Format: PDF ebook or spiral bound printed book, color interior
Grade level: appropriate for 9th – 12th grade
Course type: Study guide (Please see the Booklist tab for the books and other reference materials required to complete this course.)
Too often high school American history is mind-numbingly dull; or it is heavily slanted politically, religiously, and/or culturally. American History Odyssey is unlike any other. It is an academically rigorous, in-depth course that aims to encourage students to interact with history holistically and critically. Students are introduced to both the commendable and the disappointing in America’s history, aiming to teach them how to think about the past, rather than what to think. Unlike typical American history courses, American History Odyssey gives students the access and the tools to practice historical and analytical skills in the most interesting, engaging, and interactive way.
American History Odyssey examines important turning points in our history from Native Americans before European contact to the Great Depression to the Civil Rights Movement to the impact of technology and the arts on America, and so much more. Through the author’s original sweeping narratives and online textbook readings, students learn the foundation of American history. Then they apply what they have learned with analysis of a multitude of primary sources, the reading of important literature, essay writing, presentations, geography mapping, tests, and projects.
American History Odyssey level three is a student guide that provides step by step lessons to teach American history from the late 15th century to the beginning of the 21st century. AHO Level 3 was written to be used independently by students with the parent/teacher assisting when necessary with lessons and assessing the student’s completed work. Due to the complexity and enormity of AHO Level 3, we highly recommend the American History Odyssey Teacher Guide. The Teacher Guide provides extensive assistance with tackling the literature readings and critical thinking assignments found in AHO3. The Teacher Guide also provides scheduling and planning for each of the nine units, learning goals and objectives, unit exams and answer keys, essay and research paper writing assistance, grading rubrics, group suggestions, and map answer keys.
Literature and writing instructions and assignments found in the course include designing research questions, art and political cartoon/advertisement analysis, developing a thesis statement, composing a research paper, How to Write an Essay, persuasive writing, literary and poetry analysis, conducting interviews, presenting oral reports and presentations, and historical and geographical analysis in American literature.
Critical thinking with history studies found in this course include project-based history learning; identification of connections and cause/effect relationships; evaluation of the validity and type of history sources; analysis of historical documents; detailed evaluation of wars, conflicts, and regimes; in-depth study of various political doctrines; and identification of connections between geography and history through extensive map work.
This course includes:
- 17 American history blackline maps
- Unit exams (found in the Teacher Guide for the eBook, in both books for the printed edition)
- Primary resources and literature excerpts
- 167 detailed lessons covering:
- Literature readings
- 17 Original history overviews
- Map work
- Writing assignments
High School Credits: If you choose to follow the AHO curriculum closely, you can award your student the following credits: One credit for high school History, half to two-thirds credit high school English (supplement with additional writing instruction and grammar work for a full credit of high school English), half credit for high school Geography
The History Odyssey Method– Five learning techniques are woven throughout all History Odyssey courses at age-appropriate levels: Students examine multiple resources, read historically significant literature, develop and strengthen critical thinking skills, practice and refine written and verbal expression, and study geography and geographical significances throughout the history of humankind.
Please refer to the article The Best Way to Learn History for more information about the History Odyssey method of learning.
The History Odyssey method found in American History Odyssey:
- Read original overview essays covering various topics and groups in U.S. history including Native Americans, Colonial America, African Americans, slavery and indentured servants, manifest destiny, domestic and international wars and conflicts, Harlem Renaissance, Great Depression, Civil Rights Movement, suffragettes, the Romantic Era, Antebellum, and much more
- Read about U.S. history events from an online history textbook
- Read classic literature, autobiographies, plays, short stories and other literary works and excerpts
- Examine primary sources and artifacts from U.S. history
- Study the role of film, television, art, and music as primary sources to understanding people and groups in history
- Conduct independent research of library and online resources
- Classic literature
- Theatrical works
- Short stories
Written & Verbal Expression
- Compose a well-written thesis statement and research paper
- Practice public speaking and rhetoric skills
- Write biographies on significant individuals during U.S. history and identify their effects and influences
- Develop points of view and present arguments through well-composed essays, presentations, and projects
- Compose well-designed research questions based on textbook readings
- Exposure to at least three sources for history events
- Organize, filter, prioritize, and discern vast amounts of historical data
- Practice evaluating the validity of history sources
- Literary analysis of classic literature
- Gain an understanding of the goals and methodologies of key figures in U.S. history
- Analyze and interpret primary sources including speeches, poetry, and documents
- Study and analyze military and political figures, conflicts, wars, and operations in U.S. history
- Compare and contrast groups and leaders in U.S. history
- Analyze how different groups of people in U.S. history were influenced and affected by religious beliefs, prejudices, and political viewpoints
- Detailed identification of land and water areas significant to U.S. history
- Gain a better understanding of events through detailed map work and completing map keys
- Learn about geographical obstacles and advantages and their effects on U.S. history
- Analyze how geography influenced trade, travel, wars, spread of ideas, and communication between groups domestically and internationally
Important Copyright Information: If you choose the eBook version of this course, you are purchasing a license to use the PDF for your own children. You may make copies for your own children, but you may not share (email, download, print and distribute, resell, etc.) this eBook or any portion of this eBook to others.
Licensing is available for group, school, and co-op use. Please contact Pandia Press for details on group licensing (email@example.com).