History Curriculum for World History
Homeschoolers have lots of options when it comes to teaching their children about the past. While some homeschool history programs are very thorough and comprehensive, others may be more focused on a specific time period or subject area. It’s important to consider the learning goals and educational philosophy of your family before choosing a homeschool history program.
Some homeschool world history curriculum are written in a more formal or factual style, with facts and sources given top priority. While this approach may be effective for some learners, it can also make lessons feel a bit boring and dry to sit through, especially for younger students or kids who have trouble with concentration.
Other homeschool history programs are written in a narrative or story-like manner, turning historical events into an immersive experience for students. These types of curriculum are often more engaging and less dry to read through, but they may be less thorough or may include some supplemental resources like timelines and maps that students will need to work on independently.
The Ultimate Guide to History Curriculum for World History
Still other homeschool history curriculum are designed with a hands-on, project-based approach. These kinds of programs typically require some additional materials and teacher supervision, but they can be an excellent way to engage younger students and make history come alive for them. For example, EyeWitness to History presents history through the lens of the people who lived it, using primary source documents to help students connect with and understand the complexities of the past.
Another option for hands-on learning is the unit study approach. These curriculums utilize literature, videos and hands-on activities to bring history to life for students. Some of these units are a little more involved and specialized, such as the ancient history unit studies offered by Curiosity Chronicles, but they can be an excellent choice for homeschoolers looking to create a more unique and customized history curriculum.
Finally, many homeschool history programs are designed to teach students how to think historically by encouraging them to compare and contrast events across different times and places. Ultimately, these lessons will help your student identify recurring themes and develop their own arguments on topics like the effect of Roman imperialism on European culture or how British kings helped to reform their country during the Renaissance. Time4Learning offers a Survey of World History course that fits this bill, as well as many other courses.
Other homeschool history curriculums use a Charlotte Mason approach to teaching. These programs, such as Notgrass’s Notgrass History and The Mystery of History, offer flexibility for all ages, allowing parents to customize the amount of instruction they provide to their children. Master Books’ The World’s Story series is a Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum for junior high school that helps students understand the big picture of history by focusing on key characters and settings.
