In this 12-week class, students will learn the US history from 1775-1783. This is Part 4 of a series on US history. The series do not have to be completed in order; however, completing the series in order can be very beneficial to the students and the comprehension retention of what occurred and when. 

Students will write a summary paragraph after class about what they learned in class. This course is designed to learn some key facts about the birth of a new nation in US history. After class, each student will write a minimum of a five-sentence paragraph about the day's topic. This will help the students to practice their summary writing.

Students will read one non-fiction and one fiction book throughout the course. Students will have a list of books to choose from. At the end of the class, students will write a summary report on their chosen books. Here is the list of books to choose from:

Non-Fiction Books
"The Boys' War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk About the Civil War" by Jim Murphy
This book provides a compelling look at the experiences of young soldiers during the Civil War, using personal letters, diaries, and firsthand accounts.

"Fields of Fury: The American Civil War" by James M. McPherson
Written by a renowned Civil War historian, this book offers a comprehensive overview of the Civil War, including its causes, major battles, and outcomes, presented in an accessible format for middle schoolers.

"The Civil War for Kids: A History with 21 Activities" by Janis Herbert
Combining history with hands-on activities, this book covers key events and figures of the Civil War, making the learning experience engaging and interactive.

"Lincoln's Grave Robbers" by Steve Sheinkin
This book tells the lesser-known story of a failed plot to steal Abraham Lincoln's body, providing insights into post-war America and the challenges of the Reconstruction Era.

"Reconstruction: The Rebuilding of the United States after the Civil War" by Susan Hamen
This book explores the Reconstruction period following the Civil War, detailing the efforts to rebuild the South and the struggles for civil rights.

Fiction Books
"The River Between Us" by Richard Peck
Set in the Civil War era, this historical novel tells the story of a family in Illinois and the mysterious arrival of two women from New Orleans, shedding light on the divided loyalties and hardships of the time.

"Iron Thunder: The Battle Between the Monitor & the Merrimac" by Avi
Focusing on the naval warfare of the Civil War, this novel follows the adventures of a young boy who becomes involved in the battle between two famous ironclad ships, providing insight into the technological advancements of the era.

"Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt
This classic novel tells the story of a young boy growing up in southern Illinois during the Civil War, dealing with family divisions and the harsh realities of war.

"The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg" by Rodman Philbrick
This humorous yet poignant story follows a young boy as he embarks on a journey to find his brother, who has been sold into the Union Army, offering a unique perspective on the war.

"Soldier's Heart: A Novel of the Civil War" by Gary Paulsen
Based on a true story, this novel tells the tale of a young soldier who enlists in the Union Army and experiences the brutal realities of the Civil War, highlighting the psychological impact of the conflict.

These books provide a balanced mix of factual information and engaging narratives, helping students understand the complexities of the Civil War and Reconstruction Era.

In addition, the students will be creating their own timeline throughout the course. After each class, the student will create that week's topic to be added to their final FlipBook project. For example, the week we learn about “US Constitution” the students will create this on their final project through whatever art supplies or other types of supplies they have on hand. 

During our 12th week, all students will present their final projects under the assignment tab or, at the very least, within one week of the conclusion of the class and will receive a certificate of completion after the final project has been turned in.

We will use different methods of interaction between the student and the teachers. These methods will include the classroom, Canva, Google Docs, and other relatable resources that would be beneficial each week. For example, students will be able to upload their weekly writing with Google Docs and the teacher can help with revisions, ideas, grammar, spelling, comments, etc. Another example would be using Nearpod where students can complete polls, quizzes, and slides to interact with the teacher.