The Story of the World 1 Activity book open to show instructional pages. The left page has the title “Chapter 36, The First Roman Prince” at the top with text below and the following sections; Encyclopedia Cross-References, Review Questions, Narration Exercise, Additional History Reading, Corresponding Literature Suggestions, and Map Work. Sections continue on the right page, including; Coloring Page and Projects.
The Story of the World 1 Activity book open to show inside pages. The left page is blank, but you can see through to a black and white coloring page of Julius Ca¬esar on the other side. The right page shows a black and white map of northern Africa up to southern Europe and is titled “Chapter 36, The First Roman Prince.”
The Story of the World 1 Activity book open to show inside pages. The left page is blank, but you can see through to a black and white coloring page of Cyrus the Great on the other side. The right page shows a pathway game board. The path is white and gray alternating squares with instructions. The title in the middle reads “Conquer Mesopotamia.”
The Story of the World 1 Activity book open to show instructional pages. The left page has the title “Chapter 24, The Wars of the Greeks” at the top with text below and the following sections; Encyclopedia Cross-References, Review Questions, Narration Exercise, and Review Questions. Sections continue on the right page, including; Narration Exercise, Additional History Reading, Corresponding Literature Suggestions, and Map Work.

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The Story of the World 1 Expanded Edition Student + Teacher Set

The Story of the World 1 Expanded Edition Student + Teacher Set

A hands-on companion packed with maps, crafts, questions, and reading lists to help kids dig deeper and bring The Story of the World to life.

$49

Quantity:

Ages6-9
Grades1st-4th
AvailabilityUsually Ships in 1-3 Days
Product Code181-301eb
You'll earn 49 Doodle Dollar points!
Consumable

Consumable

In a Curriculum Kit

In a Curriculum Kit

Multiple Grades

Multiple Grades

Nonreligious

Nonreligious

Included in this Curriculum Kit
2025 First-Grade Curriculum Kit

2025 First-Grade Curriculum Kit

Product Info
Learn More About This Product!

Please note: This Expanded 25th Anniversary Edition includes new chapters, biographies, illustrations and maps, and even updated text. All of these exciting updates render it incompatible with any previous text editions and supplemental products. Please see the FAQ section below for additional update information.

The Story of the World 1 Student + Teacher Set

Step into a world of pyramids, palaces, sneaky spiders, and six-year-old emperors with The Story of the World Volume 1 Student Workbook and Instructor Guide—the unforgettable sidekicks to your family's history adventure.

Spanning from 5000 BC to 400 AD, Volume 1 of Susan Wise Bauer's beloved four-part series takes curious kids (and their equally curious parents) on a globe-trotting journey through the earliest nomads, mighty Egyptian pharaohs, Greek gods, Chinese emperors, and Roman rulers—all told in a way that feels more like a bedtime story than a dusty old textbook.

Turn your history lessons into a full-on experience.


The Story of the World 1 Student Workbook
Inside, you'll find:
  • Dedicated student pages
  • Puzzles, game boards, craft templates, and other interactive activity pages
  • Suggested memory work activities
  • Map exercises to teach the geography of our world
  • New coloring pages

The Story of the World 1 Instructor Guide (formerly the front half of the Activity Book)
Inside, you'll find:
  • Easier planning: Now fully organized into lessons.
  • Parent scripts for narration, review, and mapping exercises.
  • Sample answers for narration prompts and review questions.
  • Updated and expanded reading recommendation lists, combining the best of the classics with the best of what's been published in the past 25 years.
  • 40+ brand-new activities.
  • Specially-designed group activities.
  • Cross-curricular challenges connecting history to science, math, writing, and more.
  • Suggested memory work and field trip ideas.
  • Low-prep, no-prep, and movement activities.
Your kids won't just learn history—they'll live it (minus the plagues and invading armies).

So if you're ready to turn your home into a time machine, The Story of the World Volume 1 Student Workbook is your boarding pass. Whether you're meeting Hammurabi, discovering the secret of Shi Huangdi's tomb, or rooting for Anansi the Spider, this is history with a heartbeat.

Let the ancient adventures begin!

About The Story of the World Series
History That Reads Like an Adventure Book!

Tired of history that feels more like a list of dates than an epic tale? Then you're ready for The Story of the World—a wildly engaging, story-driven history curriculum that brings the past to life with dragons, emperors, explorers, and the occasional pie fight (seriously).

This four-volume series by Susan Wise Bauer turns world history into a captivating read-aloud (or read-alone!) journey from ancient times to the modern age, all told in a way that actually makes sense to kids. Think of it as your child's personal time machine—minus the jet lag.

What You'll Explore

Volume 1: Ancient Times
From pyramids and pharaohs to the last Roman emperor—travel back to the very beginning!

Volume 2: The Middle Ages
Castles, crusaders, and chocolate (yes, really). From the fall of Rome to the start of the Renaissance.

Volume 3: Early Modern Times
Queen Elizabeth I, samurai battles, and the invention of potato chips (okay, almost). All the excitement from the 1500s to the Gold Rush.

Volume 4: The Modern Age
From railroads to revolutions, you'll tour the globe and wrap up with the 20th century's biggest moments.

Each volume is built to flex with your family—Volume 1 is great for curious kids in grades 1–6, while Volume 4 ramps things up for older students, typically grades 4–8, with topics that carry a little more weight.

The series isn't faith-based, but it does introduce major figures from many world religions. If your family prefers to skip a few activities here and there, no problem—there are more than enough to choose from. And when the biblical details feel a bit light? That's your cue to jump in and share more of God's story, making the lesson even richer and more personal.

How It Works

  • Read the story aloud (or let your child read it himself).
  • Use the companion activity book to color maps, do hands-on crafts, answer questions, and dive into extra reading.
  • Prefer to listen? The audio version is perfect for car rides or quiet time.
  • Want to quiz your brain? Test books are optional but great for check-ins!
Why Families Love It
  • Chronological structure helps kids make connections and see the big picture
  • Multicultural stories from all over the world
    Hands-on activities bring history to life (build a Roman road or try Egyptian mummification—no human organs involved)
  • Flexible format works for different ages and learning styles
  • Sparks imagination while building real historical understanding

Whether your child is a castle-loving knight, an explorer in disguise, or just someone who thinks history should be more fun, The Story of the World turns the past into his new favorite subject.
Explore the Curriculum
Explore the Curriculum

See some sample pages from the new Instructor Guide

View PDF