Name: Thrive! NCHE Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-05-22T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-05-24T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Tagged: American History, first grade, History

This topic has 6 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 1 month ago by Jamie.

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

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March 27, 2017 at 8:54 pm
Jamie
Participant
I’m wondering if anyone has any suggestions – I have an idea of what I’m looking for but I don’t know if it exists out there somewhere or if I might have to combine resources or make it up myself!
I know that I want to start next year with American history up to 1850s. I don’t want it to be too heavy since it’s only 1st grade, but what I really wish I could find is something that gives a nice, interesting overview to a particular topic, for example early explorers or the pilgrims, and then we read a corresponding living book. I looked at the scm early modern book but I think I want to keep it simple and not include world history as well, and I’m not sure the stories in stories of America spine might be too over her head at this age? I’ve looked at beautiful feet books guide, but it just seems like it has questions to go along with the books, but no overview, so it seems like we’re just reading random books if there is no spine to tie them together, in my opinion. I’ve looked at truthquest, and I like the extensive book lists, but it also is missing a good overview. So maybe as I’m talking this out, I really just need a good 1st grade appropriate spine that ties the history together as a story? I’m in researching overload, ha ha! 🙂 Any suggestions?
March 27, 2017 at 10:12 pm
psreitmom
Participant
It may be difficult to find a spine that does not include some world history. A gentle overview for beginners is History for Little Pilgrims from Christian Liberty Press. That is their 1st grade history book. Their 2nd grade book is Our Nation Under God. I am not familiar with that one. Maybe these are not what you are looking for, but CLP has some good books.
March 28, 2017 at 6:35 am
HollyS
Participant
A few options would be
- Skip the spine! Just pick a few AH topics to read about and don’t worry about connecting all the events at this age, there is plenty of time for that later.
- Stories of America would be a simple introduction…my 7yo has no problem following it. The chapters are short with some poems in between. Add in other books in between readings, possibly some from the SCM list.
- A Child’s First Book of American History is a spine published by Beautiful Feet. I haven’t used it, but it looks interesting. Not sure how it compares to Stories of America.
- CLP has another book called American Pioneers and Patriots that might be fun for 1st. They schedule it for 3rd, but I think that’s for the students reading it by themselves.
March 28, 2017 at 9:18 am
Kayla
Participant
We did the early modern guide last year with a first grader and sometimes 5 year old listening in. The books are wonderful. You could always just do the American portion of it and not the world.
March 28, 2017 at 12:43 pm
retrofam
Participant
Master books is now publishing Angela O’Dell’s American History which is basically a spine with some CM elements. She has short book lists too.
March 28, 2017 at 9:34 pm
Jamie
Participant
Thank you! I will look in to those books. I have thought about not using a spine, but i do like the idea of using a light one, just for some continuity. Thanks!
March 28, 2017 at 10:27 pm
Jamie
Participant
Just wondering – has anyone used the beautiful feet American history for early elementary?