Oh Freedom! from Woke Homeschooling
Finding a comprehensive and inclusive U.S. history curriculum that isn’t overly sanitized or traumatic can be a significant challenge for parents. With over 20 years of teaching experience across diverse cultural settings—from New York City to Paris, San Francisco, and conflict regions in the Middle East—I’ve honed my ability to discern educational materials that offer not only factual accuracy but also a holistic view of history. After extensive research into various programs, Oh Freedom! from Woke Homeschooling stands out for its commitment to an inclusive and decolonized approach to teaching history. Delina Pryce Mcphaull, a mother and former journalist, created this curriculum to address the gaps she saw in traditional educational materials. Woke Homeschooling, which has quickly become respected in homeschooling circles, offers Oh Freedom! for US History and Woke School online for World history classes. The program is structured to empower parents to teach history from multiple perspectives. What I appreciate most about this curriculum is its balance of educational rigor and engaging storytelling. It’s particularly suited for families seeking to give their children a deep understanding of U.S. history and World history through diverse lenses. While the Oh Freedom! curriculum is quite text-heavy, this shouldn’t deter interested families, as its quality and comprehensiveness are exceptional. Parents recommend supplementing with a resource such as A Queer History of the United States for Young People as the program does not cover LGBTQ+ history.
The US History program is Oh Freedom!, which we’ll cover in this review.
Woke Homeschooling also offers exceptional self-paced and live, online classes for World History for middle schoolers.
Grades: K-12th grades for US History
Cost: $49.99-59.99
Online Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/701758620277971/
The in-depth review
Parents who care about teaching a truthful, comprehensive view of history often struggle to find a history program that's both accurate and respectful of diverse histories; Oh Freedom! fills this gap effectively by providing a deeply inclusive curriculum.
About Oh Freedom!
Oh Freedom! was created by Delina Pryce Mcphaull in response to the conventional, often exclusionary narratives found in mainstream history education. Motivated by a desire to offer a more truthful, inclusive historical perspective, particularly of Black Americans and indigenous communities, Mcphaull developed a curriculum that encompasses a wide range of voices and stories, with no specific awards listed but gaining recognition within homeschooling communities for its depth and approach.
Why I recommend Oh Freedom! for US History
I recommend Oh Freedom! because it conscientiously addresses the gaps in traditional US history education, focusing on decolonized, anti-racist narratives that foster a more comprehensive understanding of history. Its use of primary sources and literature enriches the learning experience, making it not just educational but profoundly insightful.
Who Oh Freedom! is for
Oh Freedom! is ideal for families seeking a comprehensive and inclusive US history curriculum that goes beyond traditional narratives. It is well-suited for parents who value a curriculum that promotes critical thinking, empathy, and understanding of diverse perspectives. The live and self-paced world history classes are a great fit for teens.
How Oh Freedom! works
Woke Homeschooling utilizes a variety of resources, including primary sources, literature, and multimedia, to engage students in the study of US history. Parents guide their children through the curriculum, facilitating discussions and activities that encourage critical thinking and analysis.
What Woke Homeschooling covers
The "Oh Freedom!" program, covers a broad range of topics within U.S. history, emphasizing a comprehensive and inclusive approach. Here is a list of the educational content areas it covers:
Early American History: Exploration of the initial contact between Native Americans and European settlers.
Colonial America: Study of the colonial period, including the diverse experiences of different colonies.
American Revolution: Insights into the causes, major events, and outcomes of the American Revolution.
Formation of the United States: Examination of the Constitutional Convention, the crafting of the U.S. Constitution, and the establishment of the federal government.
Civil War and Reconstruction: Analysis of the Civil War, its causes, key battles, and the Reconstruction era that followed.
Industrialization and the Progressive Era: Exploration of the rise of industry, urbanization, and the social reforms of the Progressive Era.
Civil Rights Movements: Comprehensive coverage of various civil rights movements, including the African American civil rights movement, women's suffrage, and labor rights.
Modern U.S. History: Discussion of major events in recent history, including post-World War II developments, the Cold War, and contemporary issues.
The live and self-paced online classes for World History cover the following topics
Updates and Additions
The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect new historical research and societal changes, with recent additions including more materials on modern civil rights movements and enhanced sections on Native American history.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Woke Homeschooling
What Parents Like about Oh Freedom!
Inclusivity and Representation: The curriculum is noted for including diverse perspectives and stories, particularly from black and indigenous communities, which are often omitted in traditional curricula.
Literature-Based Learning: It utilizes a variety of books and literary forms to teach history, which can enhance understanding and engagement.
Flexibility for Different Learning Styles: The curriculum offers various methods of learning, including reading, discussions, and optional videos, catering to different student needs.
Encourages Critical Thinking: By providing multiple sources, the curriculum encourages students to think critically about history and form their own understandings.
Adaptable for Various Ages: It can be used with students of different ages and learning levels, which is beneficial for families homeschooling multiple children.
What parents dislike
Lack of LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Several users noted the curriculum does not include LGBTQ+ history or acknowledge the LGBTQ+ identities of historical figures when relevant.
Reading Intensity: The curriculum is heavily based on reading, which might be challenging for students with dyslexia or those who prefer less text-intensive learning.
Religious Bias: Originally a Christian curriculum that was secularized, some elements of the authors' religious views may still be apparent, which could be a concern for strictly secular families.
Initial Setup and Cost: It requires acquiring multiple books and resources, which can be time-consuming and potentially expensive if not available through libraries or shared resources.
Some Reports of Incomplete Coverage: Some users felt that despite its strengths, the curriculum might omit certain aspects of U.S. history or perspectives, necessitating supplements to provide a comprehensive education
Special Needs
ADHD
Engaging Content: The curriculum's use of a variety of media, including videos, is beneficial for maintaining the attention of children with ADHD. This helps to keep them engaged and interested in the material.
Flexible Scheduling: Parents can adjust the pacing and schedule of lessons to suit their child's attention span and energy levels, which is crucial for children with ADHD who may struggle with longer sessions of focused activity.
Dyslexia
Use of Audiobooks: For children with dyslexia, parents mentioned the benefit of supplementing reading with audiobooks. This adaptation helps to alleviate the strain of reading large amounts of text, making the curriculum more accessible.
Reduced Writing Requirements: The curriculum allows for flexibility in the amount of writing required, which can be beneficial for children with dyslexia who might find extensive writing tasks challenging.
River of Voices vs Oh Freedom!
Blossom and Root’s River of Voices and Woke Homeschooling’s Oh! Freedom are both praised as offering comprehensive approaches to teaching US History. Here are some key differences to explore for parents considering which program to use.
Educational Focus and Philosophy:
Blossom and Root:
Emphasizes nature-based learning and is heavily inspired by the Charlotte Mason philosophy, which supports a broad and liberal arts education including science, art, and literature, integrated with real-world experiences.
Offers a secular curriculum but with a strong emphasis on creative and hands-on learning experiences.
Oh Freedom!
Focused on providing a decolonized, anti-racist approach to U.S. history, aimed at presenting a more inclusive view that incorporates the experiences and contributions of marginalized groups.
Offers a structured curriculum designed to challenge traditional narratives and promote critical thinking about societal issues.
Curriculum Structure:
Blossom and Root:
Offers a more flexible and open-ended structure, allowing parents and educators to adapt the pacing and depth of study according to the child's interests and needs.
Encourages exploration and discovery through project-based learning and frequent outdoor activities.
Oh Freedom!
More structured around historical texts and literature, requiring more traditional academic engagement including reading, writing, and discussion.
Designed to be comprehensive, covering a full academic year of content with specified reading materials and discussion questions.
Coverage:
Blossom and Root:
Blossom and Root River of Voices is part of a broad curriculum that includes arts and sciences.
It’s designed to be adaptable to include diverse perspectives but does not inherently focus on these aspects.
Oh Freedom!:
Specifically designed to include voices and perspectives often omitted or marginalized in traditional U.S. history curricula.
Actively integrates lessons on social justice, racial equity, and the contributions of people of color throughout U.S. history.
Teaching Approach:
Blossom and Root River of Voice:
Heavily emphasizes parent-led, child-centered learning, where the curriculum serves more as a guide than a strict roadmap.
Suitable for parents who prefer to be heavily involved in crafting and guiding the educational journey.
Oh Freedom!:
While also parent-led, it follows a more prescriptive set of materials and guidelines to ensure all critical historical themes are covered.
Requires a significant amount of reading and discussion, which might necessitate a more structured homeschooling environment. However, there are different pathways available to make it more or less intensive.
Ideal Audience:
Blossom and Root:
Ideal for families that value a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to education that integrates various subjects through thematic units.
Especially suitable for younger children or those who thrive in a more fluid, less structured learning environment.
Oh Freedom!:
Best suited for families looking for a curriculum that addresses historical inaccuracies and biases, focusing on social justice and history.
Ideal for older children or those ready to engage with complex social issues through an academic lens.
These differences highlight how each curriculum might serve different educational needs and preferences, allowing families to choose according to their educational values and the learning styles of their children.
Founder's Impact on Curriculum Choice:
Woke Homeschooling:
Founder: Delina Pryce Mcphaull
Vision and Impact: Delina Pryce Mcphaull’s background as a black woman and former journalist significantly influences the appeal of Woke Homeschooling for many families. Parents often choose this curriculum not only for its content but also because they value supporting a curriculum created by a black woman. This choice reflects a desire to engage with and support educational resources developed from perspectives that have historically been underrepresented in educational material. Mcphaull’s identity and her commitment to providing a decolonized and inclusive historical narrative resonate with many families who are eager to see a representation that aligns more closely with their values and the diverse society their children are a part of. Her personal and professional experiences enrich the curriculum, ensuring that it addresses complex social issues with authenticity and depth.
By purchasing Oh Freedom! from Woke Homeschooling, these parents feel they are not only educating their children with a curriculum that reflects a broader spectrum of American history but are also actively participating in a larger movement towards educational equity and representation.
Tips from Parents on how to get the most out of Oh Freedom!
Parents who have found success with Woke Homeschooling recommend incorporating various teaching methods, including field trips to historical sites, documentary viewings, and participatory projects. These activities help bring the curriculum to life and can deepen students' understanding and engagement with the material. Woke Homeschooling has a vibrant online community where parents can share support and advice.
Select Reviews from Parents and Teachers
"Oh Freedom! has been the most inclusive US history I've found for middle grades and high school. It includes so many voices we never heard in other curricula. It's literature-based and conversation heavy, which is perfect for us."
"It was too reading intensive for our kid who has ADHD and dyslexia. Looking to change things up." -
"One of the main reasons we started homeschooling was to make sure that we could share the perspectives of different people. The Oh Freedom! Guide by Woke Homeschooling is a well-known history curriculum that does this." - Kind Academy Review
"The curriculum is so extensive it can be tough to stay with it and to stay interested in the content. The way I help with this is by keeping it my library of curriculum to go to whenever we are interested in learning something specific that is covered in this guide."
Why Trust Me
With over two decades of teaching experience across diverse settings in multiple countries, including NYC, Paris, SF, and conflict regions of the Middle East, coupled with a Bachelor's degree in American Studies, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to evaluating educational materials. Having taught a wide array of subjects to various learning archetypes, including history, I possess a deep understanding of effective pedagogical methods and curricular standards. My extensive background uniquely qualifies me to assess the quality and effectiveness of educational resources like Woke Homeschooling.
How I vetted
In vetting Oh Freedom! from Woke Homeschooling, I conducted thorough research by analyzing hundreds of online reviews of US history and social studies programs. Additionally, I meticulously reviewed feedback from ordinary people and professors who have used this curriculum, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. I also consulted with historians actively homeschooling their children to gain insights into their experiences with the curriculum, further informing my assessment.
What I Looked For and How Oh Freedom! Stacks Up
When evaluating Oh Freedom!, I focused on several critical criteria that are important for an effective and progressive educational curriculum. Here’s how Oh Freedom! measures up against each of these standards:
1. Secular
Assessment: Woke Homeschooling was originally developed as a Christian curriculum and later adapted to be more secular. While it does offer a secular approach, a few parents feel remnants of its religious origins might still be noticeable to those seeking a strictly secular curriculum.
Performance: It generally performs well for families comfortable with minimal religious content but may not be the best fit for those requiring a curriculum completely free of religious influence.
2. Accuracy
Assessment: The curriculum prides itself on providing an accurate recount of historical events, particularly focusing on perspectives and contributions that traditional curricula might overlook or misrepresent.
Performance: It excels in delivering an accurate portrayal of marginalized groups’ histories, significantly enhancing its value for those seeking truthfulness in education.
3. Decolonized
Assessment: One of Woke Homeschooling’s primary goals is to offer a decolonized view of American history, challenging the Eurocentric narratives dominant in many educational systems.
Performance: It successfully integrates a decolonized approach by including diverse voices and stories, making it a strong option for parents who want to move away from conventional historical narratives.
4. Inclusive
Assessment: Inclusivity is at the core of Woke Homeschooling, with the curriculum designed to embrace and represent a wide array of cultural, racial, and social perspectives.
Performance: It stands out as highly inclusive, particularly in its detailed and respectful representation of Black history and the histories of other people of color, which are often sidelined in mainstream curricula.
5. Anti-Racist
Assessment: The curriculum is explicitly designed to be anti-racist, engaging students in critical discussions about race and encouraging an understanding of systemic racism's historical and contemporary impacts.
Performance: Woke Homeschooling is effective in fostering an anti-racist educational environment, making it a valuable tool for parents dedicated to raising socially conscious individuals.
6. Mastery-Based
Assessment: While the curriculum emphasizes comprehensive coverage of content, it is less focused on traditional mastery-based approaches that require students to achieve proficiency before moving on to new concepts.
Performance: It might not fully meet the needs of parents looking for a strict mastery-based program but offers enough depth and resources for a thorough understanding of covered material.
7. Fun and Engaging for Kids
Assessment: Although rich in content and serious in its discussions, Woke Homeschooling might require additional resources to make learning more fun and engaging, especially for younger students or those with learning differences.
Performance: It provides a solid educational experience but may need to be supplemented with interactive or multimedia resources to enhance engagement and enjoyment for all learners.
Who is Oh Freedom! an ideal fit for?
Oh Freedom! is ideally suited for families seeking a comprehensive and inclusive approach to teaching U.S. history. It is perfect for parents who value a curriculum that goes beyond traditional narratives to explore diverse perspectives, particularly those of marginalized communities. Additionally, it is well-suited for families committed to fostering critical thinking and empathy in their children by engaging with complex historical topics and encouraging thoughtful discussions.
Who is it not a fit for?
While Oh Freedom! offers valuable insights and perspectives, it may not be suitable as a standalone curriculum for families seeking a non-reading-intensive program. It may also not be the best fit for parents who prefer a more traditional approach to teaching history or those who are uncomfortable with discussing sensitive topics such as race and systemic injustice with their children. The World History self-paced classes are ideal for independent middle school and high school learners, whereas the live classes maybe a better fit for those who need additional motivation.
Alternatives and supplements to Oh Freedom! for US History
LGBTQ+ Inclusive
Alternative: A Young Person’s ReVisioning History Series
Why It's a Better Fit: This series focuses on engaging younger readers through accessible narratives including LGBTQ+, Indigenous and a Black history.
As part of a complete US history program
Alternative: River of Voices
Why It's a Better Fit: River of Voices is a digital download curriculum that offers a similar comprehensive and inclusive approach to U.S. history as part of a complete nature-based curriculum.
For live and self-paced online classes in world history
Alternative: Woke Homeschooling
Why it’s a better fit: Woke homeschooling also offers self-paced and online world history classes for teens.
Younger learners seeking world history
Alternative: Curiosity Chronicles
Why It's a Better Fit: For families seeking a broader, world history curriculum, Curiosity Chronicles provides an inclusive look at global history, making it perfect for those wanting to extend learning beyond American borders and explore interactions on a global scale.
Visual Learners Who Prefer Video Content:
Alternative: Liberty’s Kids
Why It's a Better Fit: Liberty’s Kids is an animated historical series that provides a captivating visual and auditory learning experience, ideal for children who absorb information better through watching rather than reading.
Budget-Conscious Families Seeking Free Resources:
Alternative: Zinn Education Project
Why It's a Better Fit: This free, complete curriculum offers a variety of teaching materials that are particularly rich in discussions of civil rights and social justice, suitable for families looking for comprehensive resources without the financial investment.
Value for the Money
Given its comprehensive coverage, commitment to inclusivity, and emphasis on critical thinking, Oh Freedom! offers excellent value for families seeking a holistic U.S. history curriculum or World History classes. While the exact cost may vary, the educational benefits and depth of content provided by this curriculum make it a worthwhile investment for many families.
Ways to Get Woke Homeschooling
Interested parents can purchase Oh Freedom! directly through its official website or via Amazon.
Affilate Disclaimer
While my reviews are unbiased and based on thorough research and expertise, it's important to disclose that we may earn a commission from purchases made through affiliate links provided in this review. Your support helps us continue providing valuable insights and recommendations to our audience.
Sources
Secular Homeschool Curriculum Resources List
Woke Schooling: A Toolkit for Concerned Parents | Manhattan Institute
https://heritagemom.com/infusing-black-history-into-a-traditional-charlotte-mason-homeschool/
Secular Homeschool History Curriculum - Give Mom a Minute
Uncovering the Worldview Hidden in your Homeschool Curriculum – The Oaxacaborn Blog
Resources for WOKE Homeschooling
Anyone try Woke Homeschooling?
A Review of Oh Freedom US History Curriculum - A Heart 4 Homeschool
Oh, Freedom Curriculum : r/secularhomeschool
Oh Freedom, from Woke Homeschooling? - K-8 Curriculum Board - The Well-Trained Mind Community
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