Best Homeschool Government Curriculum For High School
Every high school student should take at least one government class, and I’ve found the best homeschool government curriculum to make this requirement both engaging and manageable.
Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum stands out with its comprehensive approach, offering top-notch homeschooling resources for high school government.
In some states, government is a mandated subject for high school, so you might not have a choice. But even if it’s not required, it’s a subject every student can benefit from.
**Disclosure: I was compensated for my time to write this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I only share resources that I would use with my own family and those that I believe other homeschool families will enjoy. There may be affiliate links in this post.**
How to choose the right government curriculum
When selecting the right government curriculum for homeschool, consider a few key factors.
First, ensure the curriculum aligns with your state’s high school requirements, especially if government is a mandated subject. Check the HSLDA website to check your state.
Look for a balance between textbook content and interactive activities, as this helps keep students engaged while providing practical learning.
Affordability is also important, so compare costs to find a program that fits your budget.
Finally, consider your student’s interests and learning style.
Choose a curriculum that presents government in a way that engages and motivates them, whether through real-world examples, projects, or accessible language.
High school government curriculum for homeschooling
During our search for a homeschool government curriculum, we discovered Principles and Precepts of Government, and it turned out to be exactly what we needed.
Offered by Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum, this full course kit provides 0.5 high school credits and is designed as a one-semester course.
It’s been a perfect fit for us. Not only is he earning high school credit, but he’s also gaining a solid understanding of the U.S. government in a way that truly engages him.
The course is divided into three comprehensive chapters, each accompanied by an activity book, textbook, and answer sheets, covering topics like:
- Evolution of Government
- Emergence of American Government
- Establishment of the American Government
- Exploring the Constitution
- Analyzing the Bill of Rights
- Modern U.S. Government
- Rights & Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens
- Parliamentary Procedure
Even though this is a high school-level course, we started it in 7th grade because he was eager to dive in, and we’re about a third of the way through. To my surprise, he’s really enjoying it—even looking forward to the lessons.
If you’re looking for a well-rounded homeschool curriculum for high school, this government course is an excellent choice to engage your student and build essential knowledge.
What’s the difference between government and civics?
When we first started looking, we came across a free homeschool civics curriculum, but what we really needed was a government curriculum. While the two subjects are similar, they have different focuses.
Civics explores the rights, responsibilities, and duties of a citizen, such as voting, legal rights, and how citizens interact with the branches of government, think “people and government.”
On the other hand, government studies different types of government (democracy, monarchy, socialism, etc.), the structure of your country’s government, and the history behind it, think “history and government.”
Understanding this distinction helped us choose the right curriculum for our needs.
Supplementary resources for government studies
To make the subject of government even more engaging, I’ve found a few extra resources that work well alongside the main curriculum:
- Books on American Government and Political History: These help bring historical context and real-life examples to your lessons. Some of my top picks include:
- The Federalist Papers (Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay)
- A People’s History of the United States (Howard Zinn)
- The Constitution of the United States with The Declaration of Independence
- Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln (Doris Kearns Goodwin)
- John Adams (David McCullough)
- Documentaries/Educational Videos: Platforms like YouTube or Netflix have great options. I highly recommend The Constitution: That Delicate Balance for in-depth analysis or The West Wing for a more entertaining but insightful take on government.
- Online Courses: Sites like Khan Academy offer free lessons on U.S. government.
- Free Government-Related Materials: iCivics offers interactive games and activities that are perfect for reinforcing government concepts in a fun way.
These resources have helped my child stay more engaged, and they bring government studies to life in a relatable, interesting way.
Last Updated on 8 November 2024 by Clare Brown