In light of the government shutdown, it’s been interesting to see how simple things were 225 years ago.
Thankfully, my husband got a paycheck, but we know many who have not and they are struggling. We pray this all gets resolved quickly.
We use Tapestry of Grace as our history core.
We follow a four year cycle of learning history, but US history is only in year three and four because we’re a young country.
See how we do history.
Favorite US History books:
- A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
- A Different Mirror by Ronald Takaki
- An African American and Latinx History of the United States by Paul Ortiz
- A Black Women’s History of the United States by Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross
- An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
- A Disability History of the United States by Kim E. Nielsen
- A Queer History of the United States by Michael Bronski
- Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen
- A History of US: Eleven-Volume Set by Joy Hakim
- Life: Our Century In Pictures by Richard B. Stolley
- The Century for Young People by Peter Jennings
We study our nation’s beginnings in our homeschool.
We love lapbooks and notebooking!
I grew up traveling to many military and history sites around the USA. I hope to show my kids how beautiful the US landscape is and also discuss disturbing history topics and how we can learn from our mistakes.
We watch Schoolhouse Rock videos and do lots and lots and lots of reading.
Studying US History
Travel
We visited the Missions in San Antonio, TX.
We explored Hawaii when we lived there for three years.
We learned about the Transcontinental Railroad in Utah. We took a trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons.
When we moved to Ohio, we learned about the Wright Brothers.
Colonialism
Did Columbus really discover America?
No.
We enjoy reading about different aspects of the discovery of America and the American colonies.
My 4th of July Unit.
Government
How was the US Government formed?
We enjoy reading about “the founding fathers” (and mothers) and how our early government worked. It’s pretty unique with states and federal.
My eldest is pretty fascinated by the election process. She likes the Presidential Game and iCivics.
We all loved this mouse book about the Supreme Court.
Here’s the official page of the USS Constitution. It’s important to read and understand it.
Military
The USA probably has the strongest military in the world, but it wasn’t always that way.
Is it right that we’re the policemen of the world?
Old Ironsides coloring page for younger kids.
Learn about sailing with these fun games and activities!
My girls love to make their own timelines, biography pages, and write about their learning in history and other subjects. They wrote a timeline of the events leading up the War of 1812.
- Revolutionary War
- Civil War
- World War I
- World War II
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
- Japan Unit
- Korea Unit
- Vietnam Unit
- The Middle East
- Patriot Day or 9/11
Pioneer
My girls loved notebooking about Lewis and Clark.
We lived in Utah for four years and they really celebrated Pioneer Day which never really set right with me.
I enjoy learning about homesteading, but the history of the US exploring the west and manifest destiny is terrible.
White Europeans stole land and colonized in the name of God, destroying native culture.
Native Americans
We’re reading about Sacagawea and Tecumseh and I’m loving learning along with the kids!
(They’re still here.)
- Indigenous People Book List – by and about Natives
- Thanksgiving Unit
- Johnston Farm and Indian Agency
Black History
I have a duty to teach my white children truth about our country and its history.
I teach from many different resources about Black history year-round with our history cycles, not just one month a year.
My youngest daughter and I made a cotton gin with Story of the World!
We learn about history by visiting museums like the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
Stone Mountain is an odd amusement park that sparks much discussion.
Civil Rights
We’re reading and learning about civil rights in the USA and around the world.
- Nonviolence Unit Study
- Being AntiRacist
- Celebrating Diversity
- Love Your Neighbor
- Hispanic Heritage Unit
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Unit
The US has much work to do for civil rights for all.
Our favorite resource for notebooking is Notebooking Pages.
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