How do you use Story of the World?

Today on the Rockpool Homeschool Forum, I was asked how do we use "The Story of the World"? I should have answered with lots of enthusiastic intent, but unfortunately last year's effort only saw us complete nine chapters.

HOWEVER .... as of next week we will be getting back into enjoying this wonderful subject. The children really enjoyed all they were doing and learning, so there is absolutely no reason why we shouldn't continue.

My approach has been of reading a chapter, asking the children to rephrase back what they've heard, then following up with the activity book page - especially the mapping. All the other activities and dictation writing I've not done. Depending on how things pan out, though, I am hoping to incorporate more of the activity side of things as I need to develop Maestro's appreciation of creativity, whilst in Mariposa, her creativity needs fostering.

Maestro just loves learning lots of facts, and his work here (when he was aged 9) shows his enjoyment of labelling:

For those unfamiliar with The Story of the World, the activity book comes complete with blacklined masters. I was photocopying them as needed.

The activity pages they complete were then put into display books. (The lower pages are from Mariposa's book .. done when she was aged 6.)

I also go to the library and pick a variety of reference books with LOTS of pictures, also trying to search for any relative fiction (either a picture book, or small novel). These are left available to the children to read as they wish. I've not put any pressure on them, however they enjoy looking through them, especially on car trips. I often find that Mariposa asks Maestro to read to her, but now that her reading is becoming more fluent, I'll certainly be looking for good books aimed at her level.

I think it has made a difference to how the children learn, in the sense that they actually pick up cues about news from overseas, they're interested in history, and we also relate it to our bible study (but that may not be your choice). Mariposa really, REALLY wants to go and take an excursion to visit the pyramids, but we've told her she may have to wait quite a few years (lol!). In the meantime, however, they've befriended an older lady, who is grandmother to a friend of theirs; she was born in Cairo and she loves telling them about what things were like when she was a little girl. So... they're hearing SOTW for history, but also 'modern history' from their elders.