If you want your child to explore the history of the Middle Ages, I suggest you have a look at this inspiring curriculum by Master Books.

Volume 2 carries on where volume 1 left off with the fall of Rome. You can, however, do each volume as a standalone curriculum. The World's Story 2 dives into the past in a delightful manner, it reads like a storybook, with narration breaks, meant for reflection and discussion. The course is aimed at learners Grade 6 through to Grade 8. It delves into Church history as the development of the early Christian Church played a major part in this era, it includes stunning photographs to enrich the learning experience and discusses various important people of the time. The in-depth look at the controversies people faced in this age provides the learners a chance to study, compare and reflect on the social, political, religious and educational development of the Middle Ages. Learners study the maps and geography of the countries greatly impacted through the Middle Ages and have the opportunity to understand how countries were created through various wars, hostile take-overs and the spread of the Early Christian Church.

A critical look at art and architecture enhances learners knowledge of the time we like to associate with great knights and warriors. Also in later chapters, the study of Early Renaissance art and the difference between art in the two era's supplement the learners knowledge and cultivate art appreciation through the study of history.

The rise and influence of Islam, the division of the Muslim faith, fearless leaders like Genghis Khan, Charlemagne, William the Conqueror, King Richard the Lionheart and missionary stories are all woven through this wonderful resource. Truly providing a full view of world history at this era, as it studies countries from the East including Japan, Mongolia, India to Africa to Meso-American and Inca development alongside the rich history of the early church in what we now call Europe. The dark times of The Plague and country leaders like Ferdinand & Isabella, The Tudors, the wars between France and England and other influences that lead to the time of the Renaissance and Reformation are all topics of investigation.

I highly recommend this curriculum to provide a good foundation to World History, especially for learners interested in studying the Renaissance, this volume will provide much insight into reasons why the Renaissance was seen as the age of rebirth, renewal, and rediscovery.

To accompany this student text, you will also find a Teachers Guide, which will provide a full year World History Curriculum, complete with 180-day schedule, student activity sheets to create timelines, do map and art studies and complete research on critical thinking topics

This is a beautiful, and engaging, book. I appreciate the short, restful, length of each chapter. The colored pictures, and maps are so helpful, and fun. Most of the lessons take place within Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia (where so much was happening); but this is an international text, that also has chapters on Africa, and the Americas.

I also appreciate the author's honesty and humility regarding the mistakes of the church (forced conversions, violence, etc.) during this era. These darker topics are covered gently, briefly, and are prefaced with a loving spirit--so important for the younger ages (late elementary to middle school). It is similarly written from a Christian perspective--highlighting that the gods of certain cultures are false, and continuously drawing the line of truth within the text. Some of the devotional thoughts that come out amidst the stories are especially precious. For instance, there is wisdom about not camouflaging our faith, even in the face of persecution, as with the Kakure Kirishitan in Japan, who ended up with a Buddhist and Shintoist practices mixed permanently into their Christianity.

The storytelling style of writing makes this curriculum enthralling and relevant. It could easily become a high school curriculum with additional reading and writing supplemented to each lesson.

If you are looking for a light narration of history from a Christian perspective, this is an excellent series (we've also enjoyed World's Story 1: the Ancients). It could be used either with or without the Teacher's Guide, but is a complete course with both books.

I received a complimentary copy of this curriculum from Master Books.

When we finished up Ancient Civ last year, my 11 yr old was technically a year ahead of schedule and wanted to take a break from 'chronological history' and check out more of the 'Mysteries of History' that she had touched upon during last year's history lessons. I thought it was a great idea to go back and work on them, and go forward and learn more, before coming back to tackle the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. While she has been exposed to so much of it from Ren faires and other lessons, I knew that breaking up chronological history into 3 sections, such as Angela has done, was a more logical method for my daughter to understand the different time periods of history. She liked the Christian look at history, and so did I, so I knew this series was one we wanted to keep up with!

There are SO many great historical figures in this time period, that really made a difference for the general population, and having them included is a great plus. While the text gives your child a lot of info say on Genghis Khan, St Patrick, and Martin Luther, there is enough left unsaid that allows for individual reports/research on them, for extra grading purposes and learning! And, the Connect sections, will help your student to understand the link of these famous people to their modern lives (and media content)!

Once again, the book is filled with great illustrations, including master art works, allowing for additional research and discussion topics (don't we homeschoolers LOVE it when other subjects cross over? Art day! YEAH), that will have your child entranced from the beginning! And with multiple artists spotlights, you can extend the historical art element as well into art discovery! It also has entrancing color photos, that REALLY grab your child's attention and help them understand the different cultures!

The book is broken down into 28 chapters, allowing for a FULL year's worth of history to be taught! Each chapter is easily one week's work of work. My daughter is still using block scheduling, so for her it will be a 2-3 day course, but you could easily make it a 5 day one. I love how the different areas of the chapters ask students to THINK, and make critical thinking connections! Like the questions about the Mongol Empire above. You could see where you could use this series even into High School, using some of these questions for High School essay questions and thesis papers!

This IS a religious look at history, but the book contains sound historical and geo-sociological info, and it's worth looking at, even if you hadn't considered using such a worldview text. We'll be using this for 7th grade history, and then using Volume 3 (Modern history) for 8th grade. I truly think the timeline is so much better for allowing kids to mature and really understand the concepts and political ideas better!

This text is already available in both print and ebook form! So which ever way your kids learn best, you have a text for them! And if you buy as a set with the Teacher's Guide, you get a great discount! The additional teacher guide provides everything you need to teach the full year of history, thanks to its daily schedule, worksheets, hands-on activities, and research prompts.

Having home schooled for 8 years now, I have used a few history curriculums and this is a winner! My kids and I love this Charlotte Mason approach! The pictures are fantastic. I love how this program has combined bible and history together in a well flowing, easy to understand writing style. If you are looking for a thorough, interesting, easy to use history curriculum this is an excellent choice.

I really have enjoying reading this book. It so conversational and interesting to read. After we have tried several popular history programs, this is by far our favorite! When my son started using the Ancients book, history became his favorite subject and this book deepens his interest even more! I love the focus on church history. Many history programs only lightly, if at all, cover church history. A quote from the book, "I do believe it is necessary to show how the Church was so closely and intricately intertwined. It would be impossible to understand the flow of history if one or the other was left out of the story."

The book also goes into the different government systems in place at the time and the different problems that arose because of them. There is much discussion of the influences of religion, government, architecture, and cultures of the different conquering empires.

I also appreciate the "continent hopping". It shows you how all the different things were going on at the same time on different continents. There are so many pictures of various buildings, artwork and ruins. I love the narration breaks as it gives me a chance to discuss the topics and see how my son is absorbing the material.