Social Studies, History & Geography
Discover our handpicked selection of leading homeschool resources in Social Studies, History, and Geography! We've carefully chosen our favourites for their content accuracy, expert authorship, and research-backed educational methods. Our curated collection offers a trusted starting point for developing an engaging and comprehensive Social Studies curriculum for your family, ensuring effective learning and a well-rounded understanding of History, Geography, and Cultural Studies.
Social Studies, History & Geography
Build Your Library
The Build Your Library Curriculum is an exceptional secular homeschooling resource that seamlessly integrates literature-based learning across various subjects. Its main features include thoughtfully curated book lists, comprehensive lesson plans, and hands-on activities that span a wide range of academic disciplines. They also have a fantastic YouTube channel called ARRRGH Schooling that provides book talks, book reviews and homeschooling tips. What sets this curriculum apart is its ability to foster a love for learning through engaging narratives, critical thinking prompts, and creative projects. Homeschool parents should consider using Build Your Library to provide a well-rounded and captivating education, as it not only ensures academic excellence but also nurtures a lifelong passion for exploration and discovery in their children.
The OER Project (Open Educational Resources) offers FREE, comprehensive social studies curricula, including the Big History Project the World History Project, and The Climate Project, among others. Designed to engage students in critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning, its resources are aligned with state standards and include a mix of videos, texts, and interactive activities, making history accessible and interesting. The flexibility of the platform allows it to be used in various educational settings, including homeschooling. This makes it an excellent option for homeschoolers seeking a structured yet adaptable history curriculum.
Well-Trained Mind Press
This platform, which is a homeschool staple in many homes, provides a framework and a huge array of curricula for Reading, Writing, Grammar, History and Math. In addition to curricular materials, they offer academic synchronous online classes for students and have authored numerous books, including the highly regarded The Well Trained Mind, which discusses homeschool methodologies, planning, and best practices for all age groups.
Pandia Press offers comprehensive and engaging history curricula through its History Odyssey and History Quest series, tailored for various educational levels. These programs provide a secular and multidisciplinary approach, integrating history with language arts and geography. The curricula are designed to facilitate independent learning, making them ideal for homeschoolers. Pandia Press' history programs are known for their thorough content and hands-on activities, fostering a deep understanding of historical events and contexts.
Curiosity Chronicles offers a secular, inclusive, and global history curriculum for children, presented through engaging dialogues between characters Mona and Ted. The program covers ancient to modern history, fostering critical thinking and interdisciplinary connections through hands-on activities, such as map work, art projects, and science experiments. It emphasizes cultural history and social movements, making complex ideas accessible and encouraging in-depth exploration. This curriculum is ideal for homeschoolers seeking a comprehensive and interactive approach to teaching history.
Supplementary Social Studies
History Plus offers informative, funny, and engaging videos that are released on a monthly basis in a subscription format for children ages 8-11 or 12-18. The History classes are offered on a rotating basis every three years (on a cycle that moves between History lessons to Science to Geography), so that students can enroll for multiple years and not repeat any videos. Check out their 1-month free trial for more information!
The On The Mark Press serves as a valuable hub for educators searching for quality Canadian teaching resources. With its wide range of educational materials, including worksheets, lesson plans, and activities, the website provides comprehensive resources for various subjects and grade levels. On The Mark also produces products that align specifically to the Alberta, Ontario, and Common Core programs, which makes them a go-to destination for homeschoolers looking to follow specific outcomes.
LesPlan offers educational resources that help students understand and critically assess current events and issues. Their materials, such as News4Youth, Building Bridges, and What in the World?, provide differentiated learning experiences through articles available in various reading levels. They cater to students from grades 3 to 10, incorporating interactive elements and photocopiable resources for classroom use. LesPlan aims to lighten teachers' loads while making learning engaging and relevant for students.
Oversimplified History is a YouTube channel that makes complex historical events accessible and entertaining through humorous and simplified animated videos. The channel covers a wide range of topics, from major wars to revolutions, making history engaging for viewers. Its fun and easy-to-understand format makes it an excellent educational tool, particularly for students and casual learners who find traditional history lessons challenging. While OverSimplified History is engaging and educational, it occasionally includes mild bad language and humor that may not be suitable for younger viewers. Parents should exercise discretion, ensuring the content is appropriate as these videos are recommended for older children and teenagers who can better understand the context and nuances of the humor and language used.
The History of US - Joy Hakim
"The History of US" by Joy Hakim is a comprehensive series of books that presents American history in an engaging and accessible manner for young readers. The series covers the entirety of American history, from pre-Columbian times to modern day, using a narrative style that brings historical events and figures to life. Joy Hakim's engaging writing and thorough research make complex historical concepts understandable and interesting. This series is particularly valuable for educators and homeschoolers seeking a detailed and captivating American history curriculum, but also for its inclusive approach to American history. It strives to present multiple perspectives, including those of indigenous peoples, African Americans, and other marginalized groups, alongside the traditional colonial viewpoint. Hakim's narrative aims to provide a balanced and comprehensive understanding of America's diverse history, making it a valuable resource for those seeking an inclusive historical education.
The "Horrible Histories" books and TV show are renowned for their humorous and engaging take on historical events and figures, making history fun and accessible for children and young audiences. Created in conjunction with the BBC, the series uses witty writing, cartoons, and jokes to present facts and stories from different historical periods, often highlighting the bizarre, gory, and lesser-known aspects of history. The TV adaptation extends this approach with comedic sketches, songs, and animations, further bringing historical tales to life. Both the books and the show are praised for making learning history enjoyable and memorable. We recommend that parents review for content-appropriateness and watch for YouTube pop-ups and commercials.
CrashCourse History, available on YouTube, offers engaging and comprehensive video lessons covering a wide range of historical topics and periods. The series uses animations and a fast-paced narrative to make complex historical events and themes accessible and entertaining for viewers. This educational resource is particularly valuable for students and teachers looking to enhance their understanding of history in an enjoyable format. Again, remember to watch for commercials on the YouTube platform.
Curiosity Stream is a streaming service that offers a vast library of documentaries covering topics like science, history, nature, and technology. Founded by the creator of the Discovery Channel, John Hendricks, it provides educational content designed to inspire and enlighten curious minds. With affordable subscription plans, Curiosity Stream is an excellent resource for anyone looking to explore high-quality, informative documentaries. Its user-friendly platform makes it accessible for viewers of all ages, making learning engaging and enjoyable.
Brave Scholar Formerly known as The Great Canadian Adventure, this educational program offers an interactive way for children to learn about Canada's geography, history, and culture. Through engaging activities, quizzes, and challenges, students explore the country's diverse landscapes and heritage. The program is ideal for homeschoolers and educators seeking a fun and educational approach to Canadian content.