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Free U.S. History 2 Curriculum - Civil War to Present - High School

6/3/2020

1 Comment

 
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Scope and sequence for U.S. HISTORY 2 CURRICULUM (CIVIL WAR TO PRESENT)

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. I didn't create 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 a binder to keep notes and handouts. 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!
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*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:      Slavery

Literature:    Rifles for Watie
                            by Harold Keith

                            Study Guide
                            Story Map


Monday:         Watch the movie “12 Years a Slave”      

Tuesday:        Watch the video "The Road to Civil War" and take notes.
                            Here is the video guide. 
road_to_civil_war_1820.pdf
File Size: 516 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Wednesday:  Pre-1860: Disunion  
                             
*Scroll to the bottom of page to find the PDF and
                              Power Point and save. From the PDF, read/discuss the
                              "Anticipatory Set/Hook". Watch the video clips that are suggested. 
                              For Activity 1, print out the "National Expansion Map" (in the pdf)
                              and complete item #1. Have student highlight all the slave states.
                              Then skip the "Compromise Notes" activity (optional) and
                              go over the Power Point Slides. Print out "Letter to John Holmes"
                              and "Document Analysis Form" as it will be used in Slide 7.
                             Stop on Slide 7. 
      

Thursday:      Complete the "Closure Activity"-
                             Write the "Disunion Essay" (in the pdf).
                             Watch this video for 
"3 Steps to a Better History Essay". 
​
Friday:             Edit your essay.
                            Type in Google Docs (Times New Roman, 12 point font and double space).
​                             Share (turn in). 


Week 2:       Civil War
Monday:         Watch the movie “Harriet Tubman”                                        
Tuesday:          1862: Antietam & Emancipation
                           From the PDF, get the Graphic Organizer, Timeline,
                           Summary, "Antietam & Emancipation" by Daniel Welch handouts.   
                           Read and complete activities from the PowerPoint and STOP on slide 11.           

Wednesday: Continue- From PDF, get the "Emancipation Proclamation Analysis Sheet" handout.
                            
Read and complete activities from the PowerPoint , slides 12-21.
                             Complete Analysis worksheet.
Thursday:     Continue- From PDF, get "The Public Reacts" handout.
                           
Read and complete activities from the PowerPoint , slides 22-27.
                            Take Quizzes from the PowerPoint.​                   
Friday:            Continue- From PDF, get the "Essay" handout and write the essay.

Week 3:       Civil War
Monday:         Watch the movie “Glory”            
Tuesday:         Life at War  (only go over the notes from the Power Point)                                    
Wednesday: The Home Front   (pages 1-6 and Power Point)
Thursday:      Shifting Tides- 1863
Friday:             Continue                            
 
Week 4:     Civil War; Abraham Lincoln

Literature-    Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson
                            Study Guide
                            Story Map

​
Monday:         Watch the movie “Lincoln” (2012)                                            
Tuesday:         Bringing the War to an End
                              Watch video "The Civil War Part 2"                                                         
Wednesday: Write an essay that Compares and Contrasts the major political, military, and economic issues for the Union and the Confederacy during the Civil War. To prepare for the essay, read this article and watch this video.
Thursday:   Continue working on essay.
Friday:         Edit your essay, Type in Google Docs (Times New Roman, 12 point font and double space), and Share (turn in). Use this Rubric to check/grade the essay.

​Week 5:       Reconstruction
Monday:         Watch the movie “Gone With The Wind”                             
Tuesday:         Watch video "Reconstruction After the Civil War"
                              Watch parody video
Wednesday: Watch video and take notes.   
                              Watch 
video and take notes.   
Thursday:       Watch video "Race Relations in the Jim Crow Era" and take notes.
                              Watch the video "History of Jim Crow Laws"                                  
Friday:              Watch the video "History of Jim Crow Part 2"
 
Week 6:       The West; Native Americans
Monday:         Watch the movie “Dances With Wolves”              
Tuesday:         Watch the video "The Industrial Economy"
Wednesday: The Nez Perce and Dowes Act Lesson or
​                             Native American Mural Project
Thursday:      Continue
Friday:             Continue
 
Week 7:      Transcontinental Railroad & Telegraph
​
Literature-    Ghosts of Gold Mountain by Gordon H. Chang
                            Story Map


Monday:         Watch the movie “Wild Wild West”                                                       
Tuesday:         Build a Telegraph as a side project and do
                             Lesson 1- Analysis of The Homestead Act of 1862.
Wednesday: Lesson 2- Analysis of The Pacific Railway Act
Thursday:      Lesson 3- Intro to Pullman Porters   
Friday:             Lesson 4- Instructions to Porters​
 
Week 8:     Gilded Age (1870-1900) & Industrial Revolution
Monday:       Watch the movie “Far and Away” (1992)                                                                              
Tuesday:       Watch the video "Guilded Age".
Wednesday: Read the “Locomotive Timeline”     ​ 
 
locomotives_timeline.pdf
File Size: 23 kb
File Type: pdf
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Thursday:     Lesson Instructions for "The Rise of Big Business"
                            Handout A- The Rise of Big Business
Friday
:            
Handout B- Radio Interview   
                             

Week 9:       The Rise of Big Business
Monday:         Watch the movie "The Current War"                                                         
Tuesday:         Handout D- Business & Advertising in the Gilded Age  
Wednesday: Handout E- Big Business & Philanthropy
Thursday:      Gilded Age Photo Analysis of “The Other Half” 
Friday:             Watch the video "The Industrial Economy".
​​ Week 10:    Ellis Island
Monday:         Watch the movie “Ragtime” (1981)
Tuesday:         Life in a Suit Case- Ells Island Photo Analysis
Wednesday: Push & Pull Factors
push_and_pull_factors_i_-_grades_8-12__pre-visit__508_.pdf
File Size: 285 kb
File Type: pdf
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Thursday:      Interactive Tour of Ellis Island
Friday:            The Progressive Era - Lesson Plan #1
 
Week 11:   The Progressive Era (1890’s-1920’s)

Literature-  City of Orphans by Avi

​                            Study Guide
                            Story Map

Monday:         Watch the movie “The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal”                                  
Tuesday:        Watch the video "The Progressive Era" 
                             The Progressive Era - Lesson Plan #2
                             Photography Project Day 1
Wednesday: Photography Project Day 2
Thursday:      Photography Project Day 3
Friday:             Photography Project Day 4
                             Watch the Parody Video "The Progressive Era"

 
Week 12:    The Progressive Era
Monday:         Watch the movie “An American Girl Holiday”         
Tuesday:         Progressive Era- Lesson Plan # 3- 
                              Summarize the People & Policies of the era (pg 15)
Wednesday: Complete the worksheet “Assessment of the Progressive Era” and answer questions.
                              Watch the video "Gilded Age and Progressive Era Compared" and take notes.
Thursday:       Watch the video "Progressive Era Amendments" and take notes
Friday:              Watch the video "Thomas Jefferson vs. Teddy Roosevelt" and take notes.

Week 13:      World War I (1914-1918)

Literature-   Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred P. Taylor
​                            Study Guide
                            
Story Map
​​

Monday:        Watch the movie “Fly Boys” (2006)         
Tuesday:        Watch the video "Causes of World War I" and take notes.
Wednesday: The Great War Unit        
                             World War I "First"    
Thursday:       Military Personnel of the World War I                                                         
Friday:             The American Homefront in WWI                                                   
 
Week 14:    World War I
Monday:        Watch the movie “Journey’s End” (2018)
                             or Watch the movie “The Red Barron” (2008)     ​             
Tuesday:         After the 11th Hour                    
Wednesday: African American Soldiers -
                             Activity 1                                  
Thursday:      Activity 2  
Friday:            After War- Had Race Relations Changed?
                            Start on Activity 2     
​Week 15:       Roaring Twenties
Monday:         Watch the movie “Great Gatsby”                                     
Tuesday:         Continue from "After War" Lesson, Activity 3
Wednesday: "Versailles Treaty: Wilson vs. the Senate" watch video & take notes.
                              Watch video & take notes "American Foreign Policy Between WWI and WWII"
roaring_20s.ppt
File Size: 3817 kb
File Type: ppt
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Thursday:      Roaring Twenties Power Point ​
​                             Watch the video "
The Roaring Twenties" and take notes.
Friday:             
Prohibition & Organized Crime- Day 1  Activity
 
Week 16:     Women’s Suffrage 
Monday:          Watch the movie “Scarface” (1932) 
Tuesday:          Continue Prohibition Lesson- Day 2 Activity
Wednesday:  Watch the video "Women's Suffrage"  
Thursday:        Women’s Suffrage- Activity 1 and half of Activity 2 
Friday:              Activity 2 and Activity 4

Week 17:    Mid-Term Exam
Monday:         Mid-Term Exam Review
Tuesday:         Mid-Term Exam Review 

Wednesday: Mid-Term Exam Review 
Thursday:       Mid-Term Exam Review 
Friday:              Mid-Term Exam   

*Here is a sample exam that I found in a google search. You can "cut and paste" questions that you want. You can add an essay. You can choose to assign a project. Or you can choose not to have an exam. The benefits of homeschool!
​
                ​
Week 18:    The Great Depression (1929-1933)

Literature-    Of Mice and Men by John Steinback

​                            Study Guide
                            
Story Map
​​

Monday:          Watch the movie “Grapes of Wrath” (1940)                                        
Tuesday:          Watch half of the video "The Great Depression" and take notes. 
Wednesday:  ​Watch the remaining part of the video above and take notes.
Thursday:        The Great Depression ​
Friday:              Watch the video "The New Deal" and take notes.
​​Week 19:    Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945)
Monday:         Watch the movie “Road to Perdition” 
Tuesday:         Watch the video "New Deal" and take notes.           
Wednesday:  The Powers of the Presidency: Theodore Roosevelt to Franklin D. Roosevelt   
                              Activity 1-  Understanding Presidential Power  
Thursday:       Activity 2- Video Guide (watch 3 videos)
Friday:              Activity 2- Continue with the other 3 videos
 
Week 20:    World War II (1939-1945)

Literature-   Farewell to Manzanar by Jeane Wakatsuki Houston
​                            Study Guide
                            Story Map

​
Monday:         Watch the movie “Saving Private Ryan”
Tuesday:         The Powers of the Presidency: Theodore Roosevelt to Franklin D. Roosevelt     
                              Activity 2- Continue with the other 3 videos   

Wednesday: Review answers and discuss
Thursday:      Just War and FDR's Declaration of War    
Friday:             D-Day Lesson and watch this video clip      
d_day.pdf
File Size: 373 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Week 21:      World War II
Monday:         Watch the movie “A Thin Red Line”                                                        
Tuesday:        ​​Combat & War
combat.pdf
File Size: 327 kb
File Type: pdf
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Wednesday: Battle at the Bulge ​​​
bulge.pdf
File Size: 335 kb
File Type: pdf
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Thursday:       Letters from Home ​
letters.pdf
File Size: 446 kb
File Type: pdf
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​Friday:              Map Work
​Week 22:       World War II

Literature-  Anne Frank Remembered by Miep Gies and Alison Leslie Gold
​                            Study Guide
                            Story Map


Monday:     Watch the movie “Schindler’s List”                          
                            *Also on Netflix
Tuesday:      Holocaust
holocaust.pdf
File Size: 363 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

​Wednesday: Holocaust Continue                            
Thursday:      Holocaust Continue
Friday:             Holocaust Continue
 
Week 23:   World War II
Monday:        Watch the movie “The Pianist”     
​                           *Also on Netflix                                            
Tuesday:       Japanese Concentration Camps
japanese.pdf
File Size: 391 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

​Wednesday: Japanese Concentration Camps Continue
Thursday:      Zoot Suit Riots
zoot-suit-riots-lesson-plan.pdf
File Size: 209 kb
File Type: pdf
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Friday:            Hispanics in WW2
latino.pdf
File Size: 338 kb
File Type: pdf
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​Week 24:    World War II
Monday:        Watch the movie “Windtalkers"
                            *Also on Netflix and Hulu                              
Tuesday:        Navajo Code Talkers Lesson
Wednesday:  Art & Propaganda  ​
propaganda.pdf
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File Type: pdf
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Thursday:     Art & Propaganda  ​Continue            
Friday:            Art & Propaganda  ​​Continue
 
Week 25:   World War II

Literature-   Assignment: Rescue: An Autobiography by Varian Fry
                            
Story Map
​​

Monday:       Watch the movie “Freedom Riders”                       
Tuesday:       African Americans in WW2- Double V     ​
double_v.pdf
File Size: 676 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

​Wednesday: Double V ​Continue
Thursday:      Write an essay answering this question: Discuss the issues surrounding the United State's decision to use atomic bombs against Japan. What motives were behind this action, and what arguments have been made against it?
Friday:             Edit your essay, Type in Google Docs (Times New Roman, 12 point font and double space), and Share (turn in). 
                 
Week 26:   Civil Rights Movement
Monday:        Watch the movie “Selma” (2014)
                            *Also on Netflix and Hulu                                             
Tuesday:        Watch the Video "A Time For Justice" 
                            Teacher's Guide                                
Wednesday: Complete Lesson 1- A Time for Justice 
 Thursday:       Lesson 2- Non-violence
Friday:               Lesson 3- Facing Resistance
​

Week 27:   Civil Rights Movement

Literature-   To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
​                            Study Guide
                            
Story Map
​​

Monday:        Watch the movie " Remember the Titans"             
Tuesday:        Teacher's Guide, Lesson 4- Victories
Wednesday: Lesson 5- Work That Remains- A Time For Justice
Thursday:     Dr. King's Legacy- Day 1
Friday:            Day 2

Week 28:   Chicano Movement
Monday:       Watch the movie “Cesar Chavez”
                           *Also on Netflix
Tuesday:       Chicano Movement
                           Video that goes with the lesson.
Wednesday: Continue with Extension 1
Thursday:      Continue with Extension 1
Friday:             Continue with Extension 2
 
Week 29:   Cuban Missile Crisis; Space Race; JFK
Monday:        Watch the movie “Thirteen Days” 
​                            *Also on Netflix and Hulu
Tuesday:        Cuban Missile Crisis
Wednesday: Kennedy’s Quest: Leadership in Space
kennedys_quest_lesson_plan_final.pdf
File Size: 1497 kb
File Type: pdf
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Thursday:  Continue
Friday:         ​The JFK Assassination 

Week 30:    Cold War; Vietnam War
Monday:          Watch the movie “Apollo 13”
Tuesday:          Vietnam War (Teacher Guide)
                              
Lesson 1- Forces that Fueled War
Wednesday: Lesson 2- Popular beliefs & misconceptions                                
Thursday:       Lesson 3- Leadership
                              Watch "Truman" to "Kennedy"
Friday:              Lesson 3- Watch "The Gulf" to "Nixon"
​

Week 31:    Cold War; Vietnam War
Monday:          Watch the movie “Platoon”
                               *Also on Starz, Netflix and Hulu
Tuesday:          Lesson 4- Who Fought?
Wednesday: Lesson 5- Watch "Kennedy" to "Both Sides" 
Thursday:       Lesson 5- Watch "Early War Strategy"  
Friday:              Lesson 5- Watch "Questioning" to "Trying"   
 
Week 32:   Vietnam War

Literature-  The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
​                            Study Guide
                            
Story Map

​
Monday:          Watch the movie “Forest Gump”
                              *Also on Hulu
Tuesday:           Lesson 5- Watch "Reassessing" to "The Things"                              
Wednesday:  Lesson 6- Propaganda/Media 
Wednesday:  Lesson 7-  The Vietnam Experience In Music                                
Thursday:        Lesson 7-                               
Friday:               Lesson 7- The 1968 National Democratic Convention
 
Week 33:    Collapse of Soviet Union; Persian Gulf War
Monday:         Watch the movie “The Falcon and the Snowman"
                              *Also on Netflix, and Hulu
Tuesday:         Nixon and Watergate Scandal            
Wednesday: Ronald Reagan and the Ending of Cold War
                             
 Complete "Overview" to "Document C"
Thursday:       Complete "Document D" to "Document E"
Friday:              Complete "DBQ Question"
 
Week 34:     1990’s
Monday:          Watch the movie “Behind Enemy Lines”
                               *Also on Netflix, and Hulu
Tuesday:          Persian Gulf War
persiangulfwar.pdf
File Size: 1225 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

​Wednesday: The Clinton Years & The 1990s
Thursday:      Oklahoma City Bombing 
                            Watch video clip first

Friday:            President Bush
​                                
Week 35:    Terrorist Attacks
Monday:         Watch the movie “World Trade Center”
                              *Also on Netfilx
Tuesday:         9/11 Part 1
Wednesday: 9/11 Part 2
Thursday:       President Obama
Friday:              President Trump


Week 36:    Final Exam
Monday:         Final Exam Review 
Tuesday:         Final Exam Review
Wednesday: Final Exam Review
Thursday:      Final Exam Review
Friday:             Final Exam
1 Comment
Roz W link
11/8/2022 12:43:52 pm

Thank you so much for taking the time to put this together!! I was looking for a good, inclusive history curriculum for my son and this is perfect! I'm so thankful you even included some study guides.

Reply



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