We homeschoolers are always on the lookout for the “perfect” history curriculum, yet, many educational resources often present a one-sided view or overlook significant historical events. As parents and educators, it’s our responsibility to ensure that children develop a well-rounded understanding of the past. In this blog post, I’ll discuss an incredible resource that can help children achieve this goal: Honest History, a history magazine subscription for kids that you can use to supplement any history curriculum that you’re currently using.
Table of Contents
Honest History: An Overview
Honest History is a quarterly magazine designed for kids aged 6 to 12. This engaging publication focuses on presenting a more comprehensive, accurate, and inclusive view of the past. By providing in-depth stories, illustrations, and activities, Honest History aims to help children understand the complexities of historical events, recognize diverse perspectives, and develop critical thinking skills.
One of the most impressive aspects of Honest History is its commitment to presenting history unbiasedly and honestly. The magazine collaborates with historians, educators, and subject matter experts to ensure its content is accurate and engaging. With its visually appealing design and age-appropriate language, Honest History makes learning about history fun and accessible for young readers.
An Excellent Supplement for U.S. and World History Curriculums
Honest History’s content is versatile and aligns well with both U.S. and World History curriculums, making it an excellent supplement for homeschooling families. Here are a few reasons why:
Diverse and Inclusive Content
Honest History emphasizes the importance of presenting history from multiple perspectives. By showcasing stories from various cultures, regions, and time periods, the magazine helps children develop a deeper understanding of different societies and their historical context. This approach aligns well with the global focus of World History curriculums and the multicultural nature of the United States.
Interdisciplinary Approach
The magazine combines history with other subjects, such as science, art, and geography, to create a more engaging learning experience for kids. This interdisciplinary approach helps children make connections between various subjects, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of historical events and their relevance to today’s world.
Encourages Critical Thinking
Honest History encourages children to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and think critically about the information they encounter. By promoting critical thinking skills, the magazine helps kids become more discerning consumers of information and better prepared for advanced studies in history and related subjects.
Hands-on Activities and Projects
Each issue of Honest History includes hands-on activities and projects that reinforce the concepts presented in the magazine. These activities make learning fun and help children retain and apply the knowledge they’ve gained. Honest History also offers additional resources, activities, and projects for each issue on its blog. Homeschooling families can incorporate these activities into their lesson plans to enhance their child’s understanding of historical events and themes.
Aligns with Educational Standards
Honest History’s content aligns with National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) standards, ensuring that the magazine supports the goals and objectives of U.S. and World History curriculums. By supplementing traditional textbooks and other resources with Honest History, parents can feel confident that their children are receiving a well-rounded education. This is especially important for those of us who homeschool through a charter school and must meet state standards.
Examples of Honest History’s Engaging Content
To provide a better understanding of the content offered by Honest History, here are some examples of the topics covered in recent issues:
- From the Battlefront: Kids can explore the fascinating history of World War II, learning about untold stories of heroic acts and tragic events in both the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters. This issue features stories of Soviet female aviators nicknamed Night Witches and includes a fun activity on how to create a simple radio transmitter.
- The Way of the Samurai: This issue delves into the world of feudal Japan. Children will learn about influential Japanese figures from the era, such as Nakano Takeko, Yasuke, and Murasaki Shikibu, while also discovering the life of a samurai. Hands-on activities include the art of Kintsugi, making sushi, and how to write Kanji.
- Special Delivery: In this issue, kids will learn about the history of the postal system, how parents used to send their kids to their grandparents through the mail, and the life of a letter. Activities include designing a stamp, a postcard, and a USPS uniform.
- A Land Called Oz: This issue celebrates Australia’s First People and delves into their land’s history and unique ecosystem. Children will learn about Australia’s civil rights movement, the oldest art, and read firsthand about what it’s like to grow up as a First Nations kid.
Subscription Options and Benefits
Honest History offers various subscription plans to cater to different needs and preferences. Parents can choose from the following options:
- Single Magazine Box: Parents who prefer a long-term commitment can opt for an annual subscription, which includes four Honest History issues delivered throughout the year.
- Choose Your Adventure Box: This plan delivers three issues of your choice every three months, ensuring that kids always have fresh, engaging content to explore.
- Three Magazine Box: Honest History will pick three magazines for you and deliver them every three months if you’re overwhelmed with choices.
With each magazine, you also receive a digital edition and access to Honest History’s online resources, including printable activity sheets, additional articles, and more.
And if you’re hesitant to subscribe, you can always just purchase an issue or two (or more!) without making a commitment.
Final Thoughts
Honest History is a fantastic resource for homeschooling families looking to supplement their U.S. and World History curriculums. With its commitment to presenting diverse, accurate, and engaging content, this magazine is invaluable for helping children develop a well-rounded understanding of the past. By incorporating Honest History into their homeschooling journey, parents can ensure that their children are learning history in a fun, interactive, and meaningful way.
TRY HONEST HISTORY TODAY!
Looking for more history resources for your homeschool? Check out these articles:
Political Cartoons: Essential Tools for Understanding American History
Engage Your Child with Primary Sources: Tips for Using History by Mail
Discovering America’s Past with Heritage Letter
Xuan Klevecka is a Southern California-based homeschool mom, wife, and Holistic Homeschool Mindset Coach. She’s an Enneagram 5w4, a lover of good food, and a former middle school history teacher. You’ll either find her looking at road maps and daydreaming about her family’s next epic adventure or perusing recipes and cooking up a feast for the brood.
