Homeschool History Curriculum: Chronological, Classical, and Living Books Options
Homeschool History Curriculum: Chronological, Classical, and Living Books Options
History might be the subject where homeschooling truly shines. You're not limited to a single textbook chosen by a curriculum committee. You can read primary sources, take rabbit trails into topics that genuinely fascinate your family, and spend three weeks on ancient Egypt if your child falls in love with it. You can choose an approach that reflects your values — or one that presents history as broadly as possible.
The challenge is that "choose an approach" is easier said than done when you're staring at a market full of options. This guide is here to help. We'll walk through the major approaches to history education, compare the most widely used curricula, and give you a framework for making the decision that fits your family.
The Main Approaches to Homeschool History
Before diving into specific curricula, it helps to understand the underlying philosophies, because different programs are built on different assumptions about how kids learn history best.
Chronological / Cycle-Based History
This approach moves through history in time order — ancient history, then medieval, then early modern, then modern — often cycling through the same sequence more than once as children get older. The idea is that children encounter the same eras twice (or more), gaining depth and complexity each time around.
The classical education movement popularized this approach, though it's been adopted by many non-classical families as well. The advantage is coherence: events build on each other, cause and effect are easier to trace, and the narrative arc of history becomes natural over time.
Thematic or Regional History
Rather than a single timeline, thematic approaches might organize history by region, culture, or concept — spending a year on American history, a year on world geography, a year on ancient civilizations. This can work well for middle and high school students who have already built a general chronological framework.
Living Books History
Charlotte Mason-influenced families often organize history around "living books" — well-written, narrative-driven books by authors who are passionate about their subject — rather than textbooks or encyclopedias. The assumption is that children absorb history more deeply through story than through fact recitation.
This approach tends to be more flexible and delight-driven. The "curriculum" is really a curated reading list, possibly supplemented with timelines, narration, and hands-on projects.
Unit Studies
Unit studies integrate multiple subjects around a single historical period or event. A unit on the American Revolution might include history, literature (reading period novels and primary sources), art (colonial portraits), geography (mapping the colonies), and even cooking (colonial recipes). This approach suits families who enjoy integration and project-based learning.
Curriculum Comparison
Story of the World (SOTW)
Author: Susan Wise Bauer | Publisher: Peace Hill Press Approach: Chronological, narrative, classical-inspired Grade levels: Primarily K–8 (used in 4-year cycles) Secular or faith-based: Secular (with occasional religious history context) Cost: ~$15–$20 per volume (4 volumes); Activity Books ~$30–$35 each
Story of the World is probably the most widely used history curriculum in the homeschool world, and for good reason. Susan Wise Bauer writes history as story — engaging, accessible narrative that reads aloud beautifully. The four volumes cover ancient history, the Middle Ages, early modern times, and the modern age.
The accompanying Activity Books add mapwork, narration questions, coloring pages, and project ideas. There are also read-aloud suggestions, review cards, and audio versions for families who prefer listening.
SOTW is explicitly designed to cycle through twice: once in the younger elementary years (with lighter engagement) and again in upper elementary/middle school (with more depth). Many families add additional reading and writing at the second cycle.
Best for: Families who value narrative, want a secular approach, and like a complete spine that's easy to follow.
Potential limitations: The narrative style, while engaging, is also simplified. Families wanting more scholarly depth may want to supplement as children get older.
Mystery of History (MOH)
Author: Linda Lacour Hobar | Publisher: Bright Ideas Press Approach: Chronological, Christian worldview Grade levels: Primarily grades 1–8 (used in multi-year cycles) Secular or faith-based: Christian/faith-based Cost: ~$60–$80 per volume (4 volumes)
Mystery of History covers the same chronological ground as SOTW but through an explicitly Christian lens. World history is presented alongside biblical history, with each lesson connecting ancient events to Scripture or the biblical narrative where relevant.
The curriculum is well-organized, with lessons designed to take about 30 minutes each, three days a week. There are activities, quizzes, optional readings, and a timeline book. Multiple levels allow families with children of different ages to study the same material with age-appropriate adaptations.
Best for: Christian families who want history integrated with Scripture and a traditional chronological approach.
Potential limitations: The faith-based framework is a strength for its audience but a mismatch for secular families. Some families find the Christian interpretation of certain historical events, particularly pre-biblical history, in tension with a more scientific approach.
Sonlight
Publisher: Sonlight Curriculum Approach: Living books, literature-rich, chronological Grade levels: K–12 Secular or faith-based: Christian worldview, multicultural literature Cost: Core programs range from ~$200–$500+; complete packages can exceed $1,000
Sonlight is not so much a textbook curriculum as a curated reading list with an instructor's guide. It's organized around high-quality literature from around the world, with a clear Christian perspective woven in. History is absorbed through excellent books rather than through a spine narrative.
What sets Sonlight apart is the quality of the book selections and the instructor's guide, which does a lot of planning work for you — it schedules all reading, includes discussion questions, and ties everything together. Families often describe the Sonlight experience as doing school the way they wish school had been.
It's also one of the most expensive options on this list, though it includes a full year of reading for the child, which can reduce library expenses.
Best for: Literature-loving families who want a full program planned out for them and are comfortable with a Christian framing.
Potential limitations: Cost is a real barrier. Also, the literature-based approach, while rich, may not satisfy families who want explicit historical instruction with maps, timelines, and more direct content coverage.
Beautiful Feet Books (BFB)
Publisher: Beautiful Feet Books Approach: Living books, literature-driven, chronological Grade levels: Varies by program; K–12 options Secular or faith-based: Generally faith-friendly but usable secularly for many programs Cost: Study packages ~$80–$150
Beautiful Feet Books takes the living books philosophy seriously — their curricula are essentially guided reading lists built around exceptional books on specific historical periods or regions. Programs include Early American History, History of Science, Ancient History, and Geography Through Literature, among others.
The study guides are thin by design — they're meant to accompany the books, not replace them. BFB works well as either a primary spine or a supplement to another program.
Best for: Families committed to the living books philosophy who want a lighter-touch guide without a lot of busywork.
Potential limitations: Less hand-holding than some curricula; requires parents who are comfortable selecting additional resources. Not as comprehensive as full programs like Sonlight.
History Odyssey
Publisher: Pandia Press Approach: Chronological, classical, project-based Grade levels: Levels 1 (grades 1–4), 2 (grades 5–8), 3 (grades 9–12) Secular or faith-based: Secular Cost: ~$35–$45 per level
History Odyssey is a secular chronological history curriculum built on the classical four-year cycle. It draws on library books rather than textbooks, so parents need to gather resources (many are available through a library). The curriculum provides the guide; families supply the books.
History Odyssey works especially well for families already committed to the classical model who want a secular option. Level 3 includes significant primary source reading and writing assignments that can be used as high school credit.
Best for: Classical homeschool families who want a secular, library-based program at a low price point.
Potential limitations: Requires active library use and parental effort to gather materials. Less turnkey than curricula that include all resources.
Notgrass History
Publisher: Notgrass Company Approach: Narrative, textbook-style, unit-integrated Grade levels: Middle and high school primarily Secular or faith-based: Christian/faith-based Cost: $85–$130 per course; often bundled
Notgrass is a popular choice for middle and high school families who want a complete, self-contained history course with a Christian worldview. The curriculum integrates American or world history with literature and Bible, providing a unified course rather than separate subject study.
The writing is engaging and opinionated — Notgrass has a strong conservative, Christian perspective that is woven throughout. For families who share that perspective, it feels cohesive; for others, it may feel like bias. Notgrass includes primary source documents, literature selections, and tests.
Best for: Christian homeschool families in middle and high school who want a complete, integrated course.
Potential limitations: The faith perspective is central, not optional. Secular families will find many assumptions built into the text. More textbook-like than living books approaches.
Comparison at a Glance
| Curriculum | Approach | Faith/Secular | Grade Range | Cost | Turnkey? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Story of the World | Chronological, narrative | Secular | K–8 | Low | High |
| Mystery of History | Chronological, Christian | Faith-based | 1–8 | Medium | High |
| Sonlight | Living books, literature | Christian | K–12 | High | Very High |
| Beautiful Feet | Living books | Flexible | K–12 | Medium | Medium |
| History Odyssey | Classical, library-based | Secular | 1–12 | Low | Low-Med |
| Notgrass | Narrative/textbook | Christian | 6–12 | Medium | High |
How to Choose: A Decision Framework
With so many good options, the decision usually comes down to a few key questions:
1. What is your family's worldview, and how important is it that your curriculum reflect it? If you want a Christian framework integrated throughout, Mystery of History, Sonlight, or Notgrass are natural fits. If you prefer secular content, Story of the World and History Odyssey are reliable choices.
2. How much planning do you want to do? Sonlight does more of the work for you. Beautiful Feet and History Odyssey require more initiative. Consider honestly how much time you have and how much you enjoy planning.
3. What age/stage are your children? Story of the World is beloved in early and middle elementary. Notgrass shines in high school. Sonlight spans K–12 but requires the largest investment.
4. What is your budget? History Odyssey and SOTW offer excellent quality at lower price points. Sonlight is premium-priced. Check whether your library can supply most of the required books for library-based approaches.
5. How does your child learn? A reluctant reader will thrive with SOTW's accessible narrative and activities. A voracious reader will love Sonlight's booklist. A project-oriented child might love unit studies built around any of these programs.
A Note on Supplements
No matter which curriculum you choose, the world of history supplements is vast and wonderful. Historical fiction, biographies, documentaries, museum visits, living history events, and primary source collections can all enrich whatever spine you choose. Some of the most memorable history learning happens outside the curriculum guide entirely.