U. S. History 1

This class covers the colonization of America through the Civil War and early Reconstruction. The class format is primarily lecture, with the utilization of PowerPoint and Study Guides. Students will learn about the founding of America and the presidents who led the country, all while discovering the major issues and events of the first century of American history.

Because I believe history should not be viewed from just one person’s perspective and should include primary sources when possible, I incorporate more into the class than simply the textbook. As part of the weekly homework, students will watch videos, read the textbook, answer questions on the video and textbook, and occasionally read primary source documents or other information related to the week’s topic. Students will take a test every other week and will need to spend time studying for the test, utilizing the provided study guides.

It is important to realize that this is a core course, so homework will take about an hour each day.

This course counts for 1 credit of US History. A second course will be offered next year, covering the period after Reconstruction to the near-present.

8:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.

$160 per semester (This is $10 per week.)

Tuition is due on the first week of class unless families are using the payment plan.

Exploring America, Part 1 by Ray Notgrass. We are using the 2019 edition, which is the 4th edition. There is a brand new edition, updated for the 250th anniversary of The United States. However, that volume just came out, and many families already have the older edition. You can still purchase the older edition at Christian Books and other resources. 

American Voices by Ray Notgrass

Note: If students plan to take US History 2 (which will be offered next school year), you may choose to purchase both Part 1 and Part 2 at the same time, as this is the more economical way to do this.

Students only need the textbook and the American Voices book, not the Lesson Review or Quiz book.

As part of this class, students will watch videos at home. Some of these need to be loaded onto a flash drive for students. Students should bring a flash drive to class on the first day of class.

Textbook

A flash-drive onto which the instructor will load several videos.

Notebook paper

Pen / Pencil

3-ring binder or a section in a 3-ring binder