US History

Welcome to United States History. This is the first time I have taught the class in a number of years, and I look forward to learning along side of you. US History is fascinating to me, and I think there are some great stories in history. My intention with this year is to get you to think like a historian, and along with the prescribed curriculum, allow you time to develop understanding of topics you are interested in. US History will encompass the time of the early settlers through the modern world. Throughout my career I have taught in a chronological method, meaning we start at the earliest time period and work our way to the present.

This year I plan to mix in thematic units in order to make connections across time periods in order to bring the past to the present. Since this is a new approach for me, there will be some growing pains and some struggles along the way. Please bear with me as we journey through history.

History is not about people and events from hundreds of years ago, but really about the human condition. We will explore ideas such as the struggle for equality and freedoms that are present throughout all human history. It covers the exploration of new territory for the acquisition of new goods, ideas and power. History studies how humans connect and at times find themselves in conflict. It is a story of survival and amazing examples of advancement and understanding. America did not grow in isolation, it has been impacted by events throughout the world and has created tremendous change throughout all modern world civilizations.