Lessons from History - four volumes

by Gail Schultz

Lessons from History

Lessons from History are essentially unit study outlines that the author recommends for grades K-9. My judgment is that they best suit students up through eighth grade. Five volumes cover five different eras: Creation to 100 B.C., 100 B.C. to A.D. 1300’s, 1400’s to 1700’s, 1800’s, and 1900’s.

At the front of each volume is a scope and sequence chart for covering history, social studies and science, geography, Bible, and the arts. Key people, events, or movements anchor each week’s study. For example, the 1800’s volume’s beginning lessons are on the American Revolution, the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and Robert Fulton. Lesson outlines for the week provide background information (e.g., a biographical overview), suggested books to read, related areas of study, projects, and discussion questions. Obviously, we need to adapt any of these to suit the ages of our learners. Recommended books vary in difficulty, although most seem to be children’s titles.

Since each week’s lesson outline is only a few pages long, this is clearly not a comprehensive, self-contained curriculum. It serves as a framework and outline for us to create our own lessons. Suggestions at the front of the book tell us how to put together weekly lessons, including language arts and field trips. At the end of each book are pictures that can be used to create a time line (instructions provided also).

There is a distinctive Christian flavor throughout the books, although it is not always obviously stated. For example, the lesson on cowboys raises questions about character, responsibility, and family. However, sometimes it is obvious, such as in the questions about Louis Braille that require students to refer to Scripture verses. The books are well-organized and presented as well as nicely illustrated with appropriate clip art. Those who like unit studies but also like to have a great deal of control over the form it takes will find these books to be excellent resources.

Lessons from History also sells The Art Part books by Sybil Wickstrom. These are companion volumes to each of the Lessons from History books that have correlating arts and crafts activities for topics and time periods covered.