United Stories: An American History Homeschool Curriculum
I’m excited to share a sneak peek of our newest curriculum, United Stories: A Journey Through America’s Past. Designed with a family-style learning approach, our American History homeschool curriculum allows students of all ages to learn together, fostering a love for history through engaging, narrative-rich living books in the tradition of Charlotte Mason. My goal is to bring American history to life, creating an enjoyable learning experience for elementary and middle school students.
Benefits of Using a Family-Style Approach to History
We love family-style learning. In addition to being an efficient and cost-effective approach towards homeschooling, family-style learning offers the following benefits:
- Shared learning experiences foster connection and strengthen family bonds.
- Learning in a multi-age setting provides numerous chances for discussion, collaboration, and leadership development, all of which are essential life skills.
- You can adjust lessons to suit different age groups, offering flexible learning for everyone.
To learn more about family-style homeschooling and its benefits, check out our post: What is a Family-Style Homeschool Curriculum?
United Stories: A Journey Through America’s Past
We briefly covered early American history a few years ago when my oldest began second grade. Three years later, we’re ready to dive back in. This time I intend to spread our study of American History across three years, covering the following:
- Part I: Pre-Civilization to 1815
- Part II: 1815 to the early 1900s
- Part III: Early 1900s to modern day
I plan to use engaging, living books to teach American history, while also encouraging children to explore and analyze historical documents and document their learning through notebooking.
I knew I wanted to use Betsy Maestro’s American Story series again with my youngest (age 7) since we had success with it in the past, but I wanted my oldest (age 10) to be able to go a little more in depth this time around. Plus, we’re planning on going through modern American history over the next three years, and the Maestro series ends with the year 1815.
After previewing several different options, I finally settled on using Joy Hakim’s A History of US series as our middle-grade spine. All of the books (including audiobooks) are readily available through our library, so it’ll also be a cost-effective option for us as well.
American History Homeschool Curriculum Structure
United Stories: A Journey Through America’s Past combines engaging readings, rich living books, and interactive activities to create a thorough American history curriculum suitable for the whole family. Here’s a brief overview of what’s included in Part I:
- Engaging Readings: Carefully selected texts that bring history to life for both elementary and middle school students.
- Interactive Activities: Hands-on activities, map work, and historical document analysis to deepen understanding.
- Living Books: Rich, narrative-driven books that captivate young readers.
- Teaching Guides and Supplemental Activities: Lessons aligned with Freedom: A History of US teaching guide, along with additional resources and activities.
- Historical Documents: Access to primary sources from the Digital Public Library of America.
- Supplemental Videos: Educational videos from PBS Education that tie into each topic.
- Liberty’s Kids TV Series: An animated historical fiction series that brings the American Revolutionary War to life.
- Recommended Reading Lists: A curated selection of historical fiction and non-fiction books to complement the curriculum.
- Supplemental Resources: Additional materials to enhance your learning experience.
United Stories
A Family-Style American History Homeschool Curriculum
Part I: Early American History
key topics covered
- Pre-Colonial America: Exploration of the diverse cultures and societies of Native American tribes before European contact.
- European Exploration and Colonization: The arrival of European explorers, the establishment of colonies, and interactions with indigenous peoples.
- Colonial Life: Daily life in the colonies, including the social, economic, and political structures.
- French and Indian War: The conflict between French and British forces in North America and its impact on colonial America.
- Road to Independence: Key events leading up to the American Revolution, including the Stamp Act, Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and the First Continental Congress.
- American Revolution: Major battles and turning points of the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, and the contributions of various groups such as women, indigenous peoples, and African Americans.
- Formation of a New Nation: The Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention, and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
- Early Republic: The presidencies of George Washington and John Adams, the Bill of Rights, and the establishment of the federal government.
- Expansion and Conflict: The Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and conflicts with Native American tribes.
- War of 1812: Causes, major battles, and outcomes of the war, including its impact on the young nation.
united stories, part 1
Explore recommended books that make early American history fun and engaging for the whole family.
Part II: Antebellum America and the Civil War
key topics covered
- The American Industrial Revolution: The transformation of the American economy with the advent of factories, railroads, and new technologies, including the cotton gin and telegraph.
- Westward Expansion: The concept of Manifest Destiny, the Oregon Trail, the California Gold Rush, and the impact of westward migration on indigenous populations.
- Slavery and Abolitionism: The expansion of slavery in the Southern states, the life of enslaved people, and the rise of the abolitionist movement, including key figures such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.
- Antebellum Society and Culture: The social, political, and cultural changes in America during the early 19th century, including the women’s rights movement.
- The Road to Civil War: Key events and issues that led to the Civil War, such as the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the Dred Scott decision.
- The Civil War: Major battles and campaigns, the roles of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, the experiences of soldiers and civilians, and the Emancipation Proclamation.
- Reconstruction: The efforts to rebuild and reunite the nation after the Civil War, including the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, the Freedmen’s Bureau, and the rise of sharecropping and segregation.
Part III: Early Modern American History
key topics covered
- The Gilded Age: The rapid industrialization and economic growth of the late 19th century, the rise of big business and labor unions, and the social and political issues of the era.
- Immigration and Urbanization: The waves of immigrants coming to America, the challenges they faced, and the growth of cities.
- The Progressive Era: Early efforts at reform in response to the social, economic, and political issues of the Gilded Age, including the work of muckrakers and the push for regulatory legislation.
- World War I: The causes, major battles, America’s involvement, and the impact on the home front, including the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations.
- The Roaring Twenties: Economic prosperity, cultural developments, the Harlem Renaissance, Prohibition, and the stock market crash of 1929.
- The Great Depression: The causes, the impact on American society, and the New Deal programs implemented by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- World War II: The rise of totalitarian regimes, the causes and major events of the war, America’s role, and the war’s impact on the home front and international relations.
- The Cold War: The origins and key events of the Cold War, including the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and the arms race.
- Civil Rights Movement: The struggle for racial equality, key figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, landmark events, and legislation like the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act.
- Globalization: The fall of the Berlin Wall, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and the rise of a global economy.
- Recent History and Contemporary Issues: The Gulf War, the September 11 attacks, the War on Terror, and key political, social, and environmental issues facing America today.
Get Early Access to United Stories
I’m excited to share our new American history curriculum with you. I’m currently looking for families to try it out and share their thoughts! In exchange for your feedback and reviews, you’ll receive the “United Stories: A Journey Through America’s Past, Part I” curriculum free of charge. If you’re interested in being part of this opportunity, simply fill out the contact form below to join.
Welcome to the Global Explorers Club
At the Global Explorers Club, we believe in the power of exploration and discovery. Our secular, family-style “United Stories: A Journey Through America’s Past” American history homeschool curriculum is designed to provide engaging, hands-on lessons and read-aloud books that your entire family can enjoy together. With a focus on cultural appreciation and educational enrichment, our curriculum is perfect for families looking to broaden their horizons and have fun learning together.