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United States History in Pictures: An Inquiry Based Social Studies Exploration (Ages 8-12)

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
Leigh Robertson
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(750)
Star Educator
Class
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What's included

1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per week
Homework
1 hour per week. Each week learners have access to an extensive number of resources related to the week's topic if they want to continue learning on their own after class. There is also an optional project posted each week that learners can complete to extend their learning. Weekly projects are totally optional, can be completed in numerous ways and can be submitted for feedback if desired.

Class Experience

Beginner Level
You may have heard the saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." But have you ever considered what it means? Join us as we dive into stories from the past by examining some famous and not so famous images. 

Each week we examine a specific historical topic through images and inquiry. Learners develop their critical thinking skills by sharing observations, prior knowledge, asking questions and working together to create inferences about the images. As the instructor I provide information on the time period and stories behind the images as we collaborate to determine the importance of each work. While the class is discussion based and designed to foster interaction and cooperation, learners are welcome to participate at their comfort level. If your learner prefers to listen or engage in the discussion through the chat box, that works too! 

Learners of all levels are welcome in this class. No prior knowledge of US History is needed as each learner brings their own unique knowledge, skills and life experiences to our group.

This is an ongoing subscription class that learners can join and leave anytime! The topics do not build on each other so any week is a good week to start the class. Our topics repeat after 37 weeks and I will reach out to you once your learner has made a complete round of all topics. With breaks, the full topic list can takes as long as a year to complete. If you do wish to drop the class, please note that Outschool charges the subscriptions each week on Sunday.

Resources for further study of the week's topic, along with an optional project, are shared at the end of each class. 

It is important to know that this class is taught with an inclusive approach to history and images and stories of Americans from a broad range of backgrounds will be shared and discussed. Topics such as racism, prejudice, warfare, etc. will be addressed as they come up in a thoughtful and age-appropriate way.  For more information, refer to the parental guidance section of this listing.

This class is dyslexia friendly. Most of the content is presented through images and anything written in the presentation, along with relevant comments from the chat, will be read aloud to learners.

Learners who want to join for the summer are welcome! Please note that there is no "beginning" or "end" to this class as learners cycle through topics from the week that they enter. You can come and go anytime you like! I keep a record of all topics that learners have had in case they want to join another section or take a break. 

Upcoming Class Topics (subject to change, all changes made more than one week prior to class)

2024-2025 

Mondays at 1pm EST

September 30	Coming to America
October 7	Rethinking Columbus Day
October 14	Kids At Work
October 21	Nowhere To Go But UP
October 28	The Worst Hard Time
November 4	NO CLASS
November 11	Building a New America
November 18	Was the New Deal a Good Deal?
November 25	Meet me at the Playground
December 2	Bicycles Change the World
December 9	Prepare to Blast Off! 
December 16	We Can Do It
	***WINTER BREAK***
January 6	Get in the Scrap
January 13	Sitting Down to Take a Stand
January 20	NO CLASS MLK Jr. Holiday
January 27	Stereoscopes and the National Parks

Leaners can join and leave the class anytime! If your learner has been enrolled in the class previously, please email me so I can check their topic list and make sure they will have the topics they need upon reentry. 

This class is also offered for older learners. For more information, you can view the classes here or send me a message. 
Ages 11-14: https://outschool.com/classes/history-in-pictures-an-interactive-exploration-of-us-history-HnxhYmuf#us7xIIHsRK

Ages 14-17: https://outschool.com/classes/united-states-history-in-pictures-a-look-at-life-in-the-past-LzexdYYk?usid=7xIIHsRK&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link

If you liked this class, join me for Part 2! https://outschool.com/classes/united-states-history-in-pictures-an-inquiry-based-social-studies-exploration-part-2-BWCyQhqA?usid=7xIIHsRK&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Learning Goals
Learners will practice historical thinking skills while exploring various topics throughout United States history.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
I put a great deal of thought into teaching history in a way that is age appropriate for younger learners while also being true to the realities of what really happened. I have had extensive training in teaching difficult topics from organizations such as National Humanities Center and the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. A high level of care and consideration has been applied when selecting resources and images for the course that will help learners gain an understanding of the past while remaining age appropriate. These resources include, but are not limited to, materials from PBS Learning Media, the Smithsonian Institution, and Facing History and Ourselves, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping teachers and students stand up to racism through learning and exploring history. No graphic images or videos will be shown in the class. However, sensitive topics will be addressed in a honest and forthright manner. If you have any concerns about whether this is an appropriate course for your learner, please reach out to me.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2019
4.9
750reviews
Star Educator
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
North Carolina Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
I am a licensed social studies educator (NC Teaching License) with a M.Ed. in Secondary Social Studies education. I hold an undergraduate degree in History with a minor in Political Science. I am also a homeschooling mom of two children. I have over fifteen years of experience teaching a variety of social studies topics including the history of many marginalized groups in the United States and other stories that are often not told in mainstream history courses. I have taken professional development courses with a focus on inclusivity in teaching history through institutions including the National Humanities Center, Smithsonian Institution and the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. I am also certified to teach Advanced Placement United States History and Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics and have taught both courses for over ten years. 

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Live Group Class
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$18

weekly
1x per week
45 min

Completed by 171 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
3-9 learners per class

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