Resource Description
This extensive collection of texts, workbooks, tests and recordings presents the history of the world from ancient times to the modern ages as a series of narratives. Told in a straightforward, engaging style that has become Susan Wise Bauer's trademark, The Story of the World series covers the sweep of human history from ancient times until the present. Africa, China, Europe, the Americas—find out what happened all around the world in long-ago times. Each Story of the World volume provides a full year of history study when combined with the Activity Book, Audiobook, and Tests—each available separately to accompany each volume of The Story of the World Text Book. The texts are suitable to be read aloud for the entire family. Available activity guides supplement the texts: Color a picture of a Minoan bull-jumper, make a model of the Nile River, create Roman armor and Celtic jewelry and more...don't just read about history—experience it! This comprehensive, 8.5" x 11" curriculum guide and activity book contains map activities, coloring pages, games, projects, review questions, cross-references to illustrated encyclopedias, and extensive book lists. Children and parents love the activities, ranging from cooking projects to crafts, board games to science experiments, and puzzles to projects.
Website: The Story of the World (may contain affiliate links)
(27 Reviews)
Before investing in any homeschooling resources, please read "How to Choose the Best Homeschool Curriculum."
Contributor Reviews
Reviews are solely the opinions of the contributor.
Cons: very very inaccurate, 25 mistakes in world war 2 alone
Grades Used: would give it preschool status
Worst history book ever, would recommend burning the book please don't fall into there trap.
Would only recommend if you are looking for some very inaccurate history. There should at least be 1000 editors if the author even thinks about publishing another so called book
Cons: inaccurate
Hmmm, we have looked at volume 1 and 2. It's a good place to start for ideas, but activities are repetitive (some like this). Broad rather than depth. What bothers me is inaccuracies. I can only spot the ones I know (e.g. when talking about Macbeth it states: "Queen Elizabeth probably enjoyed this play..." She died 1603, Macbeth first performed 1606, but the dead Queen enjoyed it!
I think this is an excellent summary of history and successfully appeals to children. My son started out with Volume 4 and has just recently gotten hold of Volume 1, which most interests him because it deals with classical times. I'm pleased to see some comments criticizing the series for not being religious enough, as I wouldn't like it to treat religious fairy tales as history (e.g., Adam and Eve, Noah, Exodus, and other such nonsense). I hope it treats the story of Jesus as a myth or at least a matter of belief.
Cons: The worldview.
Grades Used: Elementary
Many people in a co-op I was in were using this curriculum and I tried it. I really tried to like it, but didn't. The worldview, in particular, didn't settle with me. I'm a Christian, and when it would talk about children worshiping other gods, there was no teaching that brought out the truth of God's word compared to what these others were worshiping. We had the Diana Waring CDs at the same time and enjoyed her audio presentations much more, though one of my older daughters preferred the Story of the World CD presentations better.
It just didn't build an excitement or interest in history in my daughter the way History Revealed! did.
Cons: Number of lessons
Grades Used: 3-4
We love this curriculum. It is easy to read and is written more like a story than a textbook. It is prefect for my son who learns better through real books than textbooks
Cons: history stems from an evolutionary mindset
Grades Used: 1st
Like many have also expressed, this curriculum is engaging and my children enjoy the reading as well as the activities. My problem with this material is that it does not address an accurate view of ancient man. To truly tell the story of the world from the beginning, I would expect the book to start with Adam and Eve and discuss the fall, the flood, and the dispersion of people groups from the tower of Babel from a historical perspective. SOW instead starts with a "primitive" man mindset and evolutionary dating. Therefore, I cannot say I would recommend this resource. I know Answers in Genesis has a wonderful history curriculum, though it is for children in upper elementary through high school. This is something to think about if your kids are in that age range and you're looking for a Biblical history outline of the world.
Cons: takes some time, not a bad thing, just a factor
Grades Used: K - 2
We have used volume 3 for the first time ever, to supplement our learning U.S. History through Classical COnversations this year. I selected certain chapters that I thought would be of interest and add to their understanding of certain events in U.S. History. My kids have enjoyed the reading material and the projects in the workbook a lot! I have enjoyed reading it to them and feel that I learn quite a bit with every chapter. It takes some time to do, but feel it is really worth it. I am excited about starting Vol. 1 next year and doing more of the chapter.