I just received my order from Book CloseOuts and in it was the textbook that I plan to use for our World History/Geography study in 9th grade. I am switching over to textbooks for high school - it's just easier and good prep for college!

Glencoe World History - Modern Times

2003 Edition

$44.99 at Book Closeouts (retail is around $90)

Click on this link to order today! Email me your order confirmation and be entered into the February drawing for a $20 BCO coupon! There are only ** 7 ** copies left!

This book is by Spielvogel, a good name in the textbook industry and published in cooperation with National Geographic.

It looks like it will make for a great overall study of World History. There is a HUGE Map section in the front followed by a few more pages on the topic of geography. Then each Unit begins with a brief overview and is then broken down into chapters. At the front of each chapter is a Key Events and The Impact Today as well a timeline and a Chapter Preview. Then the chapters are broken down into Sections and at the beginning of each section is a Guide to Reading which clues the student into what information they need to be gleaning from there readings:

Main Ideas

Vocabulary/Key Terms

People to Identify

Places to Locate

Preview Questions

Reading strategy (gives an aid to help the student read and gather information better)

Preview of Events/Timeline.

In each Section, there are so many great tools for the student to use to learn the material ... Reading Checks (basically, answering questions about what you read - I'd use these for Section Test questions!), Geography Skills (questions to sharpen their ability to read/use maps, Critical Thinking Skillbuilders (a good way to introduce some Logic without using a formal program),  Connections: Past to Present,  and more! At the end of the Section, there is an Assessment part which the parent could use as Test.

Then at the end of each Chapter, there is an Assessment and Activities section which could be used as a Chapter Test and also for the parent to assign projects, writing, map work, etc. during the Chapter study. There is also a block that gives tips on Standardized Test Practice - good info for someone gearing up to take the ACT's or SAT's.

One other great thing about this book is that there are online games and quizzes available to the teacher or student! Just go to wh.mt.glencoe.com and click on your state and 2003 to see what is offered. The book I received DOES NOT have a specific state designation written on the front cover. There is a teacher's edition available which I will probably purchase, but I couldn't pass up the savings to go ahead and buy this from Book CloseOuts now!

... Kris ...