Unlocking U.S. History: A Homeschooling Journey
Greetings, fellow homeschoolers! 🏡✨ Join me, Shanna, from Making Everyday Magic, as we dive into the captivating realm of U.S. History comparing what we have used for homeschooling. 📚 In this blog post, I’ll share my philosophy on teaching history, followed by an in-depth exploration of two U.S. History curriculums that have been part of our enriching journey over the past year.
My History Philosophy: Building Foundations 🏰
My approach to homeschooling U.S. History centers on building a solid foundation rather than memorizing every detail. It’s about instilling prior knowledge that becomes a powerful tool when revisiting historical events. Now, let’s embark on a detailed exploration of the two U.S. History curriculums that have shaped our seventh-year homeschooling adventure.
Curriculum 1: History Quest from Pandia Press 📘🌍
* Overview: History Quest is our go-to curriculum, providing a comprehensive exploration of U.S. History for grades 3 to 6. Pandia Press offers flexibility, allowing you to choose between audiobooks, study guides, and printed texts.
* Format: With 30 chapters covering different time periods, History Quest combines traditional learning with engaging first-person narratives called “History Hops.” The audiobook version adds an immersive dimension, making it perfect for our family’s on-the-go learning style.
* Scalability: History Quest is scalable, catering to your preferences. Whether it’s a simple audiobook session or a deep dive into activities, recipes, and maps, you can customize the experience according to your homeschooling needs.
* Diversity: One standout feature is the intentional inclusion of underrepresented voices in U.S. History. History Hops showcase people of color, minorities, women, and those often overlooked, offering a more inclusive narrative.
Curriculum 2: History of the U.S. by Joy Hakim 📖🎧
* Background: Introduced to us through a Timberdoodle kit, Joy Hakim’s History of the U.S. series provides a detailed exploration of American history. We accessed the audiobook versions through our local library, making it a cost-effective resource.
* Intensity: This curriculum is more advanced and meaty, spanning 10 books that cover various historical periods. The audiobooks, though lengthy, offer an insightful journey through prehistory to the early 2000s.
* Recommendation: If starting afresh, I would consider using History Quest as a primer before delving into the depth of Joy Hakim’s series. The latter is more mature in content, making it suitable for older students.
Additional Resources: Enriching the Journey 📚🌟
* Interactive Constitution: Explore the basics of the Constitution through interactive pop-up books, making learning fun and accessible.
* Delve into the founding principles with a side-by-side guide, providing original text and simplified explanations.
* Forgotten Founders: Discover stories of black patriots, women soldiers, and other heroes who shaped early America, offering a diverse perspective on U.S. history.
Conclusion: A Rich Tapestry of Learning 🌈🔍
In conclusion, both History Quest and Joy Hakim’s series have enriched our homeschooling journey. By combining the scalability of History Quest with the depth of Joy Hakim’s narrative, we’ve created a balanced and diverse exploration of U.S. History.
Your Recommendations, Please! 📣🤔
As we continue this educational odyssey, I’m eager to hear your recommendations for high school-level history curricula. Let’s build a treasure trove of authentic and engaging resources together! Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more homeschooling adventures. Happy learning! 🌟📖
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