History | HomeSchoolNewsLink

The Story of the World

admin — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 19:34:17 +0000

by Susan Weiss Bauer
https://welltrainedmind.com/
=======
by Chris Bauer

The study of history is vitally important to a child’s education. Learning about humanity’s past –the hopes and fears, achievements and downfalls of societies around the world – equips a child with a deep framework to understand today’s cultures and current events.

Since 2001, Susan Wise Bauer’s The Story of the World narrative history series has been beloved by millions of children has educated a generation of homeschoolers. Now, Well-Trained Mind Press is excited to announce an expanded 25th Anniversary Edition of this popular classic. Featuring the same engaging storytelling and readability that children love, the 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition adds new chapters on the rise of the Roman Republic, East Asian history, the rule of Herod the Great, the Silk Road, and more. Because history is essentially a story of people, Susan Wise Bauer has also added ten profiles of men and women from ancient history, from Spartacus to Zhang Heng to Judas Maccabee. Brand-new illustrations by Jeff West will spark children’s imaginations, while expertly-drawn maps help them understand the real places where each event occurred.

The text can stand on its own as a read-aloud (or an independent read for older students), or can be turned into a full-year history and geography curriculum with the Instructor Guide and Student Workbook: Review questions, map work, coloring pages, fun hands-on activities (including “Mummify a Chicken” and “Host a Roman Feast”), and book lists for further reading will all help solidify a student’s knowledge or further their exploration of each region and era.

The Expanded Edition has split the old activity book into two components to streamline and improve ease of use. The Student Workbook contains all the coloring pages, maps, and templates. The Instructor Guide contains the review questions, book lists, and instructions for all of the activities, games, recipes, and crafts. The Tests and Answer Key are an optional supplement for 4th grade and up. Each test covers the contents of one of the chapters of The Story of the World with a series of multiple-choice and true-or-false questions to help your student retain the information.

The audio version of The Story of the World, Volume 1: 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition is narrated by actress Katherine de Leiros. It is available on digital wherever audiobooks are found and will be coming to Yoto cards later this year. Whether you and your family use The Story of the World as a full history and geography curriculum or simply as a bedtime read-aloud, it will guide your children into a lifelong adventure of learning the fascinating story of humankind. C.B.

Alaska – Brimming with Adventure

admin — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:26:48 +0000

www.auntphilstrunk.com/

By Michael Leppert

If our 49^th state had been in the dead center of the continent, as Illinois and Missouri are, it would be considered the “Phenomenal State” or the “Amazing State” or probably even “It’s Own Country”, much like Texas once was. As it is, being tucked up in the northernmost western corner of our geographic consciousness, Alaska is many things, to us, but mostly, unknown and mysterious . . . a province-sized juggernaut that the lower 48 know very little to nothing, about.

No state, other than Texas and California, boasts so many incredible aspects and, except for Massachusetts, such a vibrant history as Alaska. It is the largest state in area, larger than Texas, California and Montana (the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th largest states) combined! Like California, Alaska boasts a large gold rush as part of its formative momentum, but Alaska’s prospectors looked into a far harsher face of Mother Nature than their California counterparts in their quest for the riches within her dirt; mountains, valleys and unbelievably long distances of rugged terrain and biting cold and snow for much of the year . . . 63 prospective miners died when they were buried in an avalanche on their way to the gold fields in the late 1800s, to name just one sort of hardship.

Also, like California, Alaska boasts powerful and regular earthquakes that make life “interesting” and a bit unstable! Like both of the other biggest states, it also possesses massive amounts of earthy resources in oil, natural gas, coal, platinum and other metals; a wide variety of seafood – salmon, herring, halibut and of course, Alaskan King Crab; furry small wildlife – and grizzly bears — claiming 98% of the total world’s population of the great mammals. Three towns in Alaska, Agattu, Attu, and Kiska, have the distinction of having been occupied by the Japanese in WWII – the only such locales in North America.

Alaska is the only state that possesses glaciers, polar bears, dog sleds and teams; has over 6,000 miles of coastline and over 20,000 square miles of inland water – far surpassing whoever is in 2^nd place! If a map of Alaska is superimposed over a map of the lower 48, it stretches from coast to coast!

Alaska can claim the tallest peak in the country, Denali, which is 20,310 feet and 17 of the 20 highest mountains in the U.S Alaska is also a great viewing spot for the Northern Lights. Part of its enrichment comes from Alaska’s powerful Native American presence, shaping its overall culture and history. The Aleuts and Eskimos gave Alaska its name and although their numbers were tragically decimated by European diseases in the 1800s, they still form a living contribution to all that is the great state. Alaska is the only part of the U.S. that lies in the mystical Arctic Circle Polar Region.

Long ago, Alaska was what would become the American side of the land bridge from Asia, over which the wooly mammoths and original Native American ancestors might have crossed, before eventually filtering down into the lower 48 and Canada. Before it was America, it was Russia. William H. Seward, President Lincoln’s Secretary of State during the Civil War, negotiated for the U.S. to purchase Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $.02 per acre or $7,200,000. This transaction was originally called “Seward’s Folly” by many Americans at the time. However, his foresight proved to be uncanny, as Alaska’s people, natural resources and border with Russia are of vital importance to us today.

The People and History
Of course, all of this information does not make a great state.

It makes an interesting conversation piece, but what makes a great state is its people and their history. There, again, Alaska overflows with fascinating and vibrant stories and tales that stretch from its misty Native prehistory to the Russian-European era in the 1700s up to the Gold Rush, general expansion, statehood and to the present day. Many colorful characters have lived in Alaska, for short or long periods of time. Wyatt Earp owned a saloon for a couple of years and the Bird Man of Alcatraz began his prison domicile in Alaska.

Aunt Phil’s Trunk
If ever there was a state that stirred the imagination and begged to be known, it is the state whose motto is “North, to the future”, Alaska.

One of the most potent primary sources of the history of this white giant is Aunt Phil’s Trunk. Aunt Phil, Phyllis Downing Carlson, who died in 1993, was one of Alaska’s pre-eminent historians. Phyllis, a 20-year veteran librarian, gathered historical data and photos of Alaska and its people, throughout her lifetime and her niece, Laurel Downing Bill, inherited the “trunk” of diverse material from Aunt Phil. From the trunk, Laurel has applied exhaustive work and diligence to produce a series of history books on her home state and then has created an entire Alaska History Curriculum, using them. The texts are anything but dry – Charlotte Mason would approve of them, as they are culled from primary source documents, including newspapers and early writings about real people doing real things. Laurel Bill has written them in such a way as to make them almost impossible to put down. One story flows into others and soon the reader has a fine woven “blanket” of Alaska in his mind.

Supplemental Books
Laurel has not been content to simply inherit Aunt Phil’s material; she has also accumulated – or created — supplemental works relating to Alaska’s unique history and cultures. From Laurel’s work you can learn about:

Jack London’s writings, especially “Call of the Wild” (a 3-volume set of text, workbook and Teacher Guide) which is set in the Gold Rush period;
Sourdough Cookery– a fascinating original cookbook bringing you the Tastes of Alaska, including the sourdough bread and bakery that supplied miners and prospectors with a basic, hearty nutrition;
Aunt Phil’sAlaska Trivia full of fascinating and fun facts about the state, as well as crosswords, sudokus and word-search
puzzles;

• The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verse, written by Robert W. Service, the Bard of the Yukon. These poems were written between 1904 and 1907.

Finally, there is the

Extensive, 5-tiered History of Alaska Curriculum. The series is designed specifically for Grades 4-8, but high school age students can make use of the series by adding essays and other supplemental work. Each tier consists of a Student Textbook, a Teacher’s Guide and a Workbook. Here are the time periods covered by the history series:• Volume #1 up to 1900 – begins with the Native People who inhabited Alaska long before Caucasians entered the region. Aunt Phil had investigated as many of the mysteries of the ancient people as she could; some questions were answered, others never were. This volume also covers the period of fur traders, early prospectors, merchants, gamblers and others who came to the Alaska frontier to seek fortunes of a wide variety. Wyatt Earp moved to Alaska after the Shootout at the O.K. Corral in Arizona. He opened a saloon and a spent a few years in Nome.• Volume #2 from 1900 to 1912 – One of the most fascinating aspects of Alaska’s history is that many famous or infamous people lived there and this comprehensive history by Aunt Phil and niece, Laurel Bill, contains interesting anecdotes about some of them. One was a later famous inmate of Alcatraz. Of course, many of the towns of Alaska have become familiar to us in recent years. One of the topics of this volume is the founding of the town of Valdez. The oil tanker, Exxon Valdez ran aground in Alaska in 1989 and caused one of the greatest oil spills before the Gulf of Mexico BP Spill.• Volume #3 from 1912 to 1935 – This volume covers the years of WWI and many wartime activities.
Volume #4 from 1935 to 1960 – This period of time saw a number of turning points for the state. WWII, Japanese occupation of 3 towns, the oil boom and finally, statehood. Alaska was admitted as the 49^th state on June 30, 1958.
Volume #5 from 1960 to 1984 – The time period in this volume includes the largest earthquake ever in North America on March 27, 1964, unleashing tsunamis that demolished many towns, businesses and homes and killed 114 people in Alaska, 4 in Oregon and 12 in California! It also details the battle waged by Alaska’s Native People to win back their land and their ensuing victory in the largest such land settlement ever awarded to Native Americans.

To enrich your child’s understanding of this massive cultural, geographic and geologic resource and significant member of the family of the United States, gift your family with Laurel Bill’s Aunt Phil’s Trunk series of Alaska history books in eBook or print version, and the supplemental books, too – Jack London’s Call of the Wild, Robert W. Service’s book of verse, The Spell of the Yukon and Laurel’s own compilation Sourdough Cookery, which includes a real sourdough starter from 1896!

Preserving Living History: The YouTube Channel Giving Voice to American Veterans

admin — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 20:21:57 +0000

Preserving Living History: The YouTube Channel Giving Voice to American Veterans

youtube.com/@johnspeights3343,

By Richard Chapman

In an era where so much of our attention is consumed by the present moment, by scrolling headlines, fleeting trends, and the next viral post, it’s more important than ever to pause and listen to the stories of those who came before us. John Speights, through his remarkable YouTube channel youtube.com/@johnspeights3343, has taken up the mission of preserving and sharing the living history of American veterans. His videos are more than just interviews; they are testimonies, time capsules, and tributes to the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the men and women who have served our country.

A Window Into America’s Wartime Past – Not To Glorify War, but Understand It

What sets Speights’ channel apart is the breadth and depth of the stories he captures. These are not scripted or polished pieces, produced for entertainment; they are raw, heartfelt, and deeply personal conversations with veterans from across multiple generations of American military history.

From the trenches of World War II to the jungles of Vietnam, from Cold War tensions to the frontlines of Iraq and Afghanistan, these veterans recount their experiences with clarity, emotion, and honesty. Some of them are well into their 90s, and at least one is 100 years old . . . a living link to the Spanish-American War era! This centenarian’s presence on Speights’ channel is not only rare; it’s invaluable. There are few, if any, places on the internet where viewers can sit down and hear directly from someone who lived through that distant chapter of American history.

Honoring Heroes, One Story at a Time

Among the veterans interviewed are names that echo with quiet heroism:

- Raymond M. Berkley shares reflections that blend military insight with life wisdom gained over decades.
- Harvey Maness recounts his service with humility, offering glimpses into battles fought and bonds formed.
- Dallas Burroughs Jr., a former prisoner of war, speaks with a resolve that stirs deep respect. His account of captivity and endurance is a poignant reminder of the cost of freedom.
- Gilbert Lopez brings a warm and dignified voice to the camera, recalling moments of bravery and challenge with grace.
- Colonel James Hite Chu, a highly decorated officer, presents his story with the sharpness of a leader who has seen both war and peace.
- Charles A. Lloyd contributes a powerful narrative that highlights the values of service and community.

These are not famous names, but they are the backbone of American military history. They represent countless others whose stories have never been told, and might never be, if not for projects like this.

Why These Interviews Matter

There’s a reason we build monuments and hold national days of remembrance: To ensure that we do not forget. But monuments are made of stone and metal. These interviews, on the other hand, are made of breath, voice, memory, and presence. They are deeply human.

Watching these videos allows us to step into a veteran’s shoes for a moment. We learn what it felt like to be 19 and shipped overseas, unsure if you’d return. We hear the hesitation in a voice recalling a long-ago firefight. We see the pride in a set jaw, the tear in an eye remembering a fallen comrade. This is history . . . not as it’s written in textbooks, but as it’s lived, in all its complexity, fear, bravery, loss, and triumph.

And because these stories are preserved on YouTube, they’re accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Teachers can use them in classrooms. Families can watch them together. Young people can learn firsthand from voices that history books cannot replicate. Researchers, historians, and future generations can revisit them for years to come.

The Urgency of Preservation

There’s a quiet urgency to what John Speights is doing. Many of these veterans are advanced in age. Time is not on our side. With each year that passes, we lose more of these living witnesses to history. Capturing their voices now is not just valuable, it’s essential.

In the words of one viewer: “This is the kind of content that should be required viewing for every American high school student.” It’s hard to argue with that sentiment. The channel isn’t about glorifying war, it’s about understanding it. It’s about honoring service. It’s about learning who we are as a nation by listening to those who defended it.

A Legacy Worth Supporting

John Speights has created a digital memorial that breathes. His interviews are quiet, but powerful reminders of how important it is to listen, to document, and to share. These aren’t just YouTube videos. They’re gifts. Gifts from veterans to us all, curated and preserved by someone who clearly respects the sacredness of their stories.

If you haven’t visited the channel yet, do yourself a favor: go to youtube.com/@johnspeights3343 and start watching. Whether you spend five minutes or five hours, you’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for the people behind the uniforms, the missions behind the medals, and the memories that deserve to live on.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to take for granted the freedoms we enjoy. It’s even easier to let history slip by in silence. But thanks to creators like John Speights, we don’t have to. We can remember. We can listen. We can learn.

And in doing so, we keep these veterans’ stories alive, not just on YouTube, but in our national consciousness. Because every time someone hits “Play” on one of those interviews, history speaks again. And it reminds us who we are. Ω

State History by A Helping Hand

admin — Tue, 06 May 2025 19:01:17 +0000

Created for Homeschoolers, Christian Schools, and Support Groups
www.statehistory.net,
317-345-7763

Study YOUR state–we have all 50!

State History from a Christian Perspective (Grades 3-12)

Fun, hands-on project! Simple for teacher and student.
Complete state history course on your state, including text, maps, color state symbol pictures, quizzes, tests, lesson plans, answer key, state constitution study guide
Students use our text materials plus pictures from free tourist literature (or online) to construct a project notebook either in their own three-ring binder or in Abeka’s preformatted scrapbook, My State Notebook
Thirty-lesson (6-week) course, easily expandable using suggestions in each lesson. Six-week or one-semester option for secondary level can be teacher-directed or independent study
TEACH ALL AGES TOGETHER! Daily instructions for age 4 – grade 2 (below) and for grades 3-12 using either or both notebook options are ALL ON ONE PAGE!

My State History Funbook (Age 4 – Grade 2)

Color-cut-paste introduction to your state
Includes spiral-bound pre-formatted scrap-book with cutouts and state symbol pictures to be pasted into the Funbook
Correlated with older level so all ages can learn together

OR study ALL FIFTY states!

Fifty States Under God (Grades 3 – 12)

I-LOVE-HISTORY workbook study of all fifty states in order of statehood in the context of US History
Time-line and progressive map study built right into lesson plans so student gets to watch how the map changes as states and territories are added
Helps your student to see God at work in history and to recognize the role of God’s people in our country
Open-and-Go! Completely SELF-CONTAINED: provides ALL information necessary to fill in the workpages as well as teacher instructions
Color state symbol pictures for all 50 states included
Teach all ages together using this book for grades 3-12 and our Young Learners version for age 4-grade 2 (see below)
Use this book independently or together with Geography of the Fifty States (see below) and/or our State History course for your state (see above). Scheduling suggestions in the book cover one semester, one year, or two-year course combo options.

Fifty States Under God for Young Learners (Age 4 – Grade 2)

Color-cut-paste version of the study of all fifty states in order of statehood
Open-and-Go! Completely SELF-CONTAINED: provides ALL information necessary to fill in the workpages as well as teacher instructions
Informational cutouts and color state symbol pictures for all 50 states included
Use independently or together with My State History Funbook (see above)

Geography of the Fifty States (Grades 3-12)

Teaches US Geography through a study of the fifty states in order as they were added to the US
Correlates geography with history to show how geography affected our nation’s growth pattern
Open-and-Go! Completely SELF-CONTAINED. Includes tests, answer keys, and teacher instructions

ASK ABOUT GROUP DISCOUNTS FOR SCHOOLS AND SUPPORT GROUPS!

Constitution Quest – Board Games for Families

admin — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 23:25:52 +0000

When you purchase Constitution Quest,
Apply Coupon Code HSMag24 at checkout to receive $10 off

www.constitutionquest.com
27475 Ynez Road, Suite 354
Temecula, CA 92591
Phone: 951-587-5425

Email: info@constitutionquest.com

By Michael Leppert

Over the past several months, a game called Constitution Quest has been creating quite a buzz. From talk radio shows to homeschool conventions, I have been hearing more and more people talk about this great board game and its goal of enhancing the Constitutional IQ of the American people. Produced by a family of teachers, the creators used research-based learning strategies to design a game that is both fun and educationally engaging. Despite a lack of marketing funds, the popularity of the board game took off through word of mouth and demand skyrocketed. This high-quality game, made in the USA, can now be found in several presidential libraries and in booths at educational conventions across the country. As people in all 50 states have discovered, once you play, you are hooked!

The gameboard is a wonderful graphic organizer. It provides players a visual representation of the U.S. government, including how all of its pieces fit together. The result is both beautiful and memorable, allowing students to engage with the content in a way they never thought possible. Students often report increased confidence on civics exams and in general civics knowledge. Using 223 game cards packed with Constitutional information, players learn about the 3 branches of government, checks and balances, the Bill of Rights, all the Articles and Amendments of the Constitution, and so much more. And each game includes a complimentary copy of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence to aid in your quest of civic discovery.

The game can be played with as little as 2 people, but becomes an engaging constitutional party when you partner up into teams. However, Constitution Quest is not for students alone; the entire family will love to play this game. The fun starts before you even start playing: choose your game piece from 10 of the 39 signers of the Constitution. This is a great learning opportunity for everyone to learn more about the founders of our country. Try it on Family Game Night, or at your next celebration for the Fourth of July. Students of basic government, average adults, even that one guy you know who is a civics genius – everyone will love exploring our U.S. Constitution in this fun game.

The game is played with 5 decks of cards: The Executive Branch, The Legislative Branch, The Judicial Branch, Founders & Facts, and the Quest Cards. The game also includes an answer key, scoring pad, and the necessary dice. Each card also includes a code that corresponds to the answer key, enabling for quick and easy answer verification. Most of the cards offer multiple choice questions, while the Quest Cards are true/false questions. This familiar question format helps with player-intimidation; allowing everyone to select an answer means no one person has to offer an answer, thus being singled out for the imagined ridicule.

While most government classes are for teens, the Constitution Quest has been successfully field tested on players aged 10 – 84. The game creators also offer some suggestions for playing with varying ability levels. For families with younger students, try using the “novice cards” (marked with a star) first, allowing students to gain confidence and mastery over the simpler content before moving on to more difficult areas. Teachers can also reuse the cards played in one game for the next time – providing repetition and increased confidence as they become familiar with the same questions.

Constitution Quest, both in content and in design, is perfect for homeschool classrooms. The content is engaging for a variety of levels, covers a wide range of topics, and is completely self-contained with re-sealable baggies for cards and game pieces. And the game is fast-paced, constantly satisfying that need for instant gratification that we love in our board games. An entire game can be completed in less than an hour; a great treat in between lessons, or to enhance scheduled lesson plans. Engaging gameplay, multiple levels of difficulty, and fast-paced fun make Constitution Quest a wonderful addition for any busy (and often cluttered!) homeschool classroom.

For more information, including pricing and ordering information, please visit their website at www.constitutionquest.com.

MjL