World History Detective
On the one hand there are elements of World History Detective common to most textbooks. Each lesson starts with a 1- to 2-page article about a topic such as Medieval Art and Education or Religious History of the Hebrews or The Incas. The article is followed by multiple choice questions, write-in questions, and concept map diagrams to fill in. Maps, timelines and illustrations are also sprinkled throughout.
Not Read-and-Regurgitate Queries
But importantly, the workbook portions are not simple read-and-regurgitate queries. Instead your student will be asked to point out which statements in a set of four are fact and which are opinion; or which of these phrases can be inferred from the lesson, and which sentences best support that theory. These types of questions help your child to grasp that history is always interpreted by those telling the story and to think through the varied reasons why an event happened as it did.
Who Is This Book For?
World History Detective is written for the 6th or 7th grade student who is looking for a no-frills, independent approach to learning ancient and medieval history. Do just over two chapters per week to complete the book in a standard school year with no mess, no preparation, and no stress. This is, of course, not an ideal course for your extremely hands-on or auditory learners. A hands-on learner will do better with
Mystery of History or
Ancient Civilizations, while almost any program can be adapted to an auditory learner if you allow them to read their lessons aloud to a younger sibling or even to themselves!
To Our Conservative Christian Customers
One note: World History Detective is secular in its approach, though it doesn't become dogmatic in its defense of early history. Even in those most controversial chapters on prehistory (lessons 2-3) you'll find statements like these:
"?this means scientists must rely on theories, which are beliefs supported by evidence. Since theories are not facts and prehistory evidence is so scarce, scientists don't always agree with each other's theories and conclusions?"
"Most scientists believe that modern man evolved over millions of years from pre-human ancestors. Some scientists are convinced humans did not evolve from these humanlike creatures but represent a separate being."
Lesson 4 introduces the Middle Stone Age through the New Stone age, so even if you felt most comfortable skipping lessons 2 and 3, you will find the bulk of the book taken up with 3000 BC and onward.
Download sample pages for
World History Detective Book 1 (PDF) Features
- Interpret and apply complex texts, instructions, illustrations, etc.
- Recognize and clarify issues, claims, arguments, and explanations.
- Distinguish: conclusions, premises (reasons), arguments, explanations, assumptions (stat