Embark on an exciting middle school homeschool history curriculum adventure with BookShark’s comprehensive study of the Eastern Hemisphere. This engaging program takes students on a cross-continental journey through China, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica. Explore the diverse cultures and histories of regions often mentioned in the news, yet rarely studied in-depth, including Japan, India, Afghanistan, and more.

What’s Included in the Homeschool Curriculum?

The Instructor's Guide is your key to delivering this immersive middle school homeschool history curriculum with ease. Here are some of the features:

• 36-Week, 4-Day Schedule – Structured to allow flexibility for co-ops, music lessons, sports, field trips, and other extracurricular activities.
• Colorful Map Answer Keys – Visual tools to enhance learning and help students connect geography to history.
• Discussion Questions & Answers – Foster deeper understanding through thoughtful questions and detailed answers.
• Background Notes – Helpful insights to maximize the effectiveness of your homeschool teaching time.

Virtual Support for an Enhanced Learning Experience

Our optional virtual platform enhances the homeschool curriculum by providing students with access to reading schedules, assessments, and instant auto-grading results. Parents can track and review student work, customize assessments, and communicate directly with students via computer or mobile device. Virtual courses must be started within 6 months of purchase, with a full 12-month window to complete the course.

History & Geography: Eastern Hemisphere Focus

This year’s study is centered on understanding the rich history and geography of the Eastern Hemisphere. As students explore countries with diverse economic histories and cultures, they will also be introduced to basic economics with the book Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?, which simplifies complex concepts for younger learners. Timeline figures and maps will help bring all the learning together.

The history centerpiece of the curriculum is the book Journey to the Eastern Hemisphere, a captivating collection of articles and photos about various countries and regions, including:

• China
• Korea
• Japan
• Russia
• Southeast Asia
• Vietnam
• India
• The Middle East
• Israel
• Saudi Arabia
• Africa
• The Pacific Islands
• New Zealand
• Australia
• Antarctica

Read-Alouds and Immersive Adventures

Sharing read-alouds is a wonderful way to engage students in the rich cultural experiences found in the Eastern Hemisphere. These stories offer insight into the lives of people from various regions, making distant places feel familiar and relatable. Some of the exciting read-alouds include:

• The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis – A marvelous tale from the world of Narnia.
• Marjan’s Story – A brave Persian girl risks her life to collect stories for the Sultan’s wife.
• Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes – The inspiring story of a young girl in Japan, with a hands-on activity to make authentic Japanese origami.

Required Resources to Enrich Your Learning

This middle school homeschool history curriculum includes essential resources that will make your learning experience even richer:

• The Timeline Book – Keep track of historical events with this essential timeline resource.
• The Markable Map – Visualize geography and historical events with this interactive map.

If you already own these items, simply use the Customize tab to adjust your order.

Explore the Eastern Hemisphere with BookShark

BookShark’s homeschool curriculum offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into the history, cultures, and geography of the Eastern Hemisphere. This cross-continental adventure will help your child gain a broader, more nuanced understanding of the world we live in today.