The History of the Ancient World in a co-op

[tenoraddict]

I'm going to be teaching 7/8 grade History next year in our weekly co-op. I'll be using The History of the Ancient World, and I'm looking to hear from anyone else who's taught it in a co-op/group setting.

 

I'm also looking for supplemental ideas to make the class a little less-the-same each week. The activities in SOTW 1 are too juvenile for this age group (for the most part). I can find some video clips online (but one can only watch so much Crash Course).

 

I'm not one for reinventing something that's been proven, so if you have ideas to supplement this text, please share them!

 

Thanks,

 

Becky

[SilverMoon]

That's a sturdy high school level text. If my rising 8th grader were to get that whole course done in a year I don't see how he'd have much time left for supplements.

 

He would still play around with hieroglyphics, make salt dough maps, map drawing, enjoy mythology tales, build pyramids, and such. 

[prairiewindmomma]

We're planning this for use by my 9th grader; I agree that some 7th & 8th graders might feel stretched. We used The Human Odyssey for ancients when he was in 6th, and a very strong reader.  There is a different between having the ability to read and comprehend and the ability to read, analyze and synthesize.  I suspect that you are going to need to spend some time helping your class make connections.

 

My kids have needed video links to really SEE and understand the material that they are covering.

We've also had to pull out the maps together, work on terminology in geography, and make connections as to how in many cases geography drove ancient history. (SWB's text does a great job of this, btw!)

We've discussed clothing and food and culture (great courses/audible!)

We've made timelines and flow charts to discuss how one small bit of land was controlled by many succeeding cultures. (Follow the course of Iraq through time! Once you hit the post-WWI division of land, you see why Iraq has had perpetual conflict!)

Do a lot of the SOTW AG activities; the games and crafts are still enjoyable.