Best Social Studies Homeschool Curriculum

Looking for the best social studies homeschool curriculum?

Over the years, we’ve explored a variety of resources that have guided us through history, civics, geography, and economics, from early school years to high school.

These tools, ranging from digital platforms to textbooks and hands-on activities, have provided a comprehensive, engaging way to learn.

What truly sets them apart as the best homeschooling resources is their ability to make learning both immersive and captivating, sparking curiosity and a deeper understanding of world events, while enriching our homeschool journey with valuable insights.

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What counts as social studies for homeschool?

Social studies in homeschooling covers a broad spectrum of subjects that explore human society, its history, and interactions. Key areas often included are:

• History: Examining historical events, timelines, and key figures from various civilizations.
• Geography: Learning about different countries, continents, maps, and their physical features.
• Civics and Government: Understanding how governments function, political systems, and the roles and responsibilities of citizens.
• Economics: Introducing economic concepts like money, trade, supply and demand, and personal finance.

In our homeschool, we’ve customized social studies to fit our interests and learning styles, incorporating a mix of textbooks, online curriculums, historical fiction, museum visits, and discussions.

It’s also essential to consider state or local guidelines to ensure your program aligns with any required standards.

Homeschool history curriculum

These are some of the best history homeschool curriculum options that have become essential in our home.

From ancient civilizations to modern times, these full curriculum choices take learners on an exciting journey through different historical periods, making social studies both engaging and educational across various grade levels.

With a variety of interactive activities and supplementary materials, these options cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring a memorable experience for the entire family.

Pandia Press History Odyssey

We’ve had a great experience with History Odyssey by Pandia Press.

It’s a secular curriculum that takes a literature-based approach, which I’ve found really draws my child into the subject matter. We’ve used it to dive deep into different historical periods, combining engaging books, writing assignments, and hands-on activities.

I especially appreciate how it focuses on critical thinking and research skills. The flexible structure means we can adjust it based on interests and grade level.

It includes reading lists and activity guides, which have been perfect for helping us stay organized and on track. Plus, it’s secular, so there’s no religious bias.

For more details, see our History Odyssey review.

Beautiful Feet Books

Beautiful Feet Books has been another favorite in our homeschool journey. It uses literature to teach history, which has been a game-changer for us.

We’ve immersed ourselves in historical eras through stories, biographies, and historical fiction, which has made history feel alive and personal.

Their themed literature packs are great for focusing on specific time periods, and the included discussion questions and activities have sparked some amazing conversations in our home.

I also like that they keep things neutral, allowing us to incorporate our own beliefs as we see fit.

For more details see our Beautiful Feet Books review.

Sonlight

If you’re looking for a Christian-based approach, Sonlight is an excellent option. It integrates a biblical worldview into its history lessons, and the literature-rich format makes the subject so much more engaging.

We’ve found the mix of historical fiction and non-fiction really brings history to life while also allowing us to discuss the Christian values that are woven throughout the lessons.

Sonlight’s structured lesson plans and reading schedules have made it easier for us to stay on track. I also appreciate how they encourage discussions around morality and faith, tying those conversations back to historical events in a way that feels relevant.

For more details see our Sonlight review.

Homeschool geography curriculum

Geography has been one of the most enjoyable subjects in our homeschool. These homeschool geography curriculum options have sparked a love for exploring the world, from learning about our own country to understanding far-off continents and cultures.

Whether you’re starting with the basics or diving into more advanced geography lessons, these resources offer something for every grade level, making geography an exciting journey for homeschoolers.

Beautiful Feet Geography

Beautiful Feet Books offers a rich and engaging geography curriculum that’s been a favorite in our home. Their approach introduces young learners to geography in a meaningful way:

• U.S. Geography (Kindergarten – 3rd Grade): This level focuses on the United States, helping children get to know the states, landmarks, and cultural aspects through stories and activities.
• Around the World (1st Grade – 4th Grade): This curriculum opens the door to exploring continents like Africa, Asia, Australia, and more. It’s been wonderful for broadening our understanding of different cultures and geographical features.
• 4th Grade – 8th Grade Curriculum: As students grow, Beautiful Feet continues to challenge them with U.S. Geography and World Geography & Ecology, giving a deeper look into ecosystems and global geography.

Beautiful Feet Books provides literature-rich learning, and we’ve loved how it weaves geography into stories that stick with us long after the lesson is over.

Let’s Go Geography

Let’s Go Geography has been another hit in our homeschool. It’s perfect if you’re looking for interactive, hands-on geography lessons:

• Grades Kindergarten – 2nd Grade: Younger students spend about an hour a week coloring maps, exploring flags, and enjoying fun activities like watching video clips or creating geography-related crafts.
• Grades 3rd – 5th Grade: For older kids, the curriculum gets more in-depth with map activities, country exploration, and continent maps. They even create geography glossaries and use outside resources like atlases and websites for research.

This curriculum has been especially great for keeping geography fun while also helping my child develop a deeper understanding of the world. We also love supplementing it with free printable geography worksheets!

Economics

When it came time to teach economics, we found that the best homeschool economics curriculum is from Mr D Math. What I love most about Mr. D’s program is its flexibility, it offers two self-paced classes that are perfect for both middle school and high school students. The course is broken down into 16 lessons, structured like a semester but flexible enough to fit your schedule.

The lessons dive into essential economic concepts such as supply and demand, producers and consumers, and topics like currency, credit, and taxes. But what really stands out are the practical life skills the course covers. It’s not just theory, students also learn real-world skills like:

• Managing a bank account: From balancing checkbooks to online banking.
• Job applications and interview skills: Preparing them for the workforce.
• Understanding pay stubs and comparing benefit packages: Skills they’ll need when they enter the job market.
• Establishing credit and budgeting with credit: Vital lessons on financial responsibility.
• Awareness of identity theft: A crucial modern-day concern.
• Purchasing or leasing a vehicle and renting an apartment: Practical knowledge for life after high school.

This curriculum offers a thorough, well-rounded introduction to economics while giving students the life skills they’ll need for adulthood. We’ve found it to be both informative and highly engaging, making it a valuable part of our homeschool experience.

Homeschool government curriculum

When it comes to teaching government in our homeschool, these two are the best homeschool government curriculum options:

Principles and Precepts of Government

Principles and Precepts of Government is a fantastic option for high school students. This course provides an in-depth exploration of how governance systems have evolved throughout history.

What I appreciate most is how it takes students beyond just the basics, covering everything from patriarchal systems to republics. It’s really helped instill a deeper understanding of the American Republic’s foundation and the vital role citizen involvement plays in shaping our government.

The course is worth 0.5 transcript credit and includes texts, activity books, and a Teacher’s Resource Kit, making it easy to follow and engaging for both the student and parent.

It’s been a great way to introduce the complexities of government in a way that feels approachable and relevant.

Guest Hollow

Another favorite in our homeschool is Guest Hollow Government, which takes a more comprehensive approach by combining government, economics, and personal finance into one curriculum.

This course doesn’t just teach the structure of American government; it also covers critical financial skills and economic theories, helping students understand the bigger picture of how government and economy are intertwined.

The curriculum uses a variety of tools, books, videos, and interactive activities—to make learning hands-on and engaging. What I love most is how it encourages critical thinking and proactive citizenship, empowering students to apply what they’ve learned in real-life situations.

It’s been a perfect blend of education and practical life skills, fostering a genuine interest in learning about government and society.

Homeschool civics curriculum

For the best homeschool civics curriculum, iCivics has been our go-to resource. Founded by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, this online platform offers a comprehensive and interactive approach to civics education.

What I love most about iCivics is how it makes learning about government engaging through its wide array of games, lesson plans, and activities.

The platform covers essential civics topics like the branches of government, the Constitution, the electoral process, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

It breaks down these complex concepts into hands-on activities, making them easier for students to grasp. The interactive games really bring these topics to life, turning what could be dry lessons into something fun and memorable.

As a homeschool parent, I appreciate how flexible iCivics is. It offers structured lessons that I can adapt to fit our schedule, and the assessments allow me to track my child’s progress.

Whether we’re diving into the basics of democracy or exploring the intricacies of the judicial system, iCivics has been a valuable tool for reinforcing key civics topics in a way that resonates with my child.

Its ability to cater to different learning styles and grade levels makes it perfect for homeschooling and the best part? It’s free! This curriculum has made learning about civics not only enjoyable but also highly effective.

Younger students are sure to have fun while learning with our free Supreme Court worksheets.

Free social studies homeschool curriculum

Finding a quality, free homeschool curriculum can be a game changer.

These options provide accessible, comprehensive resources that cover a wide range of subjects without the financial burden.

We’ve found them to be invaluable in our homeschool journey, offering diverse content to teach history, civics, geography, and more. Here are two of the best free options:

Khan Academy offers a broad selection of social studies lessons, from history to economics, presented in an easy-to-follow, engaging format. It’s perfect for self-paced learning and works well for various grade levels.

OER Project’s World History course provides a deep dive into historical events, encouraging critical thinking and exploration. It’s a comprehensive and free resource that’s ideal for middle and high school students.

What social studies curriculum has worked best for your homeschool? Share your experiences in the comments!

Last Updated on 19 November 2024 by Clare Brown