Drive Thru History is an award-winning video curriculum featuring host Dave Stotts at actual historical locations, covering ancient civilizations, biblical history, and American history for middle and high school students.
What is Drive Thru History?
Drive Thru History is an educational video series produced by ColdWater Media in Dallas, Texas, hosted by Dave Stotts, a professional documentary filmmaker with two decades of experience across nearly 30 countries. What sets this curriculum apart is the on-location filming: instead of watching a teacher in front of a whiteboard, students travel with Stotts to the actual places where history happened. He walks through the Roman Forum, stands on Mars Hill in Athens, explores colonial Williamsburg, and drives (literally, often in interesting vehicles) through historical landscapes while delivering engaging, fact-filled narration.
Key Takeaways
- On-location filming at actual historical sites provides immersive learning
- Covers ancient history, biblical history, and American history series
- Best suited for grades 7-12, though family-friendly for younger viewers
- Available through DVDs, streaming subscription, or Adventures platform
- Includes curriculum materials, discussion questions, and worksheets
Available Series and Content
Drive Thru History offers several distinct series. The Bible-focused content includes The Gospels, Acts to Revelation, Bible Backroads, and Excavating the Evidence for Jesus. The Ancient series covers Christianity and the birth of Western civilization, visiting Rome, Greece, Turkey, and Byzantium. American history content includes Columbus to the Constitution (nearly six hours of content), American Holidays, and Discovering America's Founders. The production quality rivals what you'd see on the History Channel, making it genuinely engaging rather than the dry educational video stereotype.
How Families Use It
Most homeschool families use Drive Thru History as either a complete history curriculum or a supplement to text-based programs. The Adventures platform subscription ($119.95/year) provides unlimited access to all courses plus full curriculum materials including lesson plans, primary source documents, discussion questions, and worksheets. Individual DVDs run $19.99-$29.95 and are often discounted through retailers like Christianbook.com. Many families watch episodes together during weekly history time, then older students complete accompanying worksheets independently. The videos work particularly well for visual and auditory learners who struggle with textbook-heavy approaches.
Grade Levels and Content Considerations
The curriculum materials are developed for ages 12+ with reading levels appropriate for grades 7-9, making it ideal for middle and high school. However, the videos themselves are family-friendly and suitable for younger children to watch, with differentiated activities available for mixed-age families. One note: the Ancient History series includes some graphic battle descriptions and may benefit from parental preview before showing to elementary students. The content comes from a Christian worldview, particularly in the biblical series, which aligns with many homeschool families' preferences but is worth knowing upfront.
The Bottom Line
Drive Thru History succeeds where many educational videos fail: it's genuinely entertaining while still being substantive. Dave Stotts' energy and the on-location filming create an immersive experience that brings history to life far better than reading about distant events in a textbook. For families looking to add visual learning to their history curriculum, or those with students who resist traditional approaches, Drive Thru History deserves strong consideration. The subscription model makes accessing all content affordable, and the included curriculum materials eliminate the need for additional planning.
