U.S. History Detective

Description

Continuing the successful "detective" series from The Critical Thinking Company, the U.S. History Detective books can be used as a supplement to any history program, as a review course, or as a stand-alone text. The goal of these texts is to encourage and develop critical thinking, analysis, and reading comprehension through the study of U.S. history. Book One covers the span from Colonial Times to the Reconstruction after the Civil War. Book Two covers the Gilded Age (late 1800s) until 2016. Each lesson includes an informative text where each sentence is clearly numbered for easy reference. Colorful pictures, maps and timelines illustrate the text throughout. The question section in each lesson requires students to support their answers with specific references back to the text (hence the numbered sentences). This helps students get into the practice of providing supporting evidence for answers rather than relying simply on recall information. The various questions in each lesson will give students the opportunity to make inferences and draw conclusions based on their evaluation of the text, distinguish between fact and opinion, understand historical chronology, expand their vocabulary, link history with geography, and practice answering analytical essay questions. There are 65 lessons grouped into 9 sections. There are also more than 20 reviews throughout the book and answers to all lessons and reviews are included. This is a consumable book and permission is given to make copies for home or classroom use. ~ Zach

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.