Well, I have already begun adding links to our American History Study!! Chapter 1; Columbus and the Indians has been created. I still need to add a couple small items--they will include an Important People page and several maps. (I will post when this is updated)

There are 13 vocabulary words for Chapter 1. Included is a crossword, a word search and a vocabulary match up page. Flash Cards are also included.

There are 6 sections to Chapter 1. I don't have the lesson plan figured out just yet, but I am thinking that day 1 would include map work of Columbus's journey as well as the Introduction to Chapter 1. Days 2-6 will follow along as each section comes along.

Just an FYI: I have chapters 2-4 already read and figured out--I just have to type them up and format it all. This is going pretty quick. I am enjoying the read quite a bit. It's a smooth read and very easy to understand. I imagine that I will take a few breaks prior to getting this all put together. My plan is to have this completed this summer so that I have time to add it to Homeschool Tracker.

You can find the American History page under lesson plans or you can click here: American History.  Take a look and let me know what you think!!

~T8ermmma

I have decided that next year we will be working on American History. We've done World History, World Geography, now it is time to focus on OUR HISTORY! :)

After looking at various resources I have chosen one that isn't going to sugar coat history--I want my kids to have heroes but I want them to be the right type of heroes. And Howard Zinn's book (Adapted by Rebecca Stefoff) A Young People's History of the United States does just that. He tells of Christopher Columbus sailing across the ocean in search of gold  and the Indies just as all history books do, but he also tells of the activities he then engaged in to forward his quest to provide the wealth he promised. Included are quotes from ships logs that contain Columbus' own words regarding his actions.

It tells of some of the harsh decisions that were made, the realities of slavery and the Trail of Tears. He even leaves it open for discussion on how the President could have, or rather should have, made other choices than the ones made. It shows our beloved country in many moments that have brought us shame--but it also shows that even with all of the mistakes in our history--we still have a Great Nation.

This book doesn't pull any punches--and that's exactly why I like it. I think it's a huge mistake to treat our Nation's history as without blemish. We need to know where we began to see how far we have come. We need to know what mistakes we have made so that we don't make them again. Our kids need to have heroes that are worthy of the title.

I am aware of the controversy concerning the writer. His personal history does not change the fact that Christopher Columbus participated in Genocide. It does not change the fact that President Jackson shouldn't have allowed the states to force the Indians off their land. He was supposed to uphold the federal laws--not encourage the state laws that broke it. Our Nation's History is full of shame filled moments such as these--and in order to love our Nation we must know these moments, understand the reasons behind them, and forgive ourselves for being human.

This new study will be much like my Book of Virtues study. It will have lapbooking, notebooking, worksheets, vocabulary puzzles, chapter wrap ups, etc. The age group I am targeting will be K-8th grade.   My Oldest will be in High school and will not be doing this with us.  That leaves my 6th grader as my oldest involved and my 1st and 2nd graders (next years grades).  I do not think this will be enough to count as a High School Credit--but I could be wrong once I get it all done.

Keep watching for updates on this!!

~T8ermomma

Just letting everyone know that we have made 15000!! Thank you everyone who has downloaded and participated!! 

The winner was Danni!! Congratulations and watch for an email from me!

~T8ermomma