Mystery of History is A+

by Cindy
(Cortland, IL)

Product: Mystery of History Volume 1
Subject: History / Bible
Levels Used: K-12

Dates Used: 2003 and again now 2008 (with a Sophomore, 6th grader, 5th grader, and 3rd grader)

Likes: This history program is a teacher's dream come true. The lessons are easy for students to understand, and are written to them directly. There are hands-on activities and a wonderful resource guide in the appendix for books and movies to enhance the lessons.

The author, Mrs. Hobar, has done a great job showing students how Jesus Christ is the Mystery of History by doing a time line activity with the students in every lesson, where they can see the lineage of Christ all the way back to creation.

MOH awakens the student (and the teacher!) to what was going on in the rest of the world during each time period and it ties Christianity and History together. It gives the opportunity to give a pre-unit test (verbally) to find out what the student already knows and also includes unit tests. It is suitable, with some moderation, for high school students.

My children are loving this program and always learn something new when we do our MOH lessons. I love the fact that it has age-appropriate activities and is tailor-made for the whole family.

This program also offers an additional CD-Rom for reproducibles, as well as a CD-Rom for additional hands-on activities. If you're looking for language arts, be sure to check out the new "Illuminations" program from Bright Idea Press. It is in Beta-testing right now, but I can tell you that it's a very comprehensive K-12 grammar, writing, reading, and Bible curriculum, which also offers lesson plans for "Christian Kids Explore Biology" as well. It's a gem of a program to go hand-in-hand with Mystery of History Volume 1.

Dislikes: I wish it were 3 hole punched and came in a binder.

Help other homeschoolers by sharing your experiences. How? Simply click here to write a review, share your schedule or post a photo of your schoolroom.

Mystery of History II

by Renee
(Nevada)

Product: Mystery of History II
Subject: History
Levels Used: Multiple levels (Daughter in 3rd grade)
Dates Used: present 2008-2009

Likes: We have been using Mystery of History II for three weeks now and we love it! We used another program last year and were so unhappy. My daughter looks forward to history everyday. The information is more in depth than some but not too overwhelming for younger students.

You can add to it for older students, a suggested additional booklist/video is included. I like to add readers that relate to the current subject for reinforcement.

I also appreciate the optional activity suggestions that follow each lesson. My daughter enjoys completing activities that help make learning more fun. The timeline idea is Great! and so much more visual than our previous notebook timeline. The timeline is so easy to use and to store. My daughter loves making the timeline figures.

Every lesson she narrates what she has learned and makes a notecard with the information. I am happy she is learning note-taking skills. Her comprehension has greatly improved due to the built in review.

I plan to use Mystery of History III next year. I have been telling everyone about my great find.

Dislikes:

I only wish the book would come spiral bound or in a 3-ring binder. (The book includes exercises, quizzes and reproducibles through-out the very thick book.) You can purchase a CD with the items, but I do not see a reason for purchasing the same items again. I did had the binding removed.

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Mystery of History Review

by Lynne
(Pittsburgh, PA)

We have used all three volumes of Mystery of History. It is well written, from a Christian point of view. It is easy to read and all three of my children enjoy it together. I like the projects included as well as extra resources to use. We like the timeline as well. It is thorough and I wish volume IV was available!!

Things I would change: I would have all the pre-tests, tests, and student pages/worksheets all together in one section or workbook so they are easier to copy for student use. I would also use different maps that are easier to navigate.

Help other homeschoolers by sharing your experiences. How? Simply click here to write a review, share your schedule or post a photo of your schoolroom.