Freedom Homeschooling
Welcome to our list of free homeschool history curriculum! Below, you’ll find free homeschool history, social studies, geography, and government curriculum for every grade.
How to Use the Free History Curriculum List
The history and social studies curriculum on this page is listed in alphabetical order. There is a suggested grade range next to the title of each curriculum resource. These are only approximate, so you may want to also consider resources above or below your child’s actual grade.
All the Christian resources on this list are labeled with a “C.” Any resource not labeled as Christian is either secular or neutral and does not teach religious beliefs unless otherwise noted.
If you would like to use any of the resources listed below, click on the curriculum’s title to visit their website. Then, follow the instructions found there to begin using the resource.
For other subjects, visit our homepage and choose a subject from the free curriculum menu found there. There are options for all the standard subjects and many electives.
Free History & Social Studies Curriculum
American Heritage Education Foundation (K – 12th)
AHEF’s social studies course, America’s Heritage: An Adventure in Liberty, is available through downloadable lesson plans. The course is offered at elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Each lesson is based on at least one of the four main themes of freedom, unity, progress, or responsibility.
The American Yawp (10th – college)
This online American history textbook was designed for college-level history courses but could also be used with high school students. The website provides a syllabus, discussion questions, quizzes, exams, essay assignments, and additional readings to accompany the textbook.
At Home Middle School (6th – 8th)
This website provides the following social studies courses: Ancient Civilizations & Geography, World History & Geography, and U.S. History & Geography. The material is taught using a combination of online textbooks and videos.
Constitution 101 (9th – 12th)
This semester-long course, created by the National Constitution Center, provides students with a basic understanding of the Constitution’s text, history, structure, and caselaw. Each module includes video instruction, lesson plans, and student worksheets.
CK-12 (8th – 12th)
U.S History FlexBook textbooks are available at basic and advanced levels.
Digital History (6th – 12th)
This U.S. history curriculum includes an online textbook, downloadable lesson plans, quizzes, student handouts, timelines, primary sources, historical music, and more.
Early Childhood: Where Learning Begins (Pre-K & K)
This downloadable booklet, published by the US Department of Education, is full of ideas to help young children develop the vocabulary, awareness, and curiosity necessary to lay the foundation for the study of geography.
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool (1st – 8th) C
Courses are taught using a variety of online sources and printable worksheets. Courses offered are Ancient History, Early American History, Modern History, and Geography.
Easy Peasy All-in-One High School (9th – 12th) C
Courses are taught using a variety of online sources. Courses offered are World History, Early American History, Modern American History, and Comparative Government.
edX (10th – college)
EdX, a nonprofit created by Harvard and MIT, offers a wide variety of courses covering history, geography, government, culture, religions, and more. The length and format vary from course to course, and availability changes periodically. The courses are free to audit, or certificates of completion are also available for a fee.
Elementary Geography (K – 4th) C
This classic book, written by Charlotte Mason in 1881, introduces basic geography concepts.
Explore USA Geography (K – 3rd)
This curriculum, created from ABCs to ACTs, introduces younger children to US geography. The curriculum is free if you download each state’s unit separately, but the site also sells a bundle of all 50 states in one download. Each state’s unit includes fun facts, worksheets, activities, and book recommendations.
Georgia Virtual Learning (6th – 12th)
The material is taught using an online textbook, assignments, and projects. Social studies is offered for grades 6th to 8th. High school courses available include U.S. History, World History, World Geography, and American Government. Several AP courses are also offered. Assessments are not included.
GLOBALMANIA: Master World Geography in 7 Months or Less (3rd – 12th)
This eBook provides a detailed plan for learning world geography.
Guest Hollow (6th – 12th) C
Guest Hollow’s High School Geography and Cultures Curriculum can also be adapted for middle schoolers. The online textbook for this course is free, but other components of the course are available for purchase.
Heritage History (1st – 12th) Some C, varies by book
Heritage History offers an extensive online library of classic history books organized by reading level. They also have multiple history study programs available. Each program includes reading, review questions, and other study aids.
Hillsdale College (9th – college) C
Hillsdale College offers several courses related to history, government, and politics. The courses are taught through video lectures. Quizzes and recommended readings are also included.
The History Cat (7th – 12th)
This website offers online textbooks for World History and U.S. History. Please note that only the textbooks are free. The lesson plans are sold on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Home Geography for Primary Grades (1st – 4th)
Home Geography, a classic available for download at Internet Archive, provides an introduction to basic geography concepts.
Homeschool Creations Geography (1st – 6th)
Homeschool Creations provides a large collection of country and state notebooking pages and worksheets. Families can research the state or country using books or websites of their choice.
iCivics (6th – 12th)
This civics curriculum has downloadable teacher’s guides, student handouts, and reading materials for each lesson. Some lessons also include PowerPoint presentations and other resources.
Institute on the Constitution (9th – 12th)
This 12-week US Constitution course is delivered weekly via email. Each week’s lesson includes a video lecture, a lecture outline, reading assignments, a review, and a test.
Investigating History (5th – 7th)
This history curriculum includes a curriculum guide, lesson plans, slides, student worksheets, and assessments. The curriculum covers US history, ancient civilizations, and geography.
Journey With a Destination (6th – 11th)
This website offers World History I for 6th grade and World History II for 7th grade. Both of these courses are video-based and include a printable workbook with an answer key. The site also offers Journey Into the Foundations of America. This downloadable history and civics textbook covers the history of America from the earliest European explorations through 1914. The textbook was designed for 8th grade, but can also be used for high school students.
Joy & Valor U.S. History (8th – 12th)
U.S. History 1 covers history before the Civil War. U.S. History 2 covers the Civil War to the present. Both courses consist mostly of links to free videos, reading materials, lessons, and other activities. However, there are some books that you’ll need to borrow or purchase. The courses also cover American literature and include composition assignments.
Khan Academy (9th – college)
Lessons are taught using videos. Some courses also include online practice questions and tests. Courses offered are US History, AP US History, World History, AP World History, and AP US Government & Politics.
Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness (9th – 12th)
This digital textbook, created by the Bill of Rights Institute, can be used to teach a full year of US History or AP US History. Review questions, handouts, and teacher resources are included.
Michigan Open Book Project (K – 12th)
This website offers downloadable textbooks for social studies, history, geography, economics, and civics. The textbooks include links to interactive activities and videos. The books were designed for use in Michigan schools but can be used by homeschoolers in other states.
Modern States (10th – college)
Modern States courses prepare students to take College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams. Students can earn college credit through CLEP exams while still in high school, making college more accessible and affordable. Several history and government courses are available.
OER Project (6th – 12th)
OER Project offers the following online world history courses: Big History, Origins to the Present, 1750 to the Present, 1200 to the Present, and AP World History. These courses include reading assignments, videos, activities, practice questions, tests, teachers’ resources, and more.
OpenLearn (10th – college)
OpenLearn offers courses on numerous history topics. The length and format of the classes may vary.
OpenStax (10th – college)
OpenStax offers downloadable student textbooks, instructor guides, and other instructor resources for U.S. History and American Government. While these courses are intended for college students, high school students should be able to complete them.
Parallel Alternative Strategies for Students (9th – 12th)
These downloadable history and social studies courses are designed to help students with special needs succeed. Each course includes a student workbook and teacher’s guide. Courses available are: American Government, American History Part 1, American History Part 2, World Geography, World History Part 1, and World History Part 2.
Poptenial (8th – 12th)
Poptenial offers courses in American history, world history, economics, and government. The courses are taught using an eBook textbook, video clips, and audio files. The teacher’s editions include lessons, assignments, quizzes, and more.
Saylor Academy (10th – college)
Saylor Academy is a nonprofit initiative offering courses at the college and professional levels. However, high school students may also take their classes. Saylor offers several history, geography, and political science courses.
Student’s Friend (8th – 12th)
The Student’s Friend Concise World History textbook is a downloadable textbook that teaches both world history and geography. The Teacher’s Tools page of the website has lesson plans, quizzes, study questions, and other support materials.
Systems-Based Learning (8th – 12th)
Marion Brady wrote the following downloadable textbooks: Introduction to Systems, Investigating American History, Investigating World History, Investigating World Cultures, and Civic Systems.
U READ THRU History (K – 8th) C
Semester-long lesson plans are offered for each of the following topics: Early American History, Revolutionary War, Westward Expansion, Civil War Era, Post Civil War Era, Ancient Mesopotamia/Egypt, Ancient Greece & Ancient Rome, Dark & Middle Ages, Renaissance & Reformation, and Enlightenment. It will be necessary to purchase or borrow the required books.
Under the Home (1st – 5th)
Under the Home offers courses covering geography, US history, and world history. The courses are based on classic books in the public domain. Most of the courses include a printable workbook.
UShistory.org (9th – 12th)
UShistory.org offers the following downloadable textbooks: U.S. History, American Government, and Ancient Civilizations.
World History for Us All (8th – 12th)
This course teaches nine eras of world history chronologically in one school year. The materials are presented through online text and PowerPoint presentations. There are also downloadable complete teaching units.
YAPA Kids (1st – 8th)
YAPA Kids provides free online courses taught by live teachers. The courses available may change, and some have a waitlist.
Additional Free History Resources
History Unit Studies & Lesson Plans
This extensive selection of unit study and lesson plan sources can be used to create or supplement a history curriculum.
History Websites for Homeschoolers
Students can explore history further with these websites.
Homeschool History with YouTube
Students can learn about history with this selection of engaging YouTube channels.
History Timelines
This page lists printable and online timelines, which can help students understand the chronological flow of historical events.
Virtual Field Trips
Explore the world, including many historical sites and museums, through virtual field trips.
Current Events
Learn about history as it happens. This post lists numerous websites students can visit to read or watch current event news. It also recommends several resources parents can use to teach media literacy.
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