I am looking for picture books set in the middle ages. I'm looking mainly for biography and historical fiction, and also stories written at the time (though translated or retold in more modern language). While I in no way need all of these to be "Christian" stories, I would LOVE to find at least some good story books that dealt the faith of the characters involved (both because I'm a Christian myself, and because I know this was a time period where in large parts of the world Christianity flourished, and it seems inaccurate to only show stories where faith doesn't play a role, because I'm sure it did play a role in their daily lives). Thanks!

Hello mamas! I'm in need of some encouragement and recommendations. I'm currently trying to teach my sixth grade, eleven year old boy to use encyclopedias spines and to take notes, outline, summarize and timeline according to the logic stage instructions in WTM fourth edition. But he's struggling. My eldest, a girl, did it without much help from me and liked it fine although she just mentioned the other day that she doesn't think she remembers much from those years of history. I don't want them to be lost years for my fella either. Has anyone done this successfully? Here's what we're trying to do: Monday: Write outline and summary from one library book he read Tuesday: Read for 90 minutes from various spines (I went through and made sure the information on the pages I assigned were all from the same time period) Write down 10-15 facts Wednesday: No history work Thursday: (90 minutes) Use an atlas to find places identified in reading Select topics to search for and read about from Library books Place events and people in our timeline book Use PBS videos and/or documentaries when appropriate Friday (90 minutes) Read froom library books (read more through the weekend if necessary) Here's the problem. I'm wondering if I shouldn't be using more than one Encyclopedia. He used three the other day: Kingfisher Illustrated Encyclopedia DK History of the World National Geographic Concise History of the World I think, maybe, that this is too much information. It seems like it's hard for him to settle on something and really LEARN it. Also, his facts are deplorable. Here's what he wrote for last week: 1. The silk road lasted until the 14th century. 2. 622 - Muhammed and his followers migrate from Mecca to Medina 3. The Byzantine Empire 4. The Mayans 5. Stone Obelisks 6. Anglo-Saxon burial methods for kings 7. The temple of the giant Jaguar 8. The Mayans were the first people to have an advanced calendar. 9. The Kon-Tiki Expedition, 1947 10. The Byzantines made many small, gold crosses. 11. Byzantine had a secret weapon called "Greek Fire." It was a mixture that burst into flames when it came in contact with water in 677. Here's what he chose to look up at the library: The Byzantine Military The Constantinople Wall (does it even have a wall?!) Help! I'm confused as to where I should even begin to solve this problem... Blessings, Angela

ETA: We're strongly leaning toward Duiker and Spielvogel's World History. I'm looking at options for “World History: Medieval-Renaissance†next year for a 10th grader who's pretty academically focused. I'd really like to use Daileader's excellent 3-part Middle Ages in Western Europe audio lecture series, so I'm looking more for a complementary text with a global focus and any interesting primary-sources reading in world history for period ~A.D. 1000-1800. Some of the world history options for our spine are: Strayer, Ways of the World: A Brief Global World History With Sources. I have this, it has a global focus, it has some focus on primary sources and their interpretation, so it's definitely a candidate for us. I would like to hear others' experiences, however, to see if there's something that might be better for DS. Duiker and Spielvogel, World History. A lot of people refer to using or having used “Spielvogel,†but there seem to be several versions of World History and Western Civilization by him. This one seems to be the best fit, but I'm really not sure. I don't think we'd go with his Western Civ. Book. An interesting review of an earlier edition of Spielvogel's World History: A Human Odyssey is here. It appears that Duiker was added as a co-author, and lead author, somewhere along the way, but I'm not positive. ETA: a 2008 WTM thread discusses this text; there's also an interesting review by an AP World History teacher for 9th and 10th graders here with experiences using Duiker and Spielvogel in 2001-2002. Spielvogel, Glencoe World History. This book seems clear, and I really like the extensive use of primary sources. It seems to me, however, that it's intended for a one-year non-honors 9th grade world history class, written at about a 6th grade reading level. It really looks good for its intended purpose, but I think DS is beyond that point in background, reading level, familiarity with maps, etc. ETA: In an earlier WTM thread, another reviewer considered it pre-high school and written at a 5th grade reading level. If you can handle the distracting side-bars and the reading level and background is right, it looks like a good text, however. I have Noble's Western Civilization, which has worked well for DS, but using it means I'd need to supplement for the rest of the world, which I might do, though not ideal; we'll also be using the audio lectures of “Great Authors of the Western Literary Tradition,†which is taught by Noble for the middle ages period, and it would be nice to get another perspective. SWB's History of the Medieval World. I have this, and it's a good book, but we started with her ancient book at the beginning of 9th and switched. I'd appreciate any feedback on your experiences on world history spines for the Medieval-Renaissance period (or useful primary sources to use). Thanks!

Does anyone have some good writing prompts for history (or literature) for middle ages through Renaissance world history? I'd really like to find things for that time period that don't require extensive reading outside a few relatively short primary source materials, or even one or two short secondary source materials, so that DS's time can be spent on analysis/thinking and writing? In case you're interested, I'll post our draft plan for next year below. Thanks!

OK in my search for a great history curriculum I have come across the Beautiful Feet curriculum. It seems pricey for the packs, but I think over the summer I could collect the books second hand and save some money. Does anyone have experience with this curriculum; we would be using the Medieval era. We already planned on reading several of the books in the collection. i think the guide looks pretty good and I would supplement with KFE. Any input?

So I have some extra money to spend for next year, and I've loaded up on science stuff and history books, but I don't have any fun history extras. I don't have my Activity Guide yet, so I don't have it to reference and look through. What kinds of extra projects, toys, games, etc., have you used and loved for Medieval History? I'll have a 3rd grade boy and 5th grade girl using them. The 5th grader is the one who loves history. This year they loved excavating a pyramid and doing Chinese calligraphy. They weren't huge fans of the Figures From Ancient History. Those got old very fast. Thanks for your help!! Amanda

I could really use your help, just by sharing your experiences and opinions on the different programs out there. What do you use? How do you use it? What do you like or not like about it? If you don't, what do you want to use next? I'm really considering using Mystery of History but I keep getting stuck on the fact that the series is not finished. I don't know how to deal with that and reconcile it with our needs. What do you do after Mystery of History's first three books? I just found Diana Waring's History Revealed products and it sounded interesting. Any comparisions or reviews of Romans, Reformers and Revolutionaries? I've looked at other programs like Story of the World (which sounds good but seems young for my 6th grader) and K12's Human Odyssey. Just can't seem to make a decision on this...and could really use your help just by sharing your experiences. Thanks!

A popular curriculum asks my student to read 12 medieval lyric poems from the Norton Anthology of Western Literature which I do not have and will not buy. I am astonished that I cannot find ONE of these assigned poems on the internet. I am thinking that poems over 900 years old are probably in the public domain, but I have spent this afternoon trying to find them to no avail. For example, "Summer" by Judah (sp varies) Halevi, "Spring Song" by William IX, "The Art of Love" by Arnaut Daniel, "Love and Nobility" and"An Encounter" by Guido Cavalcanti, "Sonnet" by Dante Alighieri (he only wrote one??), "Alone in Martyrdom" by Christine de Pizan, and "A Hymn to St. Maximinus" by Hildegard of Bingen. I am about to say, "Read any two poems by any two of these writers, and we will call it a day." But I wonder, am I just unlucky today? Does anyone else know where to find medieval poetry online?

What Netflix movies have you and your dc enjoyed that were related to the middle ages and/or the renaissance? It's my turn to pick. :)

I am looking for a top 10 list of specific primary documents for the medieval logic year. We have limited time, so I only want the "must do." This is what I have so far... Literature 1. Beowulf 2. Canterbury Tales 3. Shakespeare 4. Arthur Dante we will do in High School History Magna Carta I've been looking at this site http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/mefrm.htm but nothing really pops out at me as critical, more of it is just interesting (that is good too, I just don't want to miss something important). Suggestions? Ruth in NZ

dd13 grade 7 is studying Middle Ages. I have ordered and stocked every book ever written on the subject (almost). It's a bit much. But they all look so good that I can't send any back to the library. However, I do think I should choose a core set of "Must Reads" for her. Please share the books you would assign, without fail, for your middle schooler to read about the Middle Ages.

I am interested in using IEW materials this year. We are studying Medieval history and thought this may be a good writing program. Any advice on 1st or 2nd edition? What else would I need? Do I really need to buy the intensive A? Anyone have these for sale? Thanks! :)