The Story of The World, Susan Bauer

Discussion in 'Homeschooling' started by Earthy, Jun 25, 2004.

  1. Earthy

    Earthy New Member

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    Has anyone used these Volumes for history? Opinions wanted.
     
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  3. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    TinaTx is big on these! We had a BIG discussion on them before we came over from ABCTeach. I checked it out from the library and was seriously considering it for next year. But DH decided that he wanted something with a distinctively Christian world view, so we decided on "The Mystery of History" instead.
     
  4. Earthy

    Earthy New Member

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    THANKS

    I am considering these for History. I however don't mind it being secular.

    I wish I could read the discussion! Maybe some more people will chime in.

    Thanks again!
     
  5. Brooke

    Brooke New Member

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    You can search for that thread. I can't remember if I was the OP on that one or not, but I was asking alot of questions. If I find it I'll post the link to that thread.

    Like Jackie, I thought I was going to go with SOTW, too, but I happened upon "The Mystery of History" and will be going that route instead.
     
  6. Brooke

    Brooke New Member

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    I came up with this thread that I started, but it was after an already lengthy and informative thread had been discussed.

    http://www.homeschoolspot.com/viewtopic.php?t=5337&highlight=story

    I'll see if I can find the original thread. You might search for The Well-Trained Mind (same author) or maybe even TinaTx's threads. She is a classical homeschooler and uses Story of the World. She was extremely informative when I had questions regarding SOTW.

    One of my favorite sites to check out other ppl's opinions is www.homeschoolreviews.com. I believe there are a number of reviews for SOTW along with other similar history curriculum.
     
  7. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    Hey, Brooke! I didn't know you'd be doing "The Mystery of History", too! We're in the middle of our HS conference right now. Last night only the Vendor's Hall was open, and I talked with the gal who did "The Mystery of History". I got to see that time line she did, and it really makes a bit more sense to me, now.
     
  8. TinaTx

    TinaTx New Member

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    Hi Nellie!

    Yep! I used SOTW and will be using it again next year for our history! I just love the way its laid out! I alway prefer to use something as a spine and then use comprehensive concordances for our Bible History spine.

    Yep, I'm a little picky :p :lol: , dh calls it insane when it comes to mixing in my own Bible History....So I always like *separate ingredients* then I mix together.

    Don't get me wrong, I would definetly not use something that portrayed something from a nonBiblical viewpoint. For example some history books say ancient Israel or the prophets are just a *great tribe or great men* KWIM?

    Susan Wise Bauer received some criticism because she tried as best as she could to keep it secular even though she is christian and writes numerous articles for christian publications. Her editor felt like a wider market would be attracted by trying to keep it more secular,blah, blah..So it came down to the *almighty dollar* :roll:

    I guess more than that, I enjoy the convenience, the chronological order and well just how she gathered all the stories, fiction and nonfiction in one spot.

    Her activity books that go with it are so convenient. She has one volume for each separate part of history. The activity book has questions (with answers :wink: ), list of supplementary reading and activities along with coloring pages to copy in the back of the book.

    Even if you don't use everything in the activity book ,its a good buy to just have everything in one spot, and to be a *starting off point*. I just kind of pick and choose what i'm going to use.

    I too like Mystery of History and Tapestry of Grace, both excellent!

    Did you have any particular question about SOTW? :)

    TinaTx
     
  9. Earthy

    Earthy New Member

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    Thanks

    If anyone remembers I thought I had my curriculum down for next year. And I was choosing Calverts 4th grade History 'A childs History of the world'. Well, it is expensive from Calvert. I could just buy the book from Sonlight but then I wouldn't have the workbooks. So, I just thought about the books from Susan Wise Bauer. They seem like they would be good and good reading material. So...maybe I will still get just the book, A Childs History of the World. But, actually use SOTW for History for the next four years. Starting with Vol 1 for 4th grade and moving along through them. Are SOTW books fairly secular?
     
  10. Brooke

    Brooke New Member

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    Nellie,

    When I was reading reviews on Christianbook.com, amazon.com, and homeschoolreviews.com I noticed alot of debate in the area of its "slant". I haven't looked at it myself, but the debate seemed to circle around Wise-Bauer's take on the reform of the church, etc. and it seemed that it was Catholics who said not to use it in a Catholic curriculum. It was interesting to read the various opinions.

    Altogether, I don't think anyone said it was religious in any way, it appeared to be the information seemed to point in a certain direction that the offended parties didn't care for.
     

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