Modern US History

The Modern U.S. History Curriculum for 11th grade  is set out by the Connecticut Social Studies K-12 Frameworks.  Students have the opportunity to think critically, and to read, write, and speak like historians through the investigation and analysis of primary and secondary sources, . Throughout the year, students refine their literacy and critical thinking skills necessary for citizenship, historical understanding, and post-secondary coursework. 

Using a chronological approach, students study people, events, and movements through time in United States History with a focus on inquiry into the changes in American identity,  the economy, foreign affairs, and science, lifestyle and technology. The curriculum allows multiple opportunities for students to develop an understanding of how an issue develops over time. An emphasis is placed on analyzing and evaluating a variety of documents, sources, and perspectives.  The course map lays out the scope and sequence, the units, compelling  questions, the content topics, and unit structure.   

Writing Rubric

Presentation Rubric 

Book Study: 

"Life is So Good" by George Dawson

Resources available, here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tXnYRoTPC0DjqIxO1VHoMQTnEuRg5eSs? usp=sharing 

Penguin Random House Books- Books with PDF educator guides and discussion guides. 

Examples include: 

• "A young people's history of the United States" by Zinn

• Killers of the flower moon- Grann

• Stamped from the beginning: A graphic history of racist ideas in America- Kendi 

• The 1619 Project: A new origin story- Jones

• The Black Panther Party- A graphic novel history

• They called us enemy- Takei

• An Indigenous People's history of the United States for young people- Dunbar-Ortiz

• An African-American/Latinx history of the United States- Ortiz

• March: Books One, Two, Three- John Lewis

• Up from slavery- Booker T. Washington