Welcome Back To Homeschool… Week 3!

 

History and Geography breathe life into our children’s understanding of the world. Some consider them separate subjects, others combine them as many school systems do and call them Social Studies. Through these subjects we are connected to the people, places, and events that have shaped the past and continue to influence the present. They help us to understand the context of the interactions and political decisions of groups and nations, and make sense of current events. Whether you are looking to build a strong foundation in Canadian heritage, explore the complete timeline of world history, or give your child the tools to understand maps and cultures, there are excellent programs that can make learning both meaningful and memorable.

 

History Revealed by Diana Waring provides a great Christian perspective, covering three distinct time periods: Ancient Civilizations; Romans, Reformers, Revolutionaries; and World Empires, World Missions, World Wars. Each unit includes a Teacher’s Guide, Student Manual, Elementary Activity Book, a Lesson Planner, and 3 Audio CDs that bring the stories to life. Optional testing packets are available as special order items, but the program is thorough enough that you do not need it by any means. The multi-sensory approach encourages children to learn in the way that best suits them, through reading, listening, creating, or hands-on exploration.

 

Story of the World has been a favourite among homeschoolers for a long time - and for good reason! Designed for grades 1–4, but easily adaptable for older learners, this four-volume series carries students from Ancient Civilizations through to the Modern Age. You can find complete 3 or 4 piece bundles that include activity books and audio CDs to make the program as full and engaging as possible. Not wanting the full assemblage? The text alone can also be enjoyed as a lighter introduction to history, making this a perfect fit for families who want flexibility without losing the storytelling element that makes this program shine.

This year (2026) Story of the World has released the 25th Anniversary Edition of Volume 1. This expanded edition is not compatible with the older editions, and removes the audio CDs. In lieu it includes two new chapters, ten new biographies, and an updated pronunciation guide. It also changes the format, replacing the old activity book with 2 separate items - the Instructor Guide and the Student Workbook - to streamline your teaching process.

 

For another Christ-centered approach, Mystery of History covers the same broad sweep of history as Story of the World while including Biblical events. Each student reader includes a link to the digital companion guide, so you have everything you need contained within one resource. The reader is an excellent stand-alone text, and the companion guide adds hands-on activities, research projects for younger, middle, and older students; memory card ideas; bi-weekly quizzes and exercises; timeline helps; maps; supplemental book lists; and more. If you want a clear picture of how God’s story intersects with human history, this is an excellent choice.

 

Each of the books includes a complete list of recommended resources that you can purchase or find at the library, making them strong stand-alone programs. But if you’d like to expand further, CHER also offers exclusive bundles that pair Donna Ward’s texts with carefully chosen additional resources. Some items are from the recommended resources, others are there to add fun and flavour. These bundles provide extra reading, mapping, and activity suggestions that turn a single book into a rich, well-balanced curriculum that makes Canadian studies engaging and memorable.

Donna Ward also has a high school level program, Canada in the 20th Century. It includes digital components and provides a full year of high-school level work. There are 2 extra resources that are available, and it is highly recommended that you use at least one of them. More information about all of Donna Ward’s books is available on our website.

 

Master Books offers excellent Charlotte Mason style resources for both history and geography. Their Elementary Geography & Cultures course provides a gentle introduction for younger students, while The World’s Story three-level series gives upper elementary and junior high learners a beautifully illustrated, narrative-based look at history from a Christian perspective. Both series are accessible, engaging, and easy to incorporate into your homeschool rhythm.

The World’s Story follows the same timeline as many of the younger curricula - starting with Creation and the Ancient World and continuing through early church history, the Middle Ages, and carrying on all the way up to present day. (Well, it was written in 2018, but it does a good job of including events right up until that point.) Rather than the repetition of previously covered periods of history being seen as a detriment, it should be seen as a boon. Your older children get to take the classical education approach, go back over stories they are already familiar with, and dive even deeper to get a thorough understanding.

Something that will be lovely to know for our larger families is the fact that all of Master Book’s student pages are included in the Teacher Guide, so additional family members only need an extra copy of the Teacher Guide to get the benefits of the course. Even better, reproduction of those student pages is permitted within a single household, so if you are someone who loves the copy function on your printer (I know my mom did) then this is a fabulous course that is thoroughly well written, from a Christian perspective, and cost-effective.

 

But what about Geography?!?! It is true that many of these are not specifically about geography. Instead geography is intertwined throughout all of these curricula in one way or another through maps, culture studies, and hands-on activities. That being said, if you are looking for something that is purely geography based, you should take a look at Beautiful Feet’s Geography: A Literature Approach Bundle. This program combines Holling Clancy Holling’s classic literature, maps, and notebooking for a rich exploration of the world’s regions and cultures. Children don’t just memorize facts—they walk alongside explorers, travelers, and storytellers, developing both empathy and a deeper connection to the material.

 

Around the World with Picture Books is another two-part literature-based study that takes you and your early explorers all over the globe. Study character, geography, literature, and more as you learn about the different places and cultures around the world.

 

If you prefer the blending of history and geography into a more hands-on style of learning, you may enjoy exploring unit studies further. We’ll be sharing more about unit studies in an upcoming email, so keep an eye out if that approach sounds like a good fit for your family. There is just too much to say on that subject to include here! For now you can check out many of our premade Unit Study Bundles available on our website, or read about creating your own unit study here.   You can explore the full History and Geography category on the CHER website for even more curriculum options, Canadian History resources, and hands-on geography games and puzzles. The options are many and the days before September are few, so I wish you fast browser speeds and excellent decision making. Happy Exploring!   -Allyson