Instead of trying to pass down a narrative, our classical history curriculum teaches students how to be historians. Young people develop critical thinking skills when they're called to analyze the past. They learn to build arguments that are based in evidence when they're challenged to take a stand on historical controversies. And when they're called to defend their views in a Socratic discussion, they have to consider historical events from multiple perspectives.
All of our history books for grades 6–12 are centered on the Socratic discussion. For teachers and homeschool historians, we provide step-by-step lesson plans and a video series that makes it easy to use the Socratic approach to history. And our Online Academy offers live online classes for homeschoolers who meet once a week to debate history, literature, and government & economics.
Save America by Teaching Civics
It's no secret that our country is in crisis. Young people are being raised without an appreciation for their heritage. Many of their elders are aging without growing in wisdom. As a nation, we have turned our backs on our heritage. In fact, studies suggest that fewer than 1 in 5 high school seniors are proficient in history.
Our American Civics curriculum for grades K–5 teaches essential knowledge for every citizen. In addition to introducing students to the Constitution, we provide lessons on the virtues that are needed for self-government. For the youngest learners, our civics books come with coloring pages and activities that introduce important people, ideas, and vocabulary.
Teach With History Games for Students
Our cool history games were designed for long road trips, summer evenings, and end-of-class time. With topics ranging from Ancient History to US Presidents, we have a deck for every family.
And the best part? Kids don't have to know anything about history to start playing. But as they try to win, they'll learn by accident.
That's what we call harnessing competitiveness for good!
Online Homeschool Classes
Want your homeschoolers to participate in Socratic discussions about history, literature, and government and economics? Our Online Academy was created for you. We bring homeschoolers from across America together for engaging debates. Some of our debate questions include:
What were the two most important reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire?
Who held more power in Medieval Europe, the Crown or the Church?
What were the greatest achievements of the Tang and Sung Dynasties?
Which branch of the federal government is the strongest?
As they learn to defend their positions with evidence, students develop a more mature understanding of history, political economy, and human nature. They also become more confident in their ability to express themselves before their peers. And when their classmates develop better arguments than they do, students learn the most important intellectual virtue: humility.
Learn How to Lead Socratic Discussions
In addition to teaching students through the Socratic discussion, we train schoolteachers and homeschoolers to be Socratic teachers. Our Teaching the Socratic Discussion in History video series is a comprehensive teacher training seminar. We walk educators through the steps of facilitating Socratic discussions. After taking our course, teachers and homeschoolers feel confident guiding students through research, analysis, and Socratic discussions.
Teachers can also access a number of helpful resources on our website. For example, our free primary sources page brings together important eyewitness accounts of ancient, medieval, and modern times. Our blogs have hundreds of articles on important events, both current and historical. Moreover, our online history community, The Dolphin Society, is packed with articles, videos, and eBooks on teaching through the Socratic discussion.