Allison TX Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 I am looking at The Story of the Ancient World from Nothing New Press, revised by Christine Miller. I can only find good reviews on this book. However, when I read the samples I find them to be on the dry side. I am concerned the style of writing will make it difficult for my kids (4th and 5th) to comprehend what they are reading. Would this make a better read aloud as opposed to a self read? Have your kids enjoyed any of the Guerber books and had good comprehension with them? Thanks for any thoughts. I am stuck on history and can't decide what to use until I make a decision about this book.:confused: Allison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 This is what I know about this particular book: - it's heavy on Bible stories/history - it's a short, engaging collection of narratives - good to use as a read-aloud A description from Lamp Post Publishing: The Story of the Ancient World is a completely new historical narrative based on H. A. Guerber's Story of the Chosen People. It builds a Biblical worldview and a rich vocabulary. Your child will discover the fascinating history of Ancient Sumeria, Egypt, Phoenicia, Israel, Assyria, Babylonia, and Persia. Story of the Ancient World has maps, timeline, recommended reading, bibliography, and an index. With illustrations and 128 chapters, Story of the Ancient World has 279 pages with a softcover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca VA Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 My opinion? The Guerber books are packed full of information. They're not light reading. My rising seventh grader -- who is a very good student -- is using them for history, reading *one lesson* per day, outlining it, and taking tests. I'm aware that some people on this board hand the books over to their younger kids who read them and enjoy them. However, there's more to the Guerber books than just great stories. I'm squeezing all the benefit I can out of these wonderful books. No way would I just have a kid read through them casually -- there's just too much good information there. I consider them to be a logic stage resource. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie in OR Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 We have all of the Guerber books and love them. I agree that this would not be a hand-over to a 4th or 5th grader. We use them as read-alouds and I also do use them about once a week or so for an activity called a Scholar's Reading Lesson (I copy off a paragraph or two from the reading and then have them do some vocabulary work, reading out-loud, deductive-reasoning questioning, outlining and re-telling, etc..). The format is perfect for this. It would also be great just for outlining. I posted this in another post recently but I think the information in there is very thorough, engaging and what I like the best...the stories are short (usually only a page or two) and the pages are not busy. I have a hard time reading from books with lots of little boxes and things running down the sides, etc..This has a lot of white space and a great font...I love the layout. If you do a seach for Guerber, you will find some more opinions. We are headed out of town right now, or I'd try and find the links for you. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allison TX Posted June 14, 2009 Author Share Posted June 14, 2009 Thank you all for the replies. If we decide to use it I will use it as a read aloud.:001_smile: Allison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 Debbie in OR-can you plz expound more upon the Scholar's Reading Lesson-did you make that up? I love that idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline4kids Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 We have all of the Guerber books and love them. I agree that this would not be a hand-over to a 4th or 5th grader. We use them as read-alouds and I also do use them about once a week or so for an activity called a Scholar's Reading Lesson (I copy off a paragraph or two from the reading and then have them do some vocabulary work, reading out-loud, deductive-reasoning questioning, outlining and re-telling, etc..). The format is perfect for this. It would also be great just for outlining. I posted this in another post recently but I think the information in there is very thorough, engaging and what I like the best...the stories are short (usually only a page or two) and the pages are not busy. I have a hard time reading from books with lots of little boxes and things running down the sides, etc..This has a lot of white space and a great font...I love the layout. If you do a seach for Guerber, you will find some more opinions. We are headed out of town right now, or I'd try and find the links for you. :001_smile: That is good to know. I was going to order the Middle Ages and Reformation books to use for oral narration. They sound perfect for this if they have short chapters---written narrations too.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudreyTN Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 I know that they're not exactly the same since Christine Miller revised the books, but you can find most of the originals for free online if you want to get a closer look at them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 I love Geurber- my kids (last year, then ages 12 and 13) found them dry when they read them alone, but we all really enjoyed them as read alouds. It seemed to bring them alive. They seem simple but they are jam packed with info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie in OR Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 That is good to know. I was going to order the Middle Ages and Reformation books to use for oral narration. They sound perfect for this if they have short chapters---written narrations too.:) :001_smile: Yep...love that oral and written narration! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie in OR Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Debbie in OR-can you plz expound more upon the Scholar's Reading Lesson-did you make that up? I love that idea! Can't take credit for it! It is in the Reading Curriculum book from the NOAH Plan. The book is packed with things like this for improving reading and reasoning skills. This one in particular, covers so many areas (narration, oral reading, comprehension, analysis, vocab. in context, etc..). And it takes under 10 minutes! Rather efficient use of time and I love that we can pull it from anything we are reading...history, science, Bible, etc... I can pm you with more info, if you like. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladydusk Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Can you PM me too? That sounds fascinating! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Hi Debbie-thanks-I would love if you would PM me with more info! I'm trying to streamline in exactly this manner for fall! The closest thing I have found is Bravewriter Arrow, which I'm using to give me ideas, but I really want to get this too. I'd love to hear more! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlessedMom Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Hi Debbie, Could you please PM me the Scholar's Reading Lesson information as well? Thank you for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmyandgracie Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 I would love a PM on the Scholar's Reading Lesson as well. It sounds like it might be just the thing for my youngest ds to break more into the logic stage without overwhelming him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Debbie! So how about those Scholar Reading Lessons? If we buy something from Noah website, will that give us what we need to do this? If so, what would that be? Or instead of PMing us all, if you maybe want to start a thread about it for those of us who are interested? (I'll also keep cking back on this thread.) I'm in the same boat as kimmyandgracie-wanting to transition dd into logic w/out overwhelming and think this would be perfect. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie in OR Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 :lol: Sorry...I was out of town through Monday and am still working on re-entry into the real world! Will pm you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Girl Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 :lol: Sorry...I was out of town through Monday and am still working on re-entry into the real world! Will pm you all. Me too, please!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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