Story of the world question "secular" people

[AAK]

I prefer a secular approach with school.  This year I ordered "Story of the World" knowing that it had a Christian bent and that secular families "adjusted" for it.  So, the first main concern for me is chapter 6? Jewish People.  I am reading the activity book right now rather than the actual stories so maybe I am off a bit.  But it seems to me that the history of the Jewish people is simply being taught through old test. stories.  Is this true?  There has GOT to be history of Jewish people that isn't from the bible, right?  Someone help me out here, I may be skipping that chapter!

Amy

[OTMomma]

I believe that part of the text is basically a couple of old testament Bible stories, with a bit of set up around them. I believe that the Jewish people that wrote that text felt they were writing the history of their people, so that makes it a real source of history. I believe the Bible was used as a reference in my public high school history class too.

Personally, I think reading those stories to your children gives them a better frame of reference for understanding literary references when they come across them. Much great literature has Biblical references that are not explained in the text. I know many people who choose to read the stories with their children and then discuss them critically, pointing out that the stories were handed down orally for a long time and may have been exaggerated, changed or embellished over time. Or you can call it mythology, in that book you will also read Greek and Roman mythology. Just some things to think about before you decide to skip it.

[Fillyjonk]

I hear you, this is basically why we decided not to use SOTW. I think this year we will go with either HistoryAtOurHouse, or Intellego, both of which are genuinely secular. I don't want to have to keep editing stuff out, explaining it, etc etc, I want material that actually embraces and celebrates our secular world view, in the same way that religious people might want texts that respect their world views rather than just making do with a secular text.

I actually studied ancient languages (and so naturally, ancient history also) at university, and so I'm quite familiar with using biblical (and other religious) texts as primary source material-but that isn't what SOTW is doing, IMHO. Its presenting them as facts, and that I have a big problem with. There's absolutely no need to do this with ancient history any more than more modern history. Believe me, there is as much controversy, probably more even, in ancient history as in modern history.

I have nothing against SOTW, we actually have the audio version and this frequently plays in our car on long trips. I also think that this seems to be a problem specific to the first book. I think however that for secular families there are better options out there for ancient history.

[AAK]

Thanks,

I actually bought two programs.  SOTW for my 3rd grader and History Odyssey (level 2) for the 6th grader.  I was intending on comparing them throughout the year--keeping in mind the level difference.   I will look at HO and see how they cover it.  Also, I don't mind my dd learning the Biblical references, but just thought that SOTW could have said something like "the ancient Jewish people believed. . . " or whatnot, like they do with other ancient peoples.  It is encouraging to hear that this occurs more in the first volume than the others.  That chapter is so blatant--I was just like Wow.

Amy

[SamGroom]

Just as an FYI story of the world has quite a bit of miss information. We really enjoy The encyclopedia of world history by usborne. It teaches evolution so perfect for us secular homes schoolers the pictures and links are fantastic.

[AllyRae]

What text does HO level 2 use?  Because we use HO level 1, and the main textbook for it is Story of the World.  Children's History of the World is used occassionally with it as well.  So, basically, HO *is* Story of the World, with a few extra things added in...at least at level 1.
 

Originally Posted by AAK 

Thanks,

I actually bought two programs.  SOTW for my 3rd grader and History Odyssey (level 2) for the 6th grader.  I was intending on comparing them throughout the year--keeping in mind the level difference.   I will look at HO and see how they cover it.  Also, I don't mind my dd learning the Biblical references, but just thought that SOTW could have said something like "the ancient Jewish people believed. . . " or whatnot, like they do with other ancient peoples.  It is encouraging to hear that this occurs more in the first volume than the others.  That chapter is so blatant--I was just like Wow.

Amy

[AAK]

Originally Posted by AllyRae 

What text does HO level 2 use?  Because we use HO level 1, and the main textbook for it is Story of the World.  Children's History of the World is used occassionally with it as well.  So, basically, HO *is* Story of the World, with a few extra things added in...at least at level 1.
 

Story of the World isn't mentioned in HO level 2.  Other than the Kingfisher Encyclopedia, there is "The Story of Mankind" (available free online), "Tales of Ancient Egypt", "The Golden Goblet" (a novel), "The Children's Homer", "Greek Myths", Thereas and His Town", "Caesar's Gallic War", a couple History Pockets (Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece", and one issue of "Learning through History" magazine on "Ancient Rome".  

So, in level 1, do they use SOTW for the text on the chapter of Jewish people?

In level 2, it does say to summarize biblical accounts of Abraham, Jacob, Joshua, and Moses.  Then, you can either put those in your Men & Women section OR your religion section of your binder.  Then it says, "The stories of these leaders are found in the Old Testament of the Bible and are considered by many Jewish and Christian people to be a significant part of their history and traditions."  

So, to me, it treats it more like other religions are treated.  The "significant dates to mark on the timeline" are noted if the only account is found in the Bible.  

Amy