United States History
PCLC - Thursdays 10:45 – 12:15
Teacher : Nancy Kaser
$390 per semester
(This course is A-G qualifying with all affiliated charter schools)
Does your high school student truly grasp the history and culture of our great nation, have a working understanding of how our government works, and realize what makes America unique? Can your student identify all major aspects of American geography? By taking this course, they will gain all of this knowledge, plus public speaking and essay writing experience. Rather than just absorbing facts from a textbook, students watch movies, 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.
This rigorous course requires that students complete daily reading and homework assignments, and turn them in for evaluation every week. Parents, students, and the instructor will collaborate through the year to ensure understanding and completion. Grades will be assigned according to the students homework, tests and quizzes, writing assignments, presentations, and class participation.
****In order to maximize learning of United States History, it is required that students take the companion American Literature course that is offered on the same day. These two classes build upon one another and follow an identical timeline. Students will read literature that is written from the time period and culture being studied in history, and thus, will have a more comprehensive understanding of the material.
Unit 1 - Pre- Colonialism
Native Americans
Unit 2 - Colonialism– 1600-1800
Colonial America ,Salem Witch Trials, Enlightenment, Great Awakening
Unit 3 - Rationalism – 1750-1800
American Revolution
Unit 4 –Romanticism and Transcendentalism – 1800-1860
Louisiana Purchase, Gold Rush, Women’s Suffrage
Unit 5 - Realism – 1850-1900
Civil War, Reconstruction, The Industrial Revolution
Unit 6 - Modernism – 1900-1950 / The Harlem Renaissance -1920-1940
Prohibition, World War I, The Great Depression, World War II
Unit 7 - Contemporary/Post-Modernism 1950 to present
Civil Rights Movement, The Space Race , Vietnam War, Terrorism
*In addition to the books and films listed above, the textbook used for this class is Barron’s E-Z American History.
Buy this book on Amazon HERE
PCLC - Thursdays 10:45 – 12:15
Teacher : Nancy Kaser
$390 per semester
(This course is A-G qualifying with all affiliated charter schools)
Does your high school student truly grasp the history and culture of our great nation, have a working understanding of how our government works, and realize what makes America unique? Can your student identify all major aspects of American geography? By taking this course, they will gain all of this knowledge, plus public speaking and essay writing experience. Rather than just absorbing facts from a textbook, students watch movies, 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.
This rigorous course requires that students complete daily reading and homework assignments, and turn them in for evaluation every week. Parents, students, and the instructor will collaborate through the year to ensure understanding and completion. Grades will be assigned according to the students homework, tests and quizzes, writing assignments, presentations, and class participation.
****In order to maximize learning of United States History, it is required that students take the companion American Literature course that is offered on the same day. These two classes build upon one another and follow an identical timeline. Students will read literature that is written from the time period and culture being studied in history, and thus, will have a more comprehensive understanding of the material.
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
*In addition to the books and films listed above, the textbook used for this class is Barron’s E-Z American History.
Buy this book on Amazon HERE