Exploring America for Homeschooling High Schoolers

History is a tricky subject—but it did not used to be. In the 1800s, American school children learned about the origin of their country from school books, family stories, and Independence Day celebrations complete with the full reading of the Declaration of Independence. Now, American history is convoluted and viewed through political lenses, often distorting the reality of what actually happened. Do you ever wish you could go back in time and experience it for yourself? (If anyone is working on a time machine, please let me know.) Or do you ever wish you could speak first-hand with someone who heard the Liberty Bell ring on that memorable day? I know that I do.

Since I cannot do those things, the next best option is to carefully select history materials from an accurate and Christian worldview. Why Christian? Because Christianity formed America. Were those Christians perfect? No, but was the early church perfect? Is the modern-day church perfect? I am sure that we would all agree that the answer to those questions is a resounding, "No." The Bible is filled with imperfect people. So is Christianity. So is history. The Bible, Christianity, and history are not perfect, but the God who knew what would happen is and He continues to be even through the history that we are currently creating today that our great-grandchildren will read about (or download, if reading isn't a thing anymore. Oh, I sure hope it is.)

If you are looking for an engaging, story-based, accurate retelling of American history, then check out Exploring America by Notgrass History. This one-credit homeschool high school course includes two parts and a book with copies of original documents, speeches, poems, hymns, and stories that shaped American history. You can also purchase a complete literature package for a well-rounded experience for your teen. Parent guides, student review packets, and test booklets are also available.

Teach your teen, or allow your teen to teach himself, with this self-paced, easy-to-use homeschool history course for high schoolers. In the first semester, your teen will explore the history of Columbus until Reconstruction. In the second part, he will discover more about life in the late 1800s until the present. Through creativity, literature, and thought-provoking questions, your teen will have a well-rounded understanding of what happened before our nation was born, its birth, and its development.

Disclaimer: Many thanks to Notgrass History for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Original 13 Colonies Fact Cards (Free Printable)

These Thirteen Colonies Fact Cards were created for my kids as we studied early American history. What a pivotal time in our history! Puritans seeking religious freedom, adventurers setting out for a new land, and those in debt hoping for a fresh start—a new life. From the first colony in Virginia, until all thirteen stars on the first American flag were represented, these cards are a perfect review for your homeschoolers. Use them to drill the first thirteen colonies so your child can recite them with ease, and have them dictate the information on the cards to help them remember a small fact about each colony. Feel free to print these out and have your children write facts that they learn about each colony on the back. Go ahead and laminate them, too! Simply right-click, save, and print to use this resource in your homeschool as you study about the original thirteen colonies in America. Use the facts for dictation, copy work, or discussion in your home. Disclaimer: All co...

Truck-Themed Homeschool Chore Chart

Use this truck-themed homeschool chore chart to keep your kids on track throughout the school week. With lessons, field trips, meals, and unexpected errands filling up your week, even the simplest chore chart can help your home run more smoothly. At times, kids are excited for the new opportunity to help out around the house and do it with joy. Other times they stomp toward the trash can with anything but a good attitude. Help keep attitudes in check by using stickers, smiley faces, or positive verbal reinforcement as your child completes each task on the chart. For the child who loves lists (and the mom) this is the perfect free printable to have on hand! (Simply right-click, save, and print)

The Pencil Grip Inc. {Review}

We have found what we have been looking for in The Pencil Grip Inc .'s 24 pack of Magic Stix Washable Markers . These markers are the perfect fit for a homeschooling family such as ours. I am thrilled to tell you about our experience with them! Normally, I do not have a favorable impression of markers for several reasons. For one, as a kid, I remember markers having such a strong smell that it would give me a headache. I know some kids enjoyed the scents but it certainly was not for me. And to be honest, if I had markers like that in my house today, my kids would probably stick them up their nose or something. Another reason I have a distaste for markers is the drying out factor. As a parent of many children this is super frustrating. I finally teach the older ones to put the caps back on when they are done using their markers but then a younger one comes along and just doesn't understand. This then leads to the undue frustration of your child sitting down to...

Thrift Schooling

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