World History Curriculum

I have spent the last 4 months sweating, dreading and musing over a World History Curriculum. I downloaded several from different sites, but none of them fit us exactly. I decided to tweak and work with each curriculum, taking what I like from them. However, I was just not satisfied. Therefore, since this is for summer school, I have the flexibility I do not have as a cyberschooler or traditional homeschooler in my state--I don't have to build a portfolio--so I am doing a little "controlled" unschooling. The girls want to do the topic "World History"...in my opinion World History begins at the beginning--"The Big Bang Theory" included. And encompasses all World Religions, equally. What you will be getting is a curriculum as I go...all comments are appreciated.


I am homeschooling 3 different age groups:
K just finished 4th grade
M just finished 2nd grade
G is a Kindergartener working on 1st grade material


K & G are ambitious, highly gifted girls. I suspect M is as well, but she processes things visually and once we moved her work to a more visual format we're having a lot more luck with advancing. This fact is one of those things that pull me through the day when we have bad days with homeschooling. When I worked I had bad days too. So, why am I lamenting on the bad days over the results. In the end, it's about her education. This is assumed you will buy these books. I will make a book list as I go. As of now the Usborne Internet linked Encyclopedias of Archaeology, World Religion, World History & Science are what I am using (found at the library--although may be good to purchase as the girls love them and they are resources I'll need all year). I purchased The Story of the World Ancient Times, both the book & activity book through Amazon. I have to tell you I love them. I will be pulling references for them into the curriculum but as this is a curriculum in itself, I will not be doing anything more than referencing what pages to complete. These are a must to either purchase or check out at the library to do this curriculum. This curriculum is across several subjects. I am doing Singapore Math with the girls as well as Spaceship Math drills.


Day 1 Books: Usborne Internet linked Archaeology


• Reading?History: Read to page 35 (this is the introduction of what Archaeology is).
• Technology: Complete page 27 on interactive website to see what archaeology is about
• Writing Journal: Write a summary of what archaeology is and what you like about it). Depending on the level and your child’s ability: my 2nd grader wrote one paragraph while I told my 4th grader to write a 3 paragraph essay. My Kindergartner drew a picture and wrote one sentence.


Day 2 Books: Story of the World (book and Activity Book)
• Reading/History: Read Story of the World (Susan Wise Bauer) Ancient History 1 “What is History” Chapter 1 (to page 7).
• Listening Skills/Oral dictation: Complete Review Questions out loud in SW Activity Book 1 :What is Archaeology” and “What is History”
• Writing Journal: How are Archeology and History related?
• Art: Family Tree Project & Timeline project: What is your history? Everyone has a personal history…as does every family. Be a historian and record yours! What does it say about you? What do you think archaeologists will find 1000 years from now and think about your world today? (This project is only started today but will last the whole month).