United States History
10th or 11th grade

United States History

This rigorous course requires that students complete daily reading and homework assignments, and turn them in for evaluation every week. Students will take unit exams, complete a long-term research project,  give oral and multi-media presentations, and participate in lively class discussions. Parents, students, and the instructor will collaborate through the year to ensure understanding and completion. Grades will be assigned according to the student’s homework, tests and quizzes, writing assignments, presentations, and class participation.  

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**In order to maximize their learning of World Literature, it is required that students take the companion World History course that is offered on the same day. These classes build upon one another and follow an identical time line. Students will read literature written from the time period being studied in history, thus, students take both courses and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the material.

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Rather than just absorbing facts from a textbook, students in this A-G level course engage in Socratic discussions, watch documentaries, read historical fiction novels, memorize geography and facts using various mnemonics, and do internet research and writing projects to make the past come to life. Students will take unit exams, complete a long-term research project, and give several oral and multi-media presentations.

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Unit 1 - Pre- Colonialism 
Native Americans

• Instruction on Native American tribes

• Learn North American rivers and mountain ranges

 
Unit 2 - Colonialism– 1600-1800 
Colonial America ,Salem Witch Trials, Enlightenment, Great Awakening

• Learn geography of the 13 colonies

• Watch several documentaries on the Salem Witch Trials

• Instruction on the Enlightenment and The Great Awakening

• Write a five paragraph essay on how either the Salem Witch Trials, The Enlightenment or The Great Awakening influenced American thought

• Unit exam

 
Unit 3 - Rationalism – 1750-1800
American Revolution

• Instruction on the causes, significant battles, and notable people of the American Revolution

• Instruction on the formation and principles of American government

• Discussion on the branches of American government

• Exam on American government

• Read and discuss Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

• Watch documentary on the Yellow Fever plague and write summary

• Read & discuss The Declaration of Independence

• Read  & discuss The Constitution of the United States

• Read  & discuss The Bill of Rights

• Memorize the principles in the Bill of Rights and the Preamble to the Constitution

• Unit exam

 
Unit 4 –Romanticism and Transcendentalism – 1800-1860 
Louisiana Purchase,  Gold Rush,  Women’s Suffrage

• Study the effects of the Louisiana Purchase, The California Gold Rush, or Women’s Suffrage

• Memorize the geography of states as they relate to westward expansion

• Discuss the Lewis and Clark expedition

• Lewis and Clark re-enactment activity

• Watch a documentary on women’s suffrage and write a summary

• Learn the process of how territories became states

• Unit exam

 
Unit 5 - Realism – 1850-1900 
Civil War, Reconstruction, The Industrial Revolution

• Instruction and discussion on the causes, battles, conclusion, and effects of the Civil War

• Read, write analysis and discuss “The Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln

• Group project arguing the different sides of the Civil War

• Unit exam

 
Unit 6 - Modernism – 1900-1950 / The Harlem Renaissance -1920-1940 
Prohibition,  World War I, The Great Depression, World War II

• Read Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

• Watch The Great Gatsby and discuss The American Dream

• Discuss and analyze America’s involvement in World War I

• Group activity on The New Deal

• Discuss America’s involvement in World War II

• Discuss the effects of World War II on America

• Unit exam

 
Unit 7 - Contemporary/Post-Modernism 1950 to present
Civil Rights Movement, The Space Race , Vietnam War, Terrorism

• Instruction and discussion on the Civil Rights Movement and the effects on America

• Internet scavenger hunt on the Space Race and The Cold War

• Documentary on the September 11th terrorist attacks

• Group research project and multi-media presentation

• Write an essay on What I Hope for America

• Final Exam

Class Materials