Welcome to Our Early American History Homeschool Course

Early American History Homeschool Course Sample

Week 1

DAY 1: WHY STUDY HISTORY?

Students often find studying history boring. After all, what is the point of remembering a bunch of dates and dead people? Yet, without the knowledge of our past, how can we reflect on our present and future? It is the memory of our past that makes us who we are individually and as a nation. History is a record of our past, and it shows what mankind has done since creation. Studying history is important because it connects us to our past, present, and future.

Studying eighteenth century American history helps us to understand our roots as a nation and allows us to debunk myths that often get attached to the actual events and people from the past. Why was the United States founded? What did the Founders envision when creating a new nation? Are we, as a society, in line with their ideas today? Did George Washington chop down the cherry tree? All of these questions and more require a knowledge of our nation’s history. Before we can consider the issues of our day, we must first understand the founding principles of our nation.

DAY 2: PRIMARY SOURCES

When we study history, we look to primary sources to determine what happened in a given period of time. So, what is a primary source? Primary sources are items that existed during the period of study. For example, we are studying the Declaration of Independence in this course, therefore, the actual Declaration of Independence would be considered a primary source. Other documents such as diaries, journals, newspapers, pamphlets, autobiographies, and official records from the period would all be considered primary sources.

Aside from documents, physical objects are also considered primary sources. Items such as clothing, utensils, jewelry, weaponry, medicine, toiletries, art, poetry, buildings, pottery, and furniture all qualify as primary sources. Examples of such primary sources include an eighteenth century gown worn by Abigail Adams or a necklace belonging to Martha Washington. Such objects allow us to understand how people lived in a particular period in history.

DAY 3: SECONDARY SOURCES

Studying history also involves using secondary sources. Historians use secondary sources to review what has already been said about a given subject. It helps them to find any gaps in a previous study and research the topic further, thereby, creating yet another secondary source. Secondary sources are materials created after the event. They can provide researchers with the first point of contact to gather more information, including primary sources, on a particular historical subject.

Secondary sources include: books, articles in periodicals, journals, encyclopedias, and newspapers. They could also include objects created about the event or person such as art, plays, music, documentary, and film. It is important to remember, since all these sources are secondary, they may still have gaps and it is crucial to study the primary source along with the secondary source to get as close to the truth of the matter as possible.

DAY 4: MAP SKILLS

In the Map below, identify the 13 colonies in America:

DAY 5: REVIEW QUESTIONS

 

Answer the following review questions from this week’s study:

1. What is history?
2. Why is it important to study history?
3. Why do historians use primary sources?
4. Why do historians use secondary sources?
5. Give 2 examples of primary sources and 2 examples of secondary sources.
6. List the 13 American colonies.

VOCABULARY

Define the following terms:

Myth

Debunk

Principle

ANSWER KEY

Week 1 Day 5 Review Questions

1. History is a record of our past, and it shows what mankind has done since creation.
2. Studying history is important because it connects us to our past, present, and future.
3. They look to primary sources to determine what happened in a given period of time.
4. Historians use secondary sources to review what has already been said about a given subject.
5. Answer varies.
6. 13 Colonies:
   • Connecticut
   • Delaware
   • Georgia
   • Maryland
   • Massachusetts
   • New Hampshire
   • New Jersey
   • New York
   • North Carolina
   • South Carolina
   • Pennsylvania
   • Rhode Island
   • Virginia

More About This Early American History Homeschool Course

The basis of this American history homeschool course is to introduce elementary students to historical research by studying America’s founding. Why is it important to study this historical period? How does learning America’s history help people today? How will studying this historical period prepare students for tomorrow?

Through reading, research, critical thinking, and analysis, homeschool history students will learn about the foundation of America. They will learn how the founding generation felt about issues relevant to their time that are still issues society faces today. In doing so, students shall be introduced to important eighteenth-century personalities who were elemental in the creation of the United States of America.

Beginning with an introduction to historical practice, this homeschool history course covers the aftermath of the French and Indian War and stops at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Students are expected to do extensive reading for this course. These readings can be found in various places. All the material is available in A Little Book of Revolutionary Quotes (Volume 1 and 2), two books the lesson designer compiled that are available on her website or on Amazon. She has also provided an alternative method for the required readings by providing links to online sources. Students are welcome to use these links but will need to do extra research to find the material that specifically pertains to the history lessons. All students should also have access to a copy of Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

This is a 16-week homeschool history course based on A.K. Fielding’s history curriculum Declaration of Independence available on her website: http://www.trehanstreasures.com/.