Best 8th Grade U.S. History Homeschool Curriculum

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If you are interested in finding a good social studies curriculum for your eighth-grader (or for any homeschooled middle schooler), check out our article Best 8th Grade Social Studies Curriculum for Homeschooling.  

Best All-Around Curriculum

People, Places, and Principles of America, Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum

If you are looking for a solid and thorough eighth-grade American history curriculum, consider the People, Places, and Principles of America course by Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum (PAC). This course is written in a straightforward, engaging way that most students enjoy. Reading and assignments are clearly structured, allowing students to work independently. Like PAC’s other curriculums, this one is secular while nevertheless emphasizing good moral character.

People, Places, and Principles of America is a two-year course intended for students in grades 8-12. The first half of the course will cover a complete year of study for your eighth grader. The second half of the course can be purchased separately for use during the high school years if you so choose. The eighth grade (first half) course provides a comprehensive history of the United States beginning in the period just before European contact and continuing until 1849; the second half of the course (taken in high school) picks up from there and continues on through the year 2012.

This course is structured both chronologically and thematically. The thematic organization emphasizes the following critical components of America’s cultural history: families, agriculture, media, military, government, religion, education, discoveries, industry, communication, leaders, light/energy, art, music, sports, and transportation.

For a comprehensive and engaging eighth-grade U.S. history course, purchase the complete first-half (full year) course kit. It contains everything you will need for the full eighth-grade course, including the Student Texts for Chapters 1-6, the activity books for Chapters 1-6, the Student Resource Kit for Chapters 1-12, and the Teacher’s Resource Kit with CD-Rom for Chapters 1-6.

Best Christian Program

Lifepac History & Geography Grade 8

If you are looking for a solid and comprehensive U.S. history homeschool curriculum that embodies a Christian worldview, consider the Grade 8 History & Geography course from Lifepac. Published by Alpha Omega Press, a leader in Christian homeschool curriculum, the Lifepac series is popular among homeschoolers because of its streamlined, clearly structured approach. Students can read, follow, and complete the work independently at their own pace. 

The Lifepac Grade 8 History & Geography course focuses on American history and includes the following units: “Europe Comes to America”, “British America”, “The American Revolution”, “A Firm Foundation”, “A Growing Nation”, “The Civil War”, “Gilded Age to Progressive Era”, “A World in Conflict”, “Cold War in America”, and “Recent America and Review”. 

As with other Lifepac courses, this one includes 10 illustrated, consumable worktexts along with a Teacher’s Guide. Students work through the worktexts independently and at their own pace. Projects, lessons, reviews, and tests are included at regular intervals. Little to no prep work is required on the part of parents. Although Bible-based, this curriculum is not overwhelmingly religious and focuses mainly on academic content. 

Best Charlotte Mason-Style Course

Early American and World History Jr. High Pack, Beautiful Feet Books

If you are looking for a homeschool U.S. history program that is firmly rooted in quality literature, consider the Early American and World History Jr. High Pack from Beautiful Feet Books. The course uses nine important works of literature in conjunction with an excellent teacher’s guide to provide a comprehensive American history course for students who learn best by reading good books. 

The teacher’s guide for this course provides the key to making history come alive through literature. The guide includes 91 lessons, making the course appropriate for a 2-3 lesson/week schedule. Comprehension questions, writing assignments, and hands-on activities are included in the lessons.

To purchase this course, you can either buy the entire course pack at Beautiful Feet Books, or you can purchase the guide and literature selections individually. If you do the latter, you will need the following books: 

• Early American and World History: A Literature Approach, Rea C. Berg & Rebecca Manor
• The World of Columbus and Sons, Genevieve Foster
• The World of Captain John Smith, Genevieve Foster
• Poor Richard, James Daugherty
• Johnny Tremain, Esther Forbes
• George Washington’s World, Genevieve Foster
• Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, Jean Lee Latham
• Of Courage Undaunted, James Daugherty
• The Great Little Madison, Jean Fritz
• Abraham Lincoln’s World, Genevieve Foster

Beautiful Feet also offers other excellent history-themed literature packs for students in grades K-12. If your eighth grader has already taken an early American history course and would like to learn more about U.S. history from the Civil War era through the modern day, you might want to check out the Modern American and World History Pack for grades 7-8.

Conclusion

If you are homeschooling an eighth grader and looking for an excellent U.S. history curriculum, you’re fortunate in that there are many great options to choose from! You’ll need to consider your student’s learning style and your own homeschooling philosophy as you make your choice. If you are looking for an eighth-grade homeschool curriculum focused on social studies, check out our article Best 8th Grade Social Studies Curriculum for Homeschooling. If you would like more information or have questions about this topic, please email us!