The Story of Western Civilization by Alan W. Riese, Herbert J. LaSalle Grades 4–8
The Story of Western Civilization is a series of 4 reading workbooks created for middle-grade and older students. The 4 books in the series present specific segments of the history of Western civilization. The language level of each book has been carefully controlled so that slow readers will not be frustrated; yet the content of each presents as much historical information as possible. Used as a series, the workbooks provide students with basic information about the development of Western civilization and prepare them for the study of United States history and/or European history from the year 1500 to the present.
How Civilization Began presents the history of Egypt and of the people who lived in the fertile crescent including the Sumerians, Babylonians, Phoenicians, and Hebrews. In Greece and Rome Build Great Civilizations, students read of the beginnings, growth, and disintegration of these two civilizations. Their influence on the governments and ideas of later cultures is pointed out. The Middle Ages describes European life from the fall of Rome to A.D. 1500. It explains the importance of the church and the feudal system in the lives of medieval people. The Renaissance begins with the new interest in learning, and continues to the Reformation and the Renaissance in the New World.
Short personality vignettes focus on the lives of particular individuals of each period. Each chapter concludes with a short essay called “Think About and Discuss in Class,” helping students recognize the related aspects of past and current history. A brief teacher’s guide gives suggestions on how to use the workbook questions and provides answers for the final tests.
These four books are chronological in content and can be used independently in any order as the format and reading level remain constant—only the subject matter varies. The format of the books is clear and consistent and can be assigned for independent study. These books are specially designed for those students who need materials that are simple enough for them to read, but have content suitable for their age.
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