Homeschool History Curriculum 

From History / Bible / Literature D forward, Sonlight History / Bible / Literature programs include Readers (what some call "Read-Alones") and Read-Alouds that coincide with and enhance the books and subjects we are studying in the homeschool History curriculum.

The three subjects together--History, Readers and Read-Alouds--are so intertwined that it is sometimes impossible to tell whether a title belongs in one category or the other. Indeed, we have been known on occasion to schedule under the homeschool History curriculum section of our History / Bible / Literature programs a book listed in the catalog as a Reader or vice versa!

What this means to you is that your study of history, for the first time, will be a fascinating, enjoyable endeavor, the highlight of your and your child's day, a subject you can hardly tear yourself away from.

Besides biographies of men and women recognized by the world at large as worthy of note, Sonlight History includes the stories of key ambassadors of Christ in our Christian homeschool history curriculum.

Our purpose in stressing biography in our homeschool history curriculum? First, to make history "come alive." But second, and perhaps more importantly, to provide students with heroes whose standards they will adopt as their own and whose examples they will desire to follow with all their hearts. We also want them to be fully aware of the villains: those whose accomplishments they may admire but whose career paths they will want to avoid. Or those whose power for evil caused great difficulties for the people of God.

Besides reading, Sonlight History & Geography A and following includes map work and time lines. From History / Bible / Lit D on, written assignments in each year's Language Arts program emphasize some theme from the homeschool History curriculum just about every week. Please check out the Sonlight History / Bible / Literature programs for more information.

History is the centerpiece of Sonlight's homeschool curriculum.

Our History / Bible / Literature curriculum seeks to give homeschool students an overview of key events and people of the past, but, more importantly, gives them every opportunity to study the biographies of people who have made significant contributions to the development of human cultures and the advancement of God's Kingdom. Moreover, we pay special attention to those whose character and achievements we would like to emulate.

With Sonlight's History / Bible / Literature curriculum, you and your students will have a chance to sweep through history three times, gaining an ever deeper understanding of what has happened, why it happened, and what that means to us today.

For a complete list of programs, and an at-a-glance chart that will help you compare your options, check out Sonlight's scope and sequence.

Sonlight begins with American History in First Grade. American society has enriched the world in many ways, but Sonlight also seeks to emphasize the unique contributions, strengths, weaknesses, and needs of the other major peoples and cultures on Earth. This is why Sonlight devotes eight years to the rest of the world and doesn't begin again with American History until Level D. With this strong emphasis in studies outside the United States, when your children look at American history and culture, they will understand more fully how and why American culture is different.

Sonlight A, American History (age 6-8) shares the stories of key events and important people in American history. What a wonderful way to introduce your younger students to both well known and more obscure historical characters from America’s past, from a wide range of religions and ethnicities, with diverse skin colors and contributions.

Next, jump into the first year Intro to American History from before the Spanish conquistadors through the mid-19th Century (ages 9-12). Geography assignments cover the early exploration of the Americas. Then jump into year two Intro to American History from the mid-19th through 20th Centuries (ages 10-13). Geography assignments cover the Americas.

Then, revisit American History in-depth with a study from pre-Columbian America through the early 21st Century (ages 13-15). Homeschool geography assignments focus on the United States. And finish out with thorough study of the American Government with emphasis on the Constitution and its historical interpretation, plus a close look at the three branches of government (ages 17-18). 

In all, Sonlight devotes five solid years to U.S. history and culture. Due to their astonishingly rich content and engrossing presentation, however, those five years are equivalent to at least eight in almost any other program.

Sonlight devotes eight years to world history, including not only Western history and culture, but also the cultures and histories of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and indigenous peoples around the globe.

Begin your global adventure as you Explore God's World together. Discover fascinating differences (and similarities) between people around the world (ages 4-5). Then gain a solid foundation for further studies with the stories providing you an Intro to the World: Cultures where you will encounter geography and cultures around the world and across time from creation through modern times (5-7).

Immerse yourself in the first year Intro to World History of early peoples and civilizations through the fall of Rome (ages 6-8). Geography assignments focus on the Middle East and Asia. Then finish out this first sweep through world history with the second year Intro to World History which continues from the fall of Rome and takes you through the 20th Century (7-9). Geography assignments span the globe.

Explore a part of the world overlooked by most other educational options. Take part in a fascinating cultural study of the Eastern Hemisphere, including Asia, Oceania, the Middle East and Africa (ages 10-13). You will also learn to do research with this program, which will help your students prepare for high school and college in the coming years.

Study the first half of World History from ancient Egypt through the Reformation (ages 11-14). Geography assignments span the globe. Then, World History continues from the 17th Century through the fall of the USSR (12-15). 

In high school, your student can focus in on the History of the Christian Church for an in-depth study of the spread of the Gospel worldwide from the time of Christ to the present (ages 14-18). Our homeschool history curriculum then covers major events throughout 20th Century World History. The literature program focuses on works that helped establish the Western culture's view of reality (15-18).