This book is the first of the History Unschooled collection to help homeschoolers and unschoolers teach history through entertaining fiction, student's own research, plus writing and speaking exercises. It's the UNtextbook! Lessons address inventions from the Stone Age that helped to change humanity. Students will learn about the hand axe, fire, clothing, medicine and other "inventions" from the Stone Age. Plus they will get to know what life was like before and after the inventions and the necessities that led to them.
How to use this book:
Students will learn history through human inventions
It has long been true that necessity is the mother of invention. Since the dawn of our species, we've been thinking and creating based on our needs and lifestyles. This book will help students learn about the Stone Age by studying the most important discoveries of the times.
The UN-textbook helps students think on their own
The concept is to allow students to think and learn without a textbook full of facts to memorize (and quickly forget after the quiz). Instead, kids can immerse themselves in stories to get in the mindset.
Then, they'll find thought provoking questions and topics to research, write about and discuss. How they do that is up to you... or them. Should they write an essay? Take sides in a formal debate? Or simply discuss over dinner?
Encourage reading, writing and research along the way
This book encourages all types of reading and writing as well as oral presentations. Besides the lists of fiction and nonfiction books, each chapter has opportunities for writing, critical thinking, research and discussion.
Research is an important life skill for anyone to have regardless of whether a student is college bound. Learn more about research skills on page 4. You may wish to start there before you begin the historic units, especially with older students. They'll have ample opportunity to use their newfound research skills throughout the year.
Have fun with STEAM-based activities
Since each topic is an invention, it was easy to incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math into the learning.
Look for these icons in the Activities section of each chapter.
The whole family can learn together
If you have multiple students in various grades, they all can learn together. Each invention chapter includes family-friendly activities at all education levels:
Level 1 indicates easy activities for elementary students.
Level 2 involves more reading and simple research skills for middle school ages.
Level 3 encourages a higher level of research and writing skills for high school age students.
You or your older students can choose to do all of the activities, or just those on the higher levels.
How historic novels help kids learn about different times
Fiction is a great way to get kids interested in a topic. Especially when the alternative is a textbook. These fictional stories are for kids to experience the past. The education part should be subtle. The side effect? Kids who read!
We include a list of recommended fiction and movies that take place during, or focus on a certain aspect of, the Stone Age. Feel free to add to the list if you know of books and movies that we missed or as new books are published. Ask your librarian or local bookstore owner for suggestions.
