A Christ-centered exploration of American history from westward expansion through the modern era, integrated with geography, civics, and economics. Students examine God's providence in American history, develop historical thinking skills, and learn to apply biblical principles to historical events and current issues.
Understand major events, people, and movements in American history from westward expansion through the present day
Analyze historical events from multiple perspectives and recognize God's providence throughout history
Develop geographic literacy and understand how geography has influenced American development
Understand constitutional government, civic responsibilities, and how Christians can engage as salt and light
Apply economic concepts and personal finance skills through a biblical stewardship lens
Build critical thinking skills by analyzing primary sources and making connections between past and present
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Introduction to westward expansion and the concept of Manifest Destiny. Students explore why Americans felt called to move west and what they hoped to find.
Identifying historical motivationsdiscussionThomas Jefferson's purchase of Louisiana Territory in 1803 and how it changed America's future. Students map the territory and calculate the incredible deal.
Map analysis and geographic understandinghands-onThe Corps of Discovery expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory. Students follow their route and learn about Sacagawea's crucial role.
Following routes on maps and sequencing eventsprojectMajor westward trails including the Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, and California Trail. Students compare routes, challenges, and destinations.
Comparing and contrasting historical routeshands-onBiblical perspective on westward expansion: examining both the opportunities and the moral challenges. Students discuss God's sovereignty and human responsibility.
Applying biblical worldview to historydiscussionWhat pioneers could and couldn't take west in their covered wagons. Students make decisions about essential items with weight limits.
Decision-making with constraintsgameDaily routine of a wagon train journey using primary source diaries. Students calculate distances, time, and understand the grueling pace.
Analyzing primary sourcesworksheetChallenges pioneers faced including weather, disease, river crossings, and accidents. Students read real accounts and discuss survival strategies.
Understanding cause and effectdiscussionHow pioneers established farms and communities in new territories. Students explore sod houses, log cabins, and early frontier architecture.
Understanding adaptation to environmenthands-onThe role of faith in pioneer life, circuit-riding preachers, and how churches formed community centers. Students read accounts of frontier worship.
Recognizing faith's role in historydiscussionOverview of Native American tribes living in the West before expansion, their diverse cultures, and ways of life.
Understanding cultural diversitydiscussionIndian Removal Act and the forced relocation of Cherokee and other tribes. Students examine the injustice and suffering through primary accounts.
Analyzing historical injusticeworksheetConflicts between settlers and Native Americans over land, resources, and ways of life. Students examine both perspectives.
Multiple perspective analysisdiscussionThe reservation system and how Native Americans lost their lands. Students map territorial changes over time.
Analyzing change over time with mapshands-onHow should Christians respond to historical injustice? Students explore biblical principles of justice, repentance, and reconciliation.
Applying biblical principles to historydiscussionMajor landforms of the United States and how they influenced settlement patterns. Students identify and map key geographic features.
Identifying and mapping landformshands-onMajor river systems and their role in transportation, commerce, and settlement. Students trace the Mississippi, Missouri, and other key rivers.
Understanding geographic influence on historyworksheetHow climate varies across America and affects agriculture, lifestyle, and economy. Students create climate zone maps.
Analyzing climate and human activityhands-onDistribution of natural resources (gold, timber, oil, minerals) and how they drove westward expansion and economic development.
Connecting resources to historical eventsdiscussionBiblical principles of caring for creation and how Americans have both used and misused natural resources. Students discuss responsible stewardship.
Applying biblical stewardship principlesdiscussionContrasting economies, cultures, and societies of the North and South before the Civil War. Students create comparison charts.
Comparing and contrasting regionsworksheetThe Southern economy's dependence on cotton and enslaved labor. Students examine the economic factors that entrenched slavery.
Understanding economic systemsdiscussionNorthern industrialization, factory systems, and waves of immigration. Students explore how the North's economy differed from the South's.
Analyzing economic developmenthands-onGrowing tensions over slavery's expansion into new territories. Students examine the Missouri Compromise and Compromise of 1850.
Understanding political compromisediscussionThe constitutional debate over states' rights and federal authority that underlaid sectional tensions.
Understanding constitutional issuesdiscussionThe brutal realities of slavery in America. Students learn about the daily life, family separation, and dehumanization enslaved people endured.
Understanding historical injusticediscussionReading firsthand accounts from formerly enslaved people like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs. Students analyze primary sources.
Analyzing slave narrativesworksheetThe network of people who helped enslaved individuals escape to freedom. Students learn about Harriet Tubman and other conductors.
Understanding resistance and couragehands-onThe abolitionist movement and key figures like William Lloyd Garrison, Sojourner Truth, and John Brown. Students examine different approaches to ending slavery.
Analyzing reform movementsdiscussionBiblical teaching on human dignity and equality. Students explore how Christians were on both sides of the slavery debate and examine Scripture.
Applying biblical principles to injusticediscussionHarriet Beecher Stowe's novel and its impact on Northern attitudes toward slavery. Students explore how literature influences society.
Understanding cultural influencediscussionViolent conflicts over whether Kansas would be free or slave. Students examine how popular sovereignty led to bloodshed.
Analyzing cause and effectworksheetThe Supreme Court case that declared African Americans couldn't be citizens. Students analyze this unjust decision and its consequences.
Understanding judicial impactdiscussionThe famous debates over slavery's expansion. Students read excerpts and compare Lincoln's and Douglas's positions.
Analyzing political argumentsworksheetLincoln's election in 1860 and Southern states' decision to secede. Students examine the final breaking point.
Understanding political crisisdiscussionThe attack on Fort Sumter that began the Civil War. Students examine why this event triggered four years of conflict.
Identifying turning pointsdiscussionHow the Civil War divided families, friends, and communities. Students read accounts of families split by the conflict.
Understanding war's human costdiscussionComparing the Union and Confederacy's strengths and weaknesses in population, industry, resources, and military leadership.
Analyzing comparative advantagesworksheetThe First Battle of Bull Run and how it shattered illusions of a quick war. Students examine early Confederate victories.
Understanding expectations vs. realityhands-onDaily life in Union and Confederate armies through soldiers' letters and diaries. Students explore camp life, food, and conditions.
Analyzing primary sourcesworksheetThe Battle of Antietam and its significance as the war's bloodiest single day. Students examine the battle's strategic importance.
Understanding military significancediscussionLincoln's decision to make the war about ending slavery. Students analyze the proclamation's text and its limited but crucial scope.
Analyzing historical documentsworksheetThe 54th Massachusetts and other African American regiments who fought for the Union. Students learn about their courage and sacrifice.
Understanding diverse contributionsdiscussionThe three-day Battle of Gettysburg and why it marked the war's turning point. Students map the battle and examine Pickett's Charge.
Identifying turning pointshands-onLincoln's famous speech and its vision for America. Students memorize and analyze key phrases about equality and democracy.
Analyzing influential speechesdiscussionWomen's roles during the Civil War as nurses, spies, and managers of farms and businesses. Students learn about Clara Barton and others.
Understanding changing social rolesdiscussionGeneral Sherman's march through Georgia and the strategy of total war. Students debate the ethics of this approach.
Evaluating military strategiesdiscussionThe final campaigns and Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House. Students examine the generous surrender terms.
Understanding reconciliationworksheetCalculating the Civil War's devastating toll: 620,000 dead, economic destruction, and social upheaval. Students create infographics.
Analyzing data and consequenceshands-onHow God worked through the Civil War to end slavery and preserve the Union. Students reflect on God's sovereignty in tragedy.
Recognizing God's providencediscussionLincoln's vision for bringing Southern states back into the Union with malice toward none. Students examine his Second Inaugural Address.
Understanding reconciliation approachesdiscussionLincoln's assassination and its impact on Reconstruction. Students explore how his death changed America's trajectory.
Understanding historical impactdiscussionThe 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments that abolished slavery, guaranteed citizenship, and protected voting rights. Students analyze the texts.
Understanding constitutional changesworksheetEfforts to help formerly enslaved people with education, land, and jobs. Students examine both successes and limitations.
Evaluating government programsdiscussionHow Reconstruction's promise was betrayed through segregation laws and violence. Students learn about the beginning of systematic racism.
Understanding injustice continuationdiscussionThe Constitution's preamble and the idea of government by the people. Students examine the document's biblical influences.
Understanding constitutional principlesdiscussionHow the Constitution divides power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Students create visual diagrams.
Understanding separation of powershands-onHow each branch can limit the others' power. Students role-play scenarios showing checks and balances.
Applying constitutional conceptsgameThe first ten amendments and the freedoms they protect. Students examine each right and discuss its importance.
Understanding constitutional rightsworksheetWhat it means to be a responsible citizen: voting, jury duty, obeying laws, and serving the community.
Understanding civic dutydiscussionKey inventions like the telegraph, telephone, light bulb, and their impact on daily life. Students research inventors.
Understanding technological impacthands-onThe Transcontinental Railroad and how railroads transformed commerce, communication, and settlement. Students map rail networks.
Understanding infrastructure impacthands-onHow industrialization changed where and how Americans worked. Students compare farm life to factory work.
Comparing economic systemsworksheetRapid urbanization and the growth of American cities. Students examine both opportunities and problems of city life.
Analyzing urban developmentdiscussionBusiness leaders like Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Vanderbilt. Students debate whether they were heroes or villains.
Evaluating historical figuresdiscussionThe great waves of immigration in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Students map where immigrants came from and where they settled.
Analyzing immigration patternshands-onThe immigration process at Ellis Island. Students follow an immigrant's journey from arrival to entry or rejection.
Understanding historical processesworksheetChallenges immigrants faced including language barriers, discrimination, and hard work. Students read immigrant letters and diaries.
Analyzing primary sourcesdiscussionHow immigrants enriched American culture, economy, and society. Students research contributions from various ethnic groups.
Recognizing diverse contributionshands-onBiblical perspective on immigration and how Christians should view newcomers. Students explore Acts 17:26 and hospitality commands.
Applying biblical principlesdiscussionHow supply and demand determine prices in a market economy. Students participate in a classroom market simulation.
Understanding market forcesgameThe American economic system based on private property, competition, and profit. Students examine benefits and challenges.
Understanding economic systemsdiscussionPersonal finance basics: how to earn money, save for goals, and make wise spending decisions. Students create budgets.
Applying financial literacyworksheetUnderstanding credit, interest, and why debt can be dangerous. Students calculate how interest accumulates over time.
Understanding debt and interestworksheetBiblical principles of money management: God owns it all, we are stewards, and we're called to generous giving.
Applying biblical stewardshipdiscussionJournalists who exposed corruption and social problems. Students read excerpts from Upton Sinclair and Ida Tarbell.
Analyzing investigative journalismworksheetThe labor movement and efforts to improve working conditions, wages, and hours. Students examine both sides of labor disputes.
Understanding labor historydiscussionThe suffrage movement and leaders like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Students examine arguments for and against women's voting.
Understanding women's rights movementdiscussionPresident Roosevelt's efforts to regulate big business and conserve natural resources. Students examine his progressive policies.
Understanding presidential leadershipworksheetHow Christians led many reform movements. Students explore the Social Gospel movement and faith-based activism.
Recognizing faith's role in reformdiscussionCauses of World War I in Europe and why America initially stayed neutral. Students map alliances and examine the war's outbreak.
Understanding international conflicthands-onEvents that drew America into WWI including the Lusitania and the Zimmermann Telegram. Students analyze why neutrality ended.
Analyzing cause and effectdiscussionAmerican soldiers' experiences in WWI. Students read letters from the trenches and learn about trench warfare.
Understanding war experiencesworksheetHow Americans at home supported the war through rationing, Liberty Bonds, and factory work. Students examine propaganda posters.
Analyzing propagandahands-onThe Treaty of Versailles and Wilson's Fourteen Points. Students examine why his vision for lasting peace failed.
Evaluating peace effortsdiscussionCultural changes in the 1920s including new music, dance, and entertainment. Students explore how America became more modern.
Understanding cultural changediscussionHow women's roles changed after gaining the vote: flappers, working women, and new social freedoms.
Analyzing social changediscussionThe flowering of African American culture in literature, music, and art. Students learn about Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, and others.
Understanding cultural movementshands-onEconomic prosperity of the 1920s, the stock market boom, and growing consumerism. Students examine economic data.
Analyzing economic trendsworksheetThe 18th Amendment banning alcohol and why Prohibition failed. Students examine unintended consequences of the law.
Understanding policy outcomesdiscussionThe 1929 stock market crash and how it triggered the Great Depression. Students examine causes of the crash.
Understanding economic collapsediscussionHow the Depression affected ordinary Americans: unemployment, poverty, hunger, and homelessness. Students analyze photographs and accounts.
Understanding human impactworksheetThe environmental catastrophe on the Great Plains and the migration of Dust Bowl refugees. Students read accounts and view photographs.
Understanding environmental crisisdiscussionFranklin Roosevelt's programs to provide relief, recovery, and reform. Students examine major New Deal programs.
Understanding government responsehands-onHow faith, family, and community helped people endure the Depression. Students explore stories of resilience and God's provision.
Recognizing faith during crisisdiscussionHitler, Mussolini, and the rise of fascism in Europe. Students examine how dictators came to power and threatened freedom.
Understanding totalitarianismdiscussionJapan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and how it brought America into WWII. Students examine FDR's famous speech.
Understanding turning pointsworksheetHow America rapidly built up its military and transformed its economy for war production. Students examine the mobilization effort.
Understanding total wardiscussionAmerica's strategy of fighting in both Europe and the Pacific. Students map major battles and campaigns.
Understanding military strategyhands-onHow Americans at home supported the war through rationing, victory gardens, and war work. Students examine home front contributions.
Understanding civilian participationworksheetThe Allied invasion of Normandy and the liberation of Europe. Students examine the planning and courage of D-Day.
Understanding military operationshands-onThe Nazi genocide of six million Jews and others. Students learn about this horror and why we must never forget.
Understanding genocide and evildiscussionThe defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of the war in Europe. Students examine the final campaigns and Germany's surrender.
Understanding war's conclusionworksheetTruman's decision to use atomic bombs on Japan. Students examine arguments for and against this controversial choice.
Evaluating difficult decisionsdiscussionWWII's devastating toll and how it changed the world. Students reflect on war's cost and God's sovereignty through darkness.
Analyzing consequencesdiscussionReviewing world geography basics and locating major features. Students demonstrate mastery of world map skills.
Applying geographic knowledgehands-onUnderstanding America's geographic advantages: natural resources, ocean barriers, diverse climates, and strategic location.
Analyzing geographic advantagesdiscussionHow global trade connects America to the world. Students map major trade routes and understand economic interdependence.
Understanding global tradehands-onGeographic and environmental issues facing America and the world. Students examine challenges like climate, resources, and pollution.
Analyzing environmental issuesdiscussionBiblical principles of environmental stewardship. Students explore how Christians should care for the earth God created.
Applying stewardship principlesdiscussionHow the US and Soviet Union became rivals after WWII. Students learn about Churchill's Iron Curtain speech and the division of Europe.
Understanding ideological conflictdiscussionComparing American democracy and capitalism with Soviet communism. Students examine the fundamental differences in these systems.
Comparing political systemsworksheetHow America saved West Berlin from Soviet blockade. Students examine this early Cold War crisis and American resolve.
Understanding crisis responsediscussionThe development of nuclear weapons and the fear of atomic war. Students examine how the arms race shaped the Cold War.
Understanding military competitionworksheetAmerica's first major Cold War conflict. Students learn about the war to defend South Korea from communist invasion.
Understanding Cold War conflictsdiscussionPost-war prosperity, growing families, and the move to suburbs. Students examine how American life changed in the 1950s.
Understanding demographic changediscussionThe rise of television and its impact on culture, politics, and family life. Students examine early TV shows and advertising.
Understanding media influencehands-onEisenhower's massive highway building project and how it transformed America. Students map the interstate system.
Understanding infrastructure impacthands-onThe emergence of rock and roll music and youth culture. Students explore how music reflected social change.
Understanding cultural changediscussionThe Soviet launch of Sputnik and America's response. Students examine how the space race became part of Cold War competition.
Understanding technological competitionworksheetThe reality of segregation in America under Jim Crow laws. Students examine how 'separate but equal' was unjust.
Understanding systemic injusticediscussionThe Supreme Court case that declared school segregation unconstitutional. Students analyze the decision's significance.
Understanding judicial impactworksheetHow Rosa Parks' courage sparked a movement. Students examine the successful boycott and emergence of Martin Luther King Jr.
Understanding protest movementsdiscussionYoung people's courage in challenging segregation through nonviolent protest. Students examine various civil disobedience tactics.
Understanding nonviolent resistancehands-onMartin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech at the March on Washington. Students read, analyze, and memorize portions of the speech.
Analyzing influential speechesworksheetThe march from Selma to Montgomery and the passage of the Voting Rights Act. Students examine how voting rights were secured.
Understanding legislative changediscussionAlternative approaches to civil rights including Malcolm X and the Black Power movement. Students compare different strategies.
Comparing movement strategiesdiscussionMartin Luther King Jr.'s assassination and the ongoing struggle for equality. Students reflect on unfinished work.
Understanding continuing challengesdiscussionHow faith motivated civil rights leaders and how Christians were on both sides. Students examine the biblical call to justice.
Understanding faith's rolediscussionApplying Micah 6:8 to racial justice today. Students discuss how Christians should work for justice and reconciliation.
Applying biblical principlesdiscussionPresident Kennedy's vision for America and his inspiring leadership. Students examine his famous inaugural address.
Understanding presidential leadershipworksheetThe closest the world came to nuclear war. Students examine how Kennedy navigated this dangerous crisis.
Understanding crisis managementdiscussionKennedy's assassination and its impact on America. Students explore how this tragedy affected the nation.
Understanding historical impactdiscussionPresident Johnson's ambitious programs to fight poverty and inequality. Students examine major Great Society initiatives.
Understanding domestic policyworksheetAmerica's controversial involvement in Vietnam and growing opposition to the war. Students examine multiple perspectives.
Understanding controversial conflictsdiscussionHow to evaluate news sources and identify bias, misinformation, and reliable reporting. Students practice source evaluation.
Evaluating information sourcesworksheetHow to research and understand complex civic issues. Students choose an issue and research multiple perspectives.
Researching civic issueshands-onHow elections work and why voting matters. Students participate in a mock election and learn about the electoral process.
Understanding electoral processgameOther ways citizens can make a difference: contacting representatives, peaceful protest, community service, and advocacy.
Understanding civic engagementdiscussionHow Christians can engage in civic life while maintaining biblical values. Students explore Matthew 5:13-16 in civic context.
Applying faith to citizenshipdiscussionThe Watergate scandal and Nixon's resignation. Students examine how this crisis damaged trust in government.
Understanding political scandaldiscussionOil shortages and economic problems in the 1970s. Students examine how America's dependence on foreign oil created challenges.
Understanding economic crisisworksheetAmerica's withdrawal from Vietnam and the fall of Saigon. Students examine this difficult chapter's conclusion.
Understanding war's enddiscussionContinued progress in women's rights and opportunities. Students examine changes in women's roles and ongoing debates.
Understanding social movementsdiscussionAmerica's 200th birthday celebration in 1976. Students reflect on the nation's history and God's faithfulness.
Reflecting on national historyhands-onRonald Reagan's presidency and his vision of limited government and strong defense. Students examine his policies and impact.
Understanding political philosophydiscussionReagan's challenge to Soviet leader Gorbachev and the push for freedom. Students examine Reagan's Berlin Wall speech.
Analyzing influential speechesworksheetThe dramatic fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Students examine how freedom triumphed and Germany reunited.
Understanding historical turning pointshands-onThe end of the Soviet Union and the Cold War. Students examine how communism failed and freedom prevailed.
Understanding system collapsediscussionReflecting on God's hand in the Cold War's peaceful end. Students discuss how prayer and providence brought freedom.
Recognizing God's providencediscussionHow modern economies are interconnected globally. Students examine international trade, imports, and exports.
Understanding global economicshands-onHow computers and the internet have changed the economy and types of jobs. Students explore economic transformation.
Understanding economic changediscussionHow the stock market works and why it matters to the economy. Students participate in a stock market simulation.
Understanding investment basicsgameThe gap between rich and poor in America. Students examine data and discuss causes and potential solutions.
Analyzing economic issuesdiscussionWhat the Bible teaches about wealth, poverty, work, and generosity. Students explore economic justice from a biblical perspective.
Applying biblical principlesdiscussionHow personal computers and the internet transformed American life. Students explore the rise of the digital age.
Understanding technological changediscussionEconomic prosperity and cultural changes in the 1990s. Students examine this decade of relative peace and growth.
Understanding recent historyworksheetThe terrorist attacks on 9/11 and how they changed America. Students learn about this tragic day with age-appropriate sensitivity.
Understanding historical traumadiscussionAmerica's response to 9/11 including wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Students examine these complex conflicts.
Understanding modern conflictsdiscussionThe 2008 financial crisis and its impact on American families. Students examine causes and consequences of the recession.
Understanding economic crisisworksheetAmerica's growing diversity and what it means to be American today. Students examine demographic changes and cultural richness.
Understanding demographic changediscussionWhy Americans are increasingly divided politically. Students examine causes and consequences of polarization.
Analyzing political divisiondiscussionHow social media and smartphones are changing society. Students discuss both benefits and concerns.
Evaluating technological impactdiscussionCurrent environmental issues and debates about climate, conservation, and stewardship. Students examine multiple perspectives.
Analyzing environmental issuesdiscussionAmerica's position as a world leader and debates about foreign policy. Students examine international challenges.
Understanding global leadershipdiscussionTracing the expansion of freedom throughout American history from slavery's end to civil rights. Students identify key moments.
Identifying historical themeshands-onHow American innovation and entrepreneurship drove progress. Students trace technological and economic development.
Tracing development over timeworksheetMajor conflicts in American history and how they were resolved. Students examine patterns in conflict and peacemaking.
Analyzing conflict patternsdiscussionHow waves of immigration shaped America. Students trace immigrant contributions across different eras.
Understanding continuity and changehands-onThe role of faith throughout American history. Students examine how religious freedom and Christian values influenced the nation.
Recognizing faith's rolediscussionWhy studying history matters and how it helps us make better decisions. Students reflect on lessons learned this year.
Reflecting on historical learningdiscussionHow young people can make a difference in their communities and nation. Students explore age-appropriate civic action.
Planning civic engagementhands-onJeremiah 29:7 and what it means to work for the good of our communities. Students plan service projects.
Applying biblical commandsdiscussionHow Christians can influence society for good while maintaining biblical values. Students discuss faithful citizenship.
Integrating faith and citizenshipdiscussionDespite challenges, Christians have hope because God is sovereign. Students reflect on God's faithfulness through American history.
Cultivating biblical hopediscussionReview major events, people, and movements from westward expansion through today. Students compete in timeline games.
Sequencing historical eventsgameReview geographic knowledge and civic understanding through interactive activities and challenges.
Applying geographic and civic knowledgegameStudents present projects on topics from the year, creating a classroom museum. Parents invited if possible.
Presenting historical knowledgeprojectLooking back at how God worked through American history. Students share what they learned about God's providence.
Theological reflection on historydiscussionCelebrating a year of learning and looking ahead to continued growth as informed Christian citizens.
Celebrating and goal-settingdiscussionStart with Day 1 and work through at your own pace. Each lesson builds on the last!