Teaching Story of the World Volume 2 (Middle Ages to Renaissance)
This is a continuation of my Story of the World Volume 1 post here. As with that article, I am using this as a sort of “file folder” to share the resources that I’m finding as I prepare. I will not necessarily use all of the books and links listed below, but I wanted to share my research with you.
Please note: this is an ongoing process, so this list is not complete.
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What is Story of the World?
Worldview: Secular
Check out my first post to read more about this story-like history series for elementary kids and to see where you can purchase it.
Volume 2 covers the “Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance.”
This curriculum is considered secular as in it does not promote any specific religion.
Year Long Resources
Claritas Publishing
Worldview: Christian
I’m very excited to try out this memory work system this coming year. My kids and I previously participated in another classical program called Classical Conversations and enjoyed the weekly memory work (and the friends!). While we have pivoted to a different style of co-op, I am eager to see how Claritas Publishing’s memory work flows with this history series - since it was written to directly correlate with the Story of the World (SOTW).
In addition to the weekly history sentences that link to specific chapters in SOTW (see this PDF for specifics), Claritas also includes weekly memory work for other subjects. Some of these include science facts, English grammar, Latin and even hymns and Scripture memory.
I will plan to update this after we use the program this coming school year (2025-2026) to give more information.
References
Alongside doing my own searching I have used websites and books for recommendations in compiling this. Thank you to:
Claritas Cycle 2 Reading List from Naturally Holistic
The Story of the World Activity Book Two
Claritas Cycle 2 Book List from Laura McKinney Adams
The Ultimate Guide to Using SOTW in Your Homeschool from Learning Mama
SOTW Chapter by Chapter Resources from Living Loving Learning As We Go
Book List
This coming year I will be homeschooling all three of my kids in the following grades: 4th, 2nd, and Kindergarten. So, my selection of books below is with these varying grade levels in mind. I’d like a selection of read-aloud picture books as well as chapter books either for read-aloud or for my independent reader(s) to enjoy.
Also, I am gathering the recommended ages from various sources. However, sometimes these ages may be referencing the age of comprehension versus reading it independently or vice versa. So, be sure to check them out yourself! I plan to add notes as we read various ones and I’ll try to let you know how the ages panned out.
Beric the Briton: A Story Of The Roman Invasion by G.A. Henty. (This book won’t be on our reading list this year but I wanted to include it because it’s fantastic for older readers. I’d suggest high school reading level for style more than content. G.A. Henty was a prolific writer but his style can be verbose. My husband and my brothers were all huge fans of him back in the day. And I read and really enjoyed this one myself!)
The Chronicles of Prydain by L. Alexander. (I will be buying this set for my independent readers due to the high ratings and the fact our library has 3 people on the waiting list for book one.)
The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History by Bingham, Chandler, & Taplin. (This edition has internet links and appears to be the same page numbers as the one abbreviated “UILE” throughout the SOTW Vol 2 Activity Guide.)
Audio Books
I have purchased some of these but am planning to use my local library’s Hoopla account to listen to most of them (if available). The exception to borrowing them is the textbook itself. I really like having a hard copy as well as the audio recording. So, I purchase that for each level. I’ve listed these in alphabetical order by title after the textbook.
Also, many of the audiobooks are short (approx 40 minutes). So before purchasing them confirm the length to make sure you’re getting what you think you’re paying for.
Story of the World Volume 2 by S.W. Bauer. (read by Jim Weiss, rec. grades 2nd-5th, 10 hrs, 42 min.)
Galileo and the Star Gazers by J. Weiss. (written & read by Jim Weiss, rec. ages n/a, published by Well Trained Mind who publishes SOTW)
King Arthur and His Knights by J. Weiss. (written & read by Jim Weiss, rec. ages n/a, published by Well Trained Mind who publishes SOTW)
Men of Iron by H. Pyle. (read by Jim Weiss, rec. ages 8-13, highly rated on Amazon)
The Queen’s Pirate: The Adventures of Queen Elizabeth I & Sir Francis Drake, Pirate Extraordinaire by J. Weiss. (written & read by Jim Weiss, rec. ages 7-10, I think the word “pirate” automatically ensures my boys will be interested)
Who in the World was the Acrobatic Princess? by R. Phillips. (read by Jim Weiss, rec. grades 2nd-4th; this book tells the story of Empress Theodora the wife of Emperor Justinian)
Who in the World was the Unready King? by C. Clark. (read by Jim Weiss., rec. grades 2nd-4th; this book tells the story of King Ethelred who became king at age ten.)
Online Resources
I will add to this area as I collect more resources.
