U.S. History: Read and Discuss "These Truths" by Jill Lepore (Part 2 Of 2)
Darby Kennedy, MA
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Using New York Times bestseller "These Truths" as the jumping off point, students will explore, discuss, and analyze U.S. history from 1866 to the present over a 10-week period.
Class experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Intermediate Level
In this homeschool-friendly discussion class, we use Jill Lepore's book, "These Truths," to examine the scope of United States history, and to delve into the question asked by founder Alexander Hamilton: [are] societies of men really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force. The book will not only help learners see that there have been times when the U.S....
Students will develop skills of historical interpretation and critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of United States history. Class discussion promotes good communication skills, and encourages mutual respect for people with different opinions.
I have a BA in Political Science, History, and Secondary Education and a MA in American Studies. I have over 10 years of experience teaching high school and college students social studies and critical thinking skills, and have been developing curriculum for homeschooled students for the last 7 years. I am currently serving as an Education Ambassador for the Council on Foreign Relations and have been selected as a Teacher Ambassador for Retro Report. My expertise in teaching is in helping students see the many ways that history, geography, politics, and economics intersect.
Homework Offered
Homework each week includes reading a full chapter in the book, and responding to a short journal response question. All students are expected to complete the reading and journal response each week. Chapters are 30+ pages long. Many students find it beneficial to break the reading down into sections over the week. Journal entries are checked for content, but not for grammar/spelling. The purpose of the journaling is to check for reading comprehension and subject understanding.2 - 4 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Learners who wish to earn a letter grade for the class will be evaluated on the content of their journal responses and their participation in class discussion. Class participation can be through verbal discussion or written in the chat.Grades Offered
Grades are provided by request and based on class participation and quality of journal entries.
Students must acquire the main text, "These Truths," by Jill Lepore. This can be a physical book, an ebook, or an audiobook. The cost of the book ranges from $10-$27 depending on format.
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
These sources are some of those used to provide material for this course: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. “History Resources | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.” History Resources, www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources. Lepore, Jill. These Truths: A History of the United States. W. W. Norton & Company, 2019. Locke, Joseph, and Ben Wright, editors. “The American Yawp.” The American Yawp, www.americanyawp.com.
Star Educator
Popular
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(131)
Hello! I am a longtime teacher and a lifelong learner. I am passionate about helping middle and high school students find meaningful connections within the social studies. I strongly believe that learning happens more easily when students see how...
Group Class
$200
for 10 classes1x per week, 10 weeks
50 min
Completed by 18 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
2-8 learners per class
