Best 7th Grade Social Studies Homeschool Curriculum

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Our picks for the best 7th grade social studies homeschool curriculum:

Social studies refers to the fields of history, geography, anthropology, economics, government, and sociology. The topics covered in seventh-grade social studies vary greatly by state and school. Homeschoolers also approach the subject in a wide variety of ways, with many focusing mainly on history or geography in seventh grade. If you are looking for a seventh-grade homeschool social studies curriculum, there are many excellent options from which to choose. You will want to consider your student’s learning style and your own homeschool philosophy, as well as what subject matter you’ll want to cover. Our top picks are listed above. To learn more about each one, keep reading. 

Best All-Around

My Country, My State, My Responsibility! Angela O’Dell

We chose Angela O’Dell’s My Country, My State, My Responsibility! as the best all-around homeschool seventh-grade social studies curriculum for several reasons. Foremost among these was the program’s topical breadth, which we found to be especially impressive. Focusing on the United States, the program smoothly combines geography, history, and government, while at the same time providing a template for more focused study on the student’s own home state. 

The program’s content is perfectly appropriate for the middle school level, challenging students to use their reading skills alongside hands-on activities to absorb the material, yet also presenting this material in a way that is still basic and broad enough to be approachable for seventh graders. The basic history, geography, and government background provided in this program will be excellent preparation for the more advanced social studies curriculum that students will take in the high school years.

The program is organized into four units: “The Geography of the U.S.A.”, “Study Your State”, “America’s Government and Symbols”, and “State and City Civics”. There are nine lessons in each of these units; each of these lessons is divided into three days of work. The program can thus be completed with two to four lessons per week over a 36-week school year. Parents appreciate the program’s clear structure, which makes planning a breeze.

In addition to the main text, required materials include the National Geographic Kids Atlas of the U.S.A. and Loree Pettit’s Eat Your Way Through the U.S.A. Pictures or postcards of various states along with clear tape, glue, fine-tipped markers, and colored pencils are also required.

Best Online Program

Calvert World Civilizations

If you are looking for a solid social studies curriculum that your seventh-grade homeschool student can complete online, we highly recommend the World Civilizations course by Calvert Homeschool. Calvert has been producing top-quality curriculums for many years, and all of its grade 3-12 programs are now available only online. Calvert World Civilizations in a secular curriculum.

The program, which is designed specifically for seventh graders, covers a wide breadth of world history, laying an excellent foundation for later studies in world and U.S. history. The following units are included: 

  1. The Beginnings of Human Society 
  2. Early Civilizations, 4000-1000 B.C.
  3. Classical Traditions, Major Religions, and Giant Empires, 1000 B.C. – A.D. 300
  4. Expanding Zones of Exchange and Encounter, A.D. 300-1000
  5. Political and Economic Societies Expand, A.D. 1000-1500
  6. Global Expansion and Encounter, 1450-1770
  7. Age of Revolutions, 1750-1914
  8. A Half-Century of Crisis and Achievement, 1900-1945
  9. The Twentieth Century Since 1945: Promises and Paradoxes
  10. World History Across the Eras

Calvert’s methodology is straightforward, academic, and solid. Independent learners will thrive with this program, and the rich multimedia online platform will also be an asset to students who struggle with traditional text-based curriculums. Schedules and grading are made simple through the online program.

Best Christian Program

Lifepac 7th Grade History & Geography, Alpha Omega Publications

If you are looking for a seventh-grade homeschool social studies curriculum that covers a broad scope of material from a solidly Christian worldview, we highly recommend the Lifepac 7th Grade History & Geography course. Geography, history, government, citizenship, economics, sociology, and anthropology are all integrated into this program, with specific sections dedicated to these topics in the U.S. context. 

Like other Lifepac courses, this one is heavily reading-based, requiring students to read sections from the worktexts and then answer follow-up questions or complete corresponding activities. This curriculum is an excellent choice if your seventh-grader is a solid reader and an independent learner. 

Like other Lifepac courses, this one comprises a set of 10 consumable worktexts along with the Teacher’s Guide. Each worktext embodies one unit of the course. The units covered include: 

  • What Is History? 
  • What is Geography?
  • History and Geography of Our States 
  • Anthropology
  • Sociology – Man in Groups
  • Anthropology and Sociology of the United States
  • Economics – Resources and Need
  • Political Science
  • The Economics and Politics of Our State
  • Social Science Review

The Teacher’s Guide includes everything parents need to manage and assess their children’s progress through the program, including tests and answer keys.

Best Classical Program

Story of the World, Susan Wise Bauer

Those who follow the classical homeschool approach described in The Well-Trained Mind will surely already be familiar with Susan Wise Bauer’s Story of the World series. Yet the series is also a very popular choice among homeschoolers in general, including those who generally don’t follow the classical approach. This is because the program is approachable and truly enjoyable for both parents and students, and because it offers a simple and straightforward approach to covering the whole of human history in the homeschool environment.

Story of the World consists of four volumes, each covering a different time period – Ancient Times, the Middle Ages, Early Modern Times, and the Modern Age. Typically, students study one volume per year beginning in first grade, then repeat the series a second time beginning in fifth grade. If your student is on this track, he or she will likely be ready for the Early Modern Times course in seventh grade. 

If your student has never used Story of the World and wants to begin the course in seventh grade, consider what material or she has already been exposed to and/or is most interested in. Many seventh graders have never been taught ancient history, in which case you may want to begin with the Ancient Times course (volume 1). Some students can successfully begin the program in the middle (with volumes 2, 3, or 4), and at the middle school level some are able to finish one volume and move onto the next one in less than a year.

The four volumes are organized chronologically, not by level of difficulty, so it is best to start with material the student has yet to cover. The accompanying activity book for each volume includes comprehension questions and extension activities that can be tailored to younger and older students, so this series is also an excellent option for homeschool families with students of different ages who want to work together.

The core of this curriculum is the text itself. Several supplementary materials are also available for each volume, including an activity book, a test and answer key, and an audio CD version of the book, which is especially popular. For the most convenience, purchase all of the printed materials as a bundle, along with the audio CD, for your student to listen to while reading or in addition to her studies. The printed material bundles and audio CDs are listed here:

Best Charlotte Mason Style

Beautiful Feet Books Literature Packs

If you are looking for a literature-based, Charlotte Mason style social studies curriculum for your homeschooled seventh-grade student, consider the literature packs offered by Beautiful Feet Books. Each pack contains 13 to 23 works of literature along with a teacher’s guide and other supplementary materials. The teacher’s guide contains enough lessons for the student to complete three to four lessons a week over a full school year. 

Three social studies literature packs are available for students in grades 5-8. These can be completed in any order. The Modern and American World History Pack considers U.S. and world history from the period of the Civil War through the modern day. Literature selections include Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas by Frederick Douglas, Number the Stars by Louis Lowry, and volumes on Jackie Robinson and the Wright Brothers, among many others.

The Ancient History Intermediate Pack is another great option. The literature selections will lead students through the ancient histories of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome and highlight the histories of Christianity and Judaism along with ancient Greek mythology.

The Medieval History Advanced Intermediate and Junior High Pack is also a fantastic option. The Middle Ages will come alive for students through The Canterbury Tales, volumes on Medieval castle architecture, One Thousand and One Arabian Nights, histories of Joan of Arc and Christopher Columbus, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and many more selections.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a solid homeschool social studies curriculum for your seventh grader, there are many excellent options from which to choose. You’ll want to consider your student’s learning style, your own homeschool philosophy, and the types of subjects you want to see covered in a program. If you have questions or would like more information on this topic, please email us!