Scope and Sequence for U.S. History 1 Curriculum (Before Civil War)
Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links for which we may earn a commission on qualifying purchases. See our Disclosure & Terms of Use for more details.
*This course is secular and covers both the "good" and the "ugly" side of history.
We decided to break U.S. History into two years and really take the time to dive into each era. We started U.S. History 1 (Before the Civil War) in 8th grade, and plan to complete Part 2 for 9th grade. Our state homeschool requirements are very flexible, so make sure that you check the requirements in your own state. Our budget is limited, so I always try to find free resources when I plan our curriculum. Since history is my favorite subject, I decided to create my own. I didn't write the individual lessons. I simply searched online and organized them below. Use what is useful to you and skip what is not. I suggest that your student keep a notebook or binder with notes and handout print outs. Recording grades will depend on your state homeschool laws, so please do your research. For my student, I will grade certain assignments as daily grades and some as test grades (like the essays, etc). You can find already-made quizzes on Quizlet, Google, or TeachersPayTeachers. We will also combine U.S. History with American Literature and read living books to compliment each era. I will list the books we plan to read. Find books that are of interest to your student and at their reading level. Most lessons require writing, so we will not be using a separate Writing curriculum. I will address grammar issues as we go along. I also believe that watching movies, although not always 100% accurate, give a great visual to learning history. I included the movies that we plan to watch. Use your discretion and pre-view them before showing them to your student. Also, the "Mid-Term Exam" is based on the end of our first semester. You may have to adjust it according to your school calendar. We also follow a 36 week school schedule. My hope is that this will help and bless your family! Please feel free to post questions, comments, or suggestions below.
You may be interested in these other free curriculum. Be sure to check them out too!
Every student is at a different level and has different graduation goals. Although this course is intended to be a 2 year course, it can still be used to prepare for the AP U.S. History exam at the end of the 2nd year, or to prepare for the CLEP Exam for U.S. History 1 and U.S. History 2. The AP exam has an essay component. If you are wanting to combine this course with more rigorous Literature and Writing component, then you may add additional essays than from what is suggested below. Here is a database of U.S. History essay questions.
**EDITED: I removed the videos from "America: This is Us" as part of the daily lessons since it is no longer free. But you may still watch the episodes during those time periods that are being studied. Here are the video study guides that go along with it. Even though the links to the suggested movies and books are not "free", they are still available in most libraries or Netflix, HULU, etc. Week 1: New World Literature: Read the book A Land So Strange, The Epic Journey of Cabeza de Vaca by Andres Resendez Study Guide Story Map Audiobook- YouTube Monday: Watch the movie "Christopher Columbus- The Discovery" (1992) Part 1 and Part 2 Tuesday: Native American Cultures (1491-1607) Watch video, complete graphic organizer, and take notes from the power point. Wednesday: Pre-Columbian Native Peoples and Technology Thursday: Age of Encounter- Explorers and Navigators Intro activity, Christopher Columbus, John Cabot, and Vasco da Gama Friday: Amerigo Vespucci, Ferdinand Magellan, and Francis Drake Week 2: The Columbian Exchange Monday: Watch the movie "Conquistador Hernan Cortes" Tuesday: Age of Encounter- Explorers and Navigators Complete Visual Primary Source Activity and Written Primary Source Activity Wednesday: Geography Activity Thursday: The Columbian Exchange Friday: Summary of European Conquest of the Americas Week 3: Spanish Society Monday: Watch the movie "Apocalypto" Tuesday: The Encomienda System Wednesday: Society in New Spain Thursday: Bartolome de las Casas Excerpt 1 Friday: Excerpt 2 Week 4: European Colonization Monday: Watch the movie "The Revenant" Tuesday: From the Journal of Columbus Write essay: Was Columbus a Hero or a Villain? Wednesday: European Colonization Watch all videos in this section and complete the Graphic Organizer Thursday: Read the Primary and Secondary Source documents and discuss the questions. Friday: French and Dutch Colonization
Week 5: Compare and Contrast Essay
Literature: Read the book The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare Study Guide Story Map Audiobook- YouTube Monday: Watch the movie "Squanto: A Warrior's Tale" Tuesday: The Comparative Essay Read this article. Watch this video. Create an outline for your essay. Wednesday: Write a compare/contrast essay about the differences and similarities between the European Colonization. Thursday: Edit your essay. Use thisrubric to check your essay. Friday: Type your essay, using Times New Roman, 12 point font, and double space. Week 6: The Virginia Colony Monday: Watch the movie "The New World" Tuesday: The Virginia Colony- Part 1 Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: The Virginia Colony- Part 2 Watch video and take notes. Thursday: The Founding of the Virginia Colony assignment. Friday: Continue/Finish assignment. Week 7: Religion in New England Monday: Watch the movie "Northwest Passage" Tuesday: Religion in New England Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: Early Development of Church and State Video viewing activity. Thursday: Main Activity Research Friday: Main Activity Presentation Week 8: The Quakers and Pennsylvania Literature: Read the book Johnny Tremaine by Esther Hoskins Forbes Study Guide Story Map Monday: Watch the movie "The Crucible" Tuesday: The Quakers Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: The Pennsylvania Colony Watch video and take notes. Thursday: Day in the Life- Activity Friday: Continue
Week 9: The Thirteen Colonies
Monday: Watch the movie "The Scarlet Letter" Tuesday: Intro to Thirteen Colonies Complete Graphic Organizer Wednesday: Write a comparison essay about the colonies. Thursday: Edit your essay. Use this rubric to check your essay. Friday: Type your essay, using Times New Roman, 12 point font, and double space. Week 10: The Great Awakening Monday: Watch the movie "Salem Witch Trials" Tuesday: The First Great Awakening Watch video, read "Background" and discuss questions. Wednesday: Activity 1- Jonathan Edwards Thursday: Activity 2- George Whitefield Friday: Activity 3- Samson Occom, Indian Minister Week 11: The Enlightenment Monday: Watch the movie "The Last of the Mohicans" Tuesday: The American Enlightenment Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: Common Sense Funny parody video Thursday: Read background, watch video, Activity 1 Friday: Activity 2 Week 12: The French and Indian War Literature: Read the book The Winter People by Joseph Bruchac Study Guide Story Map Monday: Watch the movie "The Patriot" Tuesday: The French and Indian War Funny parody video Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: Parliament Taxes the Colonies Watch video and take notes. Thursday: Road to Revolution Watch video and take notes. Funny Parody video. Friday: American Revolution Unit 2 Complete Day 1 from the pdf
Week 13: The American Revolution
Monday: Watch the movie "April Morning" Tuesday: American Revolution Unit 2 pdf - Day 2 Wednesday: Day 3 Thursday: Day 4 Friday: Day 5 Week 14: The American Revolution Literature: Read the book The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood Study Guide Story Map Monday: Watch the movie "Washington's War" Tuesday: American Revolution Unit 2 pdf- Homework Assignment Essay (page 28) Wednesday: Continue with essay Thursday: American Revolution Unit 2 pdf- Review Questions 1-25 Friday: American Revolution Unit 2 pdf- Review Questions 26-50 Week 15: Declaration of Independence Monday: Watch the movie "Africans in Colonial America" Tuesday: The Declaration of Independence Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: Treaty of Paris 1783 Watch video and take notes. Thursday: Read the Legacies of the American Revolution Friday: The Articles of Confederation Watch video and take notes. Week 16: The Constitutional Convention Monday: Watch the movie "A More Perfect Union" Tuesday: Read the articles and Federalist No. 15 and Shays' Rebellion Wednesday: Shays' Rebellion, Whiskey Rebellion, and Bacon's Rebellion Watch video and take notes. Frontier Rebellions Graphic Organizer Thursday: The Constitutional Convention Watch video and take notes. State by State Demographics Friday: The Articles & Constitution Watch video and take notes. Guided Notes
Week 17: Mid-Term Exams
Monday: Mid-term Review Tuesday: Mid-term Review Wednesday: Mid-term Review Thursday: Mid-term Review Friday: Mid-term Exam Week 18: The Constitution Literature: Read the book The Crossing by Howard Fast Study Guide Story Map Monday: Watch the movie "Jefferson in Paris" Tuesday: Principles of the Constitution Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: The Anti-Federalist Watch video and take notes. Thursday: The Federalist Watch video and take notes. Friday: Write an essay to compare/contrast the Anti-Federalist and Federalist. Week 19: Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist Monday: Watch the movie "National Treasure" Tuesday: Edit your essay. Use this rubric to check your essay. Wednesday: Type your essay, using Times New Roman, 12 point font, and double space. Thursday: Jefferson and the Constitution Watch video and take notes. Letter from Jefferson to Madison Friday: Jefferson/Madison Correspondence Activity Week 20: Bill of Rights Monday: Watch the movie "Amazing Grace" Tuesday: Madison's Proposals Wednesday: Bill of Rights Easy way to learn Amendments. Funny parody video. Thursday: Bill of Rights essay. Friday: Continue/Finish essay.
Week 21: Jefferson vs. Hamilton
Monday: Watch the movie "The Buccaneer" Tuesday: First Two Party System Read article and take notes or make an online. Wednesday: Watch video and complete graphic organizer. Thursday: Washington's Foreign Policy Watch video and take notes. Friday: The Adams Administration Watch video and take notes. Review of history learned up to this point. Week 22: Jeffersonian Republic Literature: Read the book The Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter Study Guide Story Map Monday: Watch the movie "Lewis & Clark" Tuesday: The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: The Election of 1800 Watch video and take notes. Thursday: The Louisiana Purchase Watch video and take notes. Friday: The Marshall Court Watch video and take notes. Week 23: The War of 1812 Monday: Watch the movie "Sacagawea" Tuesday: Jefferson, Neutrality, and the Embargo Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: The War of 1812 Watch video and take notes. Thursday: Watch video and take notes. How to write a Document-Based Essay How to write a Thesis 5 Tips Friday: Complete Document-Based Questions (not essay) Week 24: The Missouri Compromise Literature: Read the book Amos Fortune, Free Man By Elizabeth Yates Study Guide Story Map Monday: Watch the movie "The War of 1812" Tuesday: Complete Essay. Wednesday: Continue to work on essay if more time was needed. Thursday: Edit/Self Grade, make corrections, and write final draft. Simple Rubric. More on on the AP Rubric & Essay Friday: The Missouri Compromise Part 1 The Missouri Compromise Part 2 Watch video and take notes. Week 25: John Quincy Adams Monday: Watch the movie "Amistad" Tuesday: Complete Short Answer Questions. Wednesday: Watch funny parody video. John Quincy Adams Watch video and take notes. Thursday: Jacksonian Democracy Watch video and take notes. Complete Graphic Organizer. Friday: Jacksonian Controversies Watch video and take notes.
Week 26: Jacksonian Democracy; Whig Party
Literature: Read the book How I Became A Ghost- A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story By Tim Tingle Study Guide Story Map Monday: Watch the movie "Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy" Tuesday: Nullification Timeline Jacksonian Era multiple questions and free response question. Wednesday: Trail of Tears Lesson Map 1 and Questions Watch video Thursday: Reading 1 and Questions Friday: Trail of Tears Lesson Visual Evidence section and Questions Week 27: The Trail of Tears Literature: Read the book Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman Study Guide Story Map Monday: Watch the movie "We Shall Remain" Tuesday: Post-Lesson Activity 1 Wednesday: Post-Lesson Activity 2 Thursday: Post-Lesson Activity 3 Friday: Immigrants and Market Revolution Watch video and take notes. Week 28: The Second Great Awakening Monday: Watch the movie "The Mask of Zorro" Tuesday: The Second Great Awakening Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: Document-Based Activity- Part A Thursday: Part B- Essay Friday: Continue working on essay if more time is needed. Week 29: The Age of Reform Monday: Watch the movie "The Legend of Zorro" Tuesday: Edit/Self Grade, make corrections, and write final draft. Simple Rubric. More on on the AP Rubric & Essay Wednesday: 19th Century Reforms Watch video and take notes. Thursday: Reform Movements Read and discuss questions Friday: Women in the 19th Century Watch video and take notes.
Week 30: Women's Rights
Monday: Watch the movie "The Adventures of Huck Finn" Tuesday: Early American Reform Movements Day 1- Read/discuss each document Wednesday: Day 2- Answer Document Analysis Questions Thursday: Seneca Falls Convention Friday: Susan B. Anthony What happened at the Convention Week 31: Manifest Destiny Literature: Read the book Old Yeller by Fred Gipson Study Guide 1 Study Guide 2 Story Map Monday: Watch the movie "Tom and Huck" Tuesday: Manifest Destiny Monroe Doctrine Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: Western Expansion Essay Thursday: Continue working on essay if you need more time. Friday: Edit/Self Grade, make corrections, and write final draft. Simple Rubric. More on on the AP Rubric & Essay Week 32: Mexican-American War Literature: Read the book 12 Years A Slave by Solomon Northup Study Guide Story Map Monday: Watch the movie "The Alamo" Tuesday: Texas Independence Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: The Mexican-American War Watch video and take notes. Thursday: California Gold Rush California and Immigration in 1850s Watch video and take notes. Friday: Political Cartoon Analysis
Week 33: The Compromise of 1850
Monday: Watch the movie "National Treasure Book of Secrets" Tuesday: The Compromise of 1850 The Gadsden Purchase Funny Parody video Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: The Kansas-Nebraska Act The Dred Scott Decision Watch video and take notes. Thursday: Antebellum Sectionalism and Reform Watch video and take notes. Friday: Analysis Worksheet Only complete Activity #3. Week 35: African American's Daily Life; Cotton Kingdom; Society in the South Monday: Watch the movie "Freedom" Tuesday: Slavery and Abolition in the U.S. Free Soiler Watch video and take notes. Wednesday: Plantation System in the South Cotton Kingdom Thursday: Antebellum South- Day 1 Friday: Day 2 Week 36: Final Exam Monday: Final Exam Review Tuesday: Final Exam Review Wednesday: Final Exam Review Thursday: Final Exam Review Friday: Final Exam
7 Comments
Linda Quittman
6/15/2020 04:04:08 pm
Love your History and Literature combination curriculum. Saw a post on FB and couldn’t believe what a great resource you are.
Joy And Valor Life
6/16/2020 11:38:04 pm
Thank you!
summer
6/16/2020 11:36:17 am
Thank you so much for sharing this, this is exactly what I've been looking for.
Melinda
7/17/2020 11:02:30 am
I was looking around for options for American History for next year (already!), and stumbled onto your curriculum. It looks amazing! What a great blend of reading, watching, writing. I think we'll be using this to fulfill our requirement. Thank you for sharing!
Traci
7/22/2021 08:39:49 pm
I see where you say quizzes can be found on other websites. Are these quizzes specific to the information covered in this curriculum for the mid-term and final exams, or will I need to develop my own tests according to what was studied?
mendy thijssen
1/12/2023 11:07:11 am
Where are the pdf links? Is this post just the list of what to try to do? or are is there an actual download for the whole thing? I'm thinking of- all the items/daily tasks that say activity or pdf that have no links to what they are. but I cant' find them anywhere. help? thanks for this! Leave a Reply. |
Archives
June 2020
CategoriesDisclaimer: This site contains affiliate links for which we may earn a commission on qualifying purchases. See our Disclosure & Terms of Use for more details.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RSS Feed
