History is one of the first content subjects to be introduced into the Catholic Home School after the initial skill subjects have been sufficiently mastered. There are two common approaches to teaching history in grammar school: the "text" book and the "real" book approaches.
Simple text books are probably best for grades two and three. Great Saints in World History and The Catholic Faith Comes to the Americas are textbooks developed by Seton Home Study School for those grades. We also carry the Seton history texts for later grades.
A work-in-progress is the Catholic Schools Text Book Project, to teach history and geography in the fifth through ninth grades. To date only two volumes have been published : From Sea to Shining Sea - The Story of America for grade 5 and All Ye Lands: World Cultures and Geography for grade 6. The hardcover books are sturdy, attractive, illustrated in fine color. Both have detailed Teacher's Manuals.
Old standard texts, for grades 5 through 8, which have stood the test of time include The Old World and America (recommended by Laura Berquist) and Our Pioneers and Patriots. Both stress the centrality of the Catholic Faith in Western Civilization. Newer texts, recommended for grades 9 through 12 are Christ the King, Lord of History and Christ and the Americas, both by Anne W. Carroll. Dr. Warren Carroll is the author of another work-in-progress, his History of Christendom in Seven Volumes. The first five volumes have been published. Paul Johnson's A History of the American People is an excellent study of the United States suitable for high school and adult study.
The "real books" approach is epitomized in The Artner Reader's Guide to American History published by Memoria Press. The authors show how to use the text book as a supplement while using "real" books as the core of your history program. This approach is calculated to engender enthusiasm and love for the study of history. It has the additional advantage of introducing children to many great writers whose works become models for the children's own writing. You will find many "real books" in our selection of Historical Fiction and in the Vision Lives of the Saints.
