Journeys through the Ancient World (4 units)

SKU
068234
ISBN
9781628630046
Grade 6-8
Unit Study
Neutral
High Teacher Involvement
Multi-Sensory
Other Materials Required
Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.
Our Price
$250.00
Description

Journey through the early civilizations of Egypt, Israel, Greece, and Rome, through a Hebraic worldview as opposed to the classic Greek worldview. The Bible is foundational to this one-year program, and is used as a historical and literary text. Students and parents alike will deepen their Biblical worldview, while learning to recognize and avoid secular worldviews that dominate modern culture. The authors do not recommend a specific Bible translation, although a paraphrased Bible may not work as well as an actual translation. There are four nine-week units: Patriarchs and Egypt, Israel, Greece and Rome. Additional required resources include the Student Notebook Pages, unit literature selections, Typing Instructor Platinum, and the Core Resources that are used throughout the four units. Core Resources include Trail Guide to Bible Geography (available for an additional fee as a download from the publisher's website), Bible Lands Activity Map Set (download available for additional cost at publisher's website), Student Bible Atlas (published by Augsburg Fortress), Assumptions that Affect Our Lives, Overman, Van Cleave's Astronomy for Every Kid, Backyard Guide to the Night Sky. Required resources also include the following Biblical Hebrew books: Biblical Hebrew Homeschool Primer, Biblical Hebrew Annotations and Answers (Teacher Guide), Biblical Hebrew Jonah Copybook, Biblical Hebrew Show and Tell DVD, and Traditional Hebrew Songs CD. Also referenced is the out-of-print, Write Source 2000.

Publisher's Description of Journeys through the Ancient World (4 units)

TheJourneys through the Ancient World: Teacher's Guide 4-Unit Setis a unit study for grades 6-8 that will transport your students into four important early civilizations-Egypt, Israel, Greece, and Rome. Students will study astronomy, worldview comparisons, typing, Hebrew, and other topics in addition to the Bible as a historical and literary text. This series is presented from a Hebraic worldview as opposed to the classical Greek worldview. Your students will develop a sound foundation of biblical thought to help them recognize secular worldview beliefs today.

This unit study features an integrated approach to learning where topics flow from one to the next as students focus on one main concept. Units cover language skills (including vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and writing), copywork and dictation, science, history, reading, geography, typing, Hebrew, and independent reading/study skills. All core subjects are covered with the exception of math.

This teacher's guide is laid out for parents to simply "pick up and go," with lessons organized around the corresponding student notebook pages (required and sold-separately). "Steps for Thinking" at the beginning of each lesson present the main ideas about the main topics for that section. A list of materials needed for the lesson makes lesson-prep simple. Little animal-prints for the respective grade levels make it easy to see which information should be given to which student in a multi-grade environment. Lessons are semi-scripted with information to read aloud to students next to a set-apart margin that includes notes to the teacher. This guide also includes a variety of additional lesson helps and resources for use within the unit.

Each book covers 9 weeks. The 4 volumes in theJourneys through the Ancient Worldseries together cover 1 year of instruction for grades 6-8.

Paths of Explorationis the first step in this series (6 units; Grades 3-5), and is followed by thePaths of Settlementseries (6 units; Grades 4-6), thePaths of Progress(2 volume curriculum; Grades 5-7), and finally by thisJourneys through the Ancient World(4 units; Grades 6-8) series.

This kit includes:

  • Patriarchs and Egypt Teacher's Guide
  • Israel Teacher's Guide
  • Greece Teacher's Guide
  • Rome Teacher's Guide

Please note that the student notebook pages are NOT included; these are required in order to use the program. The Student Notebook 4-Unit Sets for Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8 are available for purchase separately.

Category Description for Unit Studies

What is a "unit study"? Briefly, it's a thematic or topical approach to teaching as opposed to the traditional by-subject approach. Rather than teach each subject separately, a unit study attempts to integrate many or all subject areas into a unified study - usually centered around a particular subject or event. Obviously History (the study of events) and Science (the study of "things") are well-suited to unit studies, and usually form the "core" around which other subjects are integrated. Subjects like Bible, Geography, Government, English (writing), and Reading/Literature, Music, Home Economics, Life Skills, and Art, are usually easy to integrate around a core topics. Remaining subjects (Math, Phonics, Grammar, Spelling) can be integrated to some extent via related activities. Each, however, has its own "system" (progression of skills, mastery of "rules") which must be followed to some degree. Since one of the additional advantages of a unit study curriculum is the ability to use it with students of varying ages and skill levels, these subjects are generally taught apart from the core curriculum. This may be as simple as assigning pages in a grammar or spelling book, or using a separate "program" for Phonics and Math. Unit studies also tend to be more activity-oriented than the traditional approach, a real boon to kinesthetic learners. Advocates of the unit study approach site studies showing that children learn best when learning is unified rather than fragmented and when learning is more participatory than passive.

Category Description for Unit Studies - Curriculum

Unit Study Curriculums are "complete" curriculums based on the unit study approach that are intended to be used over a longer span of time (typically a year or more). They generally have an organized structure or flow and incorporate as many subject areas as possible. Typically, organizational materials and methods are provided along with some instruction for use. Broken into logical segments or "units" of study, they are intended to comprise the core of your curriculum.

Category Description for Trail Guide To Learning

When several very talented authors create a curriculum that combines the educational philosophies of Ruth Beechick and Charlotte Mason, you know it is worth examining. Designed to incorporate Dr. Beechick's educational principles in their entirety, this curriculum attempts to guide students in building their thinking skills through the knowledge they gain, not as a separate process. The Trail Guide to Learning program is a very comprehensive unit study curriculum that incorporates reading, writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, science, art and more into a study of history and geography. Math is the only core subject not covered. While each level has a targeted grade level, it is adaptable for families to learn together. Four levels are available: Paths of Exploration (gr. 3-5), Paths of Settlement (gr. 4-6), Paths of Progress (gr. 5-7) and Journeys to the Ancient World (gr. 6-8). Other than grade distinctions, there are a couple other notable differences. First, American history is taught in a 3-year cycle through the Paths of ___ series, while Journeys introduces Ancient History at the middle school level. Additionally, the Paths series is written from a religiously neutral viewpoint, so it is an option for those of you ordering through charter schools. There is, however, a strong emphasis on good character and many units spend some time studying the best qualities of historical figures. An optional Bible supplement, Light for the Trail, is available directly from Geography Matters company. It should be understood, however, that the Bible is essential as both a historical and literary text in Journeys to the Ancient World. Finally, there are no tests. Each unit includes a review before starting the next unit, and parents are encouraged to assess learning through the interactive activities and student notebook. Supplemental assessments are available from the publisher if desired. There are numerous resources required for each program. See individual descriptions for more information.

There are six topical six-week units in the Paths courses, and four topical nine-week units in Journeys– each providing a 36 week or one-year course of study. Formatted similarly, lessons are written for ease of use for both the teacher and the student. Although the directions are written to the student, notes in the margins are intended for the teacher. No answers are given in the lesson content, which makes it easier to share the book. As you might expect from a curriculum co-authored by Debbie Strayer (author of Learning Language Arts Through Literature), the topic of language arts is heavily emphasized in every lesson. Daily lessons begin with copywork and dictation, with assignments given at the three grade levels. Reading follows, with the student reading selected sections or pages aloud to the teacher. Then the teacher reads several pages from a more advanced book used in that lesson and reads the discussion questions, or the student narrates a provided assignment. Word Study, which encompasses vocabulary and spelling is next, and typically is tied into the reading or the copywork. Again, several different grade-level specific assignments are provided. Geography, history, and science are well-integrated into each lesson. History is naturally absorbed from the books the students read (and listen to). A related geography lesson is provided just about every day, which ties in beautifully with the unit topic. Because history and geography often go hand-in-hand, and because the curriculum is published by Geography Matters, I had expected the geography lessons to be top-notch. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the science topics are related to the unit topics. Science can occasionally seem like an afterthought in unit studies, with vague assignments for the student to simply "research a topic." Here the topics are relevant, and the content is good. It is worth noting that science is not covered every day like geography but makes an appearance about 2-3 times per week. In keeping with a true multisensory, unit study approach, hands-on learning through lapbooking, science activities, games and more are integrated. Pages are black and white with the exception of the game/activity pages. This is a well-developed curriculum offering families an enjoyable learning experience. See individual programs for more information on content and required resources. ~Jess/Deanne

Details
More Information
Product Format:Paperback
Brand:Geography Matters
Grades:6-8
ISBN:9781628630046
Length in Inches:11
Width in Inches:8.5
Height in Inches:2.75
Weight in Pounds:7.25
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