Rekindle hope and patriotism with U.S. History I for high school!
Heart of Dakota‘s U.S. History I is sure to rekindle hope and patriotism! Within its pages, students discover how America’s struggling beginnings gave way first to sufferings. But then, these sufferings produced perseverance. Then, that perseverance produced character. And finally, that character produced hope! Which it can still produce today!
So, what credits are covered in U.S. History I?
Well, students actually can earn up to 6 1/2 full credits in U.S. History I. Credits include 1 full credit in U.S. History I, 1 full credit in Bible, 1/2 to 1 full Government, 1/2 credit in Constitutional Literacy, 1/2 credit in Spanish, 1 full credit in English, 1 full credit in Math, and 1 full credit in Science with lab. This guide is written for students ages 15-17. However, it can be extended for students in 12th grade by adjustments to the 3 R’s and science. There are 4 days of plans each week, and they are all noted on a 2-page spread. Finally, students can expect to spend about 7 hours, 4 days a week, to complete their work.
What does the “Learning Through History” part of the program look like?
First, the “Learning Through History” part of the program sets students off on an adventure with America: The Last Best Hope. Starting with the 13 colonies, students ‘meet’ those who labored to create our democratic republic. Then, in Faith of Our Fathers, students ‘meet’ the men and women who answered the Lord’s call to evangelize America. Next, in The Book of Heroes, students ‘meet’ George Washington, Daniel Boone, Louisa May Alcott, Robert E. Lee, and George Washington Carver.
Then, students see the power of the penned word in Great Letters in American History and in Great Documents Within U.S. History. They also ‘meet’ America in a more visual way in The American Testimony DVD Set. Additionally, students delve into U.S. History Map Activities and the U.S. History Atlas. These resources helps students visualize sweep and influence of key events. Finally, students delve more deeply into history with our Charlotte Mason inspired Living Library! This incredible book/audio set has been selected for its narrative quality and its connections to U.S. History I.
What kind of work do students do in U.S. History I?
First, students keep a full-color Book of Centuries using Amy Pak’s timeline figures. Next, in their full-color U.S. History I Journal, students make many different kinds of entries. For example, entries include analysis of primary source documents, notes from DVD viewing sessions, multi-paragraph narrations, in-depth interpretation of maps, critical thinking questions regarding U.S. documents, written opinions using excerpts to support conclusions, history-related shared talking points, and quotations in context. Finally, assessments such as key word, summary, detailed, topic, typed, opinion, and recorded oral and multi-paragraph written narrations keep the beloved Charlotte Mason flavor of the plans intact.
What can students expect in Government and Spanish?
First, students delve into U.S. Government by exploring its political heritage and studying the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Next, students discuss contemporary issues affecting our nation with DVD and workbook sessions within A Noble Experiment. Then, they discover what’s gone wrong with America’s legal system and economy and how to fix it within “Whatever Happened to Justice?” Finally, students round out the “Learning Through History” part of the plans with the Spanish Homeschool Curriculum Kit. This full color course teaches Spanish through audio CDs of dialogue. Furthermore, students learn to write Spanish well in daily written assignments.
What does the “Learning the Basics” part of the program look like?
The “Learning the Basics” part of U.S. History I teaches essential skills that meet academic and spiritual needs. First, students draw closer to the Lord with The Most Important Thing You’ll Ever Study: A Survey of the New Testament. Additionally, students’ Bible time includes Scripture memorization, a prayer journal, and a hymn study. Next, daughters partner with parents by delving into home, life, and spiritual life management in Beyond Beautiful Girlhood. Likewise, sons partner with parents by diving into how to find God in the heart of daily conflicts and decisions in Everyday Battles. Finally, both sons and daughters enjoy Stay in the Castle and the Seven Royal Laws of Courtship to find and marry the person whom God has created just for them!
What is included in language arts in U.S. History I?
Students enjoy a balanced language arts approach in U.S. History I. They read 8 novels, 8 short stories, 4 primary sources, 1 full-length autobiography, and 1 play with our Charlotte Mason inspired American literature plans. Timeless favorites like The Prince and the Pauper, The Scarlet Letter, Rip Van Winkle, Man Without a Country, Up From Slavery, The Purloined Letter, The Robe, The Virginian, The Lilies of the Field, and more provide a fresh approach to high school American literature.
Furthermore, introductions, readings, annotations, oral narrations, written narrations, Common Place Book entries, and guided Literature Journal reflections including literary devices, Scriptural connections, in-depth discussions, and literary synthesis assignments all provide higher level assessments without taking away the joy of reading. Moreover, for composition, students use In Their Sandals, which helps them experience the Bible personally by writing 8 Scripturally-based stories. Finally, students finish out this balanced English credit by using grammar, writing, and English skills with Rod and Staff English. Dictation skills with included dictation passages round out this balanced language arts approach.
What do students learn in Constitutional Literacy?
Students can get the most out of their Government course by choosing to also do Constitutional Literacy. With over 500 minutes of engaging video instruction, constitutional expert Michael Farris walks students through the history, theory, and application of the Constitution and what it means for future American self-government. Moreover, professional video footage with beautiful photographs, timelines, and special effects will have students on their way to beginning their voting career as an informed citizen, well versed in the content and meaning of the U.S. Constitution!
What can students expect in Chemistry and Math?
Next, students move on to earn their science credit with lab in Chemistry with Dr. Jay Wile! Discovering Design with Chemistry is a college-prep, high school chemistry course. This includes visually appealing narrative text, comprehension checks with detailed answer keys, 46 experiments with fully described expected outcomes, and calculations with completely worked out solutions. Lastly, students round out their U.S. “Learning the Basics” part of the plans by choosing from one of our many math options.
In Christ,
Julie
P.S. If you would like some help setting up your USI guide, click here!
P.S.S. Would you love to read Carrie’s thoughts about each credit of USI? Check out the links in this message board post!
