Credits Earned in This Guide

Each guide in the “Hearts for Him Through High School” series includes everything you need to earn all required credits for a full year of high school study. The World History guide includes the following 6 ½ – 7 high school credits:

• World History (1 full-year credit)
• Fine Arts (½ – 1 full-year credit)
• Bible: Old Testament Survey and Pilgrim’s Progress (1 full-year credit)
• Foreign Language: Spanish I (½ credit)
• Health (½ credit)
• English II (composed of ½ credit of Literature and ½ credit of Composition/Grammar = 1 full-year credit)
• Science: Biology with Lab (1 full-year credit)
• Suggested Math: Algebra II or Geometry (1 full-year credit)

Total Credits Earned: 6 ½ – 7 Credits

Note: It is important to consult your state laws for specific requirements for credit and to be aware of the entrance requirements for any college or university your student plans to attend.

Note: For transcript purposes, students may combine the ½ credit of Spanish I earned in the World Geography guide with the ½ credit of Spanish I earned in the World History guide to list 1-full year credit in Spanish I instead.

A Snapshot of History

World History provides a sweeping overview of history from the worldwide Flood and Ancient Ur to the Cold War and the bombing of the Twin Towers. With a unique blend of living books, engaging activities, and a biblical perspective, World History gives students a cultural and historical look at life in various time periods across the globe – all while helping students see the bigger picture of God’s hand behind it all.

• Unearth the history of Israel that was once lost to time with Unveiling the Kings of Israel. Discover artifacts and archives, read fascinating historical accounts, and study a Biblical timeline with detailed photos and examples. As students uncover ancient cities and examine written accounts of the oldest civilizations, they will discover that the Bible is an amazing historical record supported by archaeological discoveries that continually prove its validity and significance.
• Trek through time with People, Places, and Events of World History and Short Lessons in World History. As students examine the people whose lives make up the fabric of world history, they will read excerpts from primary source documents, think about memorable quotations, refer to timelines and maps, and gain a deeper picture of life in various times and places.
• Experience history like never before with You are There! World History Audio Collection. This fascinating audio retells historic events in an old-fashioned radio broadcast format, giving listeners a personal look at the Fall of Troy, the Battle of Thermopylae, the Storming of the Bastille, and many other famous events in history.  
• Be inspired by compelling accounts of faithful men and women who persevered in every era! Join devoted theologians, scholars, leaders, reformers, writers, and missionaries in Trial and Triumph: Stories From Church History, and witness those who made sacrifices for their faith in Courage and Conviction: Chronicles of the Reformation Church.
• Discover the backstory and lasting impact of historic creeds, famous last words, and other important sayings from Christian history with In Context: The Stories Behind Seventy Memorable Sayings in Church History.
• Learn the history of the English language – how it has been shaped, simplified, matured, and expanded – in King Alfred’s English. This book provides an entertaining look at how different forces, events, conquerors and writers have changed English into what it is today.
• Explore the lives and times of notable historical figures and events with Critical Thinking Using Primary Sources in World History. In this book, students will read and analyze primary source documents from differing viewpoints about the same event or person. After carefully examining each account to determine the author’s intentions, they will render a “Mock Trial” verdict, and support that verdict using excerpts from the documents.
• Teach retelling skills with the following types of Charlotte Mason-style oral narrations: key word, summary, detailed, topic, recorded, and opinion narrations. Clear guidance is provided for students on how to perform each type of narration. Students also practice speaking from notes as they share talking points they have written based on one reading each week.
• Complete a beautiful World History Journal filled with  graphic organizer-style notes, historical map interpretations, talking points, critical thinking questions and answers, “Mock Trial” verdicts, reflections upon primary source documents, written narrations, quotations in context and more!
• Assemble a one-of-kind Book of Centuries filled with a colorful portrait gallery and lined timeline entries. As students progress through their high school years, they will continue to add to this book until it provides an unbroken trail from the dawn of Creation to the modern era!

A Collection of Living Books

Add a compellingly human layer to your study of world history with our uniquely-crafted “Living Library!” The 20 diverse books and audios in our “Living Library” were selected for their narrative quality and lifelike connections to World History. As students delve into this set of memorable books, they will experience stirring historical fiction, thought-provoking biographies, inspiring nonfiction, and classic literature.

• Flee ancient Egypt after accidentally killing a sacred cat, unearth the wonders of ancient Greece with Schliemann, endure shipwreck with Paul and Silas, seek forgiveness from Jesus with the thief at the cross, consider the cost of revenge alongside a Roman Legionnaire, and chronicle the struggle for England’s throne at the Battle of Hastings beside a mute, loyal serf.
• Cross the Alps with King Charles, stand up to King John with the ‘Army of God,’ experience intrigue and betrayal with Lady Jane Grey, search for honor during the French Revolution, faithfully care for the orphans of Egypt, live through WWI with Edith Cavell, choose between loyalty to country or faith with Bonhoeffer, and evade capture after being shot down over Bosnia with Captain O’Grady – all just a sampling of the books that await you in our exciting Living Library!
• Progressively fill out a “Literary Synthesis Sheet” for each book to make predictions about the meaning of the book’s title, keep track of important characters and their roles, examine the use of time periods, describe the atmosphere of various settings, diagram elements of the plot, identify the types of conflict within a story, and summarize the tone taken by the story’s narrator. As students record descriptions of characters, locations, and events, they will examine moods and central themes – while drawing connections to other books and life.

A Picture of Fine Arts

World History guides students through an exhibition of artists and art movements from early Christian to modern times. As students view significant works of art, they will learn about the cultural and personal forces that shaped the artist’s work, as well as the historical time in which the artist lived. As part of this course, students examine representative works by artists that are reflective of the different periods of art. Emphasis is placed on both the life of the artist and the art forms, techniques, symbols, and themes within his/her work.

• Journey through centuries of art with Barry Stebbings in God and the History of Art. With beautiful colors, paintings, and classical music, this 12-part video series provides a unique overview of art history, offering biblical insights into the great art and artists of the ages. 
• Examine the lives of 35 famous painters and sculptors in Short Lessons in Art History, and appreciate each artist’s struggles, successes, and greatest works. Study famous works of art to understand art movements from the Italian Renaissance to modern times.  As students complete follow-up questions, research, and writing activities, they will draw conclusions about what makes the work of an artist timeless.
• Complete a lovely Art Gallery Notebook filled with colorful prints of work from famous artists, notes, research, and writing projects. By the end of the year, students will have a beautiful portfolio of fine-arts related work that will stand the test of time!
• Experiment with a variety of art techniques, each based on the work of a famous artist, to complete nine appealing projects with Pat Knepley’s See the Light: Art Projects video set.  As students follow Pat’s step-by-step tutoring sessions, they will try out different methods of creating art using mediums ranging from acrylics to watercolor, chalks to pastels, and paper to tissue paper. Students will also learn art history, art elements, and art principles – all integrated with biblical truths.  The end result is a lovely portfolio of nine completed projects students will enjoy sharing with others. The best way to get excited about art is to find a way to enjoy expressing it!

A Foundation of Scripture

World History leads students to dive into Scripture with an in-depth study of the Old Testament, and encourages them to build their faith as they complete readings, questions, and discussions from the unabridged Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. Enduring hymns with personal devotions complement the study. As students read the Word, sing classic hymns, and work their way through Bunyan’s masterpiece, they will gain a greater knowledge and a deeper love of God and His Word. This course in World History is perfect for anyone who seeks to discover what God is like, what He requires, and how to be in a right relationship with Him.

Old Testament Survey

• Enjoy independent Bible lessons from The Most Important Thing You’ll Ever Study: A Survey of the Old Testament. This non-denominational Protestant study provides a chronological overview of the Old Testament books, teaching students to read for the main argument and important points in each book of the Bible. As students study and analyze Scripture, they will answer insightful questions relating to the text, memorize the Ten Commandments and other Scriptures, and keep a prayer journal based on the biblical model of prayer.

• Learn the words of timeless hymns from ages past with Selah – Greatest Hymns, an audio CD that brings hymn study to students in a way that is sure to speak to their hearts. This compilation includes 15 hymns with liner notes that give either a little background on the hymn or a personal note about it. This CD is widely known, highly recommended, and will probably become a family favorite!

Pilgrim’s Progress

• Dive into one of the most influential and theologically-rich books ever written with the All-in-One Curriculum: Pilgrim’s Progress, a course built around a fully illustrated and unabridged edition of John Bunyan’s famous allegory. As students carefully read and listen their way through Christian’s journey, they will answer “digging deeper” questions, participate in meaningful discussions, make connections with the Bible, and seek to apply what they learn to their own lives.

A Study of Spanish

In World History, students will continue to learn the Spanish language through the Spanish Homeschool Curriculum Kit. With this program, students will build skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to the Spanish language. Students who desire to study a different foreign language may substitute a different language course in place of this option to fulfill the foreign language requirement. 

• Enjoy learning Spanish through vocabulary practice related to school, home, family, numbers, months, seasons, time, clothing, parts of speech, culture, and the geography of Spanish speaking countries. Develop a feel for the mechanics of Spanish to understand the language at a basic level.
• Practice basic Spanish grammar such as verb conjugations and adjective agreement. As students learn correct oral and written expression, they will also practice speaking, reading, and writing in the present tense.
• Become familiar with various aspects of Hispanic culture in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands. Having some historical, social and cultural knowledge helps students as they learn to correctly speak and write in Spanish.
• Practice pronunciation skills and learn to understand verbal Spanish by utilizing audio recordings featuring native speakers and conversational dialogue practice with a teacher or tutor. By learning how to correctly speak and comprehend Spanish, students will find it easier to grasp the basics of Spanish as a second language.

Note: For transcript purposes, students may combine the ½ credit of Spanish I earned in the World Geography guide with the ½ credit of Spanish I earned in the World History guide to list 1-full year credit in Spanish I instead.

A Plan for Health

Explore God’s plan for health in Total Health: Choices for a Winning Lifestyle. As students work their way through this book, they will learn about physical, mental, social, and spiritual health from a Biblical perspective. Through academically sound, spiritually insightful readings and assignments, students will learn to address all areas of their own health.

• Learn about bodily systems, nutrition, fitness and exercise, infectious and noninfectious diseases, stress and anxiety management, eye and ear care, dental care, basic first aid, drug and alcohol abuse prevention, healthy relationships, and spiritual lifestyle.
• Define vocabulary words, write detailed explanations, discuss unique health questions, create short essays, and complete projects with personal goals. These activities ensure that students comprehend and retain what they learn, providing them with a blueprint for how to improve the quality of their lifestyle.

A Journey Through Literature

Enjoy our World History guide’s balanced language arts approach by reading timeless classic novels with our Charlotte Mason inspired literature plans. Classic novel introductions, readings with annotations, oral and written narrations, Common Place Book entries, guided Literature Journal reflections with literary devices, Biblical worldview questions, plot diagrams, and thought-provoking discussion topics all provide higher level assessments without taking away the joy of reading. Our fresh approach to high school literature will have you fondly reminiscing about the books you read in World History for years to come!

• Travel back in time and experience a thrilling tale of betrayal, revenge, and salvation in Ben Hur, the story of a man framed for attempting to murder a Roman official. Epic in scope, this book recreates Imperial Rome from a thrilling sea battle, to the famous chariot race, to the agony of the Crucifixion. Vivid depictions of Jesus’ life are interwoven with the fictional story of Judah Ben-Hur, a young Jew who finds his life inexorably changed by the Messiah. In World History, students will also listen their way through the story with a fully-scored audio by Focus on the Family Radio Theatre.
• Savor one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays and understand it like never before with No Fear Shakespeare: Julius Caesar. No Fear Shakespeare gives you the complete text of Julius Caesar on the left-hand page, side-by-side with an easy-to-understand translation on the right that puts Shakespeare into everyday language. With detailed character descriptions and plenty of helpful commentary, this book is the perfect way to experience Shakespeare – especially when paired with the unabridged dramatic audio production from BBC Audiobooks.
• Read H. Rider Haggard’s classic novel Pearl Maiden, a tale of adventure, hardship, and faith. This book tells the story of Miriam, a young Christian woman living in the Roman Empire during the first century, and Marcus, the Roman officer who desired to win her hand. Miriam’s faith is continually strengthened by the Lord as she faces hardships and fiery trials. Stirring events, captivating characters, and careful attention to historical detail are seamlessly blended to produce this truly uplifting novel that continues to be a wonderful story of faith for readers today.
• Visit the era of chivalry and valor with The Story of King Arthur and His Knights, Howard Pyle’s vivid retelling of famous Arthurian legends. This book chronicles the adventures of Arthur as he draws the sword Excalibur from the anvil, as he courts and wins the heart of Guinevere, as he suffers treachery at the hands of Morgana le Fay, and witnesses the tragic fate of Merlin. Known for his bravery, honor, and love, Arthur is used as an illustration of the selfless nature that a true king should have for his people.
• Hear the story of Sir Thomas More as recounted in A Man for All Seasons, Robert Bolt’s famous play about the gifted nobleman, lawyer, humanist, and author. This play is a brilliant dramatization of the conflict between More’s faith and the throne, set during the time when King Henry VIII broke with the church after the Pope refused to grant him a divorce. This account of the life of Sir Thomas More provides a solemn reminder of what it means to live and die for the faith.
• Experience the thrilling escapades of The Scarlet Pimpernel, an irresistible story of romance, intrigue, and suspense. This timeless caper recalls the Reign of Terror following the French Revolution, when ruthless mobs ruled the streets of Paris and hundreds of royals were condemned to face the guillotine each day. The only hope of many was a mysterious entity known as the Scarlet Pimpernel, a courageous leader who spirited aristocrats across the Channel to England and safety. Known by the name of the wildflower he leaves as a calling card, the Pimpernel becomes the darling of the people and is particularly admired by Marguerite Blakeney, who scorns her foppish husband as ardently as she esteems this gallant hero.
• Witness the mystery and intrigue of Alexandre Dumas’s famous tale of revenge in The Count of Monte Cristo, a story set against the turbulent years of the Napoleonic era. After being betrayed and imprisoned for life, Edmond Dantés unexpectedly finds both freedom and fortune, reinventing himself as the enigmatic Count. He has only one goal…revenge. This novel presents a powerful conflict between good and evil embodied by the hero’s ultimate discomfort with the implications of his own actions.
• Meet one of the most famous characters in literature, Jean Valijean, in Victory Hugo’s enduring masterpiece LesMisérables. Ranked among the greatest novels of all time, LesMisérables uses the story of a peasant imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread to take readers deep into the Parisan underworld. The book is paired with an audio drama from Focus on the Family, bringing the themes of mercy and redemption, crime and punishment, persecution and desperation vividly to life.
• Read George Orwell’s sobering satire of the Russian Revolution in Animal Farm, as it provides the account of an animal uprising that resulted in a farm run by the animals. This wholly democratic society is originally built on the credo that “All Animals are Created Equal”, but slowly begins to transform as the pigs Napoleon, Squealer, and Snowball slowly emerge as leaders of the new community. The climax is a betrayal of trust that reinstates totalitarian rule and amends the credo with a bloodstained postscript: “But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others”.
• Examine the pitfalls of modern Christianity – as well as disguised pitfalls of old – with The Celestial Railroad, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s thought-provoking addition to The Pilgrim’s Progress. This story recounts the tale of a determined pilgrim who sets out for the Celestial City, but finds to his delight that there is now a fast and easy way to travel there – the Celestial Railroad! The author’s insights are profound, each challenging readers to carefully consider the manner in which they follow the faith.

A Look at Composition and Grammar

Heart of Dakota teaches higher-level language arts skills through a unique combination of Charlotte Mason-style dictation exercises, a solid grammar and writing text, and a variety of composition approaches.  You can use your own resources for grammar, or use the time-tested grammar and writing selections we’ve scheduled in the World History guide.

• Hone spelling, writing, and proofreading skills by using the Charlotte Mason method of studied dictation.  Using passages provided in the World History guide, students will study a passage and then reproduce it as you dictate the passage aloud. Afterward, they will proofread their work against the correctly written model and correct any errors.
• Enjoy thorough grammar and writing lessons with Building Securely. This comprehensive, God-honoring text is easy-to-use and teaches key concepts of grammar, mechanics, and writing. Plans include lessons on upper-level grammar constructs, note-taking, oral reports, descriptive writing, poetic devices, book reviews, conflict and style in story writing, sentence variety, proofreading, and more!
• Learn to successfully write expository, process analysis, compare/contrast, cause/effect, literary response, and persuasive essays, as well as college prep essays and a research paper. Easy-to-follow video lessons presented by Matthew Stephens teach the writing process and emphasize key topics like using solid sentence structure, developing paragraphs, and integrating quality resources.  A well-laid out Student Text includes a summary of lesson notes, samples of effective/ineffective writing, and clear rubrics to aid in grading.

A Structure for Mathematics

Students entering World History should ideally be studying either Geometry or Algebra II, however students at differing math levels may still use this guide. Our recommendations for Geometry include Power Basics Geometry, Math-U-See Geometry, Understanding Geometry, or MathHelp Geometry. These options offer four different paths to Geometry coverage. If you’d like to see our suggested Algebra II options, you can view our math recommendations for U.S. History I – the next guide in our high school series. Or, if you would prefer, you can use your own math program!

Power Basics Geometry

• Offer students a complete Geometry program without the often overwhelming length and complexity of traditional textbooks! Power Basics: Geometry provides a concise, streamlined Geometry math high school curriculum. If your student is struggling with traditional courses, this may be the answer you are seeking! This four-component program presents the essential content students need to succeed.
• Utilize unit overviews, extension suggestions, a complete answer key, record-keeping forms, and graphic organizers in the Teacher’s Guide.
• Provide activities for each lesson that focus on practice, extension, and different learning styles in the consumable Student Workbook and Workbook Answer Key.
• Offer more detailed assessments, including a pretest, unit tests, and a posttest, and provide scoring keys and test-taking strategies in the Test Pack.
• Provide instruction, drill, practice, and problem-solving skills in the Student Resource text book.

Math-U-See Geometry

• Set your student up for high school math success with Christian author Steve Demme’s Math-U-See Geometry! Universal sets include instruction manuals with complete solutions; student workbooks with worksheets, review pages, and honor pages; test booklets; and instruction DVDs that also include access to online versions.
• Give students all they need to be successful in Geometry! In this well-loved, easy-to use course, you will emphasize the vocabulary of geometry, teach the practical applications of geometry, and instruct students using traditional geometry with proofs.

Understanding Geometry

• Give students the critical thinking skills necessary to successfully complete Geometry in Terri Husted’s Understanding Geometry!
• Use this systematic step-by-step approach to teach students the reasoning behind the properties taught in geometry – instead of merely asking students to memorize them.
• Teach students the basics of geometric proofs and coordinate geometry in a way they can easily understand that better prepares them for standardized testing.
• Utilize the provided glossary of terms to teach students geometric terms that every student must master.
• Use this textbook for seventh through ninth grade students who want a visual Geometry course. Although it doesn’t go as far in depth as other high school courses, it does have sufficient coverage for high-school credit.

Math Help Geometry

• Enjoy clear online geometry lessons with Math Help Geometry.  In an easy to-use online format, award-winning teacher Michael Maggart uses short, concise lessons to explain each topic in Geometry in a way that is easy to understand. 
• Work through online lessons that include video example problems, interactive practice problems with built-in explanations, a challenge problem, self-tests with immediate feedback, an automatic online gradebook, printable extra problem worksheets, and review notes of each day’s lesson.
• Benefit from a low-stress online math option! This math program works well for almost any math student – including those students who have struggled with math in the past, those who need to get through geometry in a timely fashion, or for students who will need to be very independent in math with little to no help from a parent.  This math program is one of Cathy Duffy’s Top 101 Picks. To view samples and purchase MathHelp Geometry, visit www.mathhelp.com.

An Exploration of Biology

In World History, students earn science credit with the School of Tomorrow Biology Science Text PACE Set. We chose this particular text because it is appealingly written (and colorfully illustrated) in a narrative, living way. This course contains 12 readable PACEs (or booklets), each illustrated with colorful diagrams, drawings, and photographs. As students learn about the wonders of God’s creation, they will respond to follow-up questions and view complete labs performed online with School of Tomorrow’s excellent video series. With all this rolled into one, this course truly brings the wonder of God’s creation to life!

• Study the characteristics, body structure, and reproduction of birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, sponges, arthropods, microorganisms, and more! 
• Learn about different cell structures and functions including cell division and cellular respiration.
• Examine plant forms including roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. Study photosynthesis, plant reproduction and plant adaptation.
• Become familiar with the structures and functions of the human body, including the anatomy and physiology of each of the organ systems, nutrition, growth, reproduction, genetics, embryology, ecology, and more!
• Complete follow-up activities including multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, vocabulary, and short answer questions. As students fill out these exercises, they will capture, organize, categorize, and ultimately better retain the dense and vocabulary rich subject matter of Biology.
• Gain up-close views of dissections and microscopic lab work as part of this course through clearly-filmed lab videos, and complete lab sheets while watching each session. These videos can be found online at https://www.aceconnect.com.