A Fun, Literature-Based Social Studies Curriculum
Overview
- Curriculum Name: Tuttle Twins
- Target Age/Grade Range: Ages 5-11 (for the 14-book set)
- Format: Physical books with optional workbooks (PDF)
- Units/Modules: 14 books in the children’s series; additional resources for teens
- Placement Test: None, though the curriculum is designed to be flexible for different age ranges
Why We Chose Tuttle Twins
I was looking for a literature-based social studies program that would introduce my child to key concepts like individual rights, critical thinking, economics, and civics in a fun, engaging way. The Tuttle Twins series stood out with its age-appropriate stories and activities that bring complex topics to life. The bonus workbooks provided even more ways to reinforce these concepts through hands-on activities, which was a huge draw for me.
Our Experience So Far
- Current Level/Stage: We completed all available books in the children’s set. My son, who was 6-7 years old at the time, really enjoyed the stories and characters.
- What We’ve Completed: These books have sparked interesting conversations between us about these important social studies concepts.
- What’s Next: 2 more books have since been written and added to this series so we may order those if we can find a family to split shipping costs. My son is still a little young but in the future I’d like to buy the authors other books.
What We Love About Tuttle Twins
- Literature-Based Learning: The Tuttle Twins series is an excellent way to introduce social studies through storytelling. The books are written in a way that makes complex topics accessible and fun for kids.
- Age-Appropriate Social Studies Concepts: The curriculum covers a range of important topics like the free market, individual liberty, and government in a simple, engaging way. My son has been able to understand these concepts through the characters and their adventures.
- Workbooks for Hands-On Learning: If you buy the full bundle of books you get the workbooks for free, or you can purchase them individually. Workbooks include a variety of activities such as decoding messages, bingo, mad libs, writing assignments, recipes and more. These activities are flexible and cater to different age levels, allowing us to pick and choose the ones that best fit my son’s learning style.
- Cartoon Episodes: The Tuttle Twins have an animated series based on the books, and the first two seasons are available for free. These episodes bring the stories to life, reinforcing the lessons learned in the books.
- Libertarian Perspective: The curriculum offers a libertarian perspective on social studies topics, which is a refreshing alternative to traditional teaching methods. It’s helped us understand history and economics from a different point of view.
What Could Be Improved
- Cost: The Tuttle Twins books and workbooks are a bit pricey, especially for families living outside the USA due to shipping and currency conversion. However, for families in the USA, the cost is more reasonable.
- Additional Teacher Resources: While the workbooks offer great activities, I would love to see more detailed teacher guides or lesson plans to help structure the learning experience a bit more.
How It Fits Our Homeschooling Journey
Tuttle Twins has been a great addition to our literature-based social studies curriculum. The stories are engaging and cover important topics that we can discuss as a family. The flexibility of the workbooks has made it easy to adapt the curriculum to my son’s learning style, and the bonus cartoons and podcasts are excellent for reinforcing the lessons. It’s been a fun and valuable way to teach social studies concepts!
Community & Support
- Facebook group – The community on the Tuttle Twins Facebook group is quite informative. This is a great space to discuss curriculum, suggest new content, ask questions, explore student samples, share how you use the resources, and discover additional libertarian materials.
- Podcast for Deeper Learning: The Tuttle Twins podcast offers even more insights into topics like economics, civics, and critical thinking. It’s a great resource for older kids (and parents) who want to dive deeper into these subjects.
Progress & Achievements
My son has enjoyed the stories and has already started applying the social studies concepts we’ve discussed in everyday situations. The workbook activities have been a great way to reinforce the lessons and get him actively involved in the learning process.
Conclusion: Would I Recommend Tuttle Twins?
I highly recommend Tuttle Twins for families looking for a literature-based social studies curriculum written from an alternative perspective. The engaging stories make complex topics like economics, individual rights, and history accessible to young learners, and the accompanying workbooks and multimedia resources provide plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning. While the cost may be high for international families, it’s an excellent resource for those interested in teaching social studies in a fun and memorable way.
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐