I am looking at the SCM modules for my girls in 7-12 grades, starting at the beginning in module 1. “Oxford First Ancient History” is OOP and is usually expensive. I have searched the forums here and see it is sometimes available for a reasonable price as well as in three separate volumes.
However, would SOTW Vol. 1 be a reasonable substitute? It covers the same time frame and with so many other great books scheduled, I am comfortable with using a book that might not be as “CM” as others.
SOTW (by Hillyer) is great, and is recommended on a few CM websites… so I’d say yes you can use it. I haven’t used the SCM module guides, but I suspect that you would just look for simiar topics in it.
You can download a sample of the SCM module guides, which shows the lessons from several weeks, so you should be able to tell how easily you could substitute….
Thank you for the quick replies! Sheraz, I had already seen that thread, but I have never read SOTW so was not sure I would be able to make a good comparison. I will look it over again, though.
Suzukimom, SOTW is Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer. I have CHotW (Child’s History of the World) by Hillyer, but would not have them read it again nor do I think it is appropriate for higher grade levels.
We used part of SOTW1 this year. While I liked the book, my children did not (1st and 3rd). I think it’s was too dry for them which may be becuase of thier ages.
I have not used SOTW by Bauer but have looked at it as a possible spine option, how would you all compare/contrast it to Hillyer?
Also, Diana, although it looks to me like SOTW is not recommended for High School I did notice that Wise-Bauer has an additional series that is for HS and adult reading.
Have you checked into Diana Waring? I don’t know how CM it is. I have looked at it, but it is geared more for high school. So, I have not tried it. Also check out Unwrapping the Pharoahs. We have that book and my husband and I really enjoy it. I use it for the Biblical timeline of Ancient Egypt and my little kids like to look at the pictures in it. All of us enjoyed the dvd that came with it, although it was not as good as Drive thru History (but, what is?).
I have SOTW1 and have used some of the Egypt stories. It is not a spine for us, but a supplement. They may not be as detailed as what you need for high school.
If you are trying to make sure that the substitution is going to cover the same material as the Oxford First Ancient History (which is what I worry about with my substitutions), here is a list of all the chapters and subheadings listed in the book. (Thanks, Linda) I sat down and went thru Modules 1-3 and wrote down what lessons the book uses. This should help you in some of the decisions. =) Or, at least help you find good substitutes for the topic that day! Also, the chapters in Module 2 are read by your 7-9 grader independently. HTH
Here it is:
**Here is what I posted about the book, it is all the headings and subheadings. Hope it helps. Linda
Ok this is long, bt I have typed out all the parts, chapter and subheadings of the chapter of the book which I hope will bless some of you asking for this. Each chapter has subparts which are mostly 2 page spreads on each topic. The book has wonderful pictures and illustrations. Anyway, here is the book contents:
*** PART 1:On the threshold of history MODULE ONE – Genesis thru Deuteronomy & Ancient Egypt
Introduction – The Stone Age
Chapter 1– First Civilizations
The climate changes
From food gathering to farming
From hunting to stock farming
Attraction of river valleys
Irrigation and flood
The rise of the leaders
Chapter 2: Sumer
The first settlers Lesson 9
The useful date palm
Nam-sha learns to read and write
Clay Bricks and Buildings
Gods and Heroes
Houses and everyday life Lesson 14/15
Conquerors and kings
Law Givers
The royal tombs at Ur
Babylon
Science in Babylon
Reading the wedge-shaped writing
Chapter 3: Egypt
Before the pyramids Lesson 20
The Discovery of metal
Building temples and pyramids Lesson 25
The oldest ship in the world Lesson 45
Cleopatra’s needle Lesson 50
Mummies and tombs Lesson 55
Akhenaten and religion Lesson 107
Tutankhamen’s tomb Lesson 124
The lost toy cupboard Lesson 129
Everyday life
The disappearing queen Lesson 134
Paper, ink, hieroglyphics Lesson 139
Chapter 4: Other early civilizations
The Indus valley
China
The Hittites
The Hebrews
The Assyrians
The Persians
The Phoenicians
Chapter 5: Pre iron age Britain
The first farmers
Skara Brae
Silbury, Avebury and Stonehenge
Bronze age barrows
The coming of the iron age
****PART 2: The Greeks MODULE 2 – Joshua-Malachi and Ancient Greece
Note that if the lesson is listed by the actual chapter heading, the whole chapter is assigned as independent reading (with narrations) by 7-9 grade students
Chapter 6: The Minoans Lesson 5
The legend of the Minotaur
Sir Arthur Evans
The palace at Knossos
Daily Life
Religion
Bull Leaping
Michael Ventris and Linear ‘B’
Atlantis
Chapter 7: The Mycenaeans Lesson 10
Homer
The Trojan War
Heinrich Schliemann
Schliemann at Mycenae
Chapter 8: Early Greeks Lesson 105,110
Achaeans and Dorians
The emergence of cities
The early days of Athens
Chapter 9: Greek civilization Lesson 115, 120
How the cities were ruled
Solon, Cleisthenes and Pericles
Everyday Life
Other members of the family
Art and Pottery
Ships and trade
The Gods
Chapter 10: The Persian Wars Lesson 125
The Persian Empire
Persian rulers
The Battle of Marathon
Thermophylae
Salamis
Chapter 11: Pericles and the Golden Age Lesson 130, 135
The wise men of Greece
Slavery
Clothes
The Acropolis and its buildings
Greek legends
Music
A day at the theatre
The Oracles
Chapter 12: Athletics and games Lesson 140
Legend of Pelops
Olympia
The Olympic Games
Other games and pastimes
Chapter 13: The Peloponnesian wars Lesson 145
Sparta
Why the war started
Soldiers and battles
Athens is conquered
Chapter 14: Alexander the Great Lesson 150, 155
Early days
The army
Battles and sieges
Persepolis
Alexander’s last battle
Death of a conqueror
The empire is divided up
Chapter 15: Greece conquered Lesson 160
The Romans come to Greece
Greece becomes a Roman province
The Greek legacy
**** PART 3: The Romans MODULE 3 – Matthew-Acts, Ancient Rome
These are not in order of the chapters.
Chapter 16: Origins
The legend of Aeneas
The legend of Romulus and Remus
The truth behind the legends
The early kings
Sabines and Romans
The Etruscans
Horatius and the bridge
The Celts
Chapter 17: Rome and her neighbours
The Greeks
Carthage
A sea fight
Hannibal and the Punic Wars
Chapter 18: The City of Rome
What Rome may have looked like
Aqueducts Lesson 69
The baths Lesson 149
Temples
Private houses and flats
Shops
Nero’s Golden House Lesson 144
Chapter 19: Republic and empire
Why the kingdom ended
The republic and its end
The early emperors
The empire expands
The decline of the glory
Chapter 20: Daily Life
Pompeii
Food and Drink Lesson 135
Clothes Lesson 70
Education
Time and the Calendar
Painting, sculpture, drama and literature
Earning a living
Games and pastimes
Chapter 21: The state and religion
Government and the law
Religion and legends
Christianity
Slavery
Chapter 22: The arena
The amphitheatre
The Colosseum Lesson 149
Gladiators Lesson 109
The Circus Maximus Lesson 19
Chapter 23: The army Lesson 110
The citizen soldier and the legion
Uniform, weapons and tactics
Siege engines Lesson 14
Marching camps Lesson 115
The officers ` Lesson 115
Roman roads Lesson 70
Chapter 24: Barbarians at the Gate
Barbarians settle inside the frontiers
Some provinces are abandoned
Constantine, his town and the division of the empire
Just a few comments, in regard to SOTW. I agree that it might be a little “light” for highschool. However, I have learned a lot of history by listening to the audio book version…and I’m well past highschool! LOL! Its a great history narrative. For greater depth though, I would check Memoria press and/or some of the selections recommended by Greenleaf.
And one more comment on SOTW…all of us GREATLY prefer to enjoy this series on audio book, as read by Jim Weisse. In our opinion, it is just a much, much better experience than reading the text ourselves. Mr. Weiss has a gift and makes the stories come alive.