Our Favorite History Curriculum (What we used from Grades 1-12)

I hated history when I was in public school. It was so.very.boring. My teachers were dry and monotone and it was full of memorizing dates. I didn’t learn a thing. Perhaps you can relate?

When I started homeschooling I found out that I actually REALLY enjoyed history. I learned it from scratch right beside my children. I fell in love with certain curricula with our first daughter (that we are graduating this year!) and have moved on to using it with out next in line. I am excited to share with you what we have used and how we used it.

In kindergarten and first grade we used The Mighty Works of God series. We did informal history and read through 2 books each year (there are 4 total.) We loved this overview of American history. The pages have larger font, easy for a new reader to read, the stories are interesting, and there are some pictures! It is a full curriculum and you can get a teacher book if you want to, but we didn’t use it. We enjoyed snuggling up on the couch to read it together.

In second-fourth grade we use America’s Story series, now published by Master Books. This is a living book, Charlotte Mason style history curriculum. America’s Story brings American history alive through a Charlotte Mason approach as it teaches upper elementary students the amazing history of the United States of America. We use the optional notebooking journals, our favorite part! 

In fifth-eighth grade we use The Mystery of History. This is my absolute most favorite homeschooling curriculum EVER. The Mystery of History has given us a love for history. We are not there yet with our youngest, we are finishing up the America’s Story series volume 3 in the coming school year. But I cannot wait to dive in to it!

We tried using all of the worksheets, but that was a definite no-go for us. We switched to notebooking and my daughter absorbed all of the info like a sponge. Her written narration was superb. I seriously cannot recommend this curriculum enough.

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In ninth grade we used Exploring America by Notgrass. This is definitely more like a textbook, but my daughter thoroughly enjoyed it. It provides one full-year of credit in American history, English (literature and composition), and Bible.

In tenth grade we used Exploring World History by Notgrass. It is laid out the same as Exploring America. Exploring World History is a one-year homeschool curriculum for high school that teaches students to understand history from a Christian perspective of faith in God and respect for the Bible. It provides one full-year of credit in world history, English (literature and composition), and Bible. You can read my friend Jen’s Notgrass review here. 

In eleventh grade we used the Bluestocking Press’ Economics and Nature of Government Course for High School Students. Our family is really into politics, economics, and of course entrepreneurship (my husband and I both have a couple of businesses.) When I owned my curriculum store, Bluestocking Press was one of our best sellers & I was so excited to finally be putting their curriculum to use in our homeschool! My daughter LOVED it and learned so much!

In twelfth grade my daughter enjoyed learning about our Constitution with Constitutional Literacy. I truly believe this is such an important course for our young people to take. Sarah’s son also used it (for fun!) and she wrote a review here. 

You may enjoy this post if you plan to use The Mystery of History:

I hope you too have found a love for history like we have. These history curriculum products are our favorite; I hope you will give them a try!