STORY OF THE WORLD VS HISTORY QUEST | Compare Secular History Curriculum | Homeschool History

Making Everyday Magic
27 Apr 202113:17
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this homeschooling video, Shauna discusses her plans for her fifth year, introducing a kindergartner and a fourth grader to history. She compares two curriculums, 'History Quest' and 'Story of the World,' sharing her experiences and preferences. Shauna finds 'Story of the World' overwhelming and not a perfect fit, opting for 'History Quest' for its structured, 30-week plan and inclusion of a physical CD, despite her initial hesitation about digital downloads. She emphasizes the importance of adapting curriculum to personal needs and provides insights on making informed decisions for the 2021-2022 school year.

Takeaways
  • 🏡 Shauna is entering her fifth year of homeschooling with a kindergartner and a fourth grader.
  • 📚 She plans to use two history curricula next year, one for her older child and a separate program for her younger one.
  • 📖 The family has recently finished using 'Story of the World' for the second year but will not continue with it.
  • 📘 Shauna finds 'Story of the World' overwhelming with too much information and supplementary activities.
  • 📝 She prefers a more manageable and less intimidating curriculum with a clear structure and fewer overwhelming options.
  • 🌏 Shauna appreciates the narrative style of both 'Story of the World' and 'History Quest', which makes history more engaging.
  • 🔄 She is transitioning to 'History Quest' for its better visual appeal, structured layout, and more approachable study guide.
  • 📅 'History Quest' offers a 30-week plan with a clear schedule and incorporates a 'hug-a-style' history approach with recommended readings.
  • 📚 An additional resource recommended is the 'Usborne Encyclopedia of World History' for comprehensive historical references.
  • 💾 Shauna expresses a preference for physical products over digital downloads, which is her only concern with 'History Quest'.
  • 📝 She emphasizes that curriculum should be a tool for teachers, adaptable to individual needs rather than a strict 'must-do' list.
Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is discussing and comparing two homeschooling history curriculums, 'History Quest' and 'Story of the World', for the upcoming school year.

  • How many years of homeschooling experience does Shauna have?

    -Shauna has four years of homeschooling experience and is planning for her fifth year.

  • What grade levels will Shauna's children be in the next school year?

    -Shauna will have a kindergartner and a fourth grader in the next school year.

  • What is Shauna's opinion on the 'Story of the World' curriculum?

    -Shauna finds the 'Story of the World' curriculum overwhelming with too much information and activities, and she does not like the structure of its chapters.

  • Why did Shauna decide to stop using the 'Story of the World' curriculum?

    -Shauna decided to stop using 'Story of the World' because it was not the best fit for her teaching style and she felt it lacked excitement.

  • What does Shauna like about the 'History Quest' curriculum?

    -Shauna likes that 'History Quest' has a more visually appealing layout, is easier to follow, and includes a schedule that simplifies planning.

  • What supplementary book is recommended for the 'History Quest' curriculum?

    -The supplementary book recommended for the 'History Quest' curriculum is the 'Usborne Encyclopedia of World History with Internet Links'.

  • How does Shauna feel about digital downloads versus physical products?

    -Shauna prefers physical products, such as CDs, over digital downloads, although she acknowledges the convenience of digital options.

  • What is Shauna's advice regarding the use of curriculum?

    -Shauna advises that curriculum should be used as a tool and a guide, not something that weighs you down or dictates exactly what you must do.

  • What is the structure of 'History Quest' in terms of chapters and weeks?

    -The 'History Quest' curriculum is structured with 26 chapters and includes four additional weeks for a 'hug-style history' approach, making it a 30-week plan.

  • What does Shauna mean by 'hug-style history'?

    -By 'hug-style history', Shauna is referring to a more relaxed and comfortable approach to learning, where recommended readings are done during the additional weeks, allowing for a more casual and enjoyable learning experience.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Transition to 5th Year of Homeschooling with New Curriculum Considerations

Shauna, a homeschooling mother, introduces her fifth year of homeschooling, which includes a kindergartener and a fourth grader. She discusses her plans to use two history programs next year and addresses the audience's request for a comparison between 'History Quest' and 'Story of the World'. Shauna provides a personal account of using 'Story of the World' for two years, highlighting the overwhelming amount of information, activities, and her decision to abandon the use of the activity book due to its intensity. She emphasizes the importance of communal family teaching for history and mentions her preference for a narrative style in history education.

05:00
🌏 Shifting from 'Story of the World' to 'History Quest' for a More Engaging Learning Experience

Shauna compares 'Story of the World' with 'History Quest', explaining her decision to switch curriculums. She finds 'Story of the World' to be too packed with information and activities, making it difficult to manage within a traditional school year. Shauna appreciates the narrative style of both curriculums but is drawn to 'History Quest' for its structured 30-week plan, fewer chapters, and a more visually appealing layout. She also discusses the supplementary 'Usborne Encyclopedia of World History' as a valuable resource for 'History Quest', although she expresses a preference for physical CDs over digital downloads, reflecting her discomfort with fully embracing digital curriculums.

10:00
🔍 First Impressions and Personal Preferences in Homeschool Curriculum Selection

In the final paragraph, Shauna shares her initial impressions of 'History Quest' and her reluctance to fully commit to a digital-only curriculum. She admits to being set in her ways, preferring physical products and expressing a general resistance to new technology and apps. Shauna invites viewers to share their questions and experiences with homeschooling curriculums, emphasizing the importance of making informed decisions based on personal needs and preferences. She concludes by encouraging viewers to subscribe and engage with the content, reflecting on her own struggles with adapting to new ways of learning and living.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Homeschooling
Homeschooling refers to the education of children at home, typically under the guidance of a parent or tutor, rather than at an institution like a school. In the video, the speaker mentions it's their fourth year of homeschooling, indicating the central theme of the video is about educational choices and planning for the upcoming year at home.
💡History Curriculum
A history curriculum is a planned course of study focusing on the past events of humanity. The video discusses planning for two history curriculums for the next year of homeschooling, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right educational materials for different grade levels.
💡Kindergartener
A kindergartener is a child who is in the first year of formal education, typically between the ages of 5 and 6. The speaker mentions having a kindergartner in the upcoming year, highlighting the need for age-appropriate curriculum planning.
💡Fourth Grade
Fourth grade is an educational stage typically for children aged 9 to 10 years old. The speaker refers to having a fourth grader, which is important for understanding the different educational needs of children at various developmental stages.
💡History Quest
History Quest is a curriculum mentioned in the script, which the speaker is considering for the upcoming homeschooling year. It represents one of the educational programs being compared and contrasted in the video.
💡Story of the World
Story of the World is an educational program used by the speaker in the past for teaching history. The video includes a detailed review and comparison with History Quest, showing the speaker's process of evaluating educational materials.
💡Audiobook
An audiobook is a recording of a book read aloud, which can be listened to as a form of audio media. The speaker expresses a preference for audiobooks in the curriculum, as they offer a way to reinforce learning through listening and reading along.
💡Activity Book
An activity book is a type of educational material that includes interactive exercises and projects to engage learners. The speaker discusses the overwhelming amount of activities in the Story of the World activity book, which was not utilized effectively in their homeschooling.
💡Curriculum Review
A curriculum review involves evaluating the effectiveness and suitability of educational materials. The video script contains a detailed curriculum review of Story of the World and History Quest, showing the speaker's thought process in selecting the right program.
💡Educational Philosophy
Educational philosophy refers to the beliefs and values that guide educational practices. The speaker's approach to curriculum selection and the emphasis on a narrative style in learning reflect their educational philosophy, aiming for a more engaging and comprehensive learning experience.
💡Supplemental Materials
Supplemental materials are additional resources used to enhance or support the main educational content. The speaker mentions the Usborne Encyclopedia of World History as a supplemental material for the History Quest curriculum, indicating the importance of comprehensive resources in homeschooling.
💡Digital Download
A digital download refers to a file or content that is distributed electronically, rather than in physical form. The speaker expresses a preference for physical products over digital downloads, reflecting a personal preference that may not align with modern educational trends.
Highlights

Shauna is entering her fifth year of homeschooling with a kindergartner and a fourth grader.

She plans to implement two history studies for the next year, one for each child.

Shauna will compare and contrast the curriculums of History Quest and Story of the World.

Story of the World was used for two years but has been discontinued due to its overwhelming content.

Shauna prefers a narrative style for teaching history to engage children better.

Story of the World's structure with 42 chapters was difficult to fit into a traditional school year.

Shauna appreciates the inclusion of an audiobook with the History Quest curriculum for reinforcement.

History Quest's 26 chapters are easier to manage and fit into a school year.

The History Quest curriculum is visually more appealing with a bigger book and larger print.

Shauna dislikes the digital-only format of History Quest and prefers a physical CD.

History Quest includes a study guide and a more manageable activity book.

The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History is recommended as a supplement for History Quest.

Shauna emphasizes that curriculum should be a tool, not a burden, and should be adapted to fit individual needs.

She will share her experience and updates with History Quest as the school year progresses.

Shauna invites viewers to share their questions and experiences for community discussion.

She reflects on her struggle with adapting to new technologies and digital formats.

Transcripts

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