This two-volume Young Reader’s Edition Land of
HopeText was written by Hillsdale College faculty member,
Wilfred McClay, who’s passion for passing an accurate version of American
history on to the next generation is evident. In a day when misinformation is
everywhere, he takes a balanced approach. Delving into the struggles of our
past, great accomplishments are celebrated –giving students many reasons to
love and be proud of their country. But America’s faults (such as slavery) are
also acknowledged, helping us learn important lessons from our past. Although intended
for 5th-8th grade students, these books are not an “easy read”
and will be difficult for some at that level. They do make wonderful family
read-alouds and a perfect history “spine” for adding onto, with other books
& activities to bring the text to life. Volume 1 is
focused on the shaping of a new nation, from 1492 -1877, and the people, ideas,
and events that played a part. Volume 2 focuses on the making
of modern America, from 1877- 2020. Textbooks are high quality with reinforced
soft covers and a center section filled with glossy pictures to provide rich
visual context for readers.
Beautiful, thick Volume 1 & 2Student
Workbooks correlate (chapter by chapter) with textbooks, allowing students
to process and understand the readings on a deeper level. My favorite workbook feature
is the alignment of primary source documents for each chapter, bringing voices from
the past alive for the students through songs, letters, documents, and more.
Answers to student questions & activities are found in the Volume 1
& 2Teacher Guides which parallel student pages exactly with
answers filled in on each page. Additional teacher tips encourage tailoring
workbook resources to best fit a teacher’s classroom or individual setting. ~Nancie
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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.
