Last week I read a statistic that homeschooling in America has doubled since the beginning of the pandemic, growing from 5 millions students to 10 million. I’ve been getting a lot of calls, texts, and emails about what curriculum we love. I have shared a lot of it over the years here and will continue to do so because I know a lot of our readers either are now homeschooling or have grandkids, church friends, or neighbors who have just begun. Everyone is looking for great resources and books, and I am so happy to share some of ours. We have now been homeschooling for twelve years, and I count it as one of the greatest blessings of my life. I absolutely love sharing about it!
Today, I’m sharing one our favorite American history books. We fell in love with American Pioneers and Patriots by Caroline Emerson several years ago when it was assigned as a read-aloud book during our U.S. History year of social studies. This year I am reading it aloud to my elementary and junior high age boys as part of their history studies. My kids and I have learned so much from this book!
This book is so wonderful because it tells the stories of the founding of the original settlements and colonies of the United States through the eyes of children. Last week we read about Peter who tended his cows on Manhattan Island (yes, it used to be farmed by first the Native Americans and then Dutch settlers). This week we read about the help that Marie’s French family received from Native Americans in present-day Michigan and how the fort of Detroit was founded. The stories share the hopes of fears of the children who were some of the first pioneers in America. My kids are able to enter into history through the eyes of children who are their age. It takes their understanding to a whole new level.
This year, our curriculum is focused on American History, but I actually pull out Pioneers and Patriots each fall, because it has some wonderful stories about families settling in Plymouth prior to the first Thanksgiving.
The stories, written from different children’s perspectives really resonate with our kids. Even though my boys are very active children, they all sit still to listen when I pull out this engaging and exciting book. I also love the discussion questions at the end of each chapter that help me check comprehension. Our kind of book!
So, grab a copy for your kids or grandkids. Take a few minutes each day and snuggle up on the couch and dive in. Or schedule a zoom call to read it with your favorite kiddos who live far away. You’ll love it!
Here are some of our other favorite resources:
