The Mystery of History
Volume I

Creation to the Resurrection

By Linda Lacour Hobar

     This curriculum seems to be finding its way into several new hands lately and I have heard many glowing reports over it.  After searching high and low over the last 2 years for an “ideal” history curriculum for us, I am convinced of what I already knew – there is no “perfect” curriculum.  However, I have been looking for the appetizer, the soup, the salad, a couple main courses, desert, wine and coffee. In other words, I pretty much want so much of so many things that it would truly be overwhelming.  That all being said, I have found several history studies which I find to be wonderful on various and different levels.  I consider the Mystery of History as an excellent history option, especially for those with children of various ages.

    The catch phrase for this curriculum is, “Chronological, Classical and Complete.”  While viewing the Table of Contents (which can be done at www.brightideaspress.com) one can see the chronological format intertwining Biblical History with the more typically studied Ancient History (Egyptians and other civilizations, Pyramids, Greece etc.)  One of the things I have really enjoyed in our own Ancient History studies this year, is seeing how Biblical history lays out in time with the various civilizations, battles, technological advances and so forth.  So if the Bible is true history, which I believe it is without a doubt, than of course it should be understood and learned as we study Ancient History!  It doesn’t need to be separated into only “Bible Study” time, but rather it is part of our history!  Why I didn’t understand this until this year I don’t know.  It may have something to do with the way I learned history growing up.

Classical

      In any case, let’s discuss this particular history curriculum. The Mystery of History is primarily designed for 4^th –8^th graders with the ability to adapt to younger and older ages.  It is written to be classical in its approach.  Linda addresses in her introduction how she has attempted to address the grammar, logical and rhetoric stages (as described as the “’trivium’ of learning”) in her lessons.  Essentially the Grammar stage includes: the lesson reading, making Memory cards (dates and other important info on index cards for memorizing and retaining information) and doing activities designed for the “Younger Student” or “Middle Student”.  The logic stage includes the lesson reading, weekly quizzes and exercises, making Memory Cards and doing activities designed for the “Middle Student” or “Older Student”.  Finally, in the rhetoric stage the pattern is essentially the same, from what I understand, however the “Older Student” activities are designed to require the student to research information and do further reading and writing.  For complete details on Linda’s approach, please see, http://www.brightideaspress.com/MOH1.htm  and read her samples pages.  Loof for the introduction (.pdf file), page xxv.

Chronological

    You can easily see how the lessons are ordered chronologically and how Biblical events intertwine with the rest of ancient history.  Semester 1 covers Creation to 1199 B.C..  In week 3, after studying about the Sumerians, you will learn about the Tower of Babel and then the Epic of Gilgamesh.   Students will be keeping a timeline, which helps to see everything laid out together.  Linda comments on how interesting this is for us as parents, usually more so than our children, since most of us never studied history like this. How true it is for me!

Complete

     As for the author’s claim to be “complete” it is in the sense that it includes information on each topic, activity ideas, quizzes, mapping information and timeline suggestions as well as black line maps to be used frequently in the lessons.  You do not have to purchase a separate black line map book or activity book.  She has truly included numerous activities both hands on and of the work sheet variety.   She has also included answers to the quizzes and tests.  This is something I found to be lacking in some of the other history curricula I have looked at.  In addition she has included a list of supplemental resources (additional books for reading, videos and more) in the back of the book.

Layout

     Each Semester, as well as each lesson, begins with a summary reading.  Basically, this is the author sharing her thoughts and providing an overview of what the students will be studying (semester overview) or what they are learning (lesson overview).  These are nicely done introductions and interesting readings that make the book a good reader on its own.

    There are 9 weeks in each semester.  Each week includes 3 lessons and begins with a short pre-test.  The week is closed out with a review and an Exercise or Quiz (alternated by week).  At the end of each semester is a test. 

     At the end of the book she has included worksheets for use in the lessons, black line maps, answers to quizzes and a resource list.

Personal Comments

     I find her combination of lesson information, quizzes, memory cards etc. to be a truly unique blend for many home schooling parents, which probably has something to do with the growing popularity of this book.  Personally I would like to see recommended Bible readings interspersed in the lessons, especially included and referred to in the lessons that directly relate to Biblical events.   In addition, I would like to see the recommend supplemental resources included in each lesson rather than the back, or at the beginning of each Lesson or Semester.  However, I will note that not having the resources listed in the lessons is a pro for some people as the information does not interfere with the lesson layout or make things seem more overwhelming.  I like being able to see the recommended resources in my lessons as well as guideline as to what chapters or pages to read when.  For those of you who are like me and prefer to have this type of information, there are many MOH users who have scheduled MOH with Story of the World for example and other publications. You can find a file detailing how to integrate Story of the World Vol. I and other resources in the files section of the MOH yahoo group.  Information on this group is listed below.

     While I admit to having avoided “testing” in the past with my kids, I think Linda has done a great job with her tests and quizzes.  The format is varied (multiple choice, fill in the blank, word scrambles, etc.) and they are kept short.  She reminds the parents that these are not to stress the children out but to help them see what they already know and what they have learned.  Her exercises are also designed to help “put it all together.” They include working on maps, timelines and other ideas. 

     This curriculum is especially great for families schooling more than 1 child and for those looking to learn Biblical history along with other historical events and people in the same time period.  In addition, it will work well for those who are seeking something very chronological in it’s approach to history.

Helpful Groups

     There are many fans of MOH in the Yahoo Group.  There are also helpful files and web links posted on the MOH Yahoo Group.   If you are interested in talking to others who are using MOH or looking at using it, then check out:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MysteryofHistory/ or email MysteryofHistory-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to join.