If you choose to do U.S. History in 9th or 10th

[MicheleinMN]

what do you use?

I did ancient history for 9th and 10th grades with my older 2, but my next ds will have just finished MA when he enters 9th grade, so I was thinking of doing U.S. History first with him, but I don't like A History of US, and I don't think he'll be ready for Paul Johnson's book, so I'm searching for another *spine* to follow.

Thanks!

[Lori D.]

We'll be using Exploring America by Ray Notgrass, a 2-volume history spine, 1500s to present day, with a 3rd volume filled with excerpts from many source documents for our 10th/11th gr. boys this year. That 3rd volume is why we're using the program. The program is from a very Christian perspective, and includes American literature and Bible lessons, so supposedly it gives you 3 credits: 1 each for Bible, History, and Literature. However, we'll just be using the history portion, and we'll add in other non-fiction resources to help balance out the viewpoint. Plus, we will be creating our own American Literature course for our English credit.

See samples at: http://www.notgrass.com/american-history-high-school-curriculum.php


Below are a number of past threads with lots of other ideas for a "spine" for American History. I've even heard great things on this board about using The Complete Idiot's Guide to American History as a very good spine: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-American-History/dp/1592578691/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248030922&sr=8-1

BEST of luck, whatever you go with! Warmest regards, Lori D.




High school American History spines
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72517&highlight=American+History

Trying to put together American History course
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48072&highlight=American+History

American History??
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9078&highlight=American+History

Help for American History
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105720&highlight=American+History

Favorite American History texts and why -- please let me have it!
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48840&highlight=American+History

What have you used for high school American History?
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45449&highlight=American+History

What have you all used for American History
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105493&highlight=American+History

American History for a 10th grader?
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42161&highlight=American+History

Can you help me design an American History course?
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103909&highlight=American+History

American History
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66726&highlight=American+History

[MicheleinMN]

Thank you, Lori D.!!

You are always a huge help in finding books and threads!

[Veronica in VA]

I second Notgrass. We used that in 10th grade along with Lightning Lit and something else in addition to the Bible (but I don't remember what it was right now). It worked very well and was easy to use.

Veronica

[Lori D.]

It worked very well and was easy to use.


Thanks for that reaffirmation, Veronica! That's exactly what I was hoping for from Notgrass! :001_smile:

[Laurel-in-CA]

We're using Nation of Nations (McGraw Hill) and the Hewitt honors syllabus for US history. For AmLit we're using an old Prentice-Hall anthology and leaning lightly on LLATL.