Curiosity Chronicles: A comprehensive review

Understanding history provides children with valuable insights into the past, fostering critical thinking skills, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Of all the history curricula we tested, Curiosity Chronicles stands out as the most engaging, accurate and one of the only truly inclusive options available for parents teaching history to kids. Crafted by a homeschooling mom dedicated to offering a secular, non-whitewashed perspective on history, this program provides families with a dynamic and interactive approach to learning about diverse cultures and civilizations. Unlike traditional textbooks, Curiosity Chronicles adopts a conversational style, fostering critical thinking and deep understanding among students. It's an ideal fit for families seeking a curriculum that accommodates various learning styles, including auditory learners and those with ADHD or dyslexia. While Curiosity Chronicles may not suit families seeking a strictly traditional or heavily scripted curriculum, it offers a refreshing alternative for those eager to explore history in a more immersive and exploratory manner. Alternatives such as History Quest may appeal to those desiring a more narrative-driven format, while Build Your Library could suit families looking for a broader, literature-based approach to history.

Pro Tips: Investing in the full package of Curiosity Chronicles, including textbooks, hands-on activities, and Minecraft prompts, can enhance the learning experience and provide a comprehensive understanding of historical topics.

Pricing: Costs range from 79 cents for an activity to $162 for a full bundle.

Grades: 1st-8th

Ancient History: 1st to 3rd grade students.

Medieval History: 2nd to 5th grade students.

Early Modern History : 3rd to 6th grade students.

Modern History: 4th to 8th grade students.

In-depth Review of Curiosity Chronicles

Founded by Vivian Meyers, a homeschooling mother of four with a master's degree in Comparative Studies, Curiosity Chronicles was born out of a desire to provide her own children with a rich and comprehensive history education. Frustrated by the lack of secular, inclusive options available in the homeschooling community, Meyers set out to create a curriculum that not only filled this void but also offered a truly global perspective on history.

Curiosity Chronicles covers not only political history but also delves into cultural, artistic, and scientific achievements from civilizations around the world. From ancient times to the modern era, students are exposed to the diverse tapestry of human experience, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for different cultures and societies.

One of the key features that sets Curiosity Chronicles apart is its dialogue format, which encourages active engagement and critical thinking. By presenting history as a conversation between Ted and Mona, students are invited to participate in the learning process, asking questions, sharing insights, and exploring topics from multiple perspectives. By offering comprehensive volumes on ancient, medieval, early modern, and modern history, Curiosity Chronicles provides a seamless educational journey from the dawn of civilization to the present day.

How to use Curiosity Chronicles

Families typically integrate Curiosity Chronicles into their homeschooling routine by following a structured weekly schedule. They begin by engaging children with the dialogue-based narratives between characters Ted and Mona, which serve as the core content of the curriculum. Alongside reading, students listen to audio components that accompany the text, enhancing the immersive experience and catering to auditory learners. Children then participate in interactive activities such as workbook exercises, map work, timeline construction, and hands-on projects related to the historical period being studied. Parents often supplement the curriculum with additional reading materials, documentaries, and online resources to enrich comprehension and provide a more holistic understanding of the topics. Through a combination of reading, listening, discussion, and hands-on exploration, Curiosity Chronicles aims to make history come alive for students, fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the past.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Curiosity Chronicles

What parents like

• Secular and non-whitewashed approach to history education. Parents have noted that this is one of the only programs that fully succeeds in incorporating diverse viewpoints and perspectives.

• Inclusive and engaging format, particularly the conversational style and dialogue between characters

• Availability of audio files, making it accessible for different learning styles and accommodating special needs like ADHD and dyslexia

• Hands-on activities and supplemental materials such as Minecraft builds, lapbooks, and interactive notebooks

• Comprehensive content with varied formats for learning, including suggested readings, videos, and timelines

What some parents dislike

• Perception of being too time-consuming or lengthy, especially for some parents and children who find it overwhelming

• Mixed reception regarding the level of detail, with some finding it too dense while others appreciate the depth

• Some parents find it difficult to retain information or keep children engaged throughout the curriculum

• Preferences vary between children, with some enjoying the conversational style while others may find it distracting

• Limited availability of sales or discounts, attributed to being a smaller, family-owned business

Special Needs

Curiosity Chronicles is praised by parents for its flexibility, accessibility, and ability to cater to a diverse range of learning needs, making it a good fit for children with ADHD, dyslexia, and sensory aversions.

• ADHD: Many parents mentioned that Curiosity Chronicles is suitable for children with ADHD. The conversational style, varied formats, and engaging dialogue between characters help keep children with ADHD focused and interested. Additionally, the availability of audio files allows for auditory learning, which can be beneficial for children with ADHD.

• Dyslexia: Parents also noted that Curiosity Chronicles is a good fit for children with dyslexia. The availability of audio versions of the curriculum helps children with dyslexia access the content more easily. Furthermore, the conversational style and interactive components, such as Minecraft activities and hands-on projects, provide alternative ways for children with dyslexia to engage with the material.

• Sensory Aversion: Some parents mentioned that Curiosity Chronicles is suitable for children who are sensory averse to traditional materials used in history curricula. The curriculum offers a variety of activities and projects that are less reliant on typical sensory materials, allowing children with sensory aversions to participate in hands-on learning experiences without discomfort.

How we tested

As teachers, we understand how vital it is to choose curricula that’s accurate and pedagogically sound. As we become aware of the bias in traditional history programs, it’s particularly important to select curricula that encompasses a wide variety of viewpoints and perspectives, while carefully introducing difficult material to children in a way that’s developmentally appropriate. In order to choose the best possible history curriculum available, we read thousands of reviews of curriculum from parents in Facebook groups and review sites, paying particular attention to comments from parents who were also historians and teachers. We carefully cross-checked any critiques of the program and finally, observed our own students using the program to ensure it was fun and easy to follow for a wide variety of learners. Curiosity Chronicles stood out as a clear favorite due to its in-depth content, engaging approach and success in giving children a broad perspective, not limited to a euro-centric point of view.

What we looked for

• Mastery-Based Learning: The social studies curriculum follows a mastery-based approach, ensuring that concepts are sequenced logically for optimal learning. Students progress at their own pace, mastering each concept before advancing to the next, ensuring a solid foundation in historical understanding.

• Conceptual Emphasis: Rather than focusing solely on memorization of facts, the curriculum prioritizes the development of deep conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills. Students are encouraged to engage with historical concepts in meaningful ways, fostering a deeper appreciation and comprehension of history.

• Engaging Learning Experience: Designed to make learning enjoyable, the curriculum captivates students' interest and motivates them to explore historical topics further. Interactive lessons and engaging activities inspire curiosity and foster a love for social studies.

• Accuracy and Reliability: Ensuring scientific accuracy and factual integrity, the curriculum is grounded in sound historical scholarship and verified sources. Students can trust the information presented, fostering confidence in their understanding of historical events and themes.

• Secular Approach: Free from religious content or bias, the curriculum maintains a neutral stance, allowing families from diverse backgrounds to engage with historical topics without encountering religious references or influences.

• User-Friendly for Parents: Designed with ease of use in mind, the curriculum provides clear instructions and guidance for parents, regardless of their level of confidence in teaching social studies. Parents can easily facilitate their children's learning journey, even if they have limited experience with the subject matter.

• Inclusive: Providing a comprehensive curriculum, the program offers all the resources necessary for a thorough exploration of social studies concepts, including perspectives of Black, Indigenous and other marginalized groups. From foundational knowledge to advanced topics, students have access to a complete learning experience.

• Alignment with Educational Standards: While not strictly adhering to specific educational standards, the curriculum ensures that students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to meet or exceed grade-level expectations in social studies.

Where to get it

Curiosity Chronicles can be purchased through their website.

Alternatives for World History

Denser history for gifted kids and history buffs: History Odyssey or History Quest

For free, online inquiry based history: Digital Inquiry Group

Project-based history for hands-on learners: History Unboxed 

For US History: Blossom and Root’s River of Voices

Other History Programs We Recommend