I would like to share our series featuring Homeschool Resources: History, World History and Geography. I would like to ask you to check out these resources and let me know if you’ve used these resources with your students. Charlie and I will be checking into them all this year as he begins studying History.
Mystery of History, from Bright Ideas Press, offers a complete World History curriculum that features a classical approach, a chronological order of historical events, and a Christian worldview. Members save 30% on this exclusive offer. Plus, as a Deal of the Week, get 300 SmartPoints.
Student’s Friend: A Guide to Teaching World History & Geography– Grades 6 and up, with parental supervision
This website was developed by a history teacher named Mike Maxwell whose mission is to make history and geography more meaningful to students by identifying important developments in world history and tying them to geography in a way that is memorable.
It offers a free, downloadable, comprehensive guide called the Student’s Friend that may be used in place of a history textbook, along with lesson plans, study guides, and other resources to enhance learning. The site has been recognized as one of the top ten history sites for teachers by the Stanford University School of Education.
When you get to the site you’ll see a menu that includes:
- Purpose – Learn more about the author and educational philosophy.
- Teaching and Learning – Get the fundamentals of teaching and learning world history and geography.
- Teacher Tools – Get free lessons plans and activities. Students can explore important themes and issues and enjoy in-depth learning activities such as projects, investigations and simulations. While designed for high school classroom use, the materials have been used by middle school teachers, college professors, and homeschool teachers worldwide.
- Student’s Friend – A Concise World History – Access a free, concise narrative of world history and geography to use in place of a textbook. The Student’s Friend can be used online or download it for use offline. It’s divided into two parts:
Part I – Prehistory through 1500 including:
- Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt
- Ancient India and China
- Ancient Greece and Rome
- The Early Middle Ages, 500 to 1000 AD
- The Late Middle Ages, 1000 to 1500
Part II – 1500 to the Present including:
- 1500s and 1600s, Early Modern World
- 1700s, Enlightenment & Revolution
- 1800s, Industrial Revolution & Imperialism
- 1900 to 1950, World at War
- 1950 to the Present, Cold War & Space Age
- Current Issues, A Changing World Order
This is a remarkable resource, so bookmark the site to return again.
The Classical Historian History Game Superbundle
The Classical Historian History Game Superbundle has educational and fun history games covering history content from the Ancient Civilizations through 1914 and the US Constitution that teach kids to love history.
Pasta for All – History of Pasta– Grades 3-12, with parental supervision
In recognition of National Macaroni Day on July 7th, today’s website explores the history of pasta and more.
When arriving at the link, read the interesting story about the origins of pasta. Then use the upper menu to discover more. Hover over the “What is Pasta?” to find interesting:
- Pasta Fun Facts
- Pasta around the world
Discover “The Truth About Pasta” to learn more interesting facts about its health benefits and how pasta is good for the earth. Learn more about “Nutritional Information” and dig into tempting “Recipes” from around the world.
In “The Truth About Pasta” section, not only can you read past issues of their newsletter, but also find TED-ED lessons – 3-4 minute videos with information all about pasta.
This website provides a delicious twist to add to your homeschool day.
The Classical Historian History Bundles have everything a home school parent needs to teach an exciting and engaging year of history with critical thinking skills and the Socratic discussion. Order before 6/18 and get 300 SmartPoints.
Sheppard Software – Geography Games– PreK-12, with parental supervision
This ad-supported website is filled with an assortment of U.S. and World geography games that you can play to boost your knowledge of where places are located in the world.
When you get to the site, choose from links to places in the world including:
- Africa
- Asia
- Canada
- Europe
- Mexico
- United States
- and more!
The games are sorted by capitals, countries, and landscapes and then by levels from beginner to expert and beyond.
We also want to draw your attention to a special section called Kid’s Corner – U.S.A. You’ll find a great selection of social science activities that include:
- USA Landmark Puzzles
- USA Government Games
- USA Cities and State Word Games
- USA Regions Games
- and more
You’ll want to bookmark this site to return often.
All of these activities are available for free on this ad-supported website. For those of you who would prefer to access the site without ads, you can get a family subscription for $36/year and enjoy the activities commercial free.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
