Connecting with History is a four-year cycle of volumes spanning all of history from creation through modern times.

The advantages of using a cyclic approach are many:

• history is studied chronologically by the family together
• younger children can join in at any point in the cycle, knowing that the family will cycle back through time periods they may have missed
• after completing a cycle of history the family repeats the cycle: repetition reinforces learning and understanding
• each time the family begins a new cycle the students will be older and able to study in more depth than the previous cycle

We want this curriculum to reflect a deeply Catholic view of history, to help us see beyond the cultural stereotypes and misconceptions that we're so used to that we no longer think about what they mean or how they affect our perceptions.  Our aim is to replace the artificial boundaries that divide religious and world history into separate categories with an integrated approach to understanding history as one meaningful series of connected events.  This isn't a "Church history" program it is a "true" approach to world history.

1. Four Year Cycle
2. Features of Each Volume
3. How Does the Program Work?
4. FAQs
5. Join The Discussion!
   

 

The Four Year Chronological Cycle

Volume One:  Old Testament and Ancient Cultures - Creation to 63 B.C. 
Using as its focal point the Biblical history of the Israelites as the "chosen people" sent to prepare the world for the coming of the Messiah, Volume One includes the surrounding cultures of the Mediterranean world: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome. Learn more...

Volume Two: New Testament and Early Medieval -  63 B.C. to A.D. 1066
An in-depth study of the New Testament and Early Church history within the Empire of Rome, this volume emphasizes the life and death of Christ as the central point of history and goes on to show the birth and spread of the Church as the Body of Christ, and its perseverance and growth through persecutions. The Church moves forward into the medieval period of history, spreading to new nations and replacing the Roman Empire with the Holy Roman Empire.  Learn more...

Volume Three: Medieval through Renaissance - 1066-1700 
Picking up where Volume Two left off we move into the High Medieval period. This time period is probably the most misunderstood of all eras in history.. Yet the "Middle Ages" produced some of the most inspiring saints, beautiful cathedrals, paintings, sculptures, and literature, as well as scientific discoveries and inventions that endure to this day. This time period also provides numerous opportunities to learn the truth about an era that continues to be maligned and misunderstood.
Learn more...

Volume Four: Early Modern and American History - 1700 +  
In production

 

Features of each Volume:

Combined age levels for simpler teaching

Because the program was designed with multi-age teaching in mind we have arranged the units into developmental levels rather than individual grades.

All of the units and materials used are split into four main age categories (grade levels are suggestions).  We have chosen the classical levels of education to emphasize that developmental stages of learning are a more approproiate guide than arbitrary grades levels.

Beginner’s Level for grades K-3

Grammar Level for grades 4-6

Logic Level for grades 7-9

Rhetoric Level for grades 10-12

With this system you will be able to combine the studies of children within the same age categories as well as have all the children in your family studying the same general theme at the same time, but at their own level of ability and understanding.

Literature and research-based learning

The Connecting With History program uses a Core Text for each age level. This text serves as the main reading for each student.  In addition to the Core texts we include recommended reading lists which coordinate with the Core text readings. The coordinated booklists include non-fiction books for study and research,  literature set in the time period being studied and quality historical fiction that brings a time period to life.  Many of the books are appropriate for reading aloud.

We provide what you need to help you succeed!

• teacher's notes and discussion starters
• themes to encourage personal applications to history and faith
• an overview so students and teachers know where they are headed on their journey through the time period
• instructions and ideas for compiling a Student Notebook
• writing ideas
• hands-on activity ideas
• reading assignments for each unit
• memory and copy work including poetry and scripture passages
• research charts to help students focus in on the people and civilizations covered in the unit.

 

How Does the Program Work?

Each volume of Connecting with History is organized by UNITS rather than daily or weekly lesson plans.

This format provides flexibility, allowing the program to fit comfortably into any family or academic setting regardless of the number of students or possible special needs of those children. 

The units are chronological: each unit covers a specific range of dates and the people/events which occurred during that time period. The units are also thematic: a theme (for example, Justice) is highlighted in order to to find a deeper meaning within God's plan for His people in history.

Each unit is organized using a six-step process called the CONNECT Method™

The word CONNECT is used as an acronym to walk you through the activities included in each unit of the program.  We have found in our own homes that following these six steps allows for an exciting and organized study of history, as well as allowing an integration of literature, writing, and geography with history.

The six steps of the CONNECT Method™ are:

Consider

Overview

Notebook

N

Explore

Concentrate

Tell

 

Step One, Consider:
To help you prepare for each unit we provide optional reading recommendations for the teacher and older students as well as open-ended discussion questions for introducing the topics and themes of the unit to younger students.

Sample page:

Step Two, Overview:
This includes articles to provide an introduction to the time period and major themes of the unit.

Sample Page:

Step Three, Notebook:
Each child keeps his/her work in a 3-ring binder which becomes a record of their work and their own "history text" which can be added to each year.  The notebook section of each unit provides dates/people/events for adding to your timeline, writing assignments, hands-on activities, geography assignments, and copy and memory work selections.

Sample Page:

Step Four, Explore:
For each age level we provide charts that include daily reading assignments from core texts, works of non-fiction coordinated with the core text readings for the unit, as well as literature and historical fiction reading suggestions.  We have found that this combination of genres enhances the student's understanding and enjoyment of history.  Textbooks provide an outline of events, non-fiction books provide more detailed information and opportunities for research, literature and historical fiction bring historical events to life, allowing the student to "experience" a time period in a more personal way.
Sample Pages:

Step Five, Concentrate: 
As the students spend time reading and studying history they can begin to "specialize" on a specific aspect of the unit and work on individual projects or research.  This can give each student a chance to become an "expert" on a particular topic that is of special interest to them.  For instance, one child may be particularly interested in architecture and want to focus on the building methods of the culture while another child may want to research the mythology of the same culture.  These specializations will then culminate in Step Six.

Step Six, Tell:
This is a chance for each student to share what has been learned through presentations, reports, maps, artwork, crafts, a webpage, drama, costumes, or anything that a child has worked on during the unit.  These can be presented to the other family members as a way to sum up what they have learned and share their expertise.  The Tell step can be anything from a "show and tell" night for dad, to a presentation to friends or a family history party with food and costumes. You decide what fits your family's personality. 

Download a Sample Schedule

 

Visit our FAQ page for more answers to your questions about Connecting with History

See also:  The Philosophy of Connecting with History