At Compass Classroom, we’ve worked hard to craft what we believe is the best world history curriculum for homeschool families seeking a rich and meaningful education. Our Modernity course spans the late 17th to 20th centuries, bringing history to life through Dave Raymond’s expert storytelling and a focus on understanding rather than rote memorization.

Rooted in a Christian worldview, this curriculum fosters critical thinking and equips students to thoughtfully assess historical events. With access to engaging video lectures, comprehensive resources, and interactive projects, your students will embark on an unforgettable journey through modern history.

If you are a Compass Membership subscriber, you’ll have unlimited access to Modernity as well as over 1,500 instructional videos, dozens of digital books, and other educational resources. There are different Membership plans to meet your family’s needs. Facilitators answers student questions, provide Zoom discussion of lesson content, give assistance with projects & portfolios, and—if the grading level is chosen—maintain student grades. Our approach blends flexible course with interactive resources to help your learner excel. 

Overview and Structure

The Modernity | World History program is designed for students age 13 and up, offering a thorough exploration of history from the late 1600s through the 20th century. This course includes 27 detailed lessons, comprising over 47 hours of video lectures that are as engaging as they are educational.

Each lesson is carefully structured to integrate a Christian perspective, helping students connect historical events with biblical truths.

Our approach to teaching history makes it easy and enjoyable for parents to walk through the curriculum in an organized and accessible way. This is because each lesson of Modernity contains a guiding principle. Indeed, the entire course can be connected, principle by principle, creating the overall picture of modern world history. It’s like a “cheat code” for the course, allowing parents to cultivate conversation with their student, without being an expert or actually completing the course on their own.

The course structure is built to promote deep understanding, consisting of 27 lessons with approximately 5, 15-25 minute lectures each. We recommend a pace of 3 lectures per week for an immersive learning experience. Lesson planning includes weekly exams, quarterly hands-on projects, and a portfolio that stimulates creativity like a unit-based scrapbook.

Our teaching methodology encourages students to hone their note-taking skills through observation and practice, using an extensive 300-page reader as a reliable reference. Student assessments are thorough, ensuring comprehension and retention of material.

Interactive activities like the portfolio and projects are also woven into the course, fostering a more engaging and collaborative learning environment. We believe in the power of a well-rounded education that promotes curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

The projects encourage students to engage deeply with history by connecting it to their own interests. Students will develop practical skills like research, writing, public speaking, and craftsmanship. Here are the Modernity projects that increase historical understanding.

1. Reformational Imitation Project: Students recreate or imitate works from 17th-18th century masters, such as Vermeer’s paintings, Bach’s compositions, or Newton’s inventions, emphasizing craftsmanship and historical accuracy.
2. Speech on Tradition: A persuasive speech defending the value of tradition using ethos, pathos, and logos, encouraging students to articulate the importance of cultural and historical continuity.
3. Thesis Paper: A research-based essay on a modern history topic of the student’s choice, teaching academic writing, argumentation, and analysis.
4. Hour Project: A capstone project requiring 30-40 hours to create something meaningful that connects to modern history, such as documentaries, art, woodworking, or historical reenactments. This project emphasizes craftsmanship, personal interest, and lasting value.

We recommend pacing the course at three lectures per week, allowing students to immerse themselves in the material while retaining flexibility for other studies. The modules also incorporates interactive activities that foster collaboration and creativity, ensuring that learning extends beyond the screen or notebook.

Educational Philosophy

At Compass Classroom, we believe that history is more than names and dates—it’s a story. And like all great stories, it’s meant to be told in a way that captivates the heart and mind. Our Modernity course embodies this philosophy by weaving together historical narratives with a Christian worldview, encouraging students not only to learn but also to think critically about what they learn.

This approach means presenting both secular perspectives and biblical truths side by side. Students are challenged to discern, evaluate, and uncover truth for themselves—a skill that will serve them well beyond their homeschooling years.

By engaging with the stories of real people who lived through pivotal moments in history, students develop empathy, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of how past events shape our present.

We also emphasize moving beyond memorization. Instead of simply recalling facts, students explore the causes, consequences, and lessons of historical events. This method nurtures active engagement with the material while fostering a genuine love of learning.

Meet Your Instructor: Dave Raymond

Dave Raymond brings over two decades of teaching experience to his lectures, making him uniquely equipped to guide your family through this course of study. His teaching style combines historical storytelling with innovative methods that keep students engaged from start to finish.

Dave doesn’t just teach history—he brings it to life. His lessons are filled with drama, triumphs, tragedies, and moments of profound significance that make history feel relatable and real. By focusing on the people behind the events—their struggles, decisions, and faith—Dave creates an emotional connection that helps students retain what they’ve learned.

What sets Dave apart is his ability to integrate biblical principles seamlessly into his teaching. Students gain a fresh perspective on world history while learning how Christian ideas have influenced cultures and events throughout time. With Dave as your guide, you can be confident that your child’s education will be both enriching and inspiring.

Listen to instructor Dave Raymond explain how his series works:

Compass Membership Benefits

Our Modernity course is only one part of what makes Compass Classroom special. With our Compass Membership, you’ll gain access to an extensive library of resources designed to enhance your homeschooling experience:

• Over 30 streaming courses (including Modernity) and more than 1,500 instructional videos.
• A digital library filled with books, guides, and primary source materials.
• Live facilitation and grading options for personalized learning support.

The Membership also offers unparalleled flexibility. We understand that every family is unique; some students thrive with hands-on projects while others prefer independent study. Our resources accommodate various learning styles so you can tailor your child’s education to fit his or her needs.

Interactive projects are another hallmark of our program. These activities encourage creativity while reinforcing academic concepts—whether it’s building a timeline scrapbook or analyzing primary sources in depth.

We value student feedback, and continually refine our offerings based on it. This feedback-driven approach guarantees our courses meet and exceed expectations, leading to improved learning outcomes. Our Compass Membership is more than just access to materials—it’s a ticket to a thorough, engaging, and flexible homeschooling journey.

Why Study History?

History isn’t just about understanding the past—it’s about equipping students for the future. Incorporating world history into your homeschool program offers numerous benefits:

• Develop Critical Thinking: Analyzing historical events teaches students how to evaluate situations from multiple perspectives.
• Understand Cultural Contexts: Learning about diverse societies fosters empathy and cultural understanding.
• Recognize Patterns: Studying history helps students identify recurring themes that inform present-day decisions.

When choosing a history course, consider these key factors:

1. Educational Philosophy

Decide whether you prefer a secular or faith-based approach. At Compass Classroom, we integrate biblical truths into our teaching while respecting diverse viewpoints.

Choose the teaching methodology that aligns best with your family’s unique learning style and educational goal, whether that is Classical, Charlotte Mason, Unit Studies, or something else.

2. Learning Style Compatibility

For visual learners, it’s essential to find a plan that immerses the student in a world of captivating images, detailed maps, and engaging videos. If your child is an auditory learner, look for programs that offer insightful lectures, enriching audiobooks, or stimulating discussions. And for kinesthetic learners who thrive on hands-on experiences, seek out activities that encourage active participation through projects and interactive lessons. We build our courses to capture the imagination of every type of learner.

3. Depth and Scope

Immerse your students in a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of historical events and cultures from around the world with our expertly crafted material. Our materials are designed to be adjustable as well as grade- and age-appropriate in order to align with your child’s educational needs.

4. Flexibility

Choose a guide that offers a personalized approach, allowing you to tailor your child’s education to his or her unique interests and learning pace. Some programs seamlessly blend historical narratives with literature, geography, and art, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected knowledge for your students. The Modernity course allows you to adapt its structure to fit your family’s schedule while maintaining academic rigor.

Additional Learning Resources

We offer a large number of additional learning resources to further enrich your homeschooling journey. These resources aim to enhance interactive projects, clarify historical narratives, strengthen critical thinking, and inspire creative expression.

These resources encourage students to take ownership of their education by exploring topics that interest them most. From crafting timelines to analyzing speeches or letters from pivotal moments in history, there’s no shortage of ways for your student to engage deeply with the material. Dave believes that creating something memorable and meaningful helps students internalize historical ideas while cultivating a sense of accomplishment and mastery.

For instance, we have a fascinating array of historical narrative resources, from primary source documents to engaging biographies of famous and not-so-well-known historical characters. These resources help students develop a nuanced understanding of historical events and figures, while nurturing their critical thinking skills.

Choosing the right program is an important decision—one that shapes not only what your children learn but how they view the world around them. With Modernity, you’re not just teaching history; you’re cultivating wisdom, discernment, and a lifelong love of learning. Let us help you make this journey unforgettable!