Hello Hive, Well-Trained Mind Press is in the early stages of revising the book-lists (fiction and non-fiction) in the Activity Book of "The Story of the World, Volume 3." We'll be adding new titles that have come out in the past 15 years (or titles that we missed the first time around!), and deleting some that are so thoroughly out of print that no parent could be expected to find them. We have a plan for doing it that we think will provide a variety of parental viewpoints, and keep any one contributor from getting stuck with too much work. We've divided the book into sections (chapters 1-7, 8-14, etc). Each section would pay a little differently, based on how many books we need to find (you'll notice that some sections need a lot more work than others do). Each contributor can do one, two, or three sections, but no more (to spread the work around). Each section will end up being a combination of the work of two contributors plus our editors. Time Frame: We will ask you to submit a sample list from a particular chapter, to evaluate your abilities. Your full booklists would be due by mid-to-late January of 2019. Here's what we consider a "successfully found" book:- age appropriate - period appropriate - in print (we make occasional exceptions if it's REALLY good) - available in physical form (you can make 1 fiction exception and 1 nonfiction exception per chapter...kindle, etc...but not more than that) - relatively easy to find - write a one-sentence summary like we did in the first edition We will provide a PDF of the original booklist, and a PDF of the actual textbook; we have gone through and crossed out the out-of-print ones or ones we want to delete, and we'll tell you how many fiction and nonfiction books are now needed for each chapter (it's usually between 2 and 8 books needed from each genre). If this interests you, and you feel you could do a good job with it, please contact Justin Moore (justin@welltrainedmind.com) for further information.

Hi forums folks...just wanted to let you know that we're running a big sale at Well-Trained Mind Press. We're discounting most of our history, grammar, writing, and math titles by up to 36%, and our Jim Weiss audio recordings are also 15% off or more. It's a great chance to stock up on books for next school year, or for summer learning. Want something for yourself? Susan Wise Bauer's books for grown-ups (Rethinking School; The History of Western Science, etc) are discounted by 25%. Sale ends on April 30th.

Hi all, While supplies last, we're offering VERY LIGHTLY scratched/scuffed books from Well-Trained Mind Press for 60% off the cover price! We have The Story of the World (activity books, textbooks, and tests), First Language Lessons, Writing With Ease, Writing With Skill, The Creative Writer, Telling God's Story, and many more. These books (which, honestly, aren't very scratched, and just look like they'll look once your children have them for a few weeks anyway) are only available through our office, not our website, so call 1.877.322.3445 to find out what's available and to make your purchase. Justin from Well-Trained Mind Press

I'm looking for American History that is like Mistery of History and/or Story of the World. The main thing I am looking for is the CDs and activity workbook on CD as well. Thank you for your input! I have a 4yr old, 6 yr old, 8yr old, and almost 11 yr old. And we have not done American History! 🤦ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸ Thanks, K

Has anyone done MOH with olders (12 & 14) AND SOTW with a younger (10) at the same time. I DON'T want to rearrange chapters. I don't want to use an outside lesson plan that combines. They always rearrange chapters. I want open and go. I really considered BP, but from the past, planners like that never get done. I start with the planners and their pages, and then always want to add the pages that go with the MOH or SOTW because they look great, too! Then I can't decide, I get overwhelmed, and none get done. BUT, if I follow SOTW AND MOH guides, keeping the levels separated, will it totally confuse me? I had asked about doing everyone together with one of these 2 a few years ago, but we ended up doing something all together different. This year we did our own 'explorers' study and then studied Africa and it's geography. I really want a better plan for next year and follow through with the plan. Pam

We opened a one day a week classical school this year. For some families, our program is purely supplemental and for other families, they jump onto the same curriculum we are doing at home, for one cohesive program. We are using SOTW and it's corresponding activity book in our lower grammar grades. We are back and forth on what to do with our 5th-8th grade group. The format of our school is not one in which we can follow TWTM book's logic stage history with library reads, notebooking, etc. We need a class format like SOTW. The whole school is on the same history cycle and will be doing Middle Ages. How can I use SOTW in class with the 5th-8th grade? Outside work is purely optional. But, what do we do in class specifically with each chapter that is not too "babyish."

I plan on starting SOTW volume 1 next school year. I purchased the components used at our local homeschool consignment shop and I'm excited. However, as I've mentioned in previous posts, my girls have never been great listeners during read-alouds. It's getting better, as I let them choose our read-aloud (currently reading Magic Tree House Mummies on Monday), but I am a bit concerned that they won't get as much out of SOTW if I can't get them to listen and pay attention. I bought History Pockets and a Professor Noggins ancient history game to go along with it, to hopefully keep the interest going. I really want this to work as I am excited about it myself. Just curious how successful SOTW has been for others who may have been in a similar situation?

Does anyone have a reading schedule of Sotw 2 that includes the History Lives Books by Mindy and Brandon Withrow? There would be a few chapters from Peril and Peace, then Monks and Mystics, and some chapters from Courage and Conviction. I have found a schedule that includes Trial and Triumph. I think Biblioplan may include all of these resources together, and has them scheduled, but is it worth it to buy it just for that? TIA.

We have started a one day a week Classical school for homeschooling families. We are planning on using Story of the World in our grammar school this coming fall. How does copyright work for the student pages in the activity book? Does each student have to buy their own activity book? Or am I able to copy the applicable student pages for my class each week? Thanks so much, Rachael Oren

Hello all! This coming school year (which will start in the summer for us, since we school year-round), I will have a 4th, 3rd, and 1st grader. With the 2 older ones, I have been doing SOTW Volume 1, which I'd like to continue doing and have the 1st grader start to join in. I think it will go pretty well. Half way through the year or so, we'll move into Volume 2, which technically is for 2nd grade and up. Should this be a problem? I haven't seen any of the activity pages yet for the 2nd volume. Can anyone give me any insights into what types of pages there are? Will I have to be creative in making it more accessible for him or will there not be a need? Thanks in advance!

I have been happily adhering to the Well-trained Mind suggestions for History using a 4-year cycle of Ancient thru to Modern History. We have used all the Story of the World books and last year completed The History of the Ancient World. I purchased The History of the Medieval World to used 2016/17 (year 2 of the 4 year cycle) and I have become quite confused about how to complete the final cycle. HOTW Ancient did not cover the fall of rome which was where SOTW ended. HOTW Medieval only covers to the early 12th century. SOTW Middle Ages & Renaissance went through to the 16th Century. HOTW Renaissance only gets to 15th century in 94 chapters. How are we supposed to get through Modern History again in the 4 years? Should I even be using HOTW? Any suggestions greatly appreciated. I'm really stressed about getting through it all using these texts, but love the writing and the study guides and maps.

We're trying to (more or less) do WTM-style history here. I'll have a dd13 (8th, somewhat accelerated), dd10 (5th) and dd7 (2nd) next year. As good little WTMers, we've followed the 4-year cycle and will be doing the Modern Era (1850 to Present). History is going to have to go differently than it has in past years for several reasons: Dd13 is pretty responsible and able to work on her own. In fact, I've taken advantage of this for the past several years to the extent that she has had little interaction with me about History and is finding the encyclopedia/timeline/extra reading/summary cycle pretty boring. (No! My daughter is not liking History!! How can this be happening?!? Aaaaargh!) She loved SOTW because of its narrative quality. She's not happy with moving through an encyclopedia, skimming the surfaces of various subjects, and needing to come up with thought-provoking things to write about the Acts of Enclosure, etc. My idea for change is to give her a carefully selected set of topics from World History in the Modern Era and a rubric of requirements for each (names, dates, etc.). She would then spend more than a week on each subject and hopefully be able to dig in deeply enough to find one or more narratives, resulting in not only a better understanding but also more personal enjoyment. I would keep tabs on her work on a weekly basis and she would do a written or oral report at the end of each subject. (Thoughts? Advice?) Dd10 is graduating from SOTW this year and will need to shift into the Encyclopedia/outlining/timeline/narration stage. Problem: she's nowhere near a natural writer and will need her hand held through a large part of at least this first year in Logic Stage. She is also easily distractable (not a very independent worker) and loves projects. Dd7 will be doing SOTW and will need constant interaction. She's not writing well on her own yet so that narrations will still need to be dictated for at least the first part of the year. How do I work these second two together? Due to time constraints, they're going to have to do history at the same time. I'm heroically nerving myself to cut chapters out of SOTW 4 (it'll be my first time to not "finish the book" and the thought is making me somewhat batty) in order to slow the history flow down somewhat and allow for flexibility. I can still work Dd10 into projects for SOTW 4 along with dd7. Other than that . . . ? I figured I can't be the first person on this board to face this. Does anyone have some BTDT to share? TIA!! Mama Anna

I have been using SOTW 1 with the AG for my 8yo son and even though I go over the comprehension questions and have him narrate and review with him, he's just not retaining anything from this book. I have even printed up and laminated review cards from the AG and he really doesn't remember the stories. I have used AO's year 1 stories and he did better. I am just so frustrated when it comes to finding something that is chronological and at a 2nd/3rd grade listening interest when it comes to history. SL and AO have great reading lists but I just don't have the time to read all day long. My son is doing a lot better on his reading but still needs me to read-aloud to him. i am looking for chronological history that uses real literature (not text books) that has a Christian slant and is not necessarily grade specific (meaning "1st grade", "2nd grade" etc.) I am not interested in unit studies because I don't have time to complete a bunch of projects. I also want continue implementing note booking (I have a lifetime membership to notebookingpages.com). I have been considering the Beautiful Feet Study guides but they don't have much for younger elementary. I have looked at SCM but it seems like it is really geared for kids that are older even though it says you can use it for K-12. I am thinking about tossing out the history spine and just using books from my collection and library that go in order more chronologically. The problem I have with that is always wondering if I am missing something. But with my son being young still, I'm thinking that it really won't matter because he will go over it later when he gets older. I guess I'm just looking for something that doesn't take so much time to do. Using a spine takes a lot of time because I first have to read the spine book, then I have to go find the other books to follow up so that the subject is remembered and enjoyed. Ugh. I want to have a variety of books (not just use history as literature reading) so as to not get burned out with the subject matter. I'd really appreciate your input. Thanks!

Hello all, I'm preparing for my fifth year of homeschooling. My oldest son is entering 5th grade, and this past year we completed the SOTW cycle. I'm a big fan of WTM, so I was planning on going with her recommendations for the logic stage for history- not having a basic text but using a history encyclopedia as a spine and then outside reading, etc. I just stumbled upon The History of the Ancient World and realized that she has written a textbook and a study guide. It says grades 6-12. I'm wondering, have any of you used this? Is it for middle school, or more for high school? What are the pros and cons of using this book rather than following her previous recommendations? I appreciate any input you have, thanks. Erin

We will be using (some of) SOTW 4 for history this year and was wondering if anyone has some good book suggestions for 3rd graders for the Modern History time period. The activity guide seems to have suggestions for slightly older kiddos. My girls read well, so I'm not so much looking for books on a 3rd grade reading level, but books with 3rd grade content. :) Any suggestions for any books in general for this time period would be great (even for the 6th grader)! :)

Hi all, Thanks to widespread customer demand, we have created written versions of the oral "discussion questions" that are found in every chapter of the Story of the World Activity Books. These written versions, with blanks for the student to write the answers, can be given out as homework assignments or review worksheets. You, of course, will have the answers in your Activity Book, but now the student won't have them. :) Download these PDF packs from our site...we typed 'em up so you don't have to. This way you can enjoy your summer :) Descriptions and samples: Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, and Volume 4. OR SAVE $6 when you buy all 4 in one bundle! Let me know if you have any questions...

After abdandoing my plans to do AO (good riddance...this was a good move for me/us), I am planning out the year for my 1st and 3rd grader. We will be using SOTW as our history spine, and I have the activity books to refer to as well, for maps and such. We are also going to be using Brave Writer for each child (The Wand and The Arrow). With AO, everything was laid out and scheduled for me, down to page numbers, so I knew what to plan for a week, a month, etc. Now that I'm on my own, I'm freaking out a little bit! I have us down to do about a chapter (sometimes 2) from SOTW for each child. Yes,they will be in different cycles of history...I really want my 3rd grader to be "caught up" in regards to the cycle going forward, and she's a strong independent reader, so I can hand it off to her. Does this amount per week seem reasonable? I know it's not wise to try to get supplemental history books for each topic, but I have planned out at least one most weeks, titles I can get from the library or that we own. Should I do that, or make it simpler and just let SOTW stand on its own? How much supplemental reading do you do? Spelling/writing/grammar will be through Brave Writer, but I'd like to assign some other literature to my 3rd grader as well, in addition to the monthly BW book. The trouble is, I have no idea how quickly we'll move through them, and I don't know how to account for that on the schedule. Meaning, as I go though and map out each week, do I note down the book I want her to be reading? If she's not done with it , or already flew through it, then the subsequent weeks of schedules will be "off." I'm sure I'm making this more complicated than it needs to be, but now that I'm not following AO's pre-made schedule, I'm a bit of a loss. I won't be handing her a book and saying "read pages 20-25 and stop to narrate," and then dropping the book for another week. Its all much more fluid, and I don't know how to plan for that! Or is everything other than the BW book a "strongly suggested free read" for her to get to when she has reading time each day? More thoughts: we are doing RS for math. That's all fine. I am planning poetry/Shakespeare/art study/songs as part of morning time all together. That seems doable. That leaves me with science. I'd rather not make nature study the main part of our science...I just...don't love it, and it turns into play outside time, not categorize trees time. Lol. I have BFSU, but I find it baffling and so confusing. I don't have it in me to plan those lessons. Thoughts on another science approach? Kids would be combined on this one. I'd really appreciate some feedback and advice. We're starting in 2.5 weeks, and I just undid all my plans this weekend, so I'm scrambling and nervous to be going "on my own." Grateful for the help!

This is my second time through the Story of the World and it's coming to a close. My younger two children (ages 10 & 8) just don't have the knack for history narrations that my oldest (12), who has more of a natural inclination toward the subject, mustered (back when I was more of a dragon mom!), so I'd like to conclude the series in a different way - I want it to be more fun and literature based, since that is what they enjoy most (in addition to any kind of art). I am finally ready to give up the activity guide - it's been a good tool, but due to my perfectionistic tendencies (which my children also have), it has been my master instead of the other way around, so it's time to cut the cord and move on to a new approach. My question is...what curricula do people enjoy that either use SOTW 4 - Modern Times - as a spine or incorporated into it, preferably in chapter order (I'm kind of a stickler for that)? I have always read the book aloud as we sat on the couch together (which has been great) but since we are going to be in the car more often this coming year, I am thinking of switching to the audio CD. Perhaps that's all we'll do with it, but before I decide that, I'd like to look at the programs that use SOTW (I know they are legion, lol). I am drawn toward unit studies but that might conflict with my allegiance to chronological order. For a while, I've been curious about Diana Waring's curriculum. Also Biblioplan. I'm going to start researching (and digging up all my pinterest pins!), but to save myself some time, I wanted to ask here first... I have been so thankful for the WTM since it got me started on this path six years ago, but I find myself diverging a lot more now that I have experience, and while still considering myself a classical homeschooler, I want to explore other approaches to that (e.g., Charlotte Mason, Classical Academic Press curricula) and adapt them to what works for our family, as well as being eclectic (e.g., unit studies) rather than striving to adhere to one method (despite having gone off in other directions with math and science - somewhat - along the way). (I tried TOG once...after getting all fired up at a conference...it was not for us - too intensive/complicated)

Hi there! I am deliberating between TOG Yr 2 and SOTW Vol 2 next year for my upcoming 2nd grader and kindergartener. We have used TOG Year 1 this year, but with SOTW Vol 1 as the spine. The kids have really enjoyed and retained a lot from the hands-on projects, but of all the reading we've done, SOTW has definitely been the most enjoyable. I already have TOG Year 2, and I'm looking through it and noticing both that SOTW 2 doesn't seem to be scheduled much (which is disappointing) but also noticing that the 2nd-year scope of the curricula seem very different. I'm trying to decide which to use for next year - TOG year 2 or SOTW Vol 2? Here are some considerations.... 1. I definitely want to use TOG at the higher grades, and planned to use it for this first cycle so I myself could get used to the planning. However... 2. SOTW is simpler, and my kids have definitely liked it. Simpler is starting to sound more appealing, at this stage where I have one barely independent reader and most subjects are still being done orally with both kids, which is a lot of hands-on investment of my time with each kid each day. (We're also using RightStart math, which I LOVE, but which is time-intensive.) More planning might be easier when we've hit the point where I can hand off assignments and check in, instead of hovering over shoulders all day. (Is it real that there will be a day when I can hand off assignments and check in? That seems like a fairy tale. But I digress.) With SOTW, I can incorporate some hands-on projects from the activity guide, and bam - history's done, versus more planning and more book juggling with TOG. For 2nd grade, it might just be easier to do what's...easy. 3. Can anyone speak to the differing scopes of the two curricula? TOG 2 seems like it's a lot of Church history, and it ZIPS through the Middle Ages awfully fast. It goes all the way from the fall of Rome to the Constitution, and to me, that seems like a lot to cover in one year. It almost seems like, at my kids' ages, more time on the Middle Ages and Renaissance might be preferable to a lot of Church history, which they might not really appreciate until they're a bit older? Or am I wrong about the TOG scope? Have you who've used it found that TOG Year 2 works well for the younger ages? Will we be missing something if we go with SOTW? 4. Finally, because of the difference in scope, it seems that whatever I use this year, I'll need to use next year as well. So the decision feels big...although I'm starting to learn the homeschooling lesson that consistency means more than having the "perfect" curriculum. Sorry for all of my rambling, and thank you very much for your thoughts! :)