Arkansas History: Journey through Time with a Living Education Book List

***DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a commission if you order through these links, at no additional cost to you.*** 

There are many different styles of homeschooling, and my own approach to homeschooling has evolved through the years. What I keep going back to though year after year is reading rich, living books aloud with my children. With this approach I can immerse my little learners in the subject matter, ignite their imagination, and increase their empathy. This year we are studying Arkansas History and Science through a series of two unit studies: one on Arkansas State Symbols and one that will take us on a Journey Through Time. Join us as we read living books through 8 Time Periods in Arkansas History.

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FIRST ARKANSANS

“Bandits, Bears, and Backaches: A Collection of Short Stories Based on Arkansas History” by Velma B. Branscum Woody (https://amzn.to/4lpbfiT) 78 page

“Arkansas Indians: Learning and Activity Book” by Berna Love (https://amzn.to/3GIv1XJ) 32 pages

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TERRITORIAL PERIOD

“How we Crossed West: The Adventures of Lewis and Clark” by Rosalyn Schanzer (https://amzn.to/4eScwN1) 48 pages

”The Louisiana Purchase: A History Just for Kids” by KidCaps (https://amzn.to/3UcXEzf) 45 pages

“Only the Names Remain: The Cherokees and the Trail of Tears” by Alex Bealer (https://amzn.to/4ltYJPf) 80 pages

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CIVIL WAR PERIOD

“Sarah Campbell: Tale of a Civil War Orphan” by Nancy Dane (https://amzn.to/44ZJk3n) 162 pages

”Weary Road: Based on the True Story of a Dog and His Soldier” by James Babb (https://amzn.to/4nKWaKl) 298 pages

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NEW SOUTH

“The Legend of Bass Reeves” by Gary Paulson (https://amzn.to/4mfrBuP ) 160 pages

”Green Grows the Prairie: Arkansas in the 1890s” by Charlie May Hogue Simon (https://amzn.to/3IrPxfL ) 192 pages

”When the Old Bell Rang” by William Redwine and Timothy Kinnard (https://amzn.to/4lSpE70 ) 216 pages

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PROGRESSIVE ERA

”Journey to Little Rock” by Fred Sanderlin (https://amzn.to/473Zr1i) 284 pages

“Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou” by Bethany Hegedus (https://amzn.to/3ImYQO6 ) 48 pages

”Rock, Rosetta, Rock! Roll, Rosetta, Roll” by Tonya Bolden (https://amzn.to/4lrDqxD ) 40 pages

“King of Ragtime: The Story of Scott Joplin” by Stephen Costanza (https://amzn.to/44W1xir) 56 pages

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WAR TIMES

“The Red Scarf: A Country Boy’s Christmas Story” by Richard Mason (https://amzn.to/4nTW4QI ) 155 pages

”Summer of my German Soldier” by Bette Greene (https://amzn.to/3Isw5zs ) 208 pages

”Under One Flag: A Year at Rohwer” by Liz Parkhurst (https://amzn.to/4nUHh8k ) 32 pages

”The Girl with a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague” by Julia Finley Mosca (https://amzn.to/46KxJGB ) 40 pages

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CIVIL RIGHTS

“Cracking the Wall: The Struggles of the Little Rock Nine’ by Eileen Lucas (https://amzn.to/4lZcllE ) 48 pages

”March Forward Girl: From Young Warrior to Little Rock Nine” by Melba Pattillo Beals (https://amzn.to/4lQaUFL ) 224 pages

”Fire from the Rock” by Sharon Draper (https://amzn.to/40My0oM ) 240 pages

”The Lions of Little Rock” by Kristine Levine  (https://amzn.to/4eMpA6A ) 320 pages

”What is the Civil Rights Movement?” by Sherri Smith (https://amzn.to/46bTwqz ) 112 pages

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MODERN ARKANSAS

“Arkansas Razorbacks” by Alex Moning

”Bill Clinton” by Josh Gregory (https://amzn.to/3ISt0J6 ) 64 pages

”Tornadoes” by Seymour Simon (https://amzn.to/45300a9 ) 32 pages

“Who was Johnny Cash” by Jim Gigliotti (https://amzn.to/4nQLNEy ) 112 pages

You can purchase the complete Unit Study, which includes a writing activity and field trip ideas on Teachers Pay Teachers. Or, get the Bundle which includes Arkansas State Symbols.

For more Homeschooling inspiration ideas, check out the Homeschooling Tab!

A Veteran Homeschooler's Response to Advice from Chat GTP for First Time Homeschooler's

Another homeschool year is about to begin. We have been homeschooling since before it was cool, and people often ask me what advice I'd give them. I'm never quite sure how to answer, so I asked Chat GTP "What advice would you give to first-time homeschoolers?" Let's look at what it said, and I'll share my reaction to each point.

Great question—homeschooling for the first time can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here's some practical and encouraging advice for first-time homeschool parents:

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🧭 1. Start With Why

• Know your reasons for homeschooling—whether it’s flexibility, faith, safety, special needs, or personalized education.

• Keep that “why” visible when doubts or tough days come.

  Wow! This is spot on. Trust me, no matter how confident you think you are in your decision right now, tough days will come. There will be a day when the kids are fighting you, you "fall behind", or you feel like you are banging your head against the wall and you are tempted to think you made the wrong decision. Know your "why" and stand on that solid ground because your emotions will deceive you, especially during hard seasons.

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🐢 2. Go Slow—Deschool First

• If your child has been in traditional school, allow a deschooling period (about one month per year of school attended).

• Focus on connection, curiosity, and rhythm—not just academics—during this time.

  It is important to remember that homeschool is so much more than school at home, and that you cannot successfully homeschool your children without having a good relationship with your children. You are doing life together and building a love for learning, and you need a foundation to build upon. Take time to get to really know each other; to dream together and explore together. Establish family rhythms and set expectations. It is also important to know that you may need to "deschool" periodically throughout your homeschool journey. When I find that I am really butting heads with our children, then it's time to take a break, reset, and perhaps change up some things before diving back in. 

📚 3. Curriculum is a Tool, Not a Master

• You don’t need to find the perfect curriculum right away.

• Start with something simple and adaptable—you can always switch.

• Don’t be afraid to mix and match across subjects or use free resources while you find your style

I cannot even being to tell you how many times we have changed our curriculum. There have been years that we have even switched curriculum midyear because it just was not working for us. Each child is different and each season is different. One of the benefits of homeschooling is that we have the freedom to teach in a way that works best for each individual child.

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🧠 4. Know That Learning Looks Different at Home

• You do not need to replicate public school at home.

• Home education is often more efficient—2–4 focused hours per day can be plenty.

• Learning can happen through conversations, chores, play, and life skills—not just textbooks.

Absolutely! Sure, our children can read, write, and do arithmetic, but they have also learned how to run a business, can identify plants and trees, know how to survive in the wilderness, can manage a home and cook meals, and so much more. History and science is not something we read from a textbook, but something they experience. 

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👩‍👧‍👦 5. Focus on Relationship First

• Homeschooling is as much about the parent-child relationship as it is about academics.

• Nurture trust, curiosity, and confidence; the academic success follows.

You are likely going to spend most of your waking moments together. The better the relationship, the better the homeschool experience. I would also add to this, to focus on learning and bettering yourself. This points to the saying "more is caught than taught". Be someone your children look up to and want to copy. If you are having fun learning and bettering yourself, then your children will have fun learning. 

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🕰️ 6. Establish Rhythms, Not Rigid Schedules

• Create flexible routines that fit your family’s natural flow.

• Anchor your day with habits: e.g., morning time (read-alouds, devotions), chore time, learning blocks.

Flexible is the key word here! Some of our best lessons and times of learnings have come from chasing down rabbit trails. Leave plenty of margin in your schedule for kids to be curious, ask questions, and be creative. We love starting our day with World Watch News. From there we go into devotions and pray for our local community, friends, family, and also headlines from the news we just watched. From there we move into a family read aloud, then family subjects (for us that is history and science). Afterwards we break for chores, lunch, and outdoor play before finishing up individual subjects (math and literature), while the littles go down for a nap. This rhythm works well for us and the season of life we are in, but you may find a rhythm that works better for your family. 

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💬 7. Find Community

• Look for local co-ops, Facebook groups, library programs, or online communities.

• Talking to other homeschool parents can ease fears, spark ideas, and offer much-needed support.

Yes and no. I have definitely overdone it in years past, so give yourself permission to not do all the things. Some years we do co-ops, other years we do not. Our kids are heavily involved in sports, music, trail life, and church activities, so I like to protect the homeschool day by not participating in a bunch more things. 

 

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📅 8. Keep Records (Lightly at First)

• Know your state’s legal requirements (some require attendance or portfolio tracking).

• Keep samples of work, a reading log, or a weekly learning journal—it helps with both legal and personal tracking.

How much record keeping you do will depend heavily on your state. We personally do not keep a lot of records until high school.

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❤️ 9. Give Yourself (and Your Child) Grace

• There will be hard days. That doesn’t mean you’re failing.

• You’re learning together—homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint.

100 percent YES! Check out my list of book recommendations for resetting your homeschool if you need a perspective shift and are in a season of struggle.

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🧩 10. Trust the Process

• You will adjust, pivot, and grow. Your confidence will build with time.

• What you’re doing matters—it’s okay to not have all the answers today.

Trust me, after 15+ years of homeschooling, I still do not have all the answers, and I probably never will. But every year I become a little more confident and cherish homeschooling a little more. Enjoy the journey! I wish you and your family a fabulous homeschool year! For more inspiration, encouragement, and ideas, check out the Homeschooling tab.

DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links.

Arkansas State Symbols Book List and Field Trip Guide

This year field trips are covered under the Educational Freedom Account funds and I am ready for it! I developed several unit studies so our family could focus our studies on Arkansas History and Science, while including literature, art, STEM, and even some math. Our first month we will be studying Arkansas State Symbols. I uploaded our unit study, Arkansas State Symbols (Read, Write, Draw, Create) to TPT. The unit study is super engaging and can be done together as a family. I always recommend reading the books aloud together (I have included my booklist below). You can simplify the writing and drawing assignments if you have little ones, or raise your expectations and require lengthier writing assignments and more detailed drawings if you have older ones. When your time and schedule allows, you can add GO! to your Read, Write, Draw, Create assignment. There are so many education field trip opportunities here in our state! I included a list of field trips to go with each of the state symbols, but please, if you know of a fun trip idea that I am missing, send me a message! You can find me on Instagram @pocketful_of_treasures. I also recommend contacting the location before you go to check their hours and availability. 

DISCLAIMER: Affiliate links included. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.

“N is for Natural State: An Arkansas Alphabet” by Michael Shoulders (https://amzn.to/4kmpFiD)

“It’s Official: The Real Stories behind Arkansas’ State Symbols” by David (https://amzn.to/44dkv3K)

STATE BIRD: NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD

“Birds of Arkansas Field Guide by Stan Tekiela (https://amzn.to/44b7Myq)

*You can birdwatch from anywhere! Spend some time birdwatching in your backyard, a park, or along a nature trail.

*Visit Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in Little Rock.

*Contact the Audubon Society of Central Arkansas. They host field trips throughout the year. For more information visit wp.ascabird.org or contact the ASCA Field Trip Coordinator, Karen Holliday, at ladyhawke1@att.net or (501)920-3246.

*Participate in the Wings Over Arkansas birding program by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. More information can be found about the program, as well as educational outreach programs, at agfc.com.

*25 Arkansas State Parks have been selected for inclusion in the Watchable Wildlife Program by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Check out the Arkansas State Parks website (arkansasstateparks.com) for upcoming events, which may include programs such bird hikes, nifty nests, bird beak buffet, sunrise symphony, wings over the water, and more!

STATE FLOWER: APPLE BLOSSOM

“The Apple Tree – A Modern Day Cherokee Story Told in English and Cherokee” by Sandy Tharp-Thee (https://amzn.to/4nKbBm2)

*The first weekend of October the Arkansas Apple Festival is held in Lincoln, AR.

*Rogers Historical Museum has a field trip program titled "Land of the Big Red Apple"

*Visit a U-Pick Apple Farm!

    -Rivercrest Orchard in Fayetteville, AR

    -Vanzant Fruit Farms in Lowell, AR

    -Drewry Farms & Orchards in Dover, AR

    -Cadron Crest Orchard in Greenbrier, AR

STATE COOKING VESSEL: DUTCH OVEN

"Dutch: The Cast Iron Oven" by G. Edward Riddle (Https://commerce.cfdrodeo.com/dutch-the-cast-iron-oven/)

*Visit the Dutch Oven Cooking Look and Learn table at Lake Dardanelle State Park's Visitor Center in Russelville, AR. Typically, once a month a park interpreter is on hand to answer questions, share tips, tools, and tasty inspiration. Check out the Arkansas State Parks Events tab for more information.

STATE MAMMAL: WHITE-TAILED DEER

“Go Whitetail Deer Hunting!” by Lisa M. Bolt Simons (https://amzn.to/401lrph)

“Birthday Buck: A First Deer Story” by Jimmy Tidmore (https://amzn.to/4koszmN)

*You won't have trouble finding deer in Arkansas, lol. Visit just about any state park or wildlife management area and you will see deer! You may even see them in your backyard!

*Go on a Guided Whitetail Deer hunt (https://deltaheritagelodge.com/trophy-whitetail-hunts).

*Contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for educational opportunities (https://www.agfc.com/education/education-outreach/)

STATE TREE: PINE

“From Cone to Pine Tree” by Emma Carlson-Berne (https://amzn.to/4nwisPC)

“The Tree Book for Kids and their Grown-Ups” by Gina Ingoglia (https://amzn.to/3GsMJhC)

*2 of the 4 Shortleaf Loblobby Pine trees that were propagated from seeds on  the Apollo 14 Mission in 1971 stand today. One of them you can find at the 1836 Hempstead County Courthouse at Historic Washington State Park. The other one is at the Sebastian County Courthouse in Fort Smith. 

*Arkansas Outdoor School has a program on Forest Ecology

STATE BUTTERFLY: DIANA FRITILLARY & STATE INSECT: HONEYBEE

I included these together because they are both pollinators and your study of each can be combined in many of these field trips.

“My, Oh My – A Butterfly! All about Butterflies (The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library)” (https://amzn.to/3I8UQk4)

“National Audubon Society Pocket Guide: Familiar Butterflies of North America” (https://amzn.to/3I3Hndo)

“The Life and Times of the Honeybee” by Charles Micucci (https://amzn.to/3I91RkW)

*Mount Magazine State Park is a premier butterfly location, but many of the state parks host butterfly, bee, and pollinator programs, so be sure to check their events tab!

*Botanical Garden of the Ozarks has several butterfly field trips to choose from. 

*Arkansas Outdoor School has a field trip program titled "Plants and their Pollinators" as well as one on "Investigating Insects"

STATE GRAIN: RICE

“Everybody Cooks Rice” by Norah Dooley (https://amzn.to/3GaIHdU)

*Plantation Agricultural Museum in Scott, AR

*Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center in Harrisburg, AR has a rice discovery program for grades 2-12.

*Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie in Stuttgart, AR

*Arkansas Rice has curriculum on their website and an Events Tab

STATE FRUIT & VEGETABLE: VINE RIPE PINK TOMATO

“Tomato: History, Growing, Cooking, and Fun for Kids” by Guilhem Wall (https://amzn.to/3ToImY2)

*Arkansas Culinary Herb and Produce Farm in White Hall, AR

*Dunbar Community Garden in Little Rock

STATE BEVERAGE: MILK

*Howard Farm in Durham, AR

*White River Creamery in Elkins, AR

*Rabbit Ridge Farms in Bee Branch, AR

*Dogwood Hills Guest Farm in Harriet, AR

*Hiland Dairy (multiple locations in state)

STATE NUT: PECAN

“My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me” by Roxanne Troup (https://amzn.to/3Icpo4q

*Creekside Farm in Morrilton, AR

*Attend Arkansas Pecan Festival in December in Keo, AR

*Nut House in Keo, AR

*Baucum Nut House in North Little Rock, AR

STATE ROCK: BAUXITE, STATE MINERAL: QUARTZ CRYSTAL, STATE GEM: DIAMOND

“The Rock Factory: The Story About the Rock Cycle” (https://amzn.to/45Zc6SO)

“Dig and Discover Quartz” by Melissa Mayer (https://amzn.to/3GA23ZV)

“The Rock and Gem Book: And Other Treasures of the Natural World” by DK (https://amzn.to/46DCRwd)

 “What are Diamonds and How do they Form?” by Judith Hubbard (https://amzn.to/3Imvyz7)

*Ron Coleman Mining

*Crater of Diamonds State Park

*Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines in Mt. Ida, AR

*Prairie Creek Campground

*Board Camp Crystal Mine in Mena, AR

*Bauxite Historical Association Museum

STATE DANCE: SQUARE DANCING, STATE FOLK INSTRUMENT: FIDDLE, STATE SONG

“Dance at Grandpa’s (Little House Prequel)” by Laura Wilder (https://amzn.to/3TDKmvw)

“A Fiddle for Angus” by Budge Wilson (https://amzn.to/3GFCgQ4) 

*Ozark Folk Center

*ASSDF Club Events

For more on homeschooling in Arkansas, be sure to check out my Quick Start Guide to Homeschooling, as well as the Homeschooling tab for all my homeschool related articles.