Comprehensive 32-Week History Program for a 16-Year-Old

Exploring Ancient Rome and Matthew to Acts with Charlotte Mason's Approach

Highlights

Integration of Bible and History: The curriculum uniquely combines the study of the New Testament from Matthew through Acts with the historical context of Ancient Rome.
Charlotte Mason Methodology: Utilizing living books, narration, and a Book of Centuries to enrich learning and engagement.
Flexible and Structured: Designed for a full school year but adaptable to a 32-week schedule, with clear weekly assignments and a comprehensive book list.

Program Overview

The curriculum "Matthew through Acts & Ancient Rome" from Simply Charlotte Mason offers a detailed 32-week program tailored for a 16-year-old, focusing on the history of Ancient Rome alongside the Biblical narrative from Matthew to Acts. This program is designed to provide a holistic education by integrating history, geography, and Bible study, using the Charlotte Mason approach. It is structured to be both comprehensive and manageable, with daily lesson plans and resources tailored for high school students.

Curriculum Integration

This program integrates the life of Christ and the early Christian church, as depicted in the New Testament, with the historical context of Ancient Rome. It spans various regions including Italy, Greece, Spain, Macedonia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, providing a rich geographical and historical context. The curriculum is designed to be family-friendly, allowing students of different ages to study together, while also offering additional assignments for high school students to earn credits in History/Geography and Bible.

Charlotte Mason Approach

The program employs Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy, which emphasizes the use of living books, narration, and a Book of Centuries. Living books are engaging and well-written narratives that bring history to life. Narration is a method where students recount what they have read or learned, fostering comprehension and retention. The Book of Centuries is a timeline notebook that helps students chronologically organize historical events, enhancing their understanding of history's flow.

Weekly Schedule Structure

The curriculum provides a structured yet flexible weekly schedule that can be adapted to fit a 32-week school year. The daily lesson plans include:

Daily Activities

Monday to Thursday: Readings from "The Story of the Romans" and corresponding sections from the New Testament (Matthew through Acts), followed by narration sessions where students recount the material in their own words.
Friday: A deeper dive into Ancient Rome using resources like "The Stuff They Left Behind" portfolio, and time allocated for updating the Book of Centuries.

Additional Assignments for High School Students

Older students are required to engage in a study of the Book of Romans, which was written to believers in Ancient Rome. This involves reading the book and answering provided questions. Additionally, they work on a project identifying doctrinal truths throughout the New Testament, starting from Matthew through Acts.

Book List

The following books are recommended for a comprehensive study of Ancient Rome alongside Matthew to Acts:

Core Resources

"The Story of the Romans" by H.A. Guerber (third edition recommended)
"The Stuff They Left Behind: From the Days of Ancient Rome" portfolio by Simply Charlotte Mason
"Augustus Caesar's World" by Genevieve Foster
The New Testament (for Matthew through Acts readings)
"Visits to Europe" (for geography studies)
Book of Centuries (templates available from Simply Charlotte Mason)

Additional Books for High School Level

"The Book of Romans" study
"The Bronze Bow" by Elizabeth George Speare
"Peril and Peace" (for early church history)
"Foundations in Romans" by Sonya Shafer
"Discovering Doctrine" by Sonya Shafer
"Plutarch's Lives" (biographies of Julius Caesar and Marc Antony)
"Ben Hur" by Lew Wallace

Optional Books

"Detectives in Togas" by Henry Winterfeld
"Mystery of the Roman Ransom" by Henry Winterfeld
"Galen and the Gateway to Medicine" by Jeanne Bendick

Weekly Assignments

The curriculum is structured into 32 weeks, each with specific assignments designed to progress through the material systematically:

Weeks 1-4: Introduction to Ancient Rome and Matthew

Bible Study: Matthew Chapters 1-4
History: Introduction to Ancient Rome, Early Roman Kingdom
Geography: Italy and the Mediterranean
Narration: Write a short essay on the early Roman Kingdom

Weeks 5-8: Roman Republic and Matthew

Bible Study: Matthew Chapters 5-8
History: Roman Republic, Expansion and Conquests
Geography: Europe during Roman Times
Narration: Describe a significant event in the Roman Republic

Weeks 9-12: Jesus' Ministry and Roman Empire

Bible Study: Matthew Chapters 9-12
History: Transition to Roman Empire, Augustus Caesar
Geography: Roman Provinces
Narration: Discuss the impact of Augustus Caesar on Rome

Weeks 13-16: Acts and Early Church

Bible Study: Acts Chapters 1-4
History: Early Church and Roman Empire
Geography: Middle East and Africa during Roman Times
Narration: Write about the spread of Christianity

Weeks 17-20: Roman Empire Expansion

Bible Study: Acts Chapters 5-8
History: Roman Empire Expansion, Conquests
Geography: Europe and Asia Minor
Narration: Describe a Roman conquest

Weeks 21-24: Paul's Ministry

Bible Study: Acts Chapters 9-12
History: Paul's Ministry, Roman Empire
Geography: Mediterranean Region
Narration: Discuss Paul's missionary journeys

Weeks 25-28: Roman Decline

Bible Study: Acts Chapters 13-16
History: Decline of the Roman Empire
Geography: Europe during Decline
Narration: Explain factors leading to Rome's decline

Weeks 29-32: Book of Romans and Conclusion

Bible Study: Book of Romans
History: Conclusion of Ancient Rome
Geography: Review of Roman Empire Geography
Narration: Reflect on the significance of the Roman Empire in Christian history

Implementation Tips

To effectively implement this curriculum:

Purchase the "Matthew through Acts & Ancient Rome" guide from Simply Charlotte Mason for detailed daily lesson plans.
Set up a Book of Centuries using the provided templates or create your own to track historical events.
Follow the weekly schedule closely, adjusting the pacing as needed to fit into 32 weeks.
Encourage regular narration sessions to enhance comprehension and retention.
Include additional writing projects for older students, such as essays on historical figures or events, to deepen their understanding.

Grading and Credits

Upon completion of the assignments, a 16-year-old student in grades 10-12 can earn 1/2 credit for History/Geography and 1/2 credit for Bible. This structured approach ensures that the student gains a comprehensive understanding of both the historical and spiritual aspects of the curriculum.

Weekly Schedule Table

Day	Activity
Monday	Bible Study (20-30 minutes)
Tuesday	Bible Study (20-30 minutes)
Wednesday	Geography (10-15 minutes), Ancient Rome History (15-20 minutes)
Thursday	Ancient Rome History (20-30 minutes)
Friday	Ancient Rome History (20-30 minutes)

Conclusion

The "Matthew through Acts & Ancient Rome" curriculum from Simply Charlotte Mason provides a comprehensive, structured, and engaging 32-week history program for a 16-year-old boy. By integrating the study of the New Testament with the historical context of Ancient Rome, using the Charlotte Mason approach, this curriculum not only enriches the student's understanding of history and geography but also deepens their spiritual knowledge. The use of living books, narration, and a Book of Centuries ensures an immersive and effective learning experience, tailored to the needs of high school students.