• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Meet Jen
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Disclosure & Privacy Policy
  • Blog Menu
    • Homeschool
    • Lifestyle
    • Family
    • Blogging
  • Resources
    • FREE Subscriber Resources
    • My Favorite Resources
    • Start a Blog
  • Shop
    • My Store
    • Phonics Curriculum
    • Homeschool Planner
    • My Favorite Resources
    • Teachers Pay Teachers Store

Jen Merckling

life.unimaginable

September 8, 2019

How to Homeschool History (Without a Curriculum)

(This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure.)
829shares
  • Facebook 19

The homeschool world is full of shiny curriculum…I love it!  I love researching it, shopping for it, and opening it all up (it’s like Christmas in July when the boxes start to arrive)! The smell of new books and fresh crayons–it’s the smell of hope and endless possibilities!  I’ve definitely chased my fair share of shiny homeschool curriculum over the years…But I’ve also wasted a lot of money! So this year, I promised myself–NO MORE!  After 16 years–I know some things about my homeschool style and habits.  And one of those things is that I don’t need a packaged history curriculum for the elementary school years! Every year I buy it…and every year I have some buyer’s remorse…This year I’m homeschooling history without a formal curriculum–I should have done this years ago! Let’s talk about how it looks for me and how it can help you too!

Switch to a Morning Basket

I kept hearing and reading all this buzz around “Morning Baskets.”  Then I realized the concept of Morning Baskets are essentially how I’ve been starting our homeschool for years. It’s slow, intentional time with my kids before we jump into the meat and potatoes of the day.  It’s cozy time on the couch before attacking fractions or spelling words! 

Morning Basket with History Curriculum

I’ve discovered this cozy time is what cultivates a true love of learning–it’s where the lines between home and school blur beautifully. 

What it looks like daily for us:

  • Bible Story or Lesson
  • Read Aloud from History or Science Books

Some days it might also include: 

  • Poetry
  • Art (Take Time for Art integrates art & history lessons beautifully)
  • Music Study (This year we’re using A Year of Charlotte Mason Music Lessons)
  • Other Family Read-Alouds (Fairy Tales, Fables, Library Books, etc…)

I found that by reading from history or science books daily–I wasn’t following my expensive lesson plans!  So this year I decided to embrace the natural flow in our homeschool and ditch a formal history curriculum.  

Take Time For Art Greek Helmet Project

Now we simply homeschool history during our morning time together with great books.  Then we talk about what we’re reading–and we become pretty immersed in the topics! (This is a perfect way to teach multiple ages of kids at one time!)  We also keep a notebook for narrations throughout the week.

Morning Basket with Homeschool History Curriculum

Building Your History Book Lists

I enjoy the Classical Education approach to teaching history, which essentially rotates through major time periods in history so that your child will be exposed to each era at least three times over the course of their K-12 years. 

I used to fret over which era we needed to study…The truth is there is no magic to choosing your era of study.  I start with my oldest child and begin with Ancient History–and all the younger kiddos study it too.  I’ve tried to be precious about this in the past and work backwards from what my oldest child will be studying in high school…That takes some mental gymnastics, and honestly–it really doesn’t matter!  I’ve wasted a lot of time worrying about years that were much further down the road…try to focus on the step you’re on! 

There are 3 main sources I like to cull my book lists from:

1. The Well-Trained Mind is an amazing book that really fleshes out the classical education approach! I reread it every year!  In addition to being a huge inspiration–the book offers many practical resources and explains exactly how to implement a classical approach to education.  After each chapter are large book lists for various subjects–including eras of history. 

2. Sonlight...I have used Sonlight’s literature-based curriculum often throughout our homeschool journey.  I love all the books–but I found myself regularly “off schedule.” So this year I went through their book lists–but I didn’t buy the curriculum. I still use their timeline and timeline figures (we love the stickers)! And some of the books are best purchased through them (I keep a running list to compare prices and check the availability at the library).  Get on the mailing list–their catalogs are excellent resources and often contain their extensive books lists! If you decide to use a structured history plan–Sonlight’s is excellent!  

Remember, every phase of homeschooling looks a bit different.  My 10th grade daughter needs structure and a schedule–so Sonlight’s history and literature programs are perfect for her!  She is currently using their American History and American Literature Courses for high school.

3. Tapestry of Grace…Tapestry is one of my Top 12 Favorite Homeschool Curriculums. I used it for many years–and it’s great for teaching multiple children! However, it can be a bit all consuming…and my focus during this particular homeschool season (preschool and 2nd grade…my high school daughter is totally doing her own thing) is on Reading and Math Skills.  

Tapestry of Grace has an amazing resource right on their website–their book lists are divided out by Lower Grammar (classical education code for early elementary), Upper Grammar (upper elementary), Dialectic (middle school), and Rhetoric (high school)! You need to know that Year 1 is Ancient History, Year 2 is Middle Ages through Colonial America, Year 3 is the 1800’s, and Year 4 is the 1900’s. Search their book lists here!

Keep it Simple

Everything you’re doing with your elementary kiddos in the subjects of history and science is far more than they would be experiencing in a traditional classroom.  I promise. (I use to teach 2nd grade–the teachers are desperately trying to get 20 children reading, writing, and doing math on grade level…there is zero time to delve deeply into the Middle Ages!)  So don’t get yourself too wrapped around the axle over these subjects!  Let history and science be times of wonder and enchantment in your homeschool! 

If you have any questions–please feel free to reach out!

  • You may also be interested in my posts: 3 Books That Will Change the Way You Homeschool and Choosing Homeschool Curriculum (it’s got my go-to places for buying curriculum).

With Love,

Jen xo

Related Posts

Filed Under: Curriculum, Elementary, History, Homeschooling Tagged With: Affiliate, Charlotte Mason, Classical Education, Elementary, History, Homeschool, Morning Basket, Routines, Unit Studies

Primary Sidebar

Hello! Welcome--I'm Jen! I've got 6 kiddos, twins, toddlers, teens--lots of laundry and always dirty dishes! I've been Jason's wife for 20 years, a mommy for 18 years, and a homeschooler for 14 years...I'd love to be friends. ♡

Read my story→

SEARCH MY WEBSITE!

CONNECT WITH ME!

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM!

I’ve never been so mesmerized by rocks!! 😍 T I’ve never been so mesmerized by rocks!! 😍

The Grand Canyon literally took my breath  away!😂😬 Jason & I hiked  down from the South Rim (Bright Angel Trail) to the bottom, camped 2 nights, & hiked out the South Kaibab Trail (4,800 ft elevation gain from camp)...If you know me—you know this was WAY out of my comfort zone!😅

My husband is the best trainer because I actually felt so good! 🥳🏆(He’s been getting me ready since September...ie...6 am hikes, sub-zero temps, & repeating the same one hill we could find elevation on in Kansas!!) And we’re still training for a rim-to-rim hike in June! 🏜 

I really could not decide which pictures to share...none of them do this amazing place any justice...🏕

❤️Here the rocks truly cry out the Glory of our Lord!❤️
❤️Love of Learning, Leadership, Creativity, Cr ❤️Love of Learning, Leadership, Creativity, Critical Thinking… 
Just some attributes at the heart of why many of us homeschool! 

We’re digging deep into all that this coming week over at the Life Skills Leadership Summit! I’d love for you to join us!! {Grab your free pass in my bio!}🎉 

I’ll be talking about growing independent learners through all the seasons of homeschooling...💐☀️⛈🍁❄️ 

And the longer I homeschool (17 years now)--the more I am convinced that our kids create & experience meaningful learning through play! 🦄🤖🤴🦸‍♀️

❤️My 6 year old twins created this barn (and a set of paper dolls & horses)--complete with apples in a barrel, hay for the horses, and tiny carrots...I did nothing but provide the materials and the TIME to play!

It may not be Instagram or Pinterest “pretty”—but they were so engrossed and immersed in the process!!

 What project is taking over your dining room table?🐴🎨😉
Slow, cozy mornings...Just one thing I love about Slow, cozy mornings...Just one thing I love about homeschooling! The twins set out their toys to enjoy the fire & then disappeared...Now it’s very quiet—maybe too quiet... #whataretheyupto
Happy New Year!!🤩 Time to take down this tree Happy New Year!!🤩

Time to take down this tree & make some changes in 2021!🥳

{GIVEAWAY—Closed!! Winners have been notified —Congratulations to Sarah & Amy!}🎉❤️

But you still have time to join me for the Make Over Your Life Summit!🥰

We're covering all the things...in 8 individual tracks or grab the All-Access Pass:

❤️Marriage 
❤️Spiritual Life 
❤️Schedules 
❤️Home 
❤️Motherhood
❤️Homeschool 
❤️Health 
❤️Finances
Starts Monday--but Early Bird Registration (and best price) is NOW!
{Link in My Bio!!}
This sweet little book is meant to be read with ou This sweet little book is meant to be read with our little ones! They love joining in & “reading” the pictures! ❤️ 
It’s part of The Story of Christmas product in my shop—which also includes a game, narration, & coloring pages. 
 
Link in my bio!!❤️
All dressed up & nowhere to go!😂 #2020life All dressed up & nowhere to go!😂 #2020life

Copyright© 2021 · Brunch Pro Theme by Shay Bocks

AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES