3rd Grade Curriculum Picks for the 2024-2025 School Year | Secular Homeschool Resources

[@lebradford07]

We are secular and have been using Story of the World too. While it isn't perfect, I think it is the best elementary world history option! It is written in a really engaging and approachable way.

[@EclecticHomeschoolShelf]

@@lebradford07 I do really like the way it's written! I think it's the easiest program (of the ones I've looked at) to level up for older students.

[@tahirasbs]

Look into Children's History of the world book. We loved it!!!

[@Cierva48]

Blossom and Root has released v1&2 of River of Voices, which is sort of a secular exploration of US history from many perspectives, and is more progressive. I know better than to plan too far ahead, but im hoping to be able to combine RoV and HQ when we get there since Build Your Library turned my STEAM kid into a history lover.

[@YasminB-u9d]

I crossed Curiosity Chronicles off the list almost immediately after glancing through it because the dialogue style made ME crazy. I also crossed off The History of US because of its use of the second person point of view.

[@EclecticHomeschoolShelf]

History is hard! There just aren't enough secular options, imo.

[@MrsPerdueArt]

Great choices!!! Have you looked into Build Your Library? They schedule Story of the World Early Modern for their Level 3- I’ve haven’t used that level yet, but they might add other resources in to round out the perspective of SOTW… her literature and reader choices connect to the history so beautifully, it would be worth checking out either way!! We’re currently using BYL Level 5 and it’s early American History and we love it so much!!! The resources she picks are so diverse and interesting- so in depth!! We’re starting BYL Level 1 which schedules History Quest early times and you’re making me excited for jt!!! 😍 I’ll have to go back and watch your other videos on HQ!!

[@EclecticHomeschoolShelf]

I'll go take a look at BYL's booklist. Thanks!

[@storybookschoolhouse]

Plastic slides is a great idea!

[@EclecticHomeschoolShelf]

@@storybookschoolhouse My kids have loved using them so far!

[@lillahigdon771]

😊

[@simplyjen334]

That is so interesting about your observation with dialog style and SPD....because my son has SPD and also hates listening to heavy dialog.

[@EclecticHomeschoolShelf]

It's not something that's been an issue with our read-alouds (I guess they don't have enough dialogue to be overwhelming), so it took me by surprise. It's nice to know other people have had similar experiences, though!

[@victoriasbooktalks8882]

It is hard to find a progressive history curriculum. I got a good deal for Story of the World (everything) secondhand, so we'll be doing the medieval times this year. We also started doing Mint and Bloom: Power of the People this summer, which we'll continue through the school year. We are a literature based family, so I'm sure I'll add in other inclusive/newer books that go along with the topics that we are discussing.

[@EclecticHomeschoolShelf]

@victoriasbooktalks8882 I've heard good things about Mint and Bloom! I do really like how SOTW is written and how it progresses in difficulty.

[@HeatherDeMeter]

I hadn’t realized that about HQ’s US History… that’s kind of disappointing to me as I had just kind of planned on continuing with it as we moved through each level. 😕 Have you checked out Oh Freedom’s US history curriculum for grades 3-7? It’s one I’ve been considering utilizing as well and it does cover both World Wars. Looking forward to your family subjects vid! 😊

[@EclecticHomeschoolShelf]

Yeah, it's a bummer. Now I'm expecting to be similarly underwhelmed by HQ's Modern History, especially since the Modern History Bridge skips a lot, imo (based on the table of contents, at least). I looked at Oh Freedom (and it looks great), but I really wanted something with a core audiobook. It uses several books as spines, and not all of them have audio versions available (at least at my library--ymmv).

[@EclecticHomeschoolShelf]

Also, family subjects should be up at the end of next week :)