Week 1:
Suggested Read-Alouds During During Weeks 1 and 2:
The First Exodus:
| the_first_exodus_leaving_ur_of_the_chaldeans.pdf |
A fourth century diary of a Spanish nun's pilgrimage to Sinai and the Holy Land:
(Edited PDF coming soon, online link here)
A possible read-aloud to capture the feel of nomadic life in the Holy Land:
With the Beduins: A Narrative of Journeys and Adventures in Unfrequented Parts of Syria
(Edited PDF coming soon, online link here)
A possible read-aloud to capture the feel of nomadic life in the Holy Land:
With the Beduins: A Narrative of Journeys and Adventures in Unfrequented Parts of Syria
Recommended supplemental books:
Note: Mesopotamia will be covered again later in the year. Choosing books that focus on the Sumerians and Akkadians, particularly the first four volumes of this list, is sufficient at this time for younger children or tight budgets. Also, Baby Professor offers more titles than what I have listed here, that also cover this region and time period. It is a very good and affordable option for voracious early readers.:
- Ancient History for Kids/Children's Ancient History: First Came the Sumerians and then the Akkadians, by Baby Professor, -written for fifth grade level but can be read aloud for early elementary.
- The Sumerians' Writing System and Literature, by Baby Professor, -recommended for 5th grade reading level but can be read-aloud to younger children.
- Who Built the First Human Civilization? Ancient Mesopotamia, by Baby Professor,-Written at the fifth grade level but can be read-aloud for younger children.
- Hands-on History! Mesopotamia, by Lorna Oakes - Very informative in a style similar to DK Eyewitness books, but not quite as dense (not as overwhelming visually) yet also includes well thought-out craft projects. Good for all ages. Highly recommended.
- The Ancient World: Ancient Mesopotamia, by Allison Lassieur, published by Scholastic. More detailed information and good for upper-elementary and up. Lots of beautiful photos too. Informative but not visually overwhelming.
- Excavating the Past, Mesopotamia, by Jane Shuter, published by Capstone. Another good book for upper elementary and in addition teaching about ancient Mesopotamia, it covers some of the more recent history of archaeological exploration in the area as well as recent events that has damaged much of its antiquities.
- DK Eyewitness Books: Mesopotamia - Good for middle school and up.
- Gilgamesh the King (I recommend this version for high school as well, because the original is quite pornographic in nature)
- The Revenge of Ishtar (I recommend this version for high school as well, because the original is quite pornographic in nature)
- The Last Quest of Gilgamesh (I recommend this version for high school as well, because the original is quite pornographic in nature)
Timeline for Week 1
Book of Centuries/Timeline Pages:
| age_of_empires.pdf |
The files below include timeline pages for all of Year 1 and timeline images for Week 1.
| josephus_horizontal_timeline.pdf |
| josephus_vertical_timeline_.pdf |
| josephus_vertical_timeline_with_blank_pages_for_drawing.pdf |
Day 1:
Our Young Folks' Josephus Audiobook:
- Chapter 1: Abraham, the Founder of the Jewish Race
Our Young Folks' josephus companion guide, chapter 1:
- Background information and suggested activities for chapter 1 in Our Young Folks' Josephus.
| abraham_1.pdf |
Resource links for suggested activities:
- 5-Minute Art History: Sumerian Art From Mesopotamia (besides the short video designed for children, there is a free PDF download on Sumer art)
- Make Your Own Cylinder Seal (information on cylinder seals can be found here)
- Build a Paper Ziggurat
- The Science Behind Evaporative Cooling Pots
- Sumerian Urban House Architecture
- Cuneiform Writing Project for Kids
- A good, quick overview video from Khan Academy on Sumeria
- Khan Academy: Ancient Mesopotamia
Suggested Additional Reading:
- Genesis Chapters 11-21
- Lessons in the Old Testament, by Fr. Serge Kotar, chapters 8-10 (free PDF download-lower elementary)
- The Law of God, by Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy, chapters 13-15 (free online-upper elementary)
- The Law of God, by Fr. Daniel Sysoev, pages 197-204 (Middle School and up)
The Idol Shop (A short story on the early life of Abraham based on ancient Jewish tradition, written by Paidea Classics)
| 1the_idol_shop.pdf |
- The Special Gift (A short story on leaving Ur, written by Paidea Classics):
| 2the_special_gift.pdf |
- Stories of Chaldea, By Edith Ralph; Chapter 1: The First Settlers (read-aloud: 4th grade and up)
| stories_of_chaldea_chapter_1.pdf |
Notebook Pages for Chapter 1:
Use pages for written narrations (oral narrations can be written down by someone else).
- Color:
| abraham1narrow-ruledb.pdf |
| abraham1blankb.pdf |
| abraham1base.pdf |
- Black and White:
| chaldeablank.pdf |
| chaldeamap.pdf |
| chaldeanarrowruled.pdf |
| chaldeanarrowruledhalfpage.pdf |
| chaldeanarrowruledmap.pdf |
| chaldeawideruled.pdf |
| chaldeawideruledhalfpage.pdf |
| chaldeawideruledmap.pdf |
Copywork for Chapters 1-5:
Day 2:
Our Young Folks' Josephus Audiobook:
- Chapter 2: The Sacrifice of Isaac
Our Young Folks' josephus companion guide, chapter 2:
- Background information for chapter 2 in Our Young Folks' Josephus.
| abraham2.pdf |
Suggested Additional Reading:
- Genesis chapter 22
- Lessons in the Old Testament, by Fr. Serge Kotar chapters 11-12 (free PDF download-lower elementary)
- The Law of God, by Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy, chapter 16 (free online-upper elementary)
- The Law of God, by Fr. Daniel Sysoev, pgs. 204-206 (Middle School and up)
- The Covenant and the Story of the Great Flood, by Paidea Classics
| 3the_covenant_and_the_story_of_the_great_flood.pdf |
- Stories of Chaldea, Chapter 2: The First Settled Peoples of Chaldea and their Superstitions: (read-aloud: 4th grade and up)
| stories_of_chaldea_chapter_2.pdf |
- Discovery of the Gigantic Head in the Palace of Nimrod, by Sir Austen Henry Layard (read-aloud: 4th grade and up)
| discovery_of_the_gigantic_head_in_the_palace_of_nimrod.pdf |
Notebook Pages for Chapter 2: (coming)
Coloring Pages for Chapter 2:
Day 3:
Our Young Folks' Josephus Audiobook:
- Chapter 3: Rebekah
Our Young Folks' josephus companion guide, chapter 3:
- Background information for chapter 3 in Our Young Folks' Josephus.
Suggested Additional Reading:
- Genesis Chapters 23-24
- Lessons in the Old Testament, by Fr. Serge Kotar chapters 13 (free PDF download-lower elementary)
- The Law of God, by Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy, chapter 17 (free online-upper elementary)
- The Law of God, by Fr. Daniel Sysoev, pgs. 206-208 (Middle School and up)
- Stories of Chaldea, Chapter 3: Arrival of New Peoples, the Semites (read-aloud: 4th grade and up)
| story_of_chaldea_chapter_3.pdf |
Notebook Pages for Chapter 3: (coming)
Coloring Pages for Chapter 3:
Day 4:
Our Young Folks' Josephus Audiobook:
- Chapter 4: Jacob and Esau
Our Young Folks' josephus companion guide, chapter 4:
- Background information for chapter 4 in Our Young Folks' Josephus.
Suggested Additional Reading:
- Genesis chapter 25
- Lessons in the Old Testament, by Fr. Serge Kotar chapters 14 (free PDF download-lower elementary)
- The Law of God, by Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy, chapter 18 (free online-upper elementary)
- The Law of God, by Fr. Daniel Sysoev, pgs. 208-210 (Middle School and up)
- Stories of Chaldea, Chapter 4: Old Tablets--Ur of the Chaldees (read-aloud: 4th grade and up)
| stories_of_chadea_chapter_4.pdf |
- The Winged Human-headed Lion, by Sir Austen Henry Layard (read-aloud: 4th grade and up)
| the_winged_human-headed_lions.pdf |
Notebook Pages for Chapter 4: (coming)
Coloring Pages for Chapter 4:
Day 5:
Our Young Folks' Josephus Audiobook:
- Chapter 5: Jacob Flees from Esau
- Chapter 6: The Meeting of Jacob and Esau
Suggested Additional Reading:
- Genesis chapters 27-33
- Lessons in the Old Testament, by Fr. Serge Kotar chapters 15 (free PDF download-lower elementary)
- The Law of God, by Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy, chapter 19 (free online-upper elementary)
- The Law of God, by Fr. Daniel Sysoev, pgs. 210-214 (Middle School and up)
- Story of Chaldea, Chapter 5: Sodom and Gomorrah--The Overthrow of the Elamites (read-aloud: 4th grade and up)
| stories_of_chaldea_chapter_5.pdf |
Notebook Pages for Chapter 5:
| biblelandsflorafauna1lined.pdf |
| biblelandsflorafauna1narrowruled.pdf |
| biblelandsflorafauna1unlined.pdf |
| biblelandsflorafauna1linedmap.pdf |
| biblelandsflorafauna1largemaponly.pdf |
| biblelandsflorafauna1narrowruledmap.pdf |
| biblelandsflorafauna1unlinedmap.pdf |
Flora/Fauna Design #1 Copywork:
Coloring Pages for Chapter 5:
| monuments_of_nineveh_coloring_pages_1.pdf |