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US History Herald: Middle High United States History Part 1 Prehistory-1870S! SP
In this full curriculum semester course, travel with us through the United States American history from early indigenous civilizations to the 1870s as we investigate the events, themes, and changes that influence the history of the US.
Class experience
US Grade 6 - 9
Beginner Level
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Aligned with National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (NCSS)
History Herald: U.S. American History Middle School Mind! Part One to the 1870s "Extra! Extra! Learn All About It! Everything you need to know about U.S. History is here!" Travel with us through the United States American history from early indigenous civilizations to the 1870s! With Part ONE and TWO, this is a full curriculum course for the entire school year. This is a Self-Paced class with Teacher Courtney that adventures through the history of the United States and brings the past to...
14 lessons//14 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Prehistory & Indigenous AmericaIn this lesson, we will cover: * Overview of pre-Columbian civilizations in North America (e.g., Native American cultures, mound builders, Ancestral Puebloans) * Exploration of key aspects of Native American life, including social structures, religious beliefs, and cultural practices * Examination of the impact of geography and environment on Native American societies * Discussion of interactions between Native American groups and European explorersWeek 2Lesson 2Prehistory – European Exploration of the Americas and SettlementIn this lesson, we will cover: * Key explorers and their voyages (e.g., Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan) * Impact of European exploration on Native American populations * Establishment of early European colonies in the AmericasWeek 3Lesson 3Colonial AmericaIn this lesson, we will cover: * Establishment of Jamestown and Plymouth * Social, economic, and political characteristics of the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies * Interactions between colonists and Native Americans * Development of colonial governments and systems of governance * Transatlantic slave trade and its impact on colonial societyWeek 4Lesson 4The American Revolution – 1776-1791 Part One: Road to RevolutionIn this lesson, we will cover: * Declaration of Independence and its significance * Foreign involvement in the Revolution (e.g., France's support for the American cause) * Treaty of Paris 1783 and its consequences for the United States and BritainWeek 5Lesson 5The American Revolution – 1776-1791 Part Two: The British Are Coming!In this lesson, we will cover: * Declaration of Independence and its significance * Foreign involvement in the Revolution (e.g., France's support for the American cause) * Treaty of Paris 1783 and its consequences for the United States and BritainWeek 6Lesson 6American Founding Documents and Government StructureIn this lesson, we will cover: * The Articles of Confederation: strengths, weaknesses, and challenges * The Constitutional Convention and the creation of the U.S. Constitution * Ratification debates and the Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist arguments * The Bill of Rights and the amendments to the Constitution * Structure of the U.S. government: separation of powers, checks and balancesWeek 7Lesson 7American Expansion & President Thomas JeffersonIn this lesson, we will cover: * Louisiana Purchase and its significance for westward expansion * Lewis and Clark Expedition and exploration of the Louisiana Territory * Jeffersonian policies: agrarianism, strict interpretation of the Constitution * Challenges to American neutrality and the Embargo Act of 1807 * Impact of westward expansion on Native American tribes and culturesWeek 8Lesson 8The War of 1812In this lesson, we will cover: * Causes of the War of 1812 (e.g., impressment of American sailors, British support for Native American resistance) * Major battles and campaigns of the War of 1812 (e.g., Battle of New Orleans, Battle of Lake Erie) * Role of key figures such as Andrew Jackson and Oliver Hazard Perry * Effects of the war on American nationalism and identity * Treaty of Ghent and its impact on U.S.-British relationsWeek 9Lesson 9The Industrial Revolution & New American Borders- Westward Ho!In this lesson, we will cover: * Industrialization in the United States: technological innovations and economic transformations * Manifest Destiny and westward expansion: Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, California Gold Rush * Impact of the Erie Canal and transcontinental railroad on transportation and trade * Acquisition of new territories: Texas annexation, Oregon Treaty, Mexican Cession * Social and environmental consequences of westward expansionWeek 10Lesson 10The Annexation of Texas and the Mexican American WarIn this lesson, we will cover: * Causes of the Texas Revolution and annexation of Texas by the United States * Origins of the Mexican-American War: disputes over Texas border, Manifest Destiny ideology * Major battles and military campaigns of the Mexican-American War (e.g., Battle of Palo Alto, Battle of Chapultepec) * Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and its territorial consequences * Debate over the expansion of slavery into new territories acquired from MexicoWeek 11Lesson 11The Reforms of ProgressIn this lesson, we will cover: * Social and cultural reforms of the antebellum period: temperance movement, women's rights, abolitionism * Educational reforms and the rise of public education: Horace Mann and common schools * Transcendentalism and its impact on literature and philosophy * Second Great Awakening and religious revivalism * Economic reforms and the rise of utopian communitiesWeek 12Lesson 12The Civil War: Slavery in the South and Economies of the U.S.In this lesson, we will cover: * Economic, social, and political differences between the North and the South * Impact of slavery on Southern society and economy * Abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad * Southern secession and the formation of the Confederate States of America * Lincoln's election and the outbreak of the Civil WarWeek 13Lesson 13The Civil War: Battles and Sides and OutcomesIn this lesson, we will cover: * Role of key figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Ulysses S. Grant, and Robert E. Lee * Emancipation Proclamation and its effects on the war and slavery * Impact of the Civil War on American society, economy, and politics * Appomattox Court House and the end of the Civil WarWeek 14Lesson 14Reconstruction: Rebuilding DestructionIn this lesson, we will cover: * Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan and the Ten Percent Plan * Freedmen's Bureau and its efforts to assist formerly enslaved individuals * Challenges of Reconstruction: Black Codes, Rise of Jim Crow laws and segregation in the South * Plessy v. Ferguson and the doctrine of "separate but equal" * African American resistance and activism * Impact of lynching and racial violence on African American communities *Legacy of Reconstruction and its impact on American society
Students will improve their understanding of U.S. history and work to strengthen their critical thinking skills through historical analysis. They will discover the major events of U.S. history and how they worked to create the United States today. We will use historical sources to dive into the past and do so in fun, engaging ways!
For the past decade, I have been encouraging students through education and personal development to explore the challenges of the past. Through my own personal education and professional development, I create a safe environment for students to learn about challenging topics of the past. My undergraduate is in history, focusing on United States and European integration, past cultures, and empire. My first master's degree is in education with a focus on English/Language Arts and History. My second master's degree is in history with a focus on world empires and United States/Europe during the premodern era and modern era. I am currently pursuing my PhD in history focusing on immigration and relations with indigenous peoples and cultures. I have taught Ancient Civilizations in World History classes as well as classes on the history of Africa, Asia, and Australia, Ancient and Medieval Europe, and Early American history. I have taken and taught classes on world religions and practices starting with the ancient traditions of prehistoric cultures through modern day transitions of religions such as druidism. I have also taught about episodes of religious hysteria such as the Inquisition and the Salem Witch Trials. I also teach classes on the myths and legends that have defined these cultures. This extensive background will be utilized to create a well-rounded and thorough explanation of the topics presented in class.
Homework Offered
Each week will have required reading from the book this class will be utilizing with challenge questions to get your student thinking. Taking notes or jotting down ideas is always encouraged! Optional activities will be given throughout the course for students to engage with the content further.1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Students will be given multiple ways to show their understanding each week: * Primary Source Analysis: Analyze historical documents, speeches, and artifacts. * Class Discussions: Participate in discussions on historical topics and debates. * Activities & Projects: Research and activities on specific historical events, figures, or movements. Assessment is not mandatory. Each family may chose to complete weekly assignments or not depending on the student's learning needs and the family's schooling style.Grades Offered
Students can receive a grade for this class through attendance, participation, and weekly assignments if parents/guardians choose to do so.
We will use "Everything You Need to Ace American History in One Big Fat Notebook" by Workman Publishing and Philip Bigler as our class reference for this class. Students will need to have their own copy of the book. Students will also receive weekly graphic organizers per each content. Various activity packets will also be given throughout the course. Workman Publishing Company : Ace American History in One Big Fat Notebook: The Complete Middle School Study Guide (Big Fat Notebooks) https://a.co/d/g28lguM
Please note that there are some sensitive topics that will be addressed throughout the course including but not limited to: genocide, slavery, and sectional violence. I have been challenging and elevating students for over 10 years to delve deeply into the issues of our past and wrestle with the realities of our present and future. Each conversation will be open and honest but guided with the necessary care for students of this age. I believe it is our job as educators to not teach children what to think- but how to think and allow them to unearth the truths that are often hidden within the words of pages.
A vast collaboration of sources will be utilized to create this content to provide the students with a multi-faceted explanation of events from differing perspectives. Some sources utilized to create the content of the course: A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz The Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence by Delegates of The Constitutional Convention A Little History of the United States (Little Histories) By James West Davidson A Documentary History of the United States by Richard D. Heffner and Alexander B. Heffner A Different Mirror for Young People: A History of Multicultural America (For Young People Series) by Ronald Takaki World History 101: From ancient Mesopotamia and the Viking conquests to NATO and WikiLeaks, an essential primer on world history by Tom Head PhD History: The Definitive Visual Guide (From The Dawn of Civilization To The Present Day) by Adam Hart-Davis The Student's Friend Concise World History: Parts 1 and 2 by Mike Maxwell DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient Civilizations by Joseph Fullman The Big Fat Notebook is used as primer. It gives the basics of the topic- the who, what, where- class discussion and presentation will be given to expand on these ideas to give a detailed explanation of what is happening.
Hello! I am so excited to join you on this education adventure! I absolutely love teaching and learning and believe it can be exciting for every student! I am a certified classroom educator with a master's degree in education and a second master's...
Self-Paced Class
$11
weekly or $145 for all content14 pre-recorded lessons
14 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Completed by 25 learners
Ages: 10-15
Financial Assistance
Tutoring
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