Even More History

Time Life's Lost Civilizations: Africa

These videos really reinforce our ancient history concepts.

Engineering An Empire, Part II

Engineering An Empire, Vol. 2: Carthage, China & Russia
Engineering An Empire continues its quest to unearth the framework of the ancient world. Witness the sophistication and defense techniques of Carthaginian engineers, learn about the unparalleled feats of ancient China, and trace the brutal rise and fall of the Russian Empire. * CARTHAGE: Find out how Carthaginian engineers harnessed their extensive resources and manpower to develop some of the ancient world's most groundbreaking technology. * CHINA: Century after century, China's regal emperors mobilized immense peasant armies to accomplish unfathomable feats - including the most ambitious construction project ever accomplished. * RUSSIA: From the Moscow Kremlin to St. Petersburg to the Trans-Siberian railroad, examine the architecture and infrastructure that led to the rise and fall of the Russian Empire.

Engineering An Empire, Vol. 4: Napoleon-Steel Monster, Byzantines, & Da Vinci's World [DVD]
Follow the rise of one of the greatest military strategies in history, and uncover one who spurred on some of the world's most iconic masterpieces, and uncover the brilliant gem of the Dark Ages:the Byzantine Empire. Finally, watch Italy magnificently reawaken and build on a scale not witnessed since the ascent of Rome. * NAPOLEON AND BEYOND: When France stood on the precipice of disaster, one of the most legendary military strategists in history arose from its ashes: Napoleon. * THE BYZANTINES: As much of the world descended into the Dark Ages, the Byzantine Empire emerged with ruthless might and supreme ingenuity, ruling over vast swaths of Europe and Asia. * AGE OF ARCHITECTS: After the deep sleep of the Dark Ages, it wasn't until the 11th-century that autonomous city-states emerged in Italy, revitalizing metropolises and paving the way for the Renaissance.

These videos will help with our ancient civilization studies as well as art. We are studying Leonardo Di Vinci this month.

Engineering An Empire

For our supplemental history videos this week, we'll be watching the following videos.
Engineering An Empire, Vol. 3: Britain-Blood & Steel, Persians, & Maya-Death Empire [DVD]The incredible displays of technological prowess continue in the third volume of Engineering An Empire. Watch the mights rise of the British Empire as it paves the way for the modern world, and explore the incredible engineering feats of the Persian Empire. Learn about Mayan ingenuity from 250 to 900 AD and search for clues regarding the civilization's strange disappearance. * GREAT BRITAIN: Through the centuries, the British Empire used extraordinary engineering technology to become an industrial and military titan, giving rise to such inventions as the first locomotive. * THE PERSIANS: The engineering feats of the mysterious Persian Empire include a water management system, a paved cross-continent roadway, and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. * THE MAYA: By 900 AD, the once-glorious Mayan cities disappeared. Unravel the mystery surrounding this mythic civilization through its spectacular infrastructure and architecture.

Engineering An Empire, Vol. 1: Greece, Age of Alexander, & The Aztecs [DVD]
Engineering An Empire initiates its architectural investigation with mighty Greece, the Empire that gave rise to western civilization and produced some of antiquity's greatest treasures. Next, discover how Alexander saved the Greek Empire from its period of civil unrest, then voyage to Central America to unlock the mysterious and magical world of the ancient Aztecs. * GREECE: The cradle of Western civilization sustained remarkable technological advancement for over 1,000 years, including such masterpieces as the Tunnel of Samos and the Parthenon. * GREECE: AGE OF ALEXANDER: After a century of tremendous accomplishment, Greece's territorial ambitions were stymied by constant warfare - until Alexander ventured abroad and initiated the Hellenistic era. * THE AZTECS: The Aztecs became one of the greatest civilizations in history through brilliant military campaigns and technological mastery of their harsh environment.

History Video Supplements for upcoming week

Secrets of Lost Empires: Incas
Directors: Michael Barnes
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Language: English
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number of discs: 1
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Wgbh Boston
DVD Release Date: February 28, 2006
Run Time: 56 minutes


Touring Israel (Questar)

HIstory Video Supplements

Lost Worlds DVD: Volume 1. Includes Atlantis, Rameses' Egyptian Empire, and Athens: Ancient Supercity.

Discovering Egypt Dvd
Visit modern Egypt with its crowded bazaars in Cairo and Alexandria, the famous dam at Aswan, and the intriguing River Nile. At El Alamein, visualize one of the most important battles fought during World War II. Marvel at awesome pyramids, huge monuments, and dazzling tombs. Experience the incredible sights of treasures from King Tut’s tomb, the Great Pyramids at Giza, and remnants from the ancient city of Thebes. Extra Features: Great Pyramids at Giza - Great Pyramids at Giza probably took a half-million men and 20 years to build. Learn how these great wonders of the world were constructed. See recreations of what they looked like 4,000 years ago. And explore the intricacies of their clverly designed corridors. Find out how mummies were made. Learn the names of important Egyptian Gods and the influence they had on everyday lives of ancient Egyptians. See the death mask of King Tutankamen and some of his tomb's incredible treasures. Ancient Egyptian Cities - Travel down the Nile and visit ancient temples, palaces and tombs in Memphis, Luxor, Abu Simbel and Alexandria - the last capital of ancient Egypt. Hear the story of Egypt's last ruler, Cleopatra, and how her romances with Roman generals Julius Caesar and Marc Antony spelled final doom for the Egyptian Empire. Number of discs: 1
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Questar
DVD Release Date: February 27, 2001
Run Time: 120 minutes

Extras for our Ancient Cultures Study

This week we began our ancient cultures notebook. We are beginning with Sumer. We'll be reporting on cuneiform, Sargon, ziggaruts, inventions by the Sumerians and more.
For reference we will be adding this book to our study:


The Usborne Encyclopedia of the Ancient World: Internet Linked (History Encyclopedias) (Paperback)
Reading level: Ages 9-12

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Usborne Books (January 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0794511414

I have found some more videos to enchance our study:

Visions of Greece
DVD Release Date: July 6, 2004
Run Time: 167 minutes

Ancient Greece: A Journey Back in Time (Lost Treasures of the Ancient World) (1999)
Studio: Kultur Video
DVD Release Date: March 28, 2006
Run Time: 50 minutes



Houses of Mystery - The Pyramids [VHS]
Studio: Goldhil Home Media 2
VHS Release Date: February 23, 1999

What's Happening in History

We decided to begin using Streams of Civilization: Volume 1 for our history curriculum this year.
Author: Mary Stanton
Recommended Grade: 9th Grade I just now realized it is for 9th grade. I think it can easily be adapted to 7th grade.

We are also going to add various books to our curriculum. Here's the first one added to our study.

Ancient World: Internet Linked (World History) (Paperback)
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Usborne Books (December 2004)

Videos to Enhance our History Study

History studies are more fun if we throw in some dvds and videos now and then. The visual appeal seems to make the past come alive.

Nova: Secrets of Lost Empires Colosseum [VHS] (1997)

Aegean - Legacy of Atlantis [VHS] ~ Lost Civilizations (VHS Tape - Aug 29, 1995 (no picture available)


Mummies Unwrapped [VHS] - VHS Tape (Jan 31, 2000)


ROME Power & Glory Volume I: The Rise (DVD, 1998, 52 min)


ROME Power & Glory Volume VI: The Fall (DVD, 1998, 52 min

ROME Power & Glory Volume II: Legions of Conquest (DVD, 1998, 52 min

ROME Power & Glory Volume IV: Grasp of Empire (DVD, 1998, 52 min)

ROME Power & Glory Volume III: Seduction of Power (DVD, 1998, 52 min)

ROME Power & Glory Volume V: The Cult of Order (DVD, 1998, 52 min)