Thematic Approach to US History

In 2004 we decided to reorganize the way we teach US History and Government.  Although our results have historically been excellent, we wanted to bring our course in line with our Global History Curriculum which is also taught thematically.  To my knowledge we are one of only a few schools in the state teaching US History this way. Below are links to our curriculm documents.  These are ever changing documents.  (80 minute/class schedule)

Unit 1: Building Connection Across Time
Unit 2: American Government
Unit 3: The American Economy
Unit 4: The American Experience
Unit 5: American Domestic Policy and Crisis
Unit 6: American Foreign Policy
Unit 7: America's New Role in the World

(For curriculum see above links.  To see prioritized curriculum:
click on 50/30/20 link below)

1.  Building Connections Across Time (1 weeks)
     A.  How did we get to 2004 (General Timeline)
     B.  Demographics
     C.  Basic US History Concepts
2.  The American Government (2.5-3 weeks)
     A.  Foundations
     B.  The Constitution
     C.  Case Study:  The Unwritten Constitution
     D.  Supreme Court Cases
3.  The American Economy (2-2.5 weeks)
     A.  Colonialism
     B.  Sectionalism
     C.  America Industrializes
     D.  America Responds to Industrialization
4.  The American Experience (1.5-2 weeks)
    A.  Demographics
    B.  Old Immigration
    C.  New Immigration
    D.  Native Americans
    E.  Equal Rights:  Women
    F.  Civil Rights:  African-Americans (Includes Civil War and Reconstruction)
    G.  Contemporary Issues
5. Domestic Policy and Crisis (2-2.5 weeks)
    A.  Implementing the Constitution
    B.  Civil War/Reconstruction (Includes Industrial Revolution and Progressivism)
    C.  1920s, The Depression, New Deal
6. Foreign Policy (2-2.5 weeks)
    A.  Early Foreign Policy
    B.  America Becomes a World Power
    C.  World War I
    D.  1920s, 1930s, World War II
    E.  Red Scares
    F.  Cold War
7. America's New Role in the World (1-2 weeks)
    A.  Post World War II Economy
    B.  Contemporary Economic Issues
    C.  Economic Boom and Bust
    D.  Domestic Turmoil in Contemporary Times
    E.  Environmental and Societal Issues
The Prioritzed US History Curriculum using the 50/30/20 Model
Click here to go to:
Student Page which includes Essential Questions
and Unit Vocabulary
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