promote listening, following directions, geography, and so much more. My friend Jess told me the other day that she has her children draw a compass rose on each of the mapping sheets, too. Great idea!
Decide which (if any) activities you will do from the activity guide
I look ahead before we read a chapter to see if there are activities that would interest my children.
After the map work we usually do an activity (it might be the next day). This past week the kids went outside and smashed popcorn kernels to get an idea of how the Aztecs made maize. Simple, right? Very... and it was meaningful and fun!
At this point we also ALWAYS check to see if there is a Netflix documentary or Horrible Histories to go along with what we're studying. If you don't know about Horrible Histories, you probably should! We watched a hilarious video about the Aztecs - I can tell you my children won't forget the importance of the cactus in their culture!
Reinforce Learning With Living Books
This is where I start to get excited! The activity guide gives many good suggestions for living books to go along with each chapter. These books are usually our read-aloud selections. It just MAKES SENSE.
In this way, a SOTW chapter can sometimes take us a few weeks, and that is OK. The beauty of homeschool is that we can make our own schedules!
We thoroughly enjoy history. I am finding that the structure AND flexibility of The Story of the World is what appeals to us. The routine for learning is the same each time we pull out the history notebooks, but I can be flexible in how much or how little we supplement.
What is your chosen path for history this year?
Reader Comments (11)
The mapwork gives you a framework but what you do with it is up to you. I may point out Egypt's proximity to the equator or ask them to label oceans/other countries we have studies in order to keep spiraling back to previous chapters. I have a large wall world map (that keeps falling down) and when we have studies a country through SOTW or a region we put a star on the map. It is exciting to see the map fill up with stars! Any good tips on getting it to stay ON the wall?
HExcellent, Mary! Thanks for giving more details about Heritage History, too!
All American History 2 :)
Love how you're doing your mapwork.
I've been looking with interest at Heritage History's offerings and appreciate your information, Mary. As for SOTW, the activity books have been a help to me, especially the lists for further reading book suggestions. We've found some great books through that resource!
Thanks for the tips! We're using Story of the World as part of our Sonlight Curriculum. Thought you might be interested in seeing the video resource I've been working on. I have at least one, and in most cases 2-3, video clips that correspond with every chapter of SOTW Vol. 2. I've started Volume 1, and I'll be working on Volumes 3 and 4 as my kids get there this year. Hope it's helpful to you and your readers! http://sotw-videolinks.blogspot.com/
Ok... you have inspired me to do more! I've been simply playing the CD's while the kids color the pictures. My 6 yo is not benefiting from this at all. My 11 yo is probably bored with it.... So, I will TRY, TRY, TRY to put more effort in. I'm just curious how long it takes you to get through a chapter. 1-2 days? Are you doing a chapter a week?
Thanks,
Kristy
www.TheMessExposed.com
I love how you are teaching them History and Geography at the same time. I am currently studying Geography at Texas State University (one of the top schools for Geography in the US), and i find it sad how little people know about Geography and how History play a huge part in it.
Can you tell me where you go to watch the Horrible Histories and how to do you search for the topic of history you are wanting to watch? Thank you!
@Lana -- I simply search on YouTube - for "Horrible Histories" and then the subject we are looking for.
Can you please provide more info on how to teach your child to take notes. Thanks!
We are using SOTW book 1 this year and I am also incorporating more books, videos, etc. in my lesson plans. We love Horrible Histories. Are you familiar with History for Music Lover's channel on You Tube? They are hilarious and makes it VERY easy to remember things that happened in history. http://www.youtube.com/user/historyteachers/videos