Mint and Bloom

Finding a quality Social Studies curriculum that captivates young minds and adequately covers diverse historical perspectives can be a significant challenge for parents. During my two decades of teaching across various cultural contexts, I’ve scrutinized countless educational resources, leading me to discover Mint and Bloom—a curriculum that truly stands out for its commitment to inclusivity and creativity in teaching U.S. history. Mint and Bloom was created by educators Helen Allen and Arielle Arizpe, who sought to highlight underrepresented stories in American history, incorporating unique, creative activities that resonate with students. What I adore about Mint and Bloom is its ability to make history accessible and engaging through thoughtfully designed lessons that encourage critical thinking and creativity. This program is particularly suited for homeschooling families who value a comprehensive, inclusive approach to education. One minor caveat is its reliance on supplementary materials, which, while occasionally burdensome, does not detract from the curriculum's overall value. To get the most from Mint and Bloom, I recommend that parents actively participate in the diverse activities and discussions provided, enriching the educational experience for both themselves and their children.

Grades: PreK-12th grades. Suitable for various educational levels, focusing primarily on middle to high school students.

Cost: The core curriculum, "Power of the People Art-Based American History Curriculum," is priced at $39.99, providing substantial educational content for the price.

The in-depth review

Learning about Social Studies and US History is crucial for young learners to understand the societal structures and historical events that have shaped the world. An effective curriculum should be engaging, inclusive, and adaptable to various learning styles.

About Mint and Bloom

Mint and Bloom was founded by Helen Allen and Arielle Arizpe, motivated by a desire to provide a more inclusive and creative approach to learning American history. The curriculum stands out for its commitment to covering less represented groups and social movements.

Who Mint and Bloom is for

This curriculum is designed for homeschooling parents and educators seeking a more inclusive, creative, and engaging approach to teaching Social Studies and US History.

Why I recommend Mint and Bloom for Social Studies and US History

I recommend Mind and Bloom for its highly engaging, activity-based approach that makes history relatable and intriguing for students. The curriculum emphasizes stories from diverse groups, ensuring a broad understanding of American history.

How Mint and Bloom works

The curriculum includes 26 lessons, each with creative activities, books, videos, and supplemental materials. It's designed for ease of use with print-and-go activities, making it ideal for busy parents or educators.

What Differentiates Mint and Bloom from other Social Studies programs

Mint and Bloom differentiates itself from other Social Studies programs primarily through its inclusive and creative curriculum design. Unlike traditional programs that often focus on dominant narratives, Mint and Bloom emphasizes the experiences and contributions of marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+, immigrant, Black, Afro-Puerto Rican, Chicano, Mexican-American, Filipino-American, Japanese American, Haudenosaunee, and Disabled communities.

Each lesson is designed with unique, engaging activities that go beyond typical textbook learning, incorporating art-based projects, discussion prompts, and critical thinking exercises. This approach not only broadens students’ historical perspectives but also enhances their creative and analytical skills. The curriculum’s flexibility allows educators and parents to tailor the content to suit their students' interests and learning styles, making it a dynamic resource that adapts to diverse educational needs

What Mint and Bloom covers

• Social Movements and Activism: Lessons focus on various social movements and the contributions of marginalized groups, such as LGBTQ+, immigrant, Black, Afro-Puerto Rican, Chicano, Mexican-American, Filipino-American, and Japanese American communities.

• Creative and Engaging Learning Methods: The curriculum incorporates art-based activities, discussion prompts, and critical thinking exercises tailored to each lesson.

• Historical Figures and Activists: It highlights key figures and activists from diverse backgrounds, providing biographical sketches and their roles in historical movements.

• Inclusive History: Emphasis on stories and perspectives often omitted from traditional American history curricula, aiming to provide a more comprehensive view of the nation's history.

• Critical Thinking and Analysis: Activities designed to encourage critical thinking about historical events and figures, including how history is portrayed and who benefits from certain narratives.

• Hands-On Activities: Each lesson includes print-and-go activities that require minimal preparation, making it easy for educators and parents to implement.

• Diverse Historical Topics: Covers a range of topics from early American history to modern civil rights movements, exploring the depth and breadth of the American historical landscape.

Updates and Additions

Mint and Bloom continues to update its curriculum with new materials and resources, ensuring it remains current and relevant. This adaptability makes it a valuable resource for teaching evolving historical narratives.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Mint and Bloom

What Parents Like about Mint and Bloom

• Inclusivity: The curriculum excels in offering a diverse and inclusive perspective, featuring lessons on groups often omitted from traditional curricula such as LGBTQ+, immigrant, and various ethnic communities.

• Creativity in Learning: Each lesson is uniquely designed with creative activities, including art-based projects and critical thinking exercises, which cater to different learning styles.

• Ease of Use: The curriculum is structured to be user-friendly with print-and-go activities that require minimal preparation, making it accessible for busy parents and educators.

• Comprehensive Content: It pairs recommended readings from the "Rad American History A-Z" textbook with engaging multimedia resources, enhancing the learning experience with a rich mix of content.

• Flexibility: Offers the ability to customize lessons to suit individual learning needs, providing various options for engagement including discussion prompts and creative tasks.

What parents dislike

• Dependency on Additional Resources: Some lessons, such as the one on witches or the Indigenous Peoples' Day set, require additional books or materials which may need to be purchased or borrowed separately.

• Limited Scope for Certain Historical Perspectives: While it offers broad coverage of various social movements and communities, it may not delve as deeply into each topic as some specialized curricula might, given its broad and inclusive approach.

• Price Point: Although reasonably priced for its comprehensive offerings, the cost could still be a barrier for some families looking to minimize educational expenses.

Special Needs

• Visual Learners and Students with Dyslexia: The curriculum's use of creative, art-based activities and comprehensive visual aids can help students who struggle with traditional text-heavy materials. Visual learning tools can enhance comprehension and retention for these students.

• Students with ADHD: The varied and interactive nature of the lessons, which include video resources and hands-on activities, may be beneficial for students with attention challenges. The ability to engage in physical activities and art projects can help maintain their focus and interest.

• Students on the Autism Spectrum: The structured yet flexible nature of the curriculum allows for predictable learning routines while also offering the flexibility to adjust activities according to the student’s sensory preferences and interests.

Tips from Parents on how to get the most out of Mint and Bloom

Parents recommend taking full advantage of the variety of activities provided, allowing customization based on their child's interests and learning style. Engaging with the supplemental materials and discussions enhances the learning experience.

Select Reviews from Parents and Teachers

"I love how Mint and Bloom isn't just about reading and writing; my kids get to actually create something new every week, which really helps them connect with the history they're learning."

"This curriculum has been a game-changer for our homeschooling experience. The focus on underrepresented histories has opened up new discussions at home about social justice."

"While the activities are creative, I find it challenging at times that we need to buy additional books to use the full curriculum. It can get expensive."

"The print-and-go activities are lifesavers for busy days. I can prepare a lesson in minutes, and my kids stay engaged without needing constant supervision."

"It’s refreshing to see a curriculum that emphasizes creativity and critical thinking instead of rote memorization. My kids are always excited to see what they’ll learn next in Mint and Bloom."

Why Trust Me

With over 20 years of teaching experience across diverse environments and a deep understanding of American history, I bring a well-rounded perspective to evaluating educational materials. My background in various educational and cultural settings informs my recommendations.

How I Vetted

I thoroughly analyzed user reviews and consulted with historians and educators to ensure a well-rounded understanding of Mint and Bloom’s effectiveness compared to other Social Studies programs.

What I Looked For and How x Stacks Up

Mint and Bloom is perfect for educators and parents who value an inclusive, creative approach to history that engages students by covering a wide array of perspectives and narratives.

The Bottom Line

Who is Mint and Bloom an ideal fit for?

This curriculum may not suit those looking for a traditional, textbook-only approach to history education or who prefer less interactive and hands-on learning materials.

Who is Mint and Bloom not a fit for?

Given its comprehensive and inclusive approach, Mint and Bloom offers great value for its price, especially considering the breadth and depth of content covered.

Alternatives and supplements to Mint and Bloom

For Comprehensive World History

• Curiosity Chronicles :This curriculum offers a comprehensive world Social Studies focus, making it ideal for learners interested in a global perspective. It covers history from various cultures and epochs, presented in an engaging narrative style that appeals to a wide age range.

For Free World History and Civics

• Digital Inquiry Group (Formerly Stanford History Education Group) : This free curriculum offers a more conventional structure, focusing on inquiry-based learning that aligns well with learners who thrive in structured, text-heavy environments. It provides extensive resources and guides that support critical thinking without the extensive use of arts and crafts.

Free YouTube Series

• Crash Course Social Studies : Crash Course provides high-energy, visually engaging video content that can help learners grasp complex topics through clear explanations and dynamic visuals. This format is particularly suited for learners who retain information better through video and auditory materials.

For learners who enjoy reading books

• Revisioning History for Young People Series : This book series revisits historical events with a focus on marginalized perspectives, providing a critical reexamination that can benefit learners interested in understanding history beyond conventional narratives. It's particularly useful for those seeking to understand the complexities of social dynamics and historical impacts.

Value for the Money

Given its comprehensive and inclusive approach, Mint and Bloom offers great value for its price, especially considering the breadth and depth of content covered.

Ways to Get Mint and Bloom

The curriculum can be purchased directly from the Mint and Bloom website.

Affilate Disclaimer

While I may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this review, my assessment remains unbiased, based on thorough research and personal expertise in education.

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