UNIT STUDY REVIEW:
A WORLD OF ADVENTURE (LEARNING ADVENTURES)
reviewed by Susan Wise BauerRead my review * Read parent comments
A
World of Adventure: A Unit Study Based on World History, Grades 4-8,
by Dorian Holt.
Published
by Learning Adventures
http://www.Learning-Adventures.org
4
North Wood Lane
Casey,
IL 62420
Cost:
$70.00
A
World of Adventure: A Unit Study Based on World History is a single-volume
spiral bound book (789 pages) designed to provide lesson plans for a unit
study that covers every subject except for math, typing, and cursive handwriting.
The author recommends the book for grades 4-8; she adds that you can easily
simplify the assignments for younger children and supplement them for older
students.
Each day’s lesson plan (there are 180 plans total in the book) walks you
through Bible, Language Arts (Vocabulary, Literature, Spelling, Writing),
Social Studies (this may be a summary of historical events, a geography
lesson, or a short essay about some aspect of life in ancient times), Science,
and Fine Arts.
Day 77, for example, begins with a Bible lesson on Isaiah 53. The
next section, Language Arts (Vocabulary) introduces four new words that
will occur in the Language Arts (Reading) selection, which in this case
is chapter 14 of The Bronze Bow. Comprehension questions for
discussion are written out, along with suggested answers. An additional
Language Arts section (Study Skills) explains encyclopedia use and gives
an encyclopedia assignment. The Social Studies section is a brief
essay about the Punic Wars (clear, although not very interesting; but you’re
supposed to use this “anchor essay” as a springboard for outside library
reading, which will occupy “the remainder of this social studies period.”).
The Science section gives some facts about volcanoes and also suggests,
“Read about volcanoes for the remainder of this science period.”
The Fine Arts projects is the completion of an eggshell mosaic begun several
days ago.
Each day’s study follows a similar pattern, with variations in the Language
Arts skills presented each day. Crafts and activities are described
in detail (and they sound both interesting and practical). The author
provides lists of supplies needed, so you won’t be caught short.
The science lesson range from health and nutrition through various topics
in biology, earth science, physics, and physical science. Actual
lesson plans can be seen at Learning Adventure's website.
USING
A
WORLD OF ADVENTURE
You could use A World of Adventure in place of the Kingfisher
History Encyclopedia, as the center of a chronological world history
and literature program. I have certain reservations
about unit studies and the way they treat grammar, spelling, writing,
and science, and those same reservations apply to A World of Adventure.
The volume has good vocabulary lists and excellent writing suggestions
connected with the literature and history assignments, but I would encourage
you to do a systematic writing program such as IEW or Writing Strands as
time allows. The spelling is rather casual; a good speller won’t
need to do more than is in this volume, but a poor speller should supplement
what’s here with Spelling Workout or Spelling Power.
The author doesn’t place a priority on grammar; basic grammatical concepts
are explained, but there is very little practice (certainly not enough
for mastery). She suggests “If you really feel your child needs more
practice in grammar skills, I recommend Daily Grams.” This
is a program I’m not enthusiastic about because it also provides almost
no practice. You should supplement A World of Adventure with
a page or two of A Beka or Rod & Staff grammar (or Shurley
Grammar, if you’re brave).
If I were using A World of Adventure, I would pursue a separate,
coherent science course and use the science assignments in the unit study
for reinforcement and exploration.
NEUTRAL
OBSERVATIONS:
1)
Don’t plan on using this if you’re looking for a secular curriculum; the
religious elements are pervasive. The Bible is the primary textbook
for ancient history in the early lessons; a number of later history lessons
are centered around religious figures as well, and the literature selections
are weighted towards works with Christian values. If you’re searching
for a Christian curriculum, though, this will suit you fine. It’s
obviously Protestant in orientation (Martin Luther makes out particularly
well), but I didn’t find anti-Catholic bias. If I’m wrong, please
e-mail and let me know.
2)
Like all unit studies, this one gives you concrete direction (book titles,
page numbers to read, discussion questions, writing assignments, activities,
you name it) and takes away freedom. (If you don’t want to read The
Bronze Bow, you’ll have to skip Lessons 66-86, because chapters of
The
Bronze Bow are the organizing theme for every single day’s study.
The same is true for Adam of the Road and A Door in the Wall.)
The choice is yours.
PROS:
1)
A
World of Adventure is (more or less) chronological, so can be the basis
of a classical history program like that described in The Well-Trained
Mind.
2)
The reading lists are excellent; the craft and activity ideas are great;
the historical summaries are clear and straightforward, if not gripping.
3)
The sections on understanding and interpreting literature are excellent,
as are the writing assignments.
4)
Exposure to great composers and artists is built right into the lesson
plans.
CONCERNS:
1)
This material looks quite difficult for a fourth grader, even one who’s
a good reader. I think you’ll end up simplifying so much, and leaving
so much out that you’d be better off using another method for that age
group.
2)
Ancient Mesopotamia is left out, except for a brief note that “People lived
in Mesopotamia before Joseph.” There’s actually a LOT of ancient
history that comes before Joseph.
3)
I personally don’t like the fact that the Bible is used as the primary
“history text” at various times throughout the course. Of course
the Bible contains history, but it was not written as a modern history
textbook, and to treat it in this way is problematic. And there are
other books out there (the Kingfisher history, the Usborne Ancient World
text) that could be used instead. (This may not bother you at all;
if it doesn’t, ignore this concern.)
4)
You go from Joseph to the Age of Exploration in ONE YEAR. (Whew!)
This is a huge amount of history to cover in one year, and I suspect that
this flying tour through ancient, medieval, and early Renaissance history
will be followed (in the additional volumes now being written) by a abrupt
slowing down as you do American and modern history in much greater detail.
I’d prefer to see more time and space given to those important early and
medieval civilizations. Furthermore, I don’t think you’ll be able
to explore subjects in depth if you try to keep up with the suggested pace.
Many of the Social Studies essays are lengthy, and the child is supposed
to do supplementary reading in library books after completing them; I wonder
how many library books you’ll manage to get through.
I am using Learning Adventures with my 9yob this year and he absolutely
loves it. We are taking two years to get through the first
year of curriculum because I am supplementing with Usborne to fill in the
gaps in world history and with the books recommended in WTM as science
supplements. We also do one page from Abeka language every
day along with math, a typing program, and guitar lessons. Once a
week, we take a Spanish class and twice a week we do a lesson from Latin
Primer. I find it so much easier to have a comprehensive curriculum
plan. As a champion procrastinator, it helps me to accomplish
much more in a school year than I would if the planning were left up to
me. Learning Adventures may not be perfect, but my son is eager
to tackle each day's lesson and I am thrilled to have a willing student.
I, too, am a little concerned about the concentration in American
history that lies down the road with Learning Adventures....
I started using Learning Adventures this year. I put together my
own unit study covering the time period before Ancient Egypt, starting
with Creation, by using resource books, Lessons From History and of course
the Bible.
Before
I started, I personally spoke with Dorian Holt about the fact of it covering
so much in one years time. As of right now we are in Ancient Greece
and we will probably stay in this time period until the end of the year.
I am going at my own pace, since I have a 3 & 4 year old at home also,
who I need to occupy. They of course quietly play while we are doing
most of the reading.
I have always read quite a bit to my kids and I felt that this was the
most important thing. I also have tried to read as much as I can
on all the different curriculums and styles out there, along with questioning
moms who have used different things. I believe that it comes down
to knowing what both you and your child are capable of and of course I
prayed extensively about everything, because of course everyone will have
or do something that works for them or sounds good to you.
I have a young fourth grade boy, who I am using this with, and I use what
I can with him. I delayed doing any
formal
grammar with him until this year and I am using English for the Thoughtful
Child now. As far as his spelling goes I cover that with a comprehensive
manual that I received with my phonics program (Eagles Wings), and check
it against another book I have called Natural Speller. I have not
used LA spelling words at all times. Again I use what can.
I did like her approach in writing skills and it seems to work with my
son who is a reluctant writer. The thing that I probably lack the
most in is science. We are doing what is in Learning Adventures for
now. Overall I like it; it
seems
a good fit for now.
First, I must say that I LOVE Unit studies and so do my kids! We
started with ALL Abeka workbooks this year and I just felt like it wasn't
working. They'd hurry up and do their pages and 2 weeks later they
forgot everything. I had also paid $100 for KONOS to use this
year, but because of all the work involved, the way the book was laid out
and the fact that it didn't include math or language arts AND the history
wasn't chronological, I used it only 2 weeks and quit.
We started LA after Christmas. I have a 3rd grader and 4th grader
I'm doing this with. I have a 1st grader dooing the main subjects
in Abeka and reading the library books with us. I have to agree
that much of this material is too difficult for a 4th grader, much
less a 3rd grader. Also, there is no way we can get through ALL the
work for one
day
in ONE day. We usually take 2 days to do one day of LA and supplement
- we still have those Abeka workbooks! We just began "The Golden Goblet"
today. Again, I think this is a difficult book for 3rd and 4th graders.
However, I decided that as long as they get the gist of the story and understand
the basics of what's going on, (which they are) it can't hurt to read above
their level. (My public school teacher husband agreed.)
If it gets too confusing and they hate it, I'm not sure what I'll do because,
like you said, all the other subjects are based on the story being read.
I, too, feel that the Grammar is lacking. However, I think many of
the Language Arts lessons are excellent. I have to admit I've been
tailoring and modifying our lessons quite a bit. Some things I just
plain skip!
Now, for what I LOVE about LA: I love that it is laid out, step by
step, day by day and ALL the subjects are included. I love the way
the list of items needed is set up at the beginning of each time period.
I also like the lists of suggested reading/library books. And I love
that the history is chronological!
I don't agree that we're flying through this Ancient Egypt Unit.
We have about 23 or so books from the library, and we've read almost every
one. For this age group I don't know how much more we could possibly
learn about the subject. I feel that for the grade level they're
at, they know enough. Maybe in the upper grades we could get more
in-depth.
Also, I appreciate the Christian perspective very much.
We just wanted to let you know that we LOVE Learning Adventures and the Bible part of it is our favorite part! My son is a 4th grader and coming along nicely in this unit study.
We are using Learning Adventures and I wanted to let you know how we are
implementing it. We actually studied history up to Ancient Egypt
(using Kingfisher) prior to beginning Learning Adventures. This helped
because my children had a good handle on the geography, history and civilization
of the Middle East and Asia prior to starting our work in LA. I do
use other books in addition to the ones required and we do get them in,
usually at night, but that is when we have some of our best discussions,
so that's o.k. For instance, we are beginning Greece and are reading
"Archimedes". I do believe in focusing their attention on particular
subject areas at a given time - but I will tell
you
that their understanding of the whole period of history has improved because
of the unit study approach. It is helping them to connect ideas,
theories and thoughts. It is also helping with our timeline.
Kingfisher made it very difficult to put together a coherent timeline IMHO.
We still use Kingfisher History and Kingfisher Science in addition to the
materials recommended/required in LA and, yes, we are able to fit it all
in.
As far as Language Arts goes, I do feel we have made significant progress.
I am using the writing assignments in LA to teach my children grammar,
syntax, usage, mechanics and spelling (they are both good spellers and
good readers - this helps!) However, most of the people who use this
program supplement with a grammar and spelling program. My 2nd grader
(high achiever) is gaining as much as my 5th grader. The kids still
memorize, recite and do occasional
written
dictation.
LA has helped me to organize my thoughts and plans for teaching history,
science and language arts. It is written/designed to be a spine and
that is how I use it.
I've used the entire first year World of Adventures study, which is a miracle
for me. One thing I didn't notice mentioned that I particularly loved
about LA is that I'm able to supplement or immerse ourselves into a topic
without losing the integrity of the program. This has probably been
one of the foremost reasons I've been able to stick with the program.
There is so much freedom to personalize...or not.
I do agree that it's very difficult to do each day in a day, especially
as you progress into the study. There's just way too much information
to cover in a day. I don't necessarily see this as a negative as
long as you are willing and able to take the extra time to complete the
study. It took us 1.5 years to do the first unit study, but I loved
it.
-- Donna
