Vermont Homeschool History for Grades 1–4: 20 Planned Units
Vermont Homeschool History for Grades 1–4: 20 Planned Units
Vermont families running a home study program can cover history for children in Grades 1–4 with the Elementary History Curriculum: 20 planned units, from the Stone Age and ancient Egypt to Vikings, explorers and pioneers, for $169.99. The worksheets and projects can also become work samples for the end-of-year assessment, though you decide what goes in.
Browse the 20 history unitsThe Elementary History Curriculum ($169.99) gives a Vermont home study family history for Grades 1–4 from one source: all 20 elementary history units, each with an overview and three sub-units. A sub-unit has a step-by-step lesson plan, a differentiated worksheet with reading passage and word bank, a project or source activity, an answer key and slides. It contains no Vermont history and is not approved by the state.
The resources
Elementary History Curriculum, Grades 1–4
20 resources in one download: $169.99 instead of $499.80 bought separately.
Start with the first resource; the others are optional add-ons. Open any cover for the full contents and price.
Elementary History Curriculum | All 20 History Units | Grades 1–4
Early American History Bundle | Native Americans, Explorers, Pilgrims & Pioneers | 8 Units | Grades 1–4
Ancient Civilizations Bundle | Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, Vikings & Stone Age | 8 Units | Grades 1–4
Complete Learning Books Bundle | 10 Units: Grammar, Math, Science, History, ESL, Art & Music | Grades 3–6
Teach-Life-Balance: The Complete Time-Saving Course for Teachers (incl. Planner, Guides & Templates)
The real problem
What Vermont's home study rules mean for planning history
In Vermont, homeschooling is a home study program under 16 V.S.A. § 166b. You file an enrollment notice with the Secretary of Education on the Agency of Education form at least 10 business days before home study begins, and again each year at least 10 business days before your intended start date; the Secretary's written acknowledgment serves as enrollment verification. Children under 13 must receive instruction in the subject areas listed in 16 V.S.A. § 906, so read that list and confirm the current rules with the Agency or a homeschool legal resource rather than relying on this summary. At the end of each school year there is an annual assessment that the parent keeps. Options include a standardized assessment, a review by a Vermont-licensed teacher, or a parent report and portfolio with at least four work samples. For history, that means planning twice: what to teach, and what will show the learning in June. Library books and outings are valuable but leave a thin paper trail. With two children three grades apart, writing history lessons at two levels every week is where the time goes.
Why it fits
Why the units suit a home study family
The curriculum was written for classrooms, but its structure carries over well to a kitchen table with one to three children.
- Step-by-step lesson plans mean you can teach history without writing your own notes each week.
- Differentiated worksheets let a first and a fourth grader study the Vikings together at different levels.
- Projects and source activities produce work samples you may choose for an end-of-year portfolio.
- Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and China give children a broad picture of the early world.
- Then-and-now units on school, family and trades turn grandparents' memories into a history lesson.
- Slides work on a laptop or TV, so you can show pictures without printing everything.
Getting started
One way to use the 20 units over two years
A suggested rhythm for home use. Slow down when your children are absorbed and move on when they are not.
- Start with how we know about the pastBegin with Timelines & Measuring Time and the historical sources unit. Both give young children tools they will use in every later unit, and neither needs much background.
- Year one: the ancient worldWork through the Stone Age, Ancient Egypt, Hieroglyphs, Mummies & Tomb Art, the Greeks, the Romans and Ancient China, at roughly one unit every few weeks.
- Year two: medieval times and early AmericaMove to Knights & Castles, Life in a Medieval Town and Vikings, then Native Americans, explorers, Pilgrims and pioneers, taught respectfully and with attention to sources.
- Keep then-and-now for short weeksThe school, family, trades and inventions units fit holiday weeks or visits to relatives, when an interview with an older family member can become the activity.
- Set aside work samples as you goIf you use a portfolio for the annual assessment, file one finished worksheet or project from each unit. By spring you will have more than enough to choose from.
What to buy
The full set or a smaller bundle
For two or more years of history across Grades 1–4, the Elementary History Curriculum at $169.99 is the best value; the 20 units cost $499.80 one by one. With one child or one year in mind, the Ancient Civilizations Bundle ($99.99, parts $199.92) covers Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, the Stone Age and the Vikings, and the Early American History Bundle ($99.99, parts $199.92) covers Native Americans, explorers, Pilgrims, pioneers and several then-and-now units. Children in Grades 3–6 who need other subjects can use the Complete Learning Books Bundle ($99.90). Teach-Life-Balance ($89.90) is a separate time-saving course with a planner, guides and templates.
Honest limits
What the curriculum leaves to you
This is general history, not Vermont history; there is nothing on the state, its towns or its people. It is not approved by the Vermont Agency of Education and does not by itself meet any home study requirement, so check your plan against § 906 and the current rules. You choose and keep the assessment evidence. Books, outings and printing are yours to supply. The licence covers teaching your own children; a co-op or learning group should message Teach Lessons first. A purchase that does not suit can be exchanged within 7 days for store credit of equal value, not cash.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Does this meet Vermont's home study requirements?
No product can promise that, and this one is not approved, endorsed or aligned with any Vermont requirement. Vermont asks for instruction in the subject areas in 16 V.S.A. § 906 for children under 13 and an annual assessment. Check your full plan against the current law with the Agency of Education or a homeschool legal resource; this page is not legal advice.
Can I use the worksheets in my annual portfolio?
Vermont's assessment options include a parent report and portfolio with at least four work samples. Finished worksheets and projects from these units can be samples you choose, but whether they are suitable is your call, and the rules are worth checking each year. Keep dated, completed originals rather than blank pages.
My children are in Grades 1 and 4. Can they share a unit?
Yes. Every sub-unit has a differentiated worksheet with a reading passage and word bank, so both can study the same topic. Read the passage aloud with the younger child, and give the older one the project or source activity to do more independently while you help the first grader.
How are Native Americans and the Pilgrims taught?
Those units are framed factually and respectfully, with source work rather than legend alone. As with any history material, read the lesson plan before you teach it so you are comfortable with the wording, and add books or perspectives you want your children to hear alongside the worksheets.
Do I need to be a teacher to use the lesson plans?
No. The plans are step by step, and every sub-unit has an answer key. Read the plan and the passage the evening before, print the worksheet, and use the slides on any screen. Parents without teaching experience mainly need to decide how long to spend on each part.
Can a homeschool co-op use one copy?
The licence covers your own teaching, which for a family means your own children. If you want to use the units with other families in a co-op or pod, send Teach Lessons a short message first so group use can be arranged. Sharing the files online is not allowed.
Have history planned before your home study year begins
Open the product page to read the full list of 20 units.
Browse the 20 history units