American History

The course covers the Age of Exploration starting in 1492 to the present.
Grades 9-12 

This unique history and critical thinking class for homeschooled students teach classical history through historical analysis, research, multimedia, and Socratic discussion. Students first learn the tools of the historian from Take A Stand! and then apply them. Students will use the book by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen, American History, A Patriot’s History of the United States. As the meaning of history is open to debate, our course shows students how to use logic and the search for truth to find the best interpretation of historical events.

Class Information

• Ages: Grades 9-12  Class meets once weekly, for 1.5 hrs, 32 times per year.
  • Required Books  (2) You will need to order prior to the start of class. Please allow time for shipping.
    • Take a Stand! American History Student Edition ($20)
    • A Patriot’s History of the United States ($25)
  • Registration fee: $65
  • Tuition: $75/Month
  • Outside of Class Time Requirement
    • At-home reading and writing assignments will be given to prepare for weekly Socratic discussions. Monthly essays will be assigned to be researched/written at home. The teacher will give step-by-step guidance and evaluation. (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 in the following topics:

• Columbus and Colonization
• Jamestown and Plymouth Plantation
• Causes of the American Revolution
• The American Revolution-George Washington
• The Declaration of Independence
• The US Constitution
• Washington’s Inaugural Address and Farewell Address
• Challenges to a Young Nation
• The Beginning of Big Government
• The War for Texas Independence
• Westward Movement
• Antebellum North and South
• Causes of the Civil War
• The Civil War
• Reconstruction
• Immigration, 1865-1920
• The Wild West
• Progressivism Part I
• Building Greatly
• Progressivism Part II
• The Roaring Twenties
• The New Deal
• World War II in the Pacific
• World War II in Europe
• The Cold War in the United States
• An Atomic World
• The Civil Rights Movement
• The 60’s
• Watergate to Present