Why do you use Story of the World Vol.2 but not 1

[Tiffany Brigner]

Author: Tiffany Brigner
Date: 6/3/2004

Let me start by saying Thank-you for this comprehensive wonderful curriculum. We just finished ECC and loved it. I have a question regarding Creation to Greeks. I was looking over the Rome to Reformation and noticed that Story of the World Vol. 2 is a part of that package. I was wondering why Story of the World Vol 1 was not a part of Creation to Greeks.

Thanks

[Marie]

Author: Marie Hazell
Date: 6/3/2004

For each year of our curriculum, we gather the resources that we belive best present the information. We might use part of a series for this. For example, we use Streams of Civilization Volume 1 for higher-level foundational information (and parent info) but we don't plan to use Volume 2.

Rome to the Reformation uses Story of the World Vol. 2 for the "story" of the Middle Ages to the Reformation. It is combined with other history books to give a well-rounded approach. Creation to the Greeks has other great books that provide the biblical foundation in history as well as other information, so we didn't have a need to use Story of the World Vol. 1.


Marie

[Marie]

More from Marie....
I was thinking about this question again last night while I was laying in bed. (Isn't that a great time of quiet for thinking?)

I realized that the question really is:

Why do we use the Bible as the main resource book vs. Story of the World Volume 1 in Creation to the Greeks? Keep in mind that Creation to the Greeks is a study of ancient history.

1. Why not use the most accurate, most ancient "original document" available? That is the Bible.

2. As a Christian and a parent, I ask myself, what would God want my kids to know about the ancient history period? He has made it very clear to us....he gave us a great history book that is full of action, intrigue, motives both good and evil, and even His interpretaiton of events and people. If we lay a foundation so that our kids can see God at work in history, then we can go on and study other years of history from a correct perspective.

3. From a life-changing point of view, I want my kids to be immersed in the life-changing word of God. Why not spend a whole year hearing God's incredible words to mankind?


So now let's rephrase the original question: why don't we use Story of the World Volume 1 as a supplement, like the other books in the package?

1. Most of the information in Story of the World Volume 1 is already contained in other books we use. We want to keep the cost down, so we don't duplicate info. For example, Ancient World is a wonderful, colorful book providing easy-to understand information as well as many color illustrations about ancient Egypt, Israel, Assyria, the Hittites, the Babylonians, etc.

2. We use Streams of Civilization as a resource for parents and for advanced students so that they can understand history from a Christian perspective. Were there cave men? (You'd be surprised at the answer!) How did we get different races after the flood if there was only Noah and his family? We don't read every page--just the relevant information. Story of the World doesn't contain that type of information.

Note: We do use Story of the World Volume 2 and beyond in our other history years. The author has a wonderful storytelling style that makes history come alive! If your kids are like mine, they won't grow up hating history!!!!