The Curious Historian 2A

A one-semester course for grades 4 or 5 and up

The Curious Historian Level 2 is the second part in a 3-level series that presents the study of history and culture from the beginnings of civilization (Mesopotamia and Egypt) through the classical world to 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.

Full program includes:

The Curious Historian Level 2A: Greece and the Classical World (TCH2A) 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 2A: Greece and the Classical World (TCH2A) introduces students to:

• Unit I: The Greek and Classical Period
  • The world of the Greek polis
  • Greek government and colonization
  • The Persian and Peloponnesian Wars
  • Greek culture: the Olympic Games, literature, sculpture, and religion
• Unit II: The Hellenistic World
  • Philip II and Alexander the Great
  • Alexander’s Successors and the Hellenistic kingdoms
  • Gifted Greeks—scientists, historians, philosophers, and more
• Unit III: The Far East
  • India’s first 3 empires
  • China during the Spring and Autumn Period
  • The Eastern religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Confucianism, and Daoism

The Curious Historian Level 2A 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 2A is a collection of digital supplemental materials that correspond with the TCH2A student edition. 

The Curious Historian's Archive: Extra Resources for Level 2A is a collection of supplemental materials that correspond with The Curious Historian Level 2A: Greece and the Classical World (TCH2A). The digital files include:

• Songs: It is a well-known fact that students rarely forget what they sing! TCH2A 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 unit songs summarize the key events and cultural pieces of each civilization. The fourth tune, “Top 12 Things to Remember from TCH2A,” is a great way for students to impress their friends and family with the most interesting tidbits about Greece and the classical world! 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!
• TCH2A Profiles and Legends (PDF): This collection of optional readings is intended to complement the TCH2A chapters by introducing students to some of the more famous legends of history and retelling a few of the classic tales—such as those of Hercules and Odysseus, the Trojan War, and Alexander and his horse Bucephalus—that we did not have room for in our text. The Profile pieces shed further light on interesting historical achievements by important figures, such as Pericles and Socrates, whom we could only spend a limited amount of space discussing in the context of each chapter.
• Biblical Connections in TCH2A (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 TCH2A (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.
• The “Top 12 Things to Remember from TCH2A,” beautifully designed as a convenient reference sheet
• Printable PDFs of the blank maps, as well as a separate answer key, for extra geography practice
• Printable, full-color master unit time lines and timetables (also found in appendices E and F)