Morbid Curiosities: Part 1 – Cannibalism

January 16, 2025

I originally wrote this unit as a part of a full-year history and literature curriculum for my daughter. After many, many requests, I decided the best way to go about this was to publish it in units rather than a full year level. This unit is all about cannibalism. In fact, it spurred on the Morbid Curiosities project in the first place. How can I turn a weird, silly interest into a workable curriculum?

In this 5-week unit, you will learn the science and history behind cannibalism. This unit does not focus on serial killers (look for that later in the Historical Murderers portion of Morbid Curiosities!) but rather on why any species (including humans) resorts to cannibalism and why or how it could (or could not) benefit them.

You will also read about the terrible decisions and experiences that led to the Donner Party’s disastrous journey and enjoy two literature selections – one that is cannibalism adjacent and one that jumps all into exploring cannibalism in all its forms!

Morbid Curiosities Part 1 – Cannibalism uses four books and covers history, science, and literature. Be aware that this unit covers some disturbing content, and therefore, I recommend this for high school students or ages 15+, but you know your child best. You know your teen best. Use your discretion.

Every Morbid Curiosities unit comes with:

  • a complete reading schedule full of delightfully morbid books
  • discussion questions
  • copywork/dictation taken from the literature
  • links to videos to help expand on content
  • movie and optional book recommendations
  • Writing assignments and activities

Required Books:

Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural HistoryBookshop.org
The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of the Donner PartyBookshop.org
UnwindBookshop.org
American CannibalBookshop.org

As a reminder, if you are going to purchase books, we would greatly appreciate it if you used our provided Amazon or Bookshop Links! Thanks!

Purchase Morbid Curiosities Part 1: Cannibalism – $12.95

 

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Have you been looking for a literature based homeschool curriculum that is secular? How about a way to incorporate narration, copywork, dictation and memory work into your child’s education? Or art study that ties into history?

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