U.S. History Thru the Eyes of American Girl Doll: Rebecca

Welcome to American Girl Doll Rebecca! During our live sessions (one per week for 8 weeks),  students will engage in a discussion of each of the Rebecca books (6 in the series), as well as participate in activities that support learning of the historical time period. Students will be exposed to different reading strategies, vocabulary exploration, discussion, map work, journal writes, and creative activities such as crafts, games, and even cooking. Outside of our class meetings, students can expect to read a book a week in addition to completing short assignments and/or projects at home. Students will travel through time, back into a period where people came to America through Ellis Island to gain freedom. We will be using the American Girl Rebecca story series to learn about 1914 in America. While this class does not replace a complete curriculum, it is a great supplement to your regular study of U.S. history. 

Students do not need prior knowledge of the 1900's  era. They will be exposed on a "surface" level. Your child can be at any reading level. They will not be asked to read during our live session. They will need to be able to read outside of the live session, but this can be done via audio books, read aloud by parents, etc. 

Our first live session (no prior reading necessary for this first class)

Week 1 Introduction Rebecca
-Introduce ourselves 
-reading focus: Read aloud and discussion of Rebecca and her family
-Geography focus: mapping of Russia and New York
-Start a timeline of key events during the early 1900’s

Outside of class for week 1, students will finish their maps and read Meet Rebecca

Week 2
-discussion of Meet Rebecca
-vocabulary exploration thru guessing and using context clues to figure out meaning
-historical focus: explore Russian traditions
-baking: make Potato Knishes
-add to our timeline

Outside of class for week 2, students will finish vocabulary and read Rebecca and Ana



Week 3
-discussion of Rebecca and Ana
-vocabulary exploration thru guessing and using context clues to figure out meaning
-Historical focus: explore Ellis Island 

Outside of class for week 3, students will finish vocabulary and read Candlelight for Rebecca

Week 4
-discussion of the Candlelight for Rebecca
-vocabulary exploration thru guessing and using context clues to figure out meaning
-review with an interactive game
-historical focus: compare and contrast winter holidays
-create a Dreidel and play the game

Outside of class for week 4, students will finish their vocabulary and read Rebecca and the Movies


Week 5
--discussion of Rebecca and the movies
-vocabulary exploration thru guessing and using context clues to figure out meaning
-historical focus: silent movies
-make root beer floats

Outside of class for week 5, students will finish vocabulary and read Rebecca to the Rescue


Week 6
-discussion of Rebecca to the Rescue
-vocabulary exploration thru guessing and using context clues to figure out meaning
-historical focus: compare and contrasting bathing suits and exploring poet Emma Lazarus and the statue of liberty

Outside of class for week 6, students will finish their vocabulary and read Changes for Rebecca


Week 7
-discussion of Changes for Rebecca
-vocabulary review: bingo
-catch up 

Week 8: 
-celebration of Rebecca
-share projects

My teaching style is very student-centered. I also like to get to know my students by sharing weekly "what is going on in our world."