Choosing the best U.S. History homeschool curriculum can be overwhelming—especially with so many options for each grade level and learning style. In this curriculum guide, I walk through top-rated U.S. History picks for kindergarten through 12th grade, including hands-on history resources, traditional textbooks, literature-based programs, and online options.
When I am researching curriculum for our homeschool, I am so tickled when I find a post or site that gives me several options through which to wade. As a homeschool mama for 15+ years, it is fascinating to watch the homeschool world grow and change around me. One of the most obvious changes is the increase in curriculum options. While options are wonderful, it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming! I often suffer from decision fatigue.
I have compiled a list of U.S. History curricula for homeschoolers, which you will find below. I usually only write about curriculum that I have used in my own homeschool, so make note that this list is simply that – a comprehensive list.
You will find a list of full U.S. History curricula for Kindergarten through High School.
So let’s get started!
This curriculum guide was written by Lauren Hill, a homeschooling mom of 5 and veteran homeschooler with 15+ years of experience creating printable resources and learning activities. All recommendations are curated from real-life use, affiliate research, and community feedback.
NOTE: This post only includes full curricula. I hope to publish a LONG list of U.S. History supplemental materials (coloring books, hands-on activities, audiobooks, etc.) at a later time.
➡ Browse through all of the history worksheets and resources here at Mama’s Learning Corner.
➡ If you would like to see what we study each year in our homeschool, you can browse through my lengthy resource on Homeschool Curriculum.
This post contains my affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
Best U.S. History Curriculum with Traditional Textbooks
The following section is a compilation of American History curriculum using traditional textbooks, which I have grouped by publisher. Often the textbooks are paired with worksheets and other written tools for learning, so take note of those.
Some publishers also offer quizzes and tests as well.
Abeka
Abeka History – Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 11; Most grade packages include Student textbook, Teacher’s Guides, Quizzes & Tests booklet with answer key
– My America and My World – Grade 1; Only the 1st portion of the book is America-focused; last section of book focuses on other countries
– Our America – Grade 2
– Our American Heritage – Grade 3
– The History of Our United States – Grade 4
– America: Land I Love – Grade 8
– United States History: Heritage of Freedom – Grade 11
America’s Story by Masterbooks
America’s Story Series, Volumes 1-3 – Grades 3-6; Series of 3 volumes, with each volume to be completed in 1 school year; Includes student text, Teacher’s Guides, oral narration questions, journaling & drawing prompts, Quizzes & Tests, and Digging Deeper Sections
– America’s Story Volume 1 – From the Ancient Americas to the Gold Rush
– America’s Story Volume 2 – From the Civil War to the Industrial Revolution
– America’s Story Volume 3 – From the Early 1900s to Modern Times
Biographies of the American Revolution Set: Fight for Freedom – Grades 4-6; Includes Teacher’s Guide and Student Text, worksheets, quizzes & tests, and weekly lesson plans
American History: Observations & Assessments from Early Settlement to Today – Grades 10-12; Includes Student Textbook, Teacher’s Guide with lesson plans, Quizzes & Tests, student worksheets, and answer keys
BJU Press
BJU Heritage Studies – Grades 1-5 focus specifically on U.S. History except for Grade 3; Grades 3, 6, and 7 are World History
– Heritage Studies 1 Subject Kit – Grade 1
– Heritage Studies 2 Subject Kit – Grade 2
– Heritage Studies 4 Subject Kit – Grade 4
– Heritage Studies 5 Subject Kit – Grade 5
– American Republic – Grade 8
– U.S. History Subject Kit – Grades 10-12
Christian Liberty Press
Christian Liberty Press – Grades 1-5; Most grade packages include a student textbook, packet of tests, and an answer key.
– History for Little Pilgrims – Grade 1
– Our Nation Under God – Grade 2
– American Pioneers and Patriots – Grade 3
– A Child’s History of America – Grade 4
– Exploring America’s History – Grade 5
Christian Light Education
Christian Light Education – Grades 5, 8, and 11
– North America is the Lord’s – Grade 5; Includes textbook or Sunrise version. The U.S. is the main focus of this curriculum, however, there are some sections on Canada and the role Anabaptists play in North American history.
– Changing Frontiers – Grade 8; Available in textbook or Sunrise version – This text gets excellent reviews! Very solid.
– United States History – Grade 11; Available in Sunrise units
Homelands of North America – Grade 5; Rod and Staff; Note that the text covers the United States as well as Canada
Classical Historian
The Story of Liberty: America’s Ancient Heritage through the Civil War – Grades 6-9; Includes Textbook, student workbook, Teacher’s Edition, DVD for Socratic Method instruction, and links to Primary Sources used in the course.
American History: Take a Stand! – Grades 9-12; Time Period: 1492 to Present; Includes Teacher’s Edition, Student’s Edition, A Patriot’s History of the United States, and link to Primary Sources used
Modern American History – Grades 9-12; Time Period: 1865 to Present; Includes Teacher’s Edition, Student Edition, lesson plans, A Patriot’s History of the United States, The Patriot’s History Reader, and links to Primary Sources used
Generations
America in God’s Providence – Grades 10-12; Hardcover textbooks
Land of Hope
Land of Hope: An Invitation to the Great American Story – Grades 9-12; This textbook reads like a story book and is more engaging than the average school text; need all components to use as a full curriculum.
– Land of Hope Textbook
– Land of Hope Teacher’s Guide
– Land of Hope Student Workbook
Landmark’s Freedom Baptist History
Various grades in the series have an American History Focus:
– Great American Heroes – Grade 3
– Fifty United States – Grade 4
– Beginning American History – Grade 5
– United States History – Grade 9
Memoria Press
A Concise History of the American Republic – Grades 10-12; This curriculum is divided into 2 years, using the same textbook for both. Lesson plans are available for a one or two-year study.
Notgrass
Notgrass – Books for elementary and middle school are textbooks used in a unit study style.
– Our Star-Spangled Story – Grades 1-4; Includes hands-on ideas, literature suggestions, timeline, workbook, and more.
– Our Fifty States – Grades 1-4; Includes literature suggestions, atlas workbook, hands-on activities.
– America the Beautiful – Grades 5-8; Includes history, geography, and literature. Lesson plans, guided writing assignments, timeline, vocabulary, mapwork, and more.
– Exploring America – Grades 9-12; Includes weekly assignment guide, primary source information, literature option, writing assignments, test & quizzes.
Other U.S. History Homeschool Curriculum without Textbooks
If you would like to implement a method of studying U.S. History that does not include traditional textbooks, browse through the following list of curricula.
Some of the resources listed below include videos, some include living books, some are worktext-style, a few are hands-on activities, and many are a combination of these.
Literature-Based U.S. History Curriculum
Beautiful Feet Books
Beautiful Feet Books – Uses a living books approach; Most packs come with a Teacher’s Guide and timeline and possibly mapwork
– Early American History Primary Pack – Grades K-3; Spans 1000 A.D. through the mid-1800s
– Early American Intermediate Pack – Grades 4-6; Covers major events from 1000 A.D. to the mid-1800s
– Modern American and World History – Grades 5-8; Only a portion of this curriculum is U.S. History, covers the American Civil War to Modern Day
– Early American History – Grades 7-9; 1000 A.D. through 19th century
– Modern U.S. and World Senior High Pack – Grades 11-12; Only a portion of this curriculum is U.S. History, covers 1850 to 2000
Guest Hollow
Guest Hollow’s American History – Grades 9-12; Divided into two years
– Guest Hollow’s High School American History Year 1 – Covers 1492-1899
– Guest Hollow’s High School American History Year 2 – Covers 20th Century American History
Sonlight
Sonlight – Easy to implement when combining grades or stages
– Exploring American History – Grade K
– Intro to American History, Year 1 – Grades 4-7
– Intro to American History, Year 2 – Grades 5-8
– Sonlight 100 American History – Grades 8-10
U.S. History Curriculum with Video Teaching
American History – Grades 10-12; 4-part series of American History delivered in a unique format by The Nomadic Professor; opportunities for video, audio, textbooks, and more
American History Video Series – Grades 9-12; 1st in a 4-year series; video based with supplemental materials
Wild World of History – Grades 9-12; Author of A Patriot’s History of the United States; video and reading in text
The Story of Liberty: America’s Heritage Through the Civil War – Grades 8-12; This is a versatile course in that you can use only the textbooks, only the video lessons, or a combination of the two
U.S. History Curriculum Using Worktexts
Ace PACEs American History – Grade 11; Worktexts
LIFEPAC
LIFEPAC – Uses worktexts
– U.S. History and Geography – Grade 5
– U.S. History and Geography – Grade 8
– U.S. History and Geography – Grade 11
Winter Promise
Winter Promise uses worktexts and informational reading as opposed to living books; the content is written in an engaging style that is age-appropriate
Winter Promise – Grades 1-8; 2 levels of American History, Years 1 and 2
U.S. History Homeschool Curriculum Using Nonfiction Books and Activities
200 Questions American History – Grades 6-8; Includes 200 questions each American should know. Uses Guerber’s The Story of the Thirteen Colonies & The Great Republic and Story of the World Vol. IV.
American History: A Story of Courage, Conflict and Freedom – Grades 10-12; Fully-narrated Powerpoints, Student Workbook, uses many online and digital resources, tests and exams included
Bede’s History of US – Grade 1; Veritas Press publisher. Reading book with cut-out activity pages in the back.
Hillsdale College’s 1776 Curriculum – Grades K-12; A completely FREE curriculum that is written for the school setting, but is quite adaptable to the homeschool setting. Includes American History and Civics.
✍️ What has worked in your homeschool for U.S. History?
I hope you have enjoyed browsing through this comprehensive guide to U.S. History Homeschool Curriculum!
Please share your experience with any of these curricula or ask questions in the comments — I’d love to hear from you!
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