What is Living History?

Living History is a story-rich history curriculum for grades 1-6. It incorporates church history, Anabaptist history, world history, United States history, and geography from the earliest grades. Developed by Faith Builders Resource Group for Anabaptist schools, Living History cultivates an orientation toward service and prioritizes academic rigor, student engagement, and ease of use.

Living History is divided into Living History Threads for grades 1-4 and Living History Weavings for grades 5 and 6. Expand the section below to compare their key features, or use the buttons to navigate to dedicated pages for Threads and Weavings.

Learn More ABout Threads! Learn more About Weavings!

Compare Threads and Weavings

Living History Threads

Grade Level

Grades 1-4

Content

Comprehensive overview of key historical knowledge, including world history, American history, church history, Anabaptist history, and geography.

Teaching methods

Read-aloud stories are the primary means of content delivery.

Student engagement is achieved through oral discussion, recitation of key facts, and map work. Tests are included for assessment in grades 3 and 4.

Maps and timelines anchor historical content in time and place.

Living History Weavings

Grade Level

Grades 5-6

Content

Focused study of three non-Western world regions per year, including history, geography, culture, and the story of Christianity in the region.

Study of two biographies per year offers a unique way to engage with different historical eras, people, and regions.

Teaching Methods

Informative and formative stories, read by both teachers and students, are an important form of content delivery.

Direct instruction, atlas work, and student projects round out the learning experience to offer age-appropriate rigor.

PowerPoint slides provide picture-rich content to engage students and deepen understanding.

Each unit is built around a student portfolio in which students interact with lesson materials.

Each unit includes a unit project which broadens or deepens student learning.

Significant engagement with maps and timelines orients studies in place and time.

Distinctive Characteristics

Stories capture students’ imaginations, increasing retention and forming values.
Timelines and maps anchor students’ understanding of historical context.
Picture-rich presentations enhance student engagement.
Church history is studied alongside other strands of history.

Core Commitments

We believe with confidence that God holds the ultimate power in history, and we place our trust in God to achieve His goals in the world.
Our identity is found in our allegiance to the kingdom of God, not to earthly political powers.
We believe many history texts wrongly glorify those who conquered through violence and political power, while neglecting to tell of those who lived and died for God’s kingdom.
We believe a proper understanding of history helps students develop into world Christians with an interest in what God is doing around the globe and a desire to participate in the Great Commission
We believe that history presented in story form captures students’ attention and serves as a powerful tool in developing identity, values, and vision.

Objectives and Goals

At all grade levels, Living History aims to impact the whole student, developing the key content, character, and skills necessary to live productively in God’s kingdom. While each grade level has its own benchmarks, the following objectives are common to all levels of Living History.

The student will be able to . . .

Understand that God is in control of history and humanity, and trust in Him.
Recall the stories of the major event and persons from history, including church history.
Recall geographical terms and locations.
Establish connections between events of the past and their own lives.
Enjoy the study of history and be enriched by heroes of the past who served God.