Book Review: An Awesome History Curriculum Resource

One of my goals for 2014 is to read a book every month, and also to let you know about it. This month I have seriously started six books and they are all totally amazing. I have finished any of them, but if you combine my total page read, I have read three books.

Anyway… the reason I haven't finished any of these books is because I got side-tracked by a project (ok, ok, and school and church and life). I am working on enhancing Biblical integration in my classes. But in the process, I came across an amazing resource.

[Just a forewarning, I am a history teacher.]

Answers in Genesis has produced a variety of unconnected curriculum for each subject. This three book curriculum by Diana Waring covers world history from the very beginning through Korea. It is absolutely incredible! Not only is there a fabulous connection between history and the Bible, there are tons and tons of ideas about how to present the material.

Note the yellow tabs! Those are all of the ideas that I gleaned from just this book. I am working on the second book and haven't started the third one yet. But I am very excited. The free previews offered on the AiG website were inspiring.

For each chapter there is student reading material, like a traditional classroom setting. There are discussion questions and personal application. Beyond that each chapter is loaded with information about how to appeal to all of the learning styles and personality types. There are pages about suggestions for research projects, oral reports, time lines, maps, art appreciation, music appreciation, and so much more. Honestly, this curriculum was on par with an excellent college course that I took, but at a middle school or high school level.

As a curriculum, there are additional required resources to fill out the material such as books, lecture CDs, and more. As I am just looking for additional resources for Biblical integration, I didn't feel that it was necessary to purchase the additional items. Without them, the curriculum itself is fairly weak for a history book. It left out a lot of major details, unless you purchase the additional material. If you are using it a supplement, it is no big deal. If it is your primary source, it is a big problem.

If you teach a world history course, this curriculum would be a fantastic resource!