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Review: 180 Days of Social Studies Kindergarten

While Story of the World has been the reliable backbone of our historical narrative, I recently sensed a distinct "civics-shaped" void in our social studies rotation. In my quest to bridge this gap, I discovered 180 Days of Social Studies. Although my daughter is currently at the first-grade level, I made the executive decision to begin with the Kindergarten volume to ensure no foundational stones were left unturned. This curriculum is unapologetically US-centric, focusing heavily on American holidays and domestic historical milestones—a perfect fit for our household, though international families may find it less applicable to their regional needs. My only aesthetic grievance? The interior is strictly monochromatic. I do find myself wishing for a splash of color to help the lessons truly "leap" off the page.


We have navigated seven weeks of the program thus far, and due to its accessible nature, we’ve abandoned the "one page a day" mandate in favor of a more accelerated pace. The curriculum is elegantly structured into five-day thematic cycles, covering the four pillars of social studies: history, geography, civics, and economics. It traverses everything from personal behavior to the vital roles of community helpers with impressive breadth. For the student who is still developing their "pen-to-paper" confidence, this volume is an absolute sanctuary; it prioritizes circling answers and drawing illustrations over rigorous writing, making it a stress-free introduction to the subject.



Prior to this, we utilized Skill Sharpeners Geography, which boasts a vibrant, full-color layout and engaging end-of-lesson activities. However, the sheer comprehensive scope of 180 Days has won us over. While I intend to keep both in our repertoire for the next few grade levels, 180 Days has officially taken the lead. Since we are a year-round homeschooling family with a slightly extended academic calendar, we will likely glide into the first-grade book before the traditional school year concludes, though I plan to preserve the second-grade volume as a "grand opening" for her sophomore year.


There are numerous other "180 Days" subjects available, but given that our current curriculum is humming along with near-perfection, I’ll be sticking strictly to the Social Studies track for now. It is a superlative supplement that ensures your child isn't just learning about the ancient past, but also the mechanics of the world they inhabit today. I am curious to hear from those who have ventured further into the 180 Days ecosystem: do you find these workbooks stand on their own, or do they always require a "partner" curriculum like Story of the World? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!


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