Resource Description
Mystery of History employs a classical (using rhetorical teaching techniques), chronological (instead of thematic) and Christian approach to teaching history. The Mystery of History is written from a Christian, young-earth, perspective, teaching children to see God's hand throughout history...and how the Gospel of Jesus is the mystery behind all of history. Written in a conversational style, many lessons are presented in the form of mini-biographies, integrating fascinating stories with the events of the time. Arranged by quarters and weeks, each quarter begins with an "Around the World" summary of events to introduce the time period; lessons progress chronologically with each week having 3 lessons, a pretest, review, and exercise or quiz. The 108 lessons will take a year to complete if you follow a traditional 36 week school year.
Activities are broken down by age group and reinforce the material just learned through fun ideas that engage all learning styles; they're based upon the classical grammar/logic/rhetoric stages. Review exercises cover the timeline and map work exercises; quizzes are cumulative reviews that go over material from the very beginning of the course; the semester-long tests are similar (though longer), covering materials from 2 quarters (one major time period). Quarter-end worksheets help students synthesize what they've learned and keep everyone straight! Suggested Schedules for different age groups are included, as well as plenty of reproducibles. Line-listed answers included. 636 pages, activity pages reproducible, softcover, three-hole-punched and perforated pages.
Website: Mystery of History (may contain affiliate links)
(21 Reviews)
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Contributor Reviews
Reviews are solely the opinions of the contributor.
Cons: none
Grades Used: 3
Audio for Mystery of History, level 1 has proven to be such a help in our homeschool. Lessons are 5-7 minutes long for easily distracted a/v learners. Tying Biblical accounts to scientific discovery has helped my 9 year old make sense of what other materials has deemed conflicting views. Downloading the audio in parts from the publisher's website makes it possible to trial the product before committing to the entire program.
Cons: The beginning of the first book was boring.
Grades Used: 6-10
WOW! Mystery of History is by FAR the BEST history curriculum I have ever seen! I have to admit, that I had heard that and bought them and we struggled through the beginning of the first book, in fact I was going to sell it, but for some reason I didn't and decided to stick it out. I am SOOOO glad I did and so are my kids! They absolutely LOVE history thanks to these books! We have tried many many programs and this one literally blows them all away! It can be used for all ages, it covers timeline, geography and age appropriate activities which was brilliant. It is also an excellent idea to have them summarize what they learned for the important facts to put in the notecards. My kids still use these cards 4 years later! It is conversational style and it has led us to many discussions. I enjoyed it as much as the kids!
It is so interestingly and richly written, it holds your attention. We were captivated! I once compared what we learned with an Abeka textbook...psaw! The abeka text had 1 tiny paragraph about the king we were studying and MOH had 3 lessons addressing him and his deeds.
I cannot say enough good about this program! Perhaps, I will leave it at this, because it speaks volumes.... We have been waiting 2 years for vol. 4 to come out and have had to choose other programs in the meantime... My kids have both stated that they want to read it when it comes out on top of the curriculum we are using now. Thats how much they love it. My daughter wants to go through it all again. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!
Cons: none
Grades Used: 1st to 2nd - 7th or 8th grade
The best testimony I can give about Mystery of History comes from the mouth of my 19 year old who is in college now. While looking through some pictures, we found a hilarious picture of him (he was about 12) and his two younger brothers(10 yrs, & 5yrs) dressed up in sheets, sandals, and head bands to mimic the ancient Greek, Socrates, with a sign that said, "Know thyself." My son laughed and said, "That was the best history I ever did!" He has, since home schooling for 10 years, went to a private Christian school, public school, and is now in college, so what more can I say........that picture is still on my frig door as I write this, and gives me a giggle (still) when I look at it!!
Cons: A bit difficult to fully understand
Grades Used: 4&5
I used this curriculum with my son who has a slight problem with reading comprehension, some lessons needed to be read twice so that he can fully understand the session, otherwise very good curriculum.
Grades Used: 5th
we are loving using Mystery of History, volume 1!! my kids really enjoy reading it each day and doing the projects and timeline. I like that bible history and world history are together in chronological order. it is so easy to use!
Grades Used: 5TH, 8TH
WE HAVE USED THE MYSTERY OF HISTORY FOR 2 YEARS AND MY GIRLS AND I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED USING THIS BOOK. THEY LOVE DOING THE TIMELINE.
Cons: None
Grades Used: 4th, 6th, and 9th
We all enjoy this history. I incorporate treats to "test" who is paying attention when text is lengthy. It works. We all are learning.
Grades Used: Level 1
Have enjoyed what we have done. Like the integration of Biblical history. Easy to pull out and use with little to no preparation. Can choose to do more or less according to your time and aspirations/style preference.
Small snippets of history provided in text. Can choose to put more research into it for older students.
Good springboard for multi-level teaching.
Cons: None
Grades Used: 6th, 7th, 8th
Love the Mystery of History series. Finally history that you can understand. Thorough knowledge presented in a story form. My boys find it hard to put down. I would highly recommend this series. I even purchased a set for my mother. She love them also.
Cons: you do need access to a printer for the maps
Grades Used: 5-11
We are just beginning with MOH, but so far we like it. I wish I had known about it earlier and could have started my older girls on it before now. The lessons are short, and the activities are broken down into 'younger', 'middle', and 'older' age groups so that you can all work on the same lesson in the same book at the same time. Also, it has a good grasp on Biblical history, while also covering what went on in other parts of the world at the same time. This is a big plus for us. So far, I highly reccommend it!