This guide helps you find the right homeschool history curriculum by exploring different teaching approaches, worldviews, and tips for making learning engaging. You’ll also learn how to teach multiple ages together and handle tough topics.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. The average homeschooling family spends between $700 and $1,800 per child per year on curriculum and materials, though costs can range from nearly free using library and online resources to several thousand dollars with premium curricula and extracurriculars (HSLDA, 2023).
How history teaching approaches differ
Before you pick a history curriculum, it’s good to know there are different ways to teach history. Each program is based on unique ideas about how kids should learn. Understanding your own preferences can help narrow your choices.
Classical/Chronological: This approach covers world history in a four-year cycle: Ancient (5000 BC-AD 400), Medieval (400-1600), Early Modern (1600-1850), and Modern (1850-present). Students go through it three times—grammar stage (elementary), logic stage (middle school), and rhetoric stage (high school)—with more depth each time. Popular curriculums include Story of the World, Mystery of History, and Tapestry of Grace.
Charlotte Mason/Living Books: This method skips textbooks in favor of narrative history by passionate authors. Kids read biographies, historical fiction, and primary sources. They show understanding by retelling stories instead of filling out worksheets. This method sparks genuine interest but needs more parent involvement.
Traditional/Textbook: This style uses structured chapters with comprehension questions and tests. It provides clear benchmarks and needs less prep from parents, but it can feel boring. Abeka and BJU Press are examples.
Unit Study: This method mixes history with other subjects. For example, when studying Ancient Egypt, students might also do art projects, read myths, and explore math related to pyramids. Tapestry of Grace and KONOS use this approach a lot.
The worldview question: Secular vs. faith-based
History curriculum often shows the author’s worldview. Unlike math, history is about interpretation. What events matter? Whose perspective is highlighted?
Faith-based curricula (like Mystery of History, Notgrass, and Veritas Press) blend biblical history with secular events. They often show God’s influence in human events, which can be great for Christian families. However, some critics feel these programs downplay non-Christian contributions or give a sanitized view of church history.
Secular curricula (like BookShark, History Quest, and Build Your Library) present history without religious angles. This means mythology is treated as mythology, and biblical stories are only included if they can be historically verified. Some Christian families prefer this approach and discuss faith separately.
Neutral options like Story of the World present religious beliefs factually without endorsement. Susan Wise Bauer aimed for balance, but some families might find it lacking. Ultimately, choose what fits your family’s values.
Story of the world: The elephant in the room
Story of the World (SOTW) is a top choice in homeschool history. This four-volume series covers world history chronologically and is written engagingly. It works for both read-aloud sessions with young kids and independent reading for older students.
Why it’s popular: The writing really grabs kids. One parent said they read three chapters past bedtime because her son couldn’t get enough. The companion Activity Books offer maps, coloring pages, and project ideas that can last for years. A strong secondhand market keeps costs low.
Limitations: The activity guides haven’t been updated in years. Volume 4 dives into tough events like the World Wars and may be too intense for younger kids. The end-of-chapter questions can be tricky. While it suits elementary and middle school, high schoolers might need something deeper.
How families use it: Most don’t finish every activity. They pick maps and one or two projects per chapter and supplement with library books. The audiobook version read by Jim Weiss is perfect for car rides and reluctant readers.
Cost: Individual volumes cost $15-20 each. Activity Books add $30-40 per volume. A full set ranges from $180-250 new or $80-120 used.
Other top history curriculum options
Mystery of History covers world history similarly to SOTW but from a Christian viewpoint. It connects biblical events with secular history and offers activities for different learning levels. Many parents swear by it, but some find Volume 4 intense and high schoolers need more depth.
Notgrass History offers courses that integrate history, Bible, and literature in one package. The "Exploring" series is great for middle and high school and earns multiple credits. The writing is top-notch, and they have solid customer service. It's pricier but includes literature.
Beautiful Feet Books provides study guides based on living books. You buy the guide and find the books, often at the library. This approach works well for families who love literature.
Sonlight offers a mix of history, Bible, and literature with detailed guides. The read-aloud focus makes teaching simpler, and the quality is great. Prices range from $300-500, but you can reuse materials for multiple kids.
BookShark is Sonlight’s secular counterpart. They use a similar literature-based method without religious content. Families love the quality and the instructor guides that cut prep time.
History Quest, published by Pandia Press, combines engaging narratives with hands-on activities. Their secular approach and rich activities appeal to families seeking something more interactive.
Teaching multiple ages together
One of the best parts of homeschooling history is you can teach all ages together. Unlike math, where kids are at different levels, history can be adjusted for everyone.
Basic strategy: Everyone studies the same time period. Younger kids listen to read-alouds, color maps, and do simple projects. Middle schoolers read independently and tackle more complex tasks. High schoolers dive into primary sources and write analytical essays.
Curricula for this: Tapestry of Grace organizes lessons for four age levels. Mystery of History offers activities for various grades. Simply Charlotte Mason has a six-year cycle for grades 1-12. My Father’s World combines students through its "Adventures" and "Explorations" levels.
Making it work: Read the main text aloud or use audiobooks so everyone shares the story. Then, adjust follow-up tasks: the youngest might color a page, the middle child writes a summary, and the oldest researches a related topic. It’s all about shared content with different outputs.
One mom of five does history during lunch—everyone eats while she reads, and older kids do independent work while she engages younger ones. Over 19 years, the same Story of the World volumes worked for all her kids.
American history vs. world history: When and how
Families often debate whether to start with American or world history. The answer hinges on your state’s requirements and your educational philosophy.
Classical approach: This covers world history in elementary and middle school, then dives into American history in high school. That’s when students can analyze founding documents and social movements.
State requirements vary. Some states require American history in certain grades. Check your state's homeschool rules before committing to a multi-year world history plan that might miss important content.
American history options: Notgrass has "Exploring America" for high school. All American History (Bright Ideas Press) works for middle to high school. Beautiful Feet and Sonlight also have American History guides.
Balanced approach: Many families weave American history into world history, like studying Colonial America during Early Modern studies. This keeps American history connected to the global story.
For high school: A focus on American history with primary source analysis prepares students for college-level history and standardized tests. AP U.S. History or CLEP exam prep adds rigor for college-bound students.
Making history engaging for reluctant learners
Some kids love history; others dread it. If your child isn’t interested, the curriculum might be the issue—or the way it’s taught.
Try audiobooks: Jim Weiss narrates Story of the World beautifully. Listening during car rides or chores makes history less school-like. Many kids who resist reading history will happily listen for hours.
Emphasize hands-on activities: History Quest and Layers of Learning include projects in their core. Even basic curricula can be more engaging with timelines, maps, or crafts tied to each period. One child went from hating history to loving it after a hands-on shift.
Follow rabbit trails: If a topic grabs your child—like Ancient Egypt or a famous explorer—spend extra time there. It’s about fostering curiosity, not just checking off boxes. A kid obsessed with castles will remember more than one who rushes through a curriculum.
Use documentaries and movies: Visual content can bring history to life. Liberty’s Kids covers the American Revolution, while Horrible Histories is fun for younger kids. Just preview content for age-appropriateness.
Connect with field trips: Local historical sites and living history museums make history real. A child who walks through a Civil War battlefield understands that period differently than one who only reads about it.
Handling difficult historical topics
History includes tough subjects like genocide and slavery. Parents often wonder how to approach these topics with kids.
For younger children: Focus on personal stories instead of overwhelming facts. A second-grader can understand Indigenous people being forced from their homes without graphic details. Books like the "Who Was...?" series make heavy topics easier to digest.
Build context before brutality: When teaching about slavery, start with the rich cultures of African kingdoms before discussing the Atlantic slave trade. Balance hard truths with stories of resilience to avoid painting entire groups as just victims.
Don’t dump everything at once: Topics like the Holocaust and 9/11 need careful pacing. Cover essential facts and give time to process. Middle schoolers can handle more complexity than younger kids.
Be honest about history: Sanitizing American history does kids a disservice. They’ll learn about slavery and Indigenous peoples eventually—better to get it right at home than find gaps in school.
Volume 4 of many curricula covers modern history, including wars and conflicts. Many families save this for older elementary or middle schoolers, completing earlier volumes first.
Free and low-cost history resources
Consider these resources to supplement your curriculum:
- Library books: The best supplement! Ask for picture books, biographies, and historical fiction related to your current study.
- AmblesideOnline: A free Charlotte Mason curriculum with detailed history book lists.
- Khan Academy: Offers free video lessons on world and U.S. history.
- OER Project: Free high school curriculum with multimedia resources.
- YouTube documentaries: Channels like Crash Course History and Horrible Histories are educational and fun.
- Home School in the Woods: Offers timeline figures and printable resources at reasonable prices.
The bottom line
Choosing a history curriculum is significant because it shapes how kids understand the human story. But research shows that kids do well across various curricula when parents stay engaged.
Whether you read Story of the World at lunch or use Mystery of History with activities, what matters is regular exposure to history, discussions, and room to explore interests. If your child loves Ancient Egypt, spend extra time there, even if it means less on Mesopotamia. Depth is more important than just covering everything.
Pick a curriculum that fits your teaching style, budget, and values. Give it a real try, adjust if needed, and remember: the goal is to help kids understand how people have lived and connected through time. Any curriculum can achieve this if used well.
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