If you’re homeschooling a teen, you’re probably spending a lot of your time researching curriculum, what makes up a credit, what’s required in your state, and honestly, a lot more things that are making your head start to hurt. Combine that with trying to make sense of grammar, writing, and literature—and suddenly you’re spending more time planning school than actually doing it.
We hear this all the time:
“I just want something that works. Something that counts. Something my teen won’t hate.”
And especially:
“Is there a way to combine subjects without feeling like I’m cutting corners?”
Good news: yes. Yes, there is.
You can teach high school world history and language arts at the same time—without losing your mind or boring your teen. It starts with literature.
Why High School World History Feels So Hard to Teach
Let’s be honest—teaching high school world history sounds noble and exciting in theory. You imagine conversations about ancient empires, world wars, and modern revolutions. But in reality?
It turns into hours of Googling timelines, downloading unit studies, wondering if your state requires geography with it, and trying to convince your teen that no, you’re not going to quiz them on Mesopotamia again.
You want your student to:
- Understand global events
- Make real-world connections
- Learn from more than just a list of battles and treaties
But finding a curriculum that’s both engaging and credit-worthy can feel like trying to win the historical lottery.
That’s where story comes in.
Using Literature to Teach High School World History (Yes, Really)
Stories are what make history stick.
When students read a novel set during the Chinese Revolution, they don’t just memorize dates—they experience fear, confusion, and hope through the characters. When they follow a refugee’s journey across continents, they understand global conflict in a personal way.
Literature gives your teen a front-row seat to history.
And when you add in just the right mix of nonfiction, video lessons, and discussion? You’ve got a full, meaningful high school world history curriculum that actually works.
Want to tie it all to the present? Try adding a quick daily or weekly news segment using something like CNN10, which covers current events in a student-friendly format.
One Series, Two Credits
That’s why we created our World Literature Series for Teens. It’s a complete language arts program—covering writing, grammar, vocabulary, and literary analysis—but every book is also chosen for its historical depth.
Here’s the thing: those books also walk through major historical moments around the world—Imperial Russia, WWII, Maoist China, refugee crises, post-colonial India, modern Africa.
That makes it the perfect anchor for a high school world history credit.
By pairing the literature with a flexible plan of videos, nonfiction readings, and topic-based discussions, your teen can earn an additional high school world history credit without adding another curriculum to your plate.
World Literature + World History
This plan is designed to make your life easier, especially if you’re teaching multiple ages. It closely coordinates with our World Literature Series for Middle School, so you can keep your entire homeschool on the same historical track (without teaching two different timelines).
Here’s how the year breaks down:
| Month | Book | History Focus |
|---|---|---|
| August | Crime and Punishment | Imperial Russia and Pre-Revolutionary Europe |
| September | The Boys in the Boat | WWI, The Great Depression & Rise of Nazi Germany |
| October | The Book Thief | WWII and the Holocaust in Europe |
| November | The Alchemist | Spain and Egypt; Post-WWII North Africa |
| December | Refugee | Global refugee crises |
| January | Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress | Communist China and the Cultural Revolution |
| February | I Am Malala | Modern Middle East and Women’s Rights |
| March | Lion: A Long Way Home | Post-Colonial India and Globalization |
| April | Midnight’s Children | Partition of India and Post-Colonial South Asia |
| May | The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind | Modern Africa |
Want the High School World History Plan Laid Out for You?
Once you’ve seen how it works, you probably want it ready to go. That’s why we created a free, printable High School World History Resource List that walks you through the year:
- Monthly history themes
- Video and book recommendations
- Enough structure to stay on track—enough flexibility to make it your own
Why Homeschool Parents Love This Approach
- It’s efficient – One series, two credits.
- It’s flexible – Follow the guide or personalize it.
- It’s meaningful – These are stories and lessons that stick with your teen.
If you’ve been searching for a high school world history curriculum that won’t burn you out or bore your student, this is your answer.
Grab the World Literature Series for Teens. Download the World History Resource List. And finally, cross “history curriculum” off your list—with a smile.
Have kids in elementary and middle school? Check out this blog post:
