Joy Hakim has put the joy back in learning American History. Your child will learn all about American History in an interesting format. No stale textbook here. Each volume covers a specific period of our history. They work great as the backbone of a Unit Study as well as for read-aloud and private readings. Also available are teacher's guides that help you use the books to their fullest potential.
The entire series can easily be finished in a school year by reading 3-4 chapters a day, 4 days a week. Use alongside TRAIL GUIDES TO US GEOGRAPHY for a complete study in US History and Geography.
If you will be using these books with 6th - 12th grades, you've got to check out the UNITED STATES HISTORY SERIES. This series will make a great addition to your US History study.
The teacher's guides are helpful but not necessary for the average home school family. I offer them here for those who want them or for my public/private school customers. You might just order one or two of them and see if you find them helpful before purchasing one for every volume. There are also blackline master books for every volume available. They cost $12.00 each. If you are interested in them give us a call or e-mail us.
Designed to accompany Joy Hakim's ten-volume A History of US or as a stand-alone reference. Includes: letters, declarations, proclamations, court decisions, speeches, laws, acts, the Constitution, and much more.
To purchase guides, scroll up to the volume you are interested in. Below is a description of the guides. Each teacher's guide contains the following (I will use Book 4 as an example):
Teaching with Big Ideas
Giving the student the big picture helps them understand what is actually happening. Book 4's Big Ideas are power, Growth, and identity.
Creating Teaching Units
By dividing each volume of A History of US into parts, the teacher can teach units.
Special Features
Literacy and A History of US describes the strategies for literacy instruction.
Johns Hopkins Team Learning Activities
Assessment and A History of US outlines strategies and instruments for assessment.
Historical Overview presents the broad historical context for the stories and ideas presented.
Teaching Strategies included are:
Chapter Lessons Plans
Marginal Notes with suggestion for further activities
A Johns Hopkins Team Learning Activity
Synthesizing the Big Ideas
Includes questions that can be used for discussion and/or assessment.
Part Check-ups and Resource Pages
Reproducibles which include tests, outline maps, primary sources and enrichment material.
To purchase guides, scroll up to the volume you are interested in. Below is a description of the elementary guides. Each teacher's guide contains the following (I will use Book 3 as an example):
Teaching Parts
Part 1: The Seeds of Conflict (chapters 1-6)
Part 2: Blazing New Trails (chapters 7-10)
Part 3: The Sparks of War (chapters 11-15)
Part 4: The Road to Independence (chapter 16-21)
Part 5: Fighting The War (chapters 22-28)
Part 6: Experiments with Independence (chapters 29-34)
Part 7: Creating a New Nation (chapters 35-42)
Each chapters includes Ask, Discuss, and Write Sections to check students understanding of the chapter's content. Summarizing the Part includes questions for discussion and/or writing along with activities. Check-up review content for each part.
Teaching Strategies
Introducing the Teaching Parts
Chapter Lesson Plans
Ask: Questions to ask the students.
Discuss: Critical thinking questions to stimulate discussion.
Write: Topics for the students to write about what they've learned.
Ponder: Questions that help students apply what they've learned to their own lives.
Literacy Links: Vocabulary words, Reading skills
Skill Connection: Activities involving geography, chart/graphs, study and cross-curricula skills.
Meeting Individual Needs: Activities for those with special needs.
Summarizing the Part helps you bring it all together and provides additional projects and activities.
