Social Studies

Stories in History is a literature-based history curriculum that brings historical events and time periods to life through engaging stories, biographies, and rich narrative texts. Rather than focusing primarily on textbooks and memorization, students learn history through meaningful reading experiences that help them connect with people, cultures, and events from the past. The curriculum encourages discussion, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of history through storytelling.

Best suited for: Students who enjoy reading and listening to stories, literature-based learners, and families seeking an engaging, narrative approach to history that fosters a love of learning and historical understanding.

Visual support level: Low–Medium (depends on companion materials used)

Hands-on component: Low–Medium (optional activities/discussion-based)

Reading load: High (literature-based narrative text)

Learning Coach/Parent involvement: Medium (discussion and narration recommended)

Structure level: Flexible

Notes: Best when paired with read-alouds and guided discussion; emphasizes comprehension through storytelling.

Standards Alignment: Some grade levels do not fully align with California grade-level standards and may require supplemental instruction and resources to ensure all standards are addressed. Please be especially mindful of standards alignment when using the combined grade-level curricula: Early American History (Publisher-recommended Grades 3–5) and Modern American History (Publisher-recommended Grades 5–8). *MVA does not recommend this curriculum for 8th-grade students. 

Studies Weekly is a standards-aligned social studies curriculum that presents history, geography, civics, and economics through engaging, magazine-style publications. Lessons include informational text, maps, primary sources, hands-on activities, and digital resources designed to make social studies accessible and interactive. The curriculum is easy to implement and provides comprehensive coverage of grade-level standards.

Best suited for: Students who prefer shorter reading passages, visual learners, and families looking for a structured, open-and-go curriculum that closely aligns with state standards. It is also a great option for students who benefit from a variety of activities and multimedia resources.

Visual support level: High (maps, images, magazine layout)

Hands-on component: Medium (activities + projects included)

Reading load: Moderate (short informational passages)

Learning Coach/Parent involvement: Low–Medium (mostly open-and-go with guidance)

Structure level: Highly structured

Notes: Strong for standards coverage and visual learners; easy implementation. 

Beautiful Feet Books is a literature-based curriculum that uses high-quality living books, biographies, and historical fiction to teach history, geography, and language arts. Through rich storytelling and meaningful discussions, students develop a deeper understanding of historical events while building strong reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. The curriculum emphasizes learning through engaging books rather than traditional textbooks, helping students make personal connections to the people and events they study.

Best suited for: Avid readers, literature-loving families, and students who learn best through stories and discussion. It is especially well-suited for auditory learners, relational learners, and students who enjoy diving deeply into a topic through quality books and narration.

Visual support level: Low-Medium (primarily text/living books)

Hands-on component: Low–Medium (mapping, writing, projects vary by guide)

Reading load: High (rich literature and historical fiction)

Learning Coach/Parent involvement: Medium–High (discussion and guiding narration essential)

Structure level: Flexible

Notes: Deep, immersive literature-based approach; strong for discussion-driven learning environments.

Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) Units offer a wide variety of teacher-created resources designed to supplement or provide instruction in specific topics, skills, or standards. Units often include lessons, activities, projects, assessments, and printable resources that can be tailored to meet the needs of individual students. Because resources are created by a variety of educators, formats and teaching approaches can vary significantly.

Best suited for: Families seeking flexible, customizable learning experiences and teachers looking to supplement instruction with engaging, topic-specific resources. TpT units can be especially beneficial for students who enjoy project-based learning, hands-on activities, and learning through a variety of formats.

Visual Support Level: Varies by resource (typically Medium–High)

Hands-On Component: Varies by resource (typically Medium–High)

Reading Load: Varies by resource

Learning Coach/Parent involvement: Medium–High

Structure Level: Flexible

MyWorld Interactive is a standards-aligned social studies curriculum that combines history, geography, civics, and economics through an inquiry-based approach. Students actively engage with content through reading, writing, discussion, projects, and digital resources while developing critical thinking and citizenship skills. Lessons encourage students to investigate questions, analyze sources, and make connections between historical events and the world around them.

The curriculum includes colorful student worktexts, interactive activities, project-based learning opportunities, and strong literacy connections that help students build reading and writing skills alongside social studies content. Flexible print and digital options make it adaptable for a variety of learning environments, including homeschool settings.

Best suited for: Students who enjoy interactive learning, visual materials, discussion, and project-based activities. It works well for families seeking a comprehensive, standards-based curriculum with both print and digital components. It is particularly beneficial for learners who thrive when reading, writing, and critical thinking are integrated into social studies instruction.

Visual support level: High
Hands-on component: Medium–High
Reading load: Moderate
Learning Coach/Parent involvement: Medium
Structure level: Moderately Structured

Notes: Strong digital resources and interactive worktexts make this curriculum engaging for a wide range of learners. The inquiry-based lessons and project components promote deeper thinking and civic engagement, while the built-in literacy support helps students strengthen reading and writing skills across content areas.