THE STRUGGLE WITH AMERICAN HISTORY HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM | American History Curriculum Choices

The struggle with American history homeschool curriculum is real, y'all! I've finally landed our our American history curriculum choices and am moving forward. Choosing history curriculum was something I feel very particular about for a variety of reasons - but let me make clear that my convictions regarding choices for my family may be different than your own. Choosing homeschool curriculum is such a personal choice for each family. American history homeschooling in my household may be different than yours, but that's the beauty of homeschooling: we each get to do what's best for our individual families. I love sharing my journey and discussing homeschool curriculum choices here, so I hope to have some great discussions with y'all about US history curriculum in the comments! What history curriculum will your family be using next year in your homeschool?
*A History of Us series: amzn.to/3H72TdH
BookShark American History package: www.bookshark.com/american-hi...
(I can't link to the Sonlight option we went with since you have to buy used, older editions to get the plans with A History of Us.)
Stories of Color (one of my favorite resources for book lists): www.storiesofcolor.com/
Ambleside Online Year 3 history: www.amblesideonline.org/ao-y3...
*Get a free trial class with Homeschool Spanish Academy: bit.ly/39WXMzr
Places I shop for discount and secondhand books online:
^ ThriftBooks - Get a free book with $30 purchase: www.thriftbooks.com/share/?co...
^ Book Outlet - $5 off your first purchase of $25+: bookoutlet.com/loyalty/referr...
^ Discover Books - 15% off on 2 or more books: bit.ly/3gJ0j17
*Amazon (I always compare the price for their used book listings): amzn.to/3gEAS0O
*AbeBooks: affiliates.abebooks.com/theho...
Ebay.com
I'm Jess, a homeschool mom raising three awesome girls. I'm a reluctant homeschooler turned full-blown homeschool convert! Now, my girls and I love being a homeschooling family! I've embraced my love for Charlotte Mason and running an eclectic homeschool. I'm so thrilled to be part the homeschool community here on KZbin and enjoy getting to know other homeschoolers. Whether you're a fellow homeschooling mom or are just interested in learning more about home education, I'm so glad you're here! Subscribe to follow along as I share our homeschooling journey and my family's experience living, loving, and learning at home. Introduce yourself in the comments so I can say hello!
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Music: KZbin Music Library
FTC Disclaimer: This video is not sponsored. Links marked with an asterisk (*) are affiliate. That means I get a small commission off any purchases made through those links without any additional cost to the purchaser. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for supporting The Homeschool Convert!
I'm an Usborne Books & More Consultant and would love to help you shop for books! Feel free to reach out to me personally or browse here: b11022.myubam.com/
#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom

[@PenniesAndSalt]

I totally agree about the approach of most history curriculum! I’m a HUGE history person so it’s important to me to keep it truthful and transparent.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

💯

[@FourByTwo]

My 4 high schoolers are using the History of Us books, but we are breaking it up into 2 years, with lots of added videos, books, and activities. Like you, I searched long and hard for a US history curriculum that wasn’t too liberal or too conservative and showed diverse perspectives. It’s been a lot of work for me to build my own curriculum around it, but our first year was AMAZING! Can’t wait to start the second part in the fall ❤️

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

That’s wonderful! What other books and resources did you incorporate? I’m thinking of taking a few years to go through the series with my younger two.

[@kathrynfriedlund3280]

I really appreciate your video! I just found you through a search. I can identify with so much of what you shared here! I had seen the joy hakim series but then read a negative review that made me question it. I didn't know about the sonlight questions! This is really helpful to hear all your thoughts. I too long to combine all my kids in learning but am finding that my high schooler needs a deeper approach. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos!

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

Thank you so much for commenting! I’m so glad you stumbled here! 🥰

[@vickih5405]

Girl!!! Same!! I feel like my expectations for teaching American history are so high and unrealistic. Everything I look at seems to have a point of view or bias that I end up having to teach around. In all sorts of directions. I just want a balanced and academic package.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I hope that changes are made to curricula to reflect this desire that many of us have!

[@gilusoph]

Thank you so much for this video. I have access to a borrowed set of this history series and you saved me a lot of time and money with the idea to get a used edition. Also, thank you for explaining your take on the series. Ive heard mixed reviews.

[@melissalee2286]

Simply Charlotte Mason's Early Modern and Epistles and Modern and Epistles was a great fit for our family when I wanted to combine my children who had a 9 year age gap. My daughter graduated last year, and my youngest son was in the 2nd grade. We used SCM History and it was some of the best parts of our year. It follows 2 spines, one for American History, one for World History, then each form (gtade range) branches off with a variety of lovong books. We loved being able to see what was happening worldwide while America was developing. It really helped us understand the big picture and examine all the moving pieces that led to our nation's growth. Simply Charlotte Mason is often overlooked and highly underrated. It's definitely worth a look for combining your two youngest children in History and in Science. We have thoroughly enjoyed all the living books we've read through their book lists!!

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I did look at SCM! We use some of their other resources. 😁 I just decided to go a different direction.

[@welovebobs]

@melissalee2286 I love the looks of those SCM studies for high school, but I'm Cathy Duffy's review always has me looking elsewhere. She claims the reading would be way too much for anyone to handle. I don't have a voracious reader. Have you used the high school booklist? Do you think it's doable? There are no reviews that I can find. I own America: The Last Best Hope in one volume. I was wondering if I could condense the reading by using that instead of all three volumes seperately...

[@ihomeschoolmyson1810]

Thank you for the honest video. As a Black homeschooler, I'm always apprehensive when watching history choice videos. It can be disappointing when someone you've enjoyed watching on YT chooses something that you know is oppressive and untrue. I've had unfollow several because I know their true feelings about me as a Black person so thank you. I know it can be hard to go against the grain of "old school" homeschool choices. Also, we started using this set of books. You may know this but there are study guides that go with the books. A couple are labeled 5th grade but most are made for middle school. I've found them on Amazon and Ebay.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I hope you always feel welcome here!! ♥️

[@Whatsbrewingwithb]

Would love to hear more on the Ambelside of things. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I plan to share more! Thanks for watching! 😁

[@jessicaloveridge2759]

Thanks for this. I love history and I’ve been struggling myself with finding an American history curriculum that met my high expectations.

[@TheChan7]

This was great. Thanks for sharing. I’m trying to figuring out a more loving book approach for our rising high schooler.

[@EnglishwithGabby]

Love this video! I’m a History and English professor and the Christian History curricula that I’ve seen have been so disappointing for reasons you’ve mentioned. We’ve had to look at secular ones in order to find a more accurate depiction of history. My oldest is going to be in 1st grade so this one is too advanced for him but I’m keeping it in mind for the future, thanks!

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

Thank you! I truly hope that as more people speak out about their disappointments that changes are made.

[@mrs.jaywojo5426]

Have you heard of Generations?

[@PenniesAndSalt]

Biblioplan actually has two different texts, one for elementary-middle and one for high school so you can keep it family style. It might be one to look into for the future. We switched to it this year and I love it. It lays out what each volume covers in regards to high school credits. It also tells you which resources you can pull in if you want and all the book lists.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I did actually look into Biblioplan because I know how much you love it! Ultimately, I just ended up feeling like I needed to slow things down for my younger two, and my teenager needed the traditional one-year course for American history to stay on track with what we have planned. I decided against Biblioplan after I realized family style with all three wasn’t going to be the best choice for us. I liked it in theory, but 2nd to 11th grade is such a huge gap.

[@PenniesAndSalt]

Absolutely! 💜 I think you have a great plan worked out! We did that with science this year.

[@shondam6814]

I agree with the thoughts on Biblioplan. My family has used its elemental/middle school books for ancient and medieval history, and they are phenomenal. Biblioplan shows all human flaws, including those of Christians, and how they affected life at that particular time. I feel like it is a strong Christian curriculum that shows the harshest of truths and also gives a detailed look at other cultures, religions, and ways of life. Unfortunately, I'm having the same struggle with the American history books. I thought it would be great because I have high school and middle schoolers. However, I want an inclusive 1 year course of American history. I appreciate the world history included in Biblioplan because it paints a clearer picture, but I can't do two years of it. And so begins the search.... so far nothing compares to Biblioplan's extensive, historically accurate depictions of American history, but I'm hopeful we will find something that fits!

[@KrysNicholle]

I love you! There's so much I could say, but it would be too much. I love your approach, your love for Christ, and truth, your love for your family.... You are certainly a breath of fresh air 🥹♥️

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

Oh my gosh, you are the sweetest. This touched my heart. 🥹🥰 Truly, thank you so much for the kind encouragement. I really try my hardest to speak truthfully and graciously as I share here. ♥️

[@KrysNicholle]

@@TheHomeschoolConvert you do! & I can tell 🤗♥️

[@tatanatodd7451]

I literally decided to do the exact same thing. I have been so dissappointed at the polarization of the curriculum options. I decided to use Sonlight's old curriculum. I already owned it for my older kids.

[@intentionallymade]

Good choices! The cool thing is that you can use AO upper years books as free reads for your oldest and she can get in those living books along side sonlight. We actually started with sonlight before moving to AO and I still plan to stretch out some of the upper sonlight books in with our AO as the kids get older. I like their science one and church one. Those look good.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

Yes, I will likely do something like this where appropriate!

[@kimberlymantooth7771]

We'll be using Notgrass again. We have enjoyed the curriculum (From Adam to Us) and the suggested reading that you can purchase to use with the curriculum. Wonderful program with a Christ-centered focus. Beautiful image choices, clear information, timeline approach is very helpful in understanding global perspective, and the suggested literature choices are most impactful by adding deeper cultural understanding. We've not yet used the American History curriculum, but it seems to have a similar construct to World History.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

My high schooler did the Notgrass world history this year and seems to have had a good experience. (It was outsourced through a homeschool academy we attend.) We decided to go a different direction for US History though after comparing it to other options.

[@LearningPlantingGrowing]

I too looked forever for a perfect family style curriculum that wasn’t totally whitewashed but also had a Christian influence. I looked at Biblioplan but I really needed it all in a box this year and pulling resources for that was hard. I also didn’t want a textbook. We too landed on Sonlight and did level D as a family which worked for us because my oldest only turned 12 this year. It was amazing and I feel it dished on the important truths and political happenings. We got such an in depth look at the influence of Native Americans I never realized how it fitted beyond like the pilgrim era. We also learned so much about indentured servants, African Americans, the Irish immigrants and many other groups of people who were very mistreated. I learned so much even as a grown up lol. I hope you have a wonderful year! I’ve heard those US history books are really interesting.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I’m so glad you had such a great experience! I’m really hoping what I’ve chosen will be a good fit for each of my kids. I’ll be learning right alongside them, I’m sure!

[@StephanieMT]

Love your shirt And i struggle with all choices like you said in this video

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

Thank you! Glad I’m not alone. Hope you find something that works well for your family.

[@oanhuuchuong2266]

It looks like a journey from pre-history to the 21st century, so I'm excited to read it day by day. In fact, this is the gift for people who love American History. We can travel to the past with so many events and unlimited knowledge of the US History. That's great for us, you know. Let's read these books by your heart.

[@emacarey6910]

My daughter loves history and devours the Who Was Series and has read the Everything You Need to Know Big Fat Notebook for American History. It’s for middle school but She started it in Fifth Grade and finished it earlier this year in 6th grade. We’re a Christian family too but we notice how imbalanced some texts can be so I read from both, but it is unsettling to read texts that gloss over the harder truths. As a mixed culture and ethnic family, my husband and I teach our girls that God covers us all in grace and Truth. Truth isn’t true without grace and Vice versa. The Bible still tells us about King David’s mistakes and flaws without glossing over it so as history students we should seek that kind of balance as well. This was such a helpful video! Thank you for your insight!!! I’ll look to see if you have an resource update too❤

[@spensercasino]

I appreciate you listing some secular resources! Thanks for the review!

[@ginagiberti9283]

Have you looked into Oh Freedom! or Blossom and Root A River of Voices? We're planning to use BYL level 5 & 6 for American History, but not until my kids are in grade 5 and 7.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I did! From what I could tell, there were components in each that we wouldn’t necessarily use, since we lean more Charlotte Mason. I also liked the idea of using A History of US as a spine once I was introduced to it.

[@robbiegleason4462]

OH man I was planning on doing this History 100 from Sonlight with my youngest, in probably 10th grade, still a few years away. My middle son did the Bookshark edition several years ago (through a charter school) and we loved it so much! They removed some of the books too in the new edition - I'll probably find an older, used version when the time comes. The Uncle Eric book about WWII sparked an interest in history for my middle son that he had never had before, and he did a deep dive into WWI, the Korean War, and the Cold War for a history credit in high school. That book isn't in the new version either. I wonder why they changed the program? They usually don't change it up too much unless something goes out of print.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I’m not sure exactly. I don’t like what they replaced it with though. You might keep your eyes out to snag an older edition so you have it ready when you need it.

[@rebekahian]

Would love to hear how you're going to utilize Ambleside with your younger 2!

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I definitely plan to share more!

[@HistoryfortheAges]

I have been a history professor for over 25 years. I have also been so impressed with my students who were homeschooled I shared all my lectures with them. I have taught U.S. History in the past, but my lectures focus on Western Civ and the History of the Middle East. You are welcomed to take a look at my lectures and hopefully find something helpful! It is all free.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

Thanks for sharing!

[@m.appleton9956]

Blossom and Root River of Voices! I think that’s your unicorn.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I did look into it! Just decided to go a different direction.

[@jessicaTX964]

For mine going into 2nd grade we are going to use WinterPromise Hideaways in History. It's a brief one year overview of World History, and one of the big components is building all these forts or "hideaways" based on history. My kid loves that kinda stuff. We'll do 2 years of US History starting in 3rd grade, but haven't decided what yet. Maybe Winter Promise if I like the program we use next year. Maybe Sonlight/Bookshark?? I do like to have some sort of notebooking component and that's where I feel like Sonlight lacks.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I hope it works well for y’all and that you have a great year! 😁

[@hannahwyatt2756]

History is tough! I love your choices, though. I'm thinking about switching completely over to a Charlotte Mason curriculum. I'm leaning towards A Gentle Feast. I'm nervous but what we are doing now isn't working!

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I looked at AGF! There were going to be a lot of repeats for us though, so I’d be paying for it just to substitute a lot of things, so doing Ambleside and making adjustments since it’s free ended up being our best option.

[@hannahwyatt2756]

@The Homeschool Convert that makes sense! I'm loving your content

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

Thank you! I'm so happy to hear that! :)

[@lisasteven2007]

I feel like you read my mind. The rabbit holes and the unicorn curriculum....it's a LOT for Middle School/High School. I feel the same about Science.

[@arikaporche]

Can you share how you are keeping track of highschool credits?

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I'll add it to my list! One of the simple things I do is I just use the notes app on my phone, and I have all the years of high school listed with the credits planned for each year. It's simple but great for quick referencing.

[@gea643]

Since this video is a year old, what are your current thoughts on A History of US? Were there any major issues or would you still recommend it as a spine? Your original reasons for using it are in line with what I’m looking for. I’m just making sure you still feel the same way about these books. Thanks!

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I’m definitely happy with our choice to use it! I feel like using the old Sonlight guide alongside it worked well.

[@gea643]

@@TheHomeschoolConvert I think I’ll go with that then. Thanks so much for responding!

[@kathrynfriedlund3280]

I had considered Paul johnson a history of the American people as a reading source, i’m curious if you have looked into that one 😊

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I don’t think I have! So many books, so little time. 😂

[@StephanieMT]

Guest hollow has american history highschool and will be releasing elementary next year. Its a schedule and book list but you don't have to use them all.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

Good to know! Thanks! I feel pretty sure in our choices now but will keep that in mind.

[@Homeschoolology]

I did the exact same thing this year. It was my plan to do family style history, but after looking through it all I decided to split my kiddos up as well! It's a subject that seems easy to combine, but when you really think about it it's not so simple! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

Even the scheduling of my younger kids’ days is so different than my teenager, so having a separate curriculum for her made the most sense in more ways than one. I’m excited about what I have planned for everyone though! It feels good to have landed on something.

[@Homeschoolology]

@@TheHomeschoolConvert I feel the same way!!

[@mattmitchell7350]

How did it go using Sonlight for this?

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

It worked out really well!

[@faithhomeschool2789]

History is stressing me out. I have Biblioplan, learning American history through Literature and Americas Story on my shelf not sure what to do at this point.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

It’s so hard! At some point I just had to let it go and choose and move forward, knowing I’d adapt whatever I settled on anyway. 😆

[@irenescotti4687]

Have you looked at CM simple studies america?

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

We actually have that and have used it for a little introduction to US history when my girls were younger. 😁

[@papuakacie]

I so relate to this. I am also a Christian who leans towards secular curriculum for history and science because of … all those things. 😂 Last year I looked at using that spine but my kids were too little, so I formed my own using a lot of books from what is now Sonlight first grade American history, memory work from CC, the Liberty’s kids TV show, and geography work to go with some Holling Holling books. It’s ironic that Sonlight was using that as a spine (leaning liberal) because they have also used books by Peter Marshall which lean way conservative (like… so bad imho). I really appreciate most of their choices these days.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

I don’t really like what Sonlight replaced it he series with. 🙈 I’m thankful to have been able to purchase it secondhand because I’m really hopeful that it will be a great fit! I

[@MsAbsurdmonkey]

Thank you so much for this video. I am planning for my ninth year of homeschooling, but it's my first year with a high schooler, and I am struggling with finding curriculum! I'm trying to sort out history for the ninth grader and the younger siblings. I don't love any of the curriculums we've used in the past. I am very concerned about all the "Ra ra America!" curriculums. I want something truthful, but also interesting to read and learn. This past year's curriculum was truthful, but such a painful slog. And we couldn't possibly finish one year of curriculum in one year. The timing isn't a big deal with elementary, but it feels like an issue at the high school level. I'm going to looking into History of US.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

So glad this could be helpful in some way!

[@libertycoffeehouse3944]

Most parents focus on trying to buy the right history curriculum for kids. What you really need to do is realize that your history class in highschool and college was what is called establishment history. This means that tax free Foundations shaped your history textbooks to make you more willing to accept collectivism. This is socialism, communism and democracy. The most important class in American History is to understand the original intent of the US constitution. If you don't understand this, you will not understand the Civil War or other periods in US history. History is central to economics and political science. Without limited government, we will not be free. We may not be safe in our property or even our life. I would ask what areas of US history did the tax free foundations change and why? The Rockefeller family controls our government along with some other families. What are these families wanting? Is it good or is it evil? Most people don't want to teach the power behind the throne. In ancient Sparta, the Spartan Heireses owned 40 percent of the land. They were controlling the state in the later period. Concerning other history, I would focus on Athens and Rome. The influence of the church in the West. I would then focus on English History. Most parents try to teach world history and as a result your child will learn nothing of western civilization. Thus, we will loose our freedom and adopt eastern ways. We are all brainwashed by political correctness but we must stop this. Some cultures are superior. Telling the truth requires that we offend. We need to be able to defend correct history. Establishment history is also controlling the home school curriculum. Many parents read Howard Zinn. What college did Zinn teach at? He taught at Spellman college. Why was it called Spellman? Because it was named after the wife of John D. Rockefeller, Laura Spellman Rockefeller. Was Zinn an agent of the Rockefellers? This is the training you need. You must critically think. Investigate who owns the HSC.

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

Thanks for your thoughts and insights!

[@philpotts7077]

Hi! I’ve been a homeschool mom for 8 years. I appreciate your comments and your heart. I think that you would find this man’s perspective interesting: kzbin.infoYj3wcZLntyE?feature=share He is an older Christian African American man who has obviously lived through a lot of American history himself. He came out of poverty and graduated law school…I believe from Harvard. He starts speaking around 49 minutes in the video. Just food for thought in the interest of all of us understanding perspectives. I enjoyed your video! Thank you! Shannon

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

Thanks for sharing. 🙂

[@reneegouge9698]

I agree I want my grandchild to know the Indians were not treated right .the civil war was evil and we treated blacks awful .so she is gonna be in first grade and I'm doing history every other day because I want to do

[@reneegouge9698]

What. Is true and honest and let her know that God has helped our for Father's and we need him now !!!!

[@TheHomeschoolConvert]

Yes, we always need His guidance! We will repeat our sins if we don’t acknowledge, turn from, and learn from them.