You may have seen my Facebook video yesterday about the new resource I’ve been lucky enough to preview. The Conquest of Mexico is a DVD written by Phillip Campbell and produced by Luke Kuschel. Both gentleman also perform in the DVD. This is part of the Catholic History Series by Homeschool Connections, a favorite resource of mine.
If you are looking for an inexpensive, supplemental resource for teaching about the history of the settling of North America or the history of Catholicism in North America or ancient cultures then this is for you. Even if you aren’t teaching any of those things but want a worthwhile DVD to share with the kids during a rough homeschool afternoon to break up the crazy then this is for you as well.
The DVD is about 40 minutes long but it is broken up into chapters so that you needn’t sit for that long if time is a factor. I do wish the chapters were listed on the cover or the label but they are on the menu screen so that is helpful.
The VD covers the journey of Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortez and how he lead a realtively small band of soldiers against the Aztec Empire and won thereby ending the horrifying practice of human sacrifice and paving the way for the Franciscans to settle there and bring them all into communion with the One True Faith.
I’ve been a fan of Mr. Campbell’s work for years because of his passion for the subject matter and his use of primary sources in his writing. Intertwined in his storytelling are readings from such sources as well as some live action and colorful images depicting the landscape and people involved. It’s an energetic presentation that will capture even your most reluctant history student (a car blows up).
My children, along with hundreds of others, have always loved Mr. Campbell’s classes at Homeschool Connections because he is a lively presenter who works hard to convey his passion for history to the student. The DVD is no exception and in classic Campbell fashion he will have your middle schoolers and any adults in the room laughing out loud while learning. I was also delighted to finally learn the correct pronunciation of the various Mexican and Aztec words I have been stumbling through for the last fifteen or so years. Tenochtitlan anyone? My kids started to remember my various pronunciations and had a good old laugh at my expense, thankyouverymuchPhil.
One caution; since it is the Aztec Empire being discussed the subject of human sacrifice comes up and is depicted. It’s not particularly scary or gruesome (my eight year-old was fine with it) but a sensitive child might be disturbed, so preview first and use your own judgement. My children have been raised on a steady diet of Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and a variety of war movies so it was not a big deal here. (Blame their father).
I always find it helpful to break up text work with supplements that are both engaging and worthwhile, I’m happy to day that Conquest of Mexico is just such a resource. It’s available for purchase from Cruachan Press here for $19.95 plus shipping.
Note: I was given the DVD free of charge to review but the opinion is my own and I was not otherwise compensated for my review.
Another Note: Buy it and support Catholic historians.
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