I’ve had friends ask about how this works so here it is:

Story of the World is a series of 4 volumes covering ancient through modern history. It’s the classical approach, teaching history & geography in a linear fashion. There are the reading books and the activity guides (totally optional, copyright is given to copy maps and various activity sheets in the activity guide for family use but not for groups – so you can buy it once for all your kids.)

Each week we read one chapter from the reader, it takes maybe 20 minutes and we try to define words as we go then I have Christopher narrate back to me what he got from it. Moira listens but she’s 4 so I don’t push her to narrate – just tell me something interesting.

So we’re reading every week but our group is meeting every other week. A few families rotate hosting and we pick an enrichment activity to go with the chapter – not from the guide, since we didn’t all buy it, but that’s good for ideas. The kids come having heard the chapter and the hope of the activity is that it will give them a good visual/tactile memory to cement the concept. That’s my goal, at least! The group session isn’t a lesson or very academic, it’s the hands on “fun” stuff like making maps, carving cuneiform, etc.

Once I’m feeling less wretched I hope to do an enrichment activity at home the weeks we’re not meeting with the group. We’re also going to start a timeline and begin some map work, but that’s not going to happen until next year.

So, I think Story of the World is a great investment – several friends said it was a good read for THEM to gather a better perspective of history & the timeline. It’s a four year rotation so we’ll repeat this same book and add more extras (historical readings from whichever time period we’re in, maps, timeline) and the kids will read it on their own then. It’s designed to be a simple read, though they need some vocabulary help. By letting them hear it now we get them familiar with the story so when they’re reading it in another 4 years it’s something they’re comfortable with and we can explore in more depth. Like reading Shakespeare summaries now – when they start the actual plays I think they’ll enjoy them more by knowing some rough idea of what’s happening.

The books can be found inexpensively (around $10) and the activity guides are around $20. I don’t think the activity guides are crucial, but helpful if you need ideas. We also purchased an independent set of blackline maps to print (I think there’s a link to the right?) that’s broken down by time period, both with and without cities marked. I really like those.

I think there are a lot of benefits from the group – I am more accountable for getting readings done promptly, the kids get to enjoy learning from and with others, everyone shares their creativity, and there are the social benefits for both mom & kids. It’s fun to learn with friends. Plus there are more elaborate or messy crafts and projects that it’s nice to do for a group but I would be less inclined to do for just our house.

Our group was created just from a group of homeschool families – some already using the books, others just getting introduced to them. Buying the book isn’t a big investment up – $10. Even if it’s not a sole history curriculum, it’s an enjoyable and informative read for the kids. I was surprised at how much our kids pick up from it and ask for more – I worried it wouldn’t capture their interest. It does. 🙂