Blossom and Root’s A River of Voices – The History of the United States Vol. 1 is a flexible, literature-rich U.S. history curriculum that unfolds over 36 weeks, guiding students from the earliest colonies through 1791. Designed for elementary learners (and adaptable up to high school), it offers three learning “pathways”—Gentle, Standard, and Advanced—so families can choose a depth that suits their child’s age, sensitivity, and interest. Each lesson begins with a curated selection of living‑book readings or videos, followed by hands-on exploration projects (like map work, crafts, or virtual field trips), and finishes with student notebooking that includes narration, drawing, or timeline entries. Rooted in multiple perspectives—especially those historically marginalized—the curriculum encourages empathy, critical thinking, and meaningful rabbit-trail deep dives, all within a relaxed, low-pressure, well-supported homeschool framework

• Parents who need a secular curriculum for their child
• Parents who want their child’s year to be filled with exposure to the arts, nature, science, and quality children’s literature
• Parents who need a curriculum that gently introduces early academic foundations in a developmentally appropriate way and moves at their child’s own unique pace
• Busy parents who need a program with minimal prep time each week (about half an hour)
• Parents on a budget that cannot afford to spend hundreds of dollars on a boxed curriculum package
• Parents who want their child’s homeschooling experience to be beautiful, rich, and full of delight
• Parents with hands-on learners

• Parents who need a curriculum that includes Bible study or a religious perspective
• Parents who want a curriculum that their child can do completely independently (Our curriculum requires 1.5 - 2 hours a day, 4 to 5 days a week, of focused time together)
• Parents who prefer workbooks to hands-on activities
• Parents who want an online school experience for their child
• Parents who need an academic program for their child that mirrors what is being taught in brick-and-mortar schools
• Parents who need every supply, book, and material for their year included in their purchase (Our curriculum is designed to use a few basic art supplies, typical household items, and many books that can be found at a library or for purchase used)

A typical week in our curriculum will require around 30 to 45 minutes to prepare for. We suggest looking at the book and supply lists in the parent guide as soon as possible and collecting your materials before the school year begins. Books can be ordered online, found in used bookstores, or borrowed from the library.

Parents and caregivers play an active role in A River of Voices by reading aloud from selected books, guiding discussions using provided questions, and helping children engage with hands-on projects and notebooking activities. They choose the appropriate learning pathway (Gentle, Standard, or Advanced) based on their child’s needs, and tailor the pacing and depth of each lesson. While the curriculum provides structure and guidance, it’s designed to be flexible, allowing families to follow their child’s interests, revisit topics, and adapt activities to fit their learning style.

Due to the digital nature of our products, we do not offer any refunds, returns, or exchanges on any product in our store. All sales are final. Please take time to read all of the information on our website, review samples, read the scope and sequences for your level(s), and reach out with any questions not answered on this webpage before purchasing!

To get the most out of A River of Voices, start with the pathway that best fits your child but feel free to mix and match across levels based on interest and readiness. Use the notebooking pages flexibly—let your child draw, dictate, or write based on their strengths. Choose read-alouds that genuinely engage them, even if you swap out a recommended title. Embrace rabbit trails and follow their curiosity when they want to dig deeper into a topic. Keep a consistent weekly rhythm to build momentum, and don’t skip the discussion questions—they spark the richest learning. Enhance the experience with maps, timelines, and family participation to bring history to life. Most importantly, focus on connection and exploration rather than trying to complete every activity perfectly.

Math is not included in Levels 1 and up. You will need to add a math curriculum of your choosing.