United States History
10th or 11th grade

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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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**In order to maximize their learning of United States History, it is required that students take the companion American Literature course that is offered on the same day. These classes build upon one another and follow an identical time line. Students 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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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 research 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 & formation of the US government

• Discussion  & exam on the branches of American government

• Read and discuss Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

• Read & discuss The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, & 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, & 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

• 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​

• Examine the ideals of 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

• Research 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

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Honors Unit - Optional add-on

• Reconstruction 

  • Analysis questions and discussion of “Reconstruction & Segregation 1865 – 1877” lecture

  • Research webquests

  • Collaborative Reconstruction poster assignment & presentation

• ​Research Report​
  • Student-chosen research topic and multimedia oral presentation​
  • Development of essential skills in conducting in-depth research, critically analyzing sources, and synthesizing information