🔥 Hot Takes History I Would Recommend | Secular Homeschool History Resources That Actually Work

Let’s talk about history. Specifically, the kind that feels real, honest, and relevant in a secular homeschool setting. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent too much time trying to find something that actually works—not just for your kids, but for your time, values, and attention span.

So here it is: my Hot Takes History I Would Recommend—the resources I’m excited about, the ones we’ve used, and the ones I’m keeping close as we plan ahead.

Because history doesn’t have to be a chore. And it definitely shouldn’t feel like you have to compromise your values to teach it.

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What I’m Excited to Use This Coming Year

✨ Crash Course: Black American History

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This is at the top of my list for this coming school year. Crash Course’s Black American History series is thoughtful, beautifully done, and centers perspectives that are too often missing from mainstream history books. I’m excited to finally use this in our homeschool in a meaningful way.

✅ To make it even better: I grabbed the Google Forms quiz bundle from TPT so I can easily track comprehension and open up some great discussion. It’s the structure I need to make the series work in our regular rhythm.

✨ Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT)

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TPT continues to be a goldmine. I’m planning to use several secular history resources from there this year—especially ones that support what we’re already doing with Crash Course. I love that the materials are created by real educators and often reflect inclusive, critical thinking-focused perspectives.

What We’ve Used Recently

✨ OER Project

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We recently used the OER Project and it impressed me in all the right ways. It’s totally free, deeply thoughtful, and offers full-course options built for middle and high school learners. It challenges kids to engage with big-picture questions while keeping the material grounded and accessible.

This one worked well for us when we needed something solid and structured without a huge price tag or religious slant. Highly recommend if you’re planning for older learners and want to stretch their thinking.

What I’m Keeping in My Back Pocket

✨ David’s History for the Ages

Check out David’s Channel
I’ve had my eye on this channel for a while. The content is smart, clear, and geared toward helping students truly understand world history. It’s on my list for later in the year when we dive deeper into specific topics—and I love that it’s available for free. He has written and compiled unit studies to go along with his videos. They’re available through Teachers Pay Teachers. However, if you shoot him an email, you can save huge buying direct!

✨ The Nomadic Professor

Visit The Nomadic Professor
This is one of those resources I’m saving for just the right time. It’s structured for high school and feels like an academic deep-dive, but in a really engaging, modern way. Think outdoor walking lectures, primary sources, and thoughtful commentary. I’m not quite ready to jump in just yet, but it’s definitely coming soon.

Why These Are My Go-To Picks

I’m not here for dusty textbooks or whitewashed timelines. I want history that:

Encourages critical thinking
Includes diverse voices
Respects my learner’s ability to think deeply
Aligns with our secular values
Feels meaningful—not just like checking off a box

These are the Hot Takes History I Would Recommend because they do just that. Some we’re diving into now, others are waiting in the wings—but all of them bring something real and valuable to the table.