Popular History Homeschool Methods
History Homeschool Methods
Homeschooling families often have a wide variety of homeschool history choices, although each family has its own unique learning style and philosophy. Some programs use a narrative style, turning history into a story and making the lesson less dry, a great option for students with trouble concentrating or retaining facts. Other programs focus on presenting history from a particular perspective or offering a more in-depth exploration of specific events. The degree of independence a student is expected to take on with these homeschool history options is also something for parents to consider, as some students prefer more teacher-led learning, while others need a more self-study approach.
A lot of these history homeschool methods focus on a central book or books, which are sometimes called spines, source books, or core history books. These are the primary book that will keep students on track and ensure that nothing is missed. They might include a timeline or an index to allow for easy access to the key information they are learning about throughout each year.
These spines can be used by themselves or by combining them with other resources such as read aloud books, activities and games. A favorite for many families is the Story of the World, a 4-volume history rotation that covers different time periods starting with ancient history. It is an ideal choice for kids that enjoy listening to stories narrated by someone other than their parents and even offers an audio CD set, allowing for on-the-go learning.
There are also secular options such as Honest History, a series of illustrated quarterly magazines that explores interesting people and events in world history. It can also be used as a stand-alone curriculum and is a great choice for notebooking. Its main drawback is that it can feel a bit limited in its scope.
Popular History Homeschool Methods
Similarly, Christian-based homeschooling programs such as Notgrass History or Trail Guide to Learning offer a more thematic approach to historical study. These programs dive into original source documents and classic literature to give students a more in-depth look at various historical figures and events, while allowing them to formulate their own ideas about the world around them.
One thing to be aware of when choosing these types of homeschool history options is that they may not align with state standards for social studies, so parents will want to consider this when making their selection. Additionally, they will want to make sure that they are comfortable with the level of scripting in the lessons, as some can be very detailed and lead students through a lesson step by step, which can feel a bit stifling for some.
A more self-study approach to homeschooling, these history choices offer a variety of video and written lessons taught by experts in their fields. Some of these come with workbooks and exams to help reinforce the learning and provide a more formal experience, while others are more informal and rely on the student to simply watch and follow along.
The best homeschool history curriculums offer an interactive element that gets your kids up and moving. They can reenact scenes from the time period they are studying, cook recipes from that period and listen to music that was popular during that time. This type of learning also helps kids with kinesthetic learning styles to fully engage with the subject matter.
