This course covers America’s Ancient Heritage of exceptionalism through the Civil War.
Grades 6-8
The Story of Liberty is a crucial part of America’s heritage, and it is vital that homeschooling students learn it. To hone their critical thinking skills, they will be taught using various methods such as historical analysis, research, multimedia, and Socratic discussion. By exposing students to the tools of historians and having them apply them, they will gain a deeper understanding of America’s past. John De Gree’s book, American History: The Story of Liberty, America’s Heritage through the Civil War, will be used as a guide for this journey. Join us in ensuring that future generations have a thorough understanding of America’s story.
Class Information
- Ages: Grades 6-8 Class meets once weekly, for 1.5 hrs, ~32 times per year.
- Required Books (You will need to order prior to the start of class. Please allow time for shipping.)
- The Story of Liberty, America’s Heritage through the Civil War, Student Bundle ($83) This bundle includes the three books below.
1. The Story of Liberty Student’s Edition
2. The Story of Liberty, Student Workbook 1
3. The Story of Liberty, Student Workbook 2
- The Story of Liberty, America’s Heritage through the Civil War, Student Bundle ($83) This bundle includes the three books below.
- Required Books (You will need to order prior to the start of class. Please allow time for shipping.)
- Registration fee: $65
- Tuition: $75/Month
- Outside of Class Time Requirement
- Homework will include but is not limited to reading and writing assignments to prepare for weekly Socratic discussions. Essays will be assigned to be explored, researched, and written at home. The teacher will give a step-by-step breakdown, guidance, and evaluation of the writing process. (Writing is subjective – we meet students where they are and help them improve.)
History Content
Students will learn independent and critical thinking skills specific to studying history. They will apply these skills to the open-ended, analytical questions (the weekly Socratic discussion) in the following topics:
Unit I. America’s Ancient Heritage
Introduction
1. The Fertile Crescent
2. The Greeks
3. The Roman Republic
4. Western Civilization
Unit II. America’s Medieval Heritage
Introduction
5. The Age of Barbarians
6. Civilizing Europe
7. Foundation of European Kingdoms
8. Development of Liberty in Medieval England
9. The Crusades
10. The Age of Exploration and Christopher Columbus
11. The Reformation and the Enlightenment
Unit III. European Colonization of America
Introduction
12. Native Americans
13. Spanish and French Colonies in America
14. Founding of American Exceptionalism: Jamestown and Plymouth Plantation
15. American Exceptionalism Takes Hold in the English Colonies
16. Life in the English Colonies
17. Early Indian Wars
Unit IV. Founding of the U.S.A.
Introduction
18. Causes of the American Revolution
19. The American Revolution
20. The Articles of Confederation
Unit V. The Constitution
Introduction
21. The Heritage of the American Constitution
22. Principles of the Constitution
23. Individual Rights
Unit VI. Era of the Founding Fathers, 1787-1825
Introduction
24. Ratification of the Constitution
25. The American People
26. Father of The Country
27. Presidency of John Adams (1797-1801)
28. Judicial Review, Capitalism, Free Enterprise and Open Markets
29. Presidency of Jefferson (1801-1809)
30. James Madison’s Presidency (1809-1817)
31. The Era of Good Feelings
32. The Supreme Court and Capitalism
33. American Spirit and Industry in the Free North
34. Railroads, the Telegraph, the Post Office, and the Politicization of News
35. The Missouri Compromise
Unit VII. The Beginning of Big Government, 1825-1836
Introduction
36. The Election of 1824 and the Presidency of John Quincy Adams
37. The Age of Jackson (1828-1835)
Unit VII. Empire of Liberty or Manifest Destiny, 1836-1848
Introduction
38. Change in America: Industrialization, Religion, and Social Change
39. The American Renaissance: Arts and Literature
40. Education in Early America Through the Civil War
41. President Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)
42. President William Harrison (1841) and President John Tyler (1841-1845)
43. The Southwest
44. Presidency of James K. Polk and the Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
45. Oregon and the Oregon Trail
46. The Southwest and the California Gold Rush
Unit VIII. Sectionalism
Introduction
47. The South
48. The North
49. Life in the West
50. Immigration
Unit IX. The Slavery Crisis Becomes Violent, 1848-1860
Introduction
51. Political Instability and the End of Westward Expansion
52. The Decade Preceding the Civil War
53. Abraham Lincoln
Unit X. The Civil War
Introduction
54.1860 Election
55. Secession and the Confederate States of America
56. Fort Sumter and the War on Paper
57. Bull Run and the Beginning of the War
58. Growth of Government
59. Emancipation Proclamation
60. Hard War
61. Unconditional Surrender Grant and Reelection of Lincoln
62. The End of the War
63. The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
64. Winners and Losers and the Lost Cause Myth