The Best American History Curriculum is Literature-Based

As a homeschool mom, I am always looking to do the best I can when it comes to teaching my children – especially when it comes to US History, a topic that is rich with people and events that need to come alive to our children so they can become interested in learning it. After trying many different methods, I am convinced that the best approach to teaching American history is literature-based, a method of learning that is filled with books, stories, legends, and intrigue.

I was compensated for my time writing this post and was provided a copy of the product at no charge for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Keep reading to find out how you can enter to win a literature-rich American history curriculum for your homeschool! Details below.

From Workbooks to Living Books

The longer that my family homeschools the more I am convinced that the best approach to teaching my children is to engage their curiosity with a wide variety of books.

I didn’t always think this way, nor did I teach using a literature-based homeschool. Those first few years were filled with textbooks and workbooks and lessons that were nothing more than lecture, review, test, and repeat.

While this learning may work for some (myself included), it does not work for my children who have learning styles that prefer to engage more than their note-taking hands.

It didn’t take me long, though, to begin the transition to a literature-based homeschool, and the longer we go the more I dive right into every book we can opting for stories over textbooks.

I have learned over the years that there is power in a story to transform and change the listener, to entertain and engage the audience, and to naturally educate the student across every subject, including history.

What Is A Living Book?

A living book is one that brings the subject, topic, and story to life. It’s well written, descriptive, and vivid allowing the reader(s) to feel as if they are witnessing the story rather than reading words on a page.

It’s the books you can’t help but read just “one more chapter” from.

The ones that keep you up at night.

And those that leave you at the end feeling as if you are part of the dialogue and the tale is somehow a part of you.

Living books come alive in your hand and make learning, teaching, and read-alouds so much more enjoyable.

Making History Come Alive

One of the best things about teaching my children with a wide variety of living books is how they inspire the reader and transport them to the place and time the story is set in.

With an American history curriculum that is literature-based, you are able to wake up your children and transport them back in time. Armed with a book, you can spark curiosity, wonder, and amazement while helping your child feel as if they are living the history they are reading about.

Which is especially helpful when you are teaching a particularly snappish child who believes that anything that happened BC (that is, before child) is irrelevant.

Finding A Literature-Based American History Curriculum

These days it’s much easier to find a homeschool history curriculum that is based on a story and uses the book to teach the lessons, facts, and details in a way that is engaging.

Whether you are simply gathering books on your own and creating custom lessons or purchasing a ready-for-you curriculum such as History / Bible / Literature D: Intro to American History, Year 1 of 2 from Sonlight, the options are endless.

However, with Sonlight American History not only do you receive a litany of books to use in your homeschool as you teach American history, but you also get a detailed Instructor Guide and done-for-you lesson plans laid out perfect for either a four-day homeschool week or a five-day week schedule.

What Grade Level Is American History Taught?

I recommend teaching American history at least 3 times in your homeschool – once in the elementary grades, once in the middle grades, and once in high school. With at least 3 exposures to US history, you can help your child be prepared for their future with a solid understanding of the foundation of our country.

Sonlight American History is a 2-year program that is recommended for grades 4-7 (or ages 9-12) and I am very much looking forward to utilizing the full US history homeschool curriculum next year with my two youngest children. Spanning both elementary and middle school learning levels, Sonlight makes working their US History curriculum into our days a breeze as I can easily teach multiple grades at one time and cover multiple subjects with Bible and literature built right into the program.

And where this complete literature-based American history curriculum spans two whole years, you know that you are going to have plenty of time to dig deep and really explore all the wonder that is US History with your elementary and middle school-aged children.

American History Homeschool Curriculum

With year 1 of the Sonlight American History curriculum, I am super excited for the upcoming school year and exploring US history with a literature-rich, book-based curriculum that is filled with quality literature including Sarah, Plain & Tall, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, and The Sign of The Beaver.

This literature-based American History curriculum is filled to the brim with a fantastic blend of both read-alouds and independent readers, history explaining books, timelines, and even a Bible, perfect for utilizing a Christian-based American History course that aims to help your children experience all of the depth that is American History.

To see how you can integrate Sonlight American History, a literature-rich American history homeschool curriculum, visit their website. While you are there feel free to explore the wide variety of book-based homeschool courses covering everything your home-educated child will need.

Want To Win A Copy of THis Sonlight American History Program for your homeschool?

Sonlight is going to give one lucky homeschool family a copy of the best homeschool American history curriculum for elementary and middle school students – and I’d love it if YOU were the winner!

To enter the giveaway simply fill in the form below.

Good luck!!