As I reviewed this valuable offering, I was impressed by the thoroughness with which it was written. I must note early on that there are no references to creation in this "story" of the world. At first I was sorely disappointed by this, but then I realized it leaves the door wide open for pursuing a thorough study of creation before you begin this curriculum and, with the many resources available to a family in this day and age, I would recommend that you plan from the beginning to do so. The Story of the World: Volume 1 is a wonderful curriculum that will take you and your family on a journey through history beginning with ancient civilizations and reaching to the last Roman Emperor. You will look at what was going on simultaneously in different places and cultures around the world. The first Biblical parallel or mention of God occurs at the historical account of the life of Abraham.

The Story of the World is designed for the multi-level teaching of grades 1-4 with maps and activities appropriate for up to grades 5-8 and suggestions for how to expand the curriculum for use with these grades. Included is a straightforward, illustrated read-aloud book that you will use to introduce each new period of history. For the educator, there is a Curriculum Guide and Activity Book with a host of recommended readings and engaging activities. It includes cross referenced numbers to the appropriate pages in The Kingfisher Illustrated History of the World, The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, The Usborne Book of World History, and The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History. This will save the instructor valuable time and effort.

The Method of Instruction is as follows: Read one section of The History of the World, the student narrates this back in his/or her own words(review questions are provided). Writing this information or drawing pictures is also encouraged. Students compile a History Notebook enabling them to have their own record of their history study. When chapters are completed, you will find that Bauer has provided you with additional readings and activities on the subject or culture. The Activity Guide provides titles of books, maps, coloring pages, crafts, and hands-on activities. There is also a Pronunciation Guide for those wonderful old names such as "Amenhotep". Helpful illustrated review cards accompany each chapter; these can be photocopied for each student and used as a quick, chronological review of the events of history.

There are a variety of activities suggested, including simulating an archaeological dig, coloring pages based on ancient drawings, making cuneiform tablets from clay, word searches, making bricks, making paper bead necklaces, making a Greek flute and, my personal favorite, making a chicken mummy. Your students won't forget this study of history, and neither will you.

The Story of the World: Activity Book One: Ancient Times, Second Edition is also available from the Eclectic Homeschool Resource Center.