Connecting the past and present, meaningfully.

America: Past & Present

Darby Kennedy, MA

Refund within 24 hours of payment until your next meeting or lesson access begins.

Standard

Social Studies

In this 15 week homeschool-friendly course, learners explore US history using broad themes and questions to understand patterns and forces that shape the nation.

In this 15 week course, explore US history by asking, and finding the answers to, the big questions that weave through our history.

Overview of the big theme, and a look at quotes from modern presidents about the role the government should play in the economy

Welcome Back; Intro to modern ideas about the role of government in the economy

Overview of the role of the cotton economy in the US before 1850, and the reasoning John C. Calhoun used to explain why enslavement was a "positive good" that the government should not interfere with. 

Slavery and the Economy: what does the government have the right to do?

Overview of the market revolution, and how the Lowell Mills girls felt that the state government should get involved in regulating their work environment

The Market Revolution and the women of the Lowell Mills

Discussion of the successes and failures of the Freedmans Bureau

The Freedmans Bureau and the role of the government in a post-war economy

Background on the social and economic issues at the turn of the 20th century and how newly emerging media shaped people's ideas about what role the government should have in dealing with the problems.

The Progressive Era: how modern media shaped ideas about government

Discussion of the causes of the Great Depression, and an examination of FDR's 1932 nomination acceptance speech as an example of what he believed the role of the government in the economy should be. Will also include a look at some of the most famous "alphabet soup" agencies.

Government and the Great Depression

What led Lyndon Johnson to declare a "war on poverty?" What were the provisions of that program, and how did Johnson shape the role of the US government to match the goals of the "war?"

Lyndon Johnson and the War on Poverty

Overview of the period leading up to Reagan's election, and the forces that shaped his ideology about the intersection of the government and the economy. Includes discussion of Reagan's 1981 address to the nation on the economy.

Reaganomics: reducing the role of the government in the economy

Overview of this history of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers, and a discussion of his speech in the early 80s about why the government should guarantee the rights of unions.

Unions, The Economy, and the Government

Investigation of recent supreme court decisions regarding the power the federal government has to regulate industry, focusing on the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Modern Supreme Court and Government Regulation

Modern immigration issues, focusing on DACA and the Dreamers; discussion of a modern essay on immigration, by an immigrant.

Intro to the Second Theme: Immigrants & Immigration

Analysis of the different reasons that Spanish, Portuguese, French, and English immigrants came to North America, and the impact they had on the areas in which they established colonies.

The First Europeans in North America: why did they come? 

Overview of the forced movement of enslaved Africans, and the culture, language, and music they brought with them. Includes a focus on the evolution of the banjo, and on how modern Black musicians are reclaiming its use.

Forced Movement of Enslaved Africans

Background on the potato famine, and analysis of primary source letters from recently arrived immigrants back home. Includes a look at the growth of anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic sentiment before the Civil War.

Irish Need Not Apply: immigrants and US cities before the Civil War

What brought on the massive immigration of Chinese men in the 1800s? What role did they take on upon arrival? How were they treated and what were their lives like? Includes investigation of recent archeological evidence in the western US.

Chinese Immigrants, the Railroad, and Exclusion

What forces pushed European immigrants to risk everything to come to the US? We will look at the history of Ellis Island, and the role that European immigrants had in impacting US unionization, and cities.

Eastern and Southern European Immigrants around 1900

Between 1900 and 1920 the number of immigrants moving north from Mexico to the US skyrocketed, as peasants tried to escape the violence of the revolution. Once in the US, Mexican immigrants played a major role in the US military and the US economy though they experienced a range of levels of acceptance.

The Mexican Revolution and Immigration to the US

An overview of the movement of Japanese immigrants to North America. They first came to Hawaii, but eventually gravitated to the west coast where they established places of business and education, and worked to hold onto their culture. And then World War II came to the US.

Japanese Immigrants and Internment

How did immigration to the US change after 1965? What impact do immigrants have on the modern US? How does an immigrant become a citizen? 

The 1965 Immigration Act and Modern Immigration Statistics

Overview of the big question, and a look at how opposing modern movements use social media to recruit members and shape the country into what they want it to be.

Intro to The Third Theme: Social and Political Change

Overview of the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence and how Thomas Paine and "Common Sense" shaped the colonists' response.

The First Push For Change: The Declaration of Independence

Enslaved people worked tirelessly for hundreds of years to bring end their bondage. Some of their work was very overt, some was far less obvious. 

The Diligent Work of the Enslaved

The United Daughters of the Confederacy were part of a larger movement to shape American memory of the Civil War. Their work included erecting statues, funding education, and influencing textbooks. 

Shaping America By Influencing History: The UDC

The temperence movement was as much about women having control over their future as it was about stopping the consumption of alcohol. Women used many methods (including Carrie Nation's hatchet) to shape the nation into what they thought families needed to thrive. Includes a look at the history of alcohol consumption in the US.

The Temperence Movement and Carrie Nation

Woody Guthrie used music to bring awareness to the plight of Americans that he felt had been forgotten by the government.  We will look at the conditions that caused the Great Dustbowl, and how it was one more blow to the US during the 1930s.

Woody Guthrie, The Dustbowl, and the Great Depression

Black Americans hoped that their support of the US during World War II would bring better treatment after the war. Not only did Black Americans fight overseas, but at home they pushed for the integration of the defense industry, and carried out what became known as the Double V Campaign. 

Black Americans, the March on Washington Movement, and the Double V Campaign

Inspired by other civil rights movements across the country, Chicano high school students in Los Angeles staged mass walkouts to protest their shoddy conditions in their schools and lack of opportunities post-graduation. 

Chicano Civil Rights: The Los Angeles Walkouts

In the 1970s, some women pushed for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, hoping that it would bring to fruition their ideal America. At the same time, a growing conservative backlash led by Phyllis Schlafly and the Moral Majority, worked to stop ratification and redefine what womanhood in America meant.

Competing Visions: The ERA and the Moral Majority

Group reflection and analysis utilizing the three big themes from the semester.

Learning and Using Historical Analysis Skills

Completion of group analysis and project presentations for those who want to present.

Drawing Conclusions and Project Presentations

Thematic U.S. History: Exploring History by Asking Big Questions, Part 2 Of 2

A review course for AP United States History including important themes, topics, and main points.

AP United States History Private Tutoring

TeachAnew

In this 8 week course, students will study US History from the Civil Rights Movement, into the Vietnam War, through Reaganomics and Hurricane Katrina. This is part 4 of a full year of US History.

United States History (Full Year) - Part 4 Of 4

Nicole Trusky

In this 8 week course, students will study US History from the turn of the 20th century through two World Wars and into the Cold War era. This is part 3 of a full year of US History.

United States History (Full Year) - Part 3 Of 4

This is an ongoing course that will cover American history starting from the migration during the Ice Age and concluding in the 21st century.

American / United States History

Sarah Wood

In this United States History class, learners explore the key events, people, and ideas that shaped America, from its founding to modern times.  

Social Studies for Fifth Grade - United States History - Full Curriculum

Learning Adventures Academy

Come join us as we learn the history of each state - beginning with Indigenous history, different settlements and why people moved there, when and how it joined the union, and a brief look at historical moments and what makes it unique. 

American History - United States History

Tina Hugall MHA MBA

In this 8 week course, students will study US History from the Trail of Tears, through the Civil War, and into the Industrial Revolution. This is part 2 of a full year of US History.

United States History (Full Year) - Part 2 of 4

In this 8 week course, students will study US History from the Civil Rights Movement, into the Vietnam War, through Reaganomics and the War on Terror and into present day. This is part 4 of a full year of US History. 

United States History (Full Year) - Part 4 of 4 - Self-Paced

This class is a multi-part exploration into the birth and development of America with focus on geography, economy, government, foreign affairs and the people who helped to shape the new nation.

United States History for Kids: Part 2 

Katrina

United States History for Kids:  Part 1 

In this 8 week course, students will study US History through the American Revolution. This is part 1 of a full year of US History.

United States History (Full Year) - Part 1 of 4

In this semester-long American History Class for Middle School students, learners will explore U.S. History from Andrew Jackson to Reconstruction with hands-on projects, games, activities & interactive lessons in a small group setting. 

United States History for Middle School Homeschool (Part 2: 1607-1877)

Miss Tamez, M.A. History/ Secondary Education

Uncover stories from the past and build critical thinking skills as we explore US History through primary source documents such as photographs, art and cartoons. #academic

United States History in Pictures: An Inquiry Based Social Studies Exploration PART 2

Leigh Robertson

Your learner will love learning history in Rocking Through History! Your child will journey through American and political history using the iconic Schoolhouse Rock songs!

U.S. History Rocks! United States History for Middle School

Ms. Courtney Bachelor’s in Teaching

United States History in Pictures: An Inquiry Based Social Studies Exploration (Ages 14-16)

In this 8 week course, students will study US History from the turn of the 20th century through two World Wars and into the Cold War era. This is part 3 of a full year of US History. 

United States History (Full Year) - Part 3 of 4 - Self-Paced

Learners meet weekly to discuss and learn about US politics, government, and history through an examination of current news stories. 

U.S. Current Events in Context: Government, Politics, Elections & History

In part 1 of this complete, homeschool-friendly, world history course, learners investigate not just what happened—why it happened, how it connects, and what it means for the world today.

Thematic World History Pt 1: Big Questions, Bold Thinking, Global Understanding

Thematic U.S. History: Exploring History by Asking Big Questions, Part 1 Of 2

In part 2 of this complete, homeschool-friendly, world history course, learners investigate not just what happened—why it happened, how it connects, and what it means for the world today.

Thematic World History Pt 2: Big Questions, Bold Thinking, Global Understanding

In this 12-week, homeschool-friendly course, students will learn about the role that geography plays in modern geopolitics using the award winning book, "Prisoners of Geography."

Modern Geopolitics 1: Read & Discuss "Prisoners of Geography" by Tim Marshall

In this 12-week, homeschool-friendly course, students will learn about the role that geography plays in modern geopolitics using the award winning book, "The Power of Geography." 

Modern Geopolitics 2: Read & Discuss "The Power of Geography," by Tim Marshall

Learners meet weekly to delve into the news from around the world. We investigate the historical, economic, political and social context of todays headlines to understand connections between past and present.

Current Events in Context: Understanding the Big Picture of Today's Headlines

Motivated students meet weekly to engage in student-directed discussion of international current events with an emphasis on understanding the connections to history, geography, economics, popular culture, and geopolitics.

Advanced World Events Discussion: Context, History, Connections

In this one-on-one class, students will engage deeply with a chosen historical topic or reading, to increase understanding and to develop a strong foundation for further historical study.

1 on 1 Class: Digging Deeper and Making Connections (45 Min)

1 on 1 Class: Digging Deeper and Making Connections (30 min)

This course will cover the history of the United States from the post-Civil War era to the present day. 

U.S. History: From 1865 to the Present, Part 2 

Professor Zbysek Brezina, PhD

From ancient migrations to the brink of civil war, explore the foundations of the U.S. in this 73-lesson deep-dive covering Indigenous cultures, colonization, revolution, expansion, and the major events that shaped America through 1860.

Comprehensive U.S. History: - Part 1 of 2 - Origins to Civil War

In this American History class,  we will explore the who-where-why's of colonial history and explore many of the different people who helped shaped the beginning of the United States. 

U.S. History Grade 5, 6 & 7 Social Studies Part 2 Of 4

Explore the rise of colonial America in this 12-week course covering colonization types, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Native American resistance, and the Seven Years' War. Unpack the foundations of a nation shaped by conflict and survival

U.S. History - Standalone or Part 2 of 12 - The Colonial Era in North America

In this 8 week course, students will study World History from the rise (and then fall) of the Roman Empire through the expansion of the early Islamic Empire. This is part 2 of a full year of World History.

World History I (Full Year) - Part 2 of 4

In part 2 of 4 of World History we will explore World History and geography and learn about Ancient African, Asian, and Oceanic history by examining people, culture, agriculture, inventions, and human migrations. 

World History Grade 6 & 7 Social Studies, History and Geography Part 2 Of 4

In Part 1, students learn U.S. history from the Indigenous nations through Reconstruction while considering the experiences of Americans of different races, sexes, genders, sexual orientations, religions, classes, and national origins. 

America Uncensored: High School U.S. History Part 1 of 2

Beth Foster | Humanities Educator

Come learn about the U.S. through the history of all 50 states and territories - from Indigenous history and European and American settlement to the current culture over 20 weeks - 52 individual lessons! 

U.S. History: Explore Each State!  (9-12)

In this full curriculum course, travel with us through the 1870's to the present to learn the past of the United States and its people as we investigate the events, changes, and effects that happen throughout time! Middle to High School!

Thematic U.S. History: Exploring History by Asking Big Questions, Part 2 Of 2

Darby Kennedy, MA

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