American History is a foundational homeschool subject that teaches the political, cultural, and social development of the United States from pre-colonial times through the present day.
What is American History?
American History in homeschool education covers the story of the United States from Native American civilizations through contemporary events. Most homeschool approaches teach American history multiple times during a child's education—typically in elementary, middle, and high school years—with increasing depth and complexity each cycle. The subject encompasses political history (founding documents, government development), social history (how people lived in different eras), cultural history (arts, religion, movements), and economic history (industry, labor, commerce). State requirements vary, but nearly all expect some American history education.
Key Takeaways
- Typically taught three times during K-12: elementary survey, middle school study, and high school credit
- Most states require at least one high school credit in American History
- Teaching approaches range from textbook-based to living books to documentary-focused
- Curriculum choices include secular and faith-based options across all methodologies
- Primary sources like the Library of Congress offer free supplementary materials
Teaching Approaches
Literature-based programs use historical fiction, biographies, and narrative nonfiction to make history engaging. Charlotte Mason methods emphasize living books, narration, and timeline work. Traditional approaches rely on textbooks with comprehension questions and tests. Documentary-based curricula use video to bring eras to life. Many families blend approaches—a textbook spine supplemented with historical novels and documentary evenings. The best approach depends on your child's learning style and your family's educational philosophy.
Popular Curriculum Options
Beautiful Feet Books offers literature-focused programs with timeline and map work. Sonlight provides comprehensive literature-based Christian curriculum. Notgrass History delivers faith-based traditional instruction. The Nomadic Professor engages high schoolers with video lectures and document analysis. Hillsdale College's 1776 Curriculum provides a completely free K-12 American history program. Secular families often turn to BookShark or History Odyssey.
Key Time Periods
Beyond the Textbook
The Library of Congress offers millions of digitized primary sources—photographs, documents, maps, and recordings that bring history to life. Documentary series like Ken Burns' work provide visual storytelling. Field trips to historical sites create memorable connections. Biographies of historical figures add personal dimension to events. Even historical fiction, when chosen carefully, helps students understand how people actually experienced their times. A rich American history education combines multiple resource types.
The Bottom Line
American history grounds students in understanding their country's development and civic foundation. The subject lends itself to engaging teaching through stories, primary sources, and connections to current events. Whether you choose a literature-based approach, traditional textbooks, or video instruction, the goal remains helping students understand how America became what it is today. For high school, ensure your approach provides sufficient rigor for transcript documentation—typically one full credit covering colonial times through contemporary America.
