The Curious Historian 1B

A one-semester course for grades 3 or 4 and up (years 4-5 upwards, approx ages 9/10 upwards)

The Curious Historian Level 1 is the first part in a 3-level series that presents the study of history and culture from the beginnings of civilization (Mesopotamia and Egypt) through the Middle Ages. Students will grow excited about history, see how people throughout the ages were both similar to and different from themselves, and learn to be scholars of the past who can make a difference in the future. The Curious Historian Level 1B: The Late Bronze & Iron Ages (TCH1B) introduces students to:

• Unit I: The Late Bronze Age
• The Egyptian Middle and New Kingdom periods
• The Hittites, Hurrians, and Kassites
• The Assyrians and Elamites
• The Minoans and Mycenaeans 

• Unit II: The Iron Age
• The Sea Peoples, Israelites, and Philistines
• Egypt under the Nubians and Libyans
  
• The Phoenicians and Arameans
  
• The great Iron Age empires: Assyria, Babylonia, and Persia

• Unit III: The Far East
• India during the Harappan Civilization and Vedic Period
• China during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dcynasties
  
• Far Eastern culture: architecture, writing, religion, and more
  

The Curious Historian Level 1B Student Edition includes weekly chapter lessons that present a chronological narrative of history. Accompanying sidebars feature historical and archaeological tidbits, discussion questions, and Greek/Latin root words for key vocabulary. A wealth of exercises, hands-on projects and activities, maps, and appendices help to present the study of history in an engaging, creative manner.

The Curious Historian Level 1B Teacher’s Edition includes the full student text, detailed teacher notes and tips, a suggested weekly schedule, answer keys for all exercises, and sample responses and prompts for the discussion questions.

The Curious Historian's Archive: Extra Resources for Level 1B

• Songs: It is a well-known fact that students rarely forget what they sing! TCH1B includes 4 catchy and entertaining songs that you and your students will enjoy singing in class and even as you go about the rest of your day. The 3 unit songs summarize the key events and cultural pieces of each civilization. The fourth tune, “Top 12 Things to Remember from TCH1B,” is a great way for students to impress their friends and family with the most interesting tidbits about the Late Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Far East! The lyrics are found in appendix A, and a PDF download of the song lyrics is included for easy reference if your students want to sing in the car, on vacation, or at a friend’s house. A song icon in the text will prompt you to introduce each chapter’s verse(s) to students at the beginning of each lesson. Sample songs here!
• Biblical Connections in TCH1B PDF: For teachers and parents who would like to integrate religious history/biblical studies with their study of ancient history, we have created a supplemental PDF that draws connections to biblical history and locations, scripture verses, and so forth. Icons in the teacher’s edition indicate when to reference this optional PDF resource.
• Reading Guide for TCH1B (PDF):For those who would like to continue their exploration of ancient history beyond the pages of our text, we have supplied a recommended reading list, featuring titles for both students and teachers. This PDF includes clickable links for easy browsing and purchasing.
• Printable PDFs of the blank maps, as well as a separate answer key, for extra geography practice (also found in appendix D)
• Printable, full-color unit time lines and timetables (also found in appendices E and F)
• The “Top 12 Things to Remember from TCH1B,” beautifully designed as a convenient reference sheet

Plus: A supplemental Go Deeper PDF is available to view for free here! This resource includes additional information to share with your students or explore for your own interest: fun tidbits (Did you know the oldest woven garment in the world was discovered in an Egyptian tomb? Or would you like to learn more about the discovery of Hatshepsut’s mummy?), links to museum collections of artifacts, additional information on some of the complexities of the Bronze and Iron Ages, and more. Icons in the teacher’s edition indicate when to reference this optional resource.