California History Homeschool Curriculum: History Through Literature

If you are looking to add a rich and fascinating state study to your homeschool you may want to consider a California History Homeschool Curriculum.

Learn why and how we use children’s books to study the beautiful state of California.

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This post is sponsored by Beautiful Feet Books. I was sent this curriculum and was compensated for my time and work. As always, all opinions are my own. Read the full disclosure policy here.

Why Study California in Your Homeschool

Being from the south, California isn’t the most obvious choice of states to study in our homeschool. I have no personal connection to the state (that I can think of) and have never visited the west coast.

However, my lack of experience with the state is fuel for my interest in learning more about America’s most populous state.

Home to about one-eighth of the country’s population, The Golden State is rich in history, resources, and culture.

In the state of California alone, one can find sandy beaches, cliffs, mountains, valleys, forests dressed in redwood trees, farmlands, and deserts.

Just as varied as its physical features are the people groups living in the 31st state. This provides considerable learning opportunities about culture, history, and cuisine for children learning about the state.

Around California with Children’s Books Pack: A History of The Golden State

Around California with Children’s Books is a California History homeschool curriculum. The curriculum uses delightful children’s books to teach children about the history and features of California.

Like all the literature packs from Beautiful Feet Books, education is based on nurturing the child’s ability to learn through stories.

Because history itself is a collection of stories, I find this approach of having history come to life through well-written children’s books to be effective and preferable in our homeschool.

Designed for intermediate students (4th-6th grade), Beautiful Feet Books Around California with Children’s Books Pack takes the students through a study of art, poetry, geography, music, and the culinary history of California. Students will also learn about the animals and nature that are indigenous to the state.

For residents of the Golden State, this course fulfills the California History requirement for fourth or fifth grade.

The California study pack includes :

1 Teacher Guide, 22 beautiful children’s books related to and about California, and 1 Blank Composition Notebook.

Teacher Guide

The teacher guide lays out a year-long literature-based study of California. It includes about 80 lessons. 2-3 lessons are to be completed each week for one year of study.

The guide includes chapter book notes, that feature questions to prompt discussion. Answers are found in the back of the guide.

The Teacher’s Guide is divided into the following seven sections:

The Ice Age
The California Indians
Discovery and Explorations
The Mission Era
Pathfinders and Pioneers
The Gold Rush and The Transcontinental Railroad
The 20th Century to Contemporary

Each of the seven sections in the study features a selection of animals for the student to study. Beautiful drawings of the animals are included at the back of the guide. I print them onto quality card stock for my son to watercolor and add to his journal

Timeline Figures, The California Story Poem, and The California Map are included in the guide. The timeline figures and map are to be printed out onto heavy watercolor or card stock weight paper.

Beautiful Children’s Books about California

All of the books included in the California History Homeschool Curriculum are either classic works, award-winning books, or newer books with stories that are integral to California’s history.

The core of this study is made up of chapter books with the study being enhanced by picture books. Each book is intended to be read aloud.

The following are the 22 books included in the study:

Once Upon A Mastodon
The Discovery of the Americas
California Indians
Adopted by Indians
Inside the Blue Dolphins
The Story of California The Cruise of the Arctic Star
The Story of California
Song of the Swallows
Junipero Serra: Founder of California
Missions Patty Reed’s Doll
Jessie Benton Freemont California Pioneer
By the Great Horn Spoon
Rider’s of the Pony Express By Moody
John Muir: America’s First Environmentalist
Coolies
Locomotive
With Open Hands: A Story About Biddy Mason
Blue Willow
Who Was Walt Disney
The Forest in the Trees
Who Was Steve Jobs
Esperanza Rising

Journal for Charlotte Mason Style Notebooking

Around California with Children’s Books is accompanied by a lovely blank composition notebook. The notebook is the student’s journal where they record what they learn. Students will also paste artwork, maps, historical figures, nature drawings, and poetry.

Students should complete rough drafts beforehand and display only their best work in the notebook.