History Education

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.

Chronological history teaching presents historical events in sequential order from ancient times to the present, helping students build a coherent mental timeline and understand how one era leads to the next.

The four-year history cycle is a classical education approach where students study world history chronologically over four years—Ancients, Medieval, Early Modern, and Modern—then repeat the cycle with increasing depth.

A history spine is a foundational book or curriculum that provides the structured backbone for history studies. Families read through the spine chronologically, then 'jump off' into related living books, historical fiction, and projects—using the spine as an organizing framework while exploring topics in depth.

Living history is an educational approach that brings the past to life through immersive experiences—including reenactments, hands-on activities, narrative-rich literature, and museum visits—rather than relying solely on textbook facts and dates.

Primary sources are original documents, artifacts, or records created at the time of historical events by people who witnessed or participated in them—letters, photographs, diaries, maps, and official records that provide firsthand evidence for studying history.

A timeline in homeschool history education is a visual tool displaying historical events, people, and periods in chronological order, helping students see connections across time that they might miss studying topics in isolation.

World history is the study of human civilization from ancient times to the present, typically covering ancient civilizations, medieval periods, early modern eras, and contemporary global events across cultures and continents.