Reply to DCPS Social Studies Curriculum Concerns

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If you want your kid to learn history hete are things that have worked for my kids:

Elementary school
We read and listened out loud to the 4 book series: Story of the World.
https://www.amazon.com/Story-World-History-Classical-Earliest/dp/1933339004/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=story+of+the+world&qid=1705942102&sr=8-1

Some chapters we skipped and some we supplemented a lot by going to museums, watching YouTube videos, and/or watching movies and reading books from that time period. So when we were in the 4th volume that covers Stalin I had my kids read “Breaking Stalin’s nose” which does a great job of showing the terror if Stalin’s regime from a child’s perspective. In high school when my kid had to read 1984 he understood the context of what was happening in the world when it was written and totally remembered reading this book.

In middle school we watched series about history like the Story of Mankind; Story of US; and other history channel shows.

I also had my kids watch the miniseries the Bible even though we aren’t religious. It was I think 5 episodes and explains the basics of Christianity which everyone should know about to understand history and a lot of literature and current events. https://www.history.com/shows/the-bible

Description of story of the world:
The first book I wouldn’t say is 100% secular and has a Judeo-Christian slant but it really covers the ancient world.  There is a workbook, activities like how to embalm a chicken when you read about ancient history,  and maps to fill in.

The first book covers:
history of the world from 7000 BCE- 476 CE. 
Volume One: Ancient Times: from the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor (revised edition, 2007) This first volume brings to life the ancient civilizations of Sumer, China, Egypt, Mohenjo-Daro, Greece, Persia, Rome, and more. Includes the author’s retelling of the great myths and religions of each culture. Maps, timelines, and illustrations provide context and detail.

Volume Two: The Middle Ages: from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance (revised edition, 2007)   Knights and castles; the Maya and the Aztecs; the rise of Islam and the Crusades; Joan of Arc, Mansa Musa, Galileo, Martin Luther, and Magellan. This volume is jam-packed with unforgettable characters and stories. Includes illustrations, maps, timelines, and a pronunciation guide.

Volume Three: Early Modern Times: from Elizabeth the First to the Forty-Niners  Clearly and grippingly narrates the exploration and colonization of the Americas, including the Native American response to the newcomers; the Scientific Revolution in Europe; the birth and expansion of the United States, slavery and the efforts to end it; and much more. Includes maps and illustrations.

Volume Four: The Modern Age: from Victoria’s Empire to the End of the USSR The final volume helps readers understand the American Civil War, the rapid growth of technologies such as the railroad and electricity; new movements for freedom in Africa and Asia; the Space Race; the Cold War and its conclusion, and people as varied as Gandhi, Hitler, Evita Peron, and Martin Luther King. Includes maps and illustrations.

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+1000 on SOTW. Also check out the Early Times, Middle Ages, and US History books from Pandia Press. [/quote]

It doesn't take long to do. We bought the audiobooks of Story of the World (SOTW) and listened to them on car rides for example to and from soccer practice or other trips that would take at least 15 minutes. It at least familiarizes kids history and when (and if) they learn about the same topic later it helps to have some kind of background knowledge. It also helps on reading comprehension tests because a passage might be on something like the intercontinental railways or silkworm in China or Musa Mali and having some background knowledge makes answering comprehension questions so much easier.

Having some background also makes understanding what is going on in the world easier and helps students have some critical thinking skills. My son was in a class where the teacher said something about African never invading Europe and my son brought up the Moors crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and were in Spain for 700 years, so how does that not count. The teacher had never heard of it. My son then realized to be skeptical of any generalities the teacher said from then on and to verify before believing everything you hear. [/quote]

All of this! [/quote]

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