Learning American History Through Literature

Description

If you are looking for an American history program that is literature based and easy to use with multiple grades working together, this one's for you! In Learning American History Through Literature, American history is divided and covered in seven units. It can be used through one or two school years, depending on the ages of your students and how in-depth you choose to go. The seven units are Colonial, Revolutionary War Period, Westward Expansion, Civil War Period, Industrial Age, World War Years, and Postwar Years, cumulatively covering the years 1607-1968. In each unit, there are several book lists of read aloud titles and student reading. There are also vocabulary word lists, and activities to make and do. These include projects such as dipping candles, sewing a simple quilt or cooking. The activities are intended to help uncover hidden parts of the story and help students get a feel of what it was like living during that era.

Inside each unit, materials are organized by using and briefly defining the literary terms repeatedly. The main terms are prologue, setting, plot, dialogue, and epilogue. They introduce the unit, give the book lists for read aloud to learn the setting, talk about teaching plot, and dialogue about the era. Also listed here are numerous short book and chapter book choices for the student to read for content. The epilogue section of the units includes a list of people pertinent to the era and suggests choosing one, read their biography, and for the older student to research and conclude the unit with a presentation. Presentation instruction and timeline suggestions are in the appendix. Each unit also contains discussion questions for dialogue and review. This curriculum is written in a relaxed Charlotte Mason style and there are no quizzes or tests. The appendix contains vocabulary practice activities, reproducibles like puzzles, activity patterns, recipes and much more. Optional project instructions are also found in the appendix. The material is offered in print form or eBook. -Judy

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.