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History 1: American
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How To Teach American History3 Steps
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Lesson 1: Orientation10 Steps
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1.1—Introduction & Note-taking (16 min video)
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1.1—Read Table of Contents
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1.2—Why School? Why the Humanities? (8 min video)
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1.2—Read J.R.R Tolkien Quote
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1.3—Why History? (10 min video)
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1.3—Read Psalm 78
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1.4—Good Quotes & Our Roadmap (11 min video)
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1.4—Read Quotes & Write Essay
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1.5—Readings, Assignments, Exams, Portfolios, & Projects (8 min video)
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1.6–Start Portfolio (10 min video)
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1.1—Introduction & Note-taking (16 min video)
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Lesson 2: The Banner of the Sun (Meso-America)13 Steps
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2.1—The Principle (14 min video)
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2.1—Read Genesis 4 & 5
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2.2—The Olmec & Maya (15 min video)
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2.2—Read the Popol Vuh
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2.3—The Aztec (12 min video)
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2.3—Read Conquest of New Spain
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2.4—The Inca (8 min video)
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2.4—Read Incan Myths
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2.5—The Spanish Conquest (8 min video)
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2.5—Lesson 2 Portfolio
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2.5—Lesson 2 Exam
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2.6—Project 1: Colonial Map of the Americas (7 min video)
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2.6—Choose Map & Begin Research
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2.1—The Principle (14 min video)
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Lesson 3: Brave New World (The Early Explorers)11 Steps
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3.1—The Principle (12 min video)
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3.1—Read Columbus' Dedication
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3.2—The Myths & Legends (15 min video)
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3.2—Read the Legend of Madoc of Wales
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3.3—The Evidences (8 min video)
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3.3—Read the Accounts of Vineland
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3.4—Christopher Columbus, Part 1 (10 min video)
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3.4—Read The Book of Prophecies
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3.5—Christopher Columbus, Part 2 (9 min video)
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3.5—Lesson 3 Portfolio
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3.5—Lesson 3 Exam
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3.1—The Principle (12 min video)
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Lesson 4: The Colossus of Empire (The Colonies)11 Steps
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4.1—The Principle (10 min video)
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4.1—Progressive Map of European Colonies
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4.2—Navigational Instruments (12 min video)
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4.2—Sketch Marine Chronometer
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4.3—The Portuguese Colonies (12 min video)
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4.3—Read Vespucci's Voyage Account
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4.4—The Spanish Colonies (13 min video)
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4.4—Read de Soto Letter
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4.5—The French Colonies & the Missions (6 min video)
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4.5—Lesson 4 Portfolio
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4.5—Lesson 4 Exam
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4.1—The Principle (10 min video)
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Lesson 5: Stability & Change (The Reformational Colonies)11 Steps
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5.1—The Principle (10 min video)
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5.1—Read Kuyper Quote
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5.2—The Huguenot & Dutch Reformed Colonies (12 min video)
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5.2—Create Map of New Amsterdam
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5.3—The First English Attempts: Cabot, Drake, & Roanoke (10 min video)
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5.3—Read Mayflower Compact
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5.4—The English Colonies of Jamestown & Plymouth (14 min video)
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5.4—Read Five Kernals of Corn
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5.5—The English Colonies of Maryland & Georgia (7 min video)
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5.5—Lesson 5 Portfolio
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5.5—Lesson 5 Exam
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5.1—The Principle (10 min video)
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Lesson 6: A City Upon A Hill (The Puritans)12 Steps
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6.1—The Principle (12 min video)
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6.1—Read A Model of Charity
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6.2—What is a Puritan? (14 min video)
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6.2—Read Signs of Living to Please God
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6.3—Five Puritan Values (12 min video)
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6.3—Read A Father's Resolutions
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6.4—Puritan Heroes: Winthrop, the Bradstreets, & Eliot (13 min video)
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6.4—Read Anne Bradstreet Poems
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6.5—Cotton Mather (14 min video)
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6.5—Lesson 6 Portfolio
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6.5—Lesson 6 Exam
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6.6—Map Project Finished
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6.1—The Principle (12 min video)
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Lesson 7: A Foreign War at Home (Wars of Control)11 Steps
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7.1—The Principle (8 min video)
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7.1—Read Chapter 1 of "The Last of the Mohicans"
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7.2—The Back Story (7 min video)
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7.2—Read William Camden
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7.3—Wars (13 min video)
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7.3—Read "The Battle of La Prairie"
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7.4—And More Wars (12 min video)
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7.4—Read "Ticonderoga"
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7.5—Quebec and the American Experience (8 min video)
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7.5—Lesson 7 Portfolio
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7.5—Lesson 7 Exam
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7.1—The Principle (8 min video)
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Lesson 8: Grace, the Founder of Liberty (The Great Awakening)14 Steps
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8.1—The Principle (9 min video)
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8.1—Read Revelation 21
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8.2—Sleeping Dead Man (11 min video)
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8.2—Research William Hogarth
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8.3—The Awakeners: Freylinghuysen, Tennent, and Edwards (15 min video)
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8.3—Read Jonathan Edwards
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8.3—Extra Credit "Sinners in the Hands..."
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8.4—George Whitefield, Part I (16 min video)
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8.4—Read Whitefield Sermon
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8.5—George Whitefield, Part 2 (7 min video)
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8.5—Lesson 8 Portfolio
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8.5—Lesson 8 Exam
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8.6—Project 2: Costumed Speech (7 min video)
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8.6—Choose Speaker & Speech for Costumed Speech Project
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8.1—The Principle (9 min video)
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Lesson 9: Fathers of Independence (Adams, Franklin, Witherspoon, & Henry)11 Steps
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9.1—The Principle (10 min video)
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9.1—Read Rights of the Colonists
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9.2—Samuel Adams (15 min video)
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9.2—Read Divine Source of Liberty
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9.3—Benjamin Franklin (12 min video)
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9.3—Recreate an Invention of Benjamin Franklin
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9.4—John Witherspoon (8 min video)
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9.4—Read John Witherspoon
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9.5–Patrick Henry (11 min video)
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9.5—Lesson 9 Portfolio
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9.5—Lesson 9 Exam
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9.1—The Principle (10 min video)
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Lesson 10: Liberty or Death (The Declaration of Independence)11 Steps
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10.1—The Principle (14 min video)
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10.1—Read Liberty or Death
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10.2—Narrative of Dates 1 (12 min video)
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10.2—Read Benjamin Franklin
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10.3—Narrative of Dates 2 (14 min video)
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10.3—Read Paul Revere's Ride
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10.4—Narrative of Dates 3 (12 min video)
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10.4—Read the Declaration of Independence
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10.5—The Declaration of Independence (11 min video)
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10.5—Lesson 10 Portfolio
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10.5—Lesson 10 Exam
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10.1—The Principle (14 min video)
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Lesson 11: Awesome Providence (The War of Independence 1)11 Steps
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11.1—The Principle (9 min video)
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11.1—Read Scripture
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11.2—The Black Regiment (12 min video)
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11.2—Read Sermon Given Before Battle of Kings Mountain
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11.3—A Tale of Two Armies (14 min video)
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11.3—Read George Washington Letter
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11.4—1776, Part 1 (9 min video)
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11.4—Read David Ramsay Selection
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11.5—1776, Part 2 (8 min video)
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11.5—Lesson 11 Portfolio
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11.5—Lesson 11 Exam
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11.1—The Principle (9 min video)
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Lesson 12: Awesome Providence (The War of Independence 2)11 Steps
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12.1—The Principle (12 min video)
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12.1—Read "Nathan Hale"
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12.2—Saratoga (11 min video)
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12.2—Read "Bennington"
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12.3—Valley Forge & Benedict Arnold (11 min video)
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12.3—Read "Valley Forge"
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12.4—Nathaniel Greene, George Rogers Clark, & Yorktown (11 min video)
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12.4—Read "The Vow of Washington"
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12.5—Forgotten Founders (8 min video)
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12.5—Lesson 12 Portfolio
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12.5—Lesson 12 Exam
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12.1—The Principle (12 min video)
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Lesson 13: A More Perfect Union (The Constitution)12 Steps
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13.1—The Principle (9 min video)
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13.1—Read the Articles of Confederation
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13.2—Precedents & Problems (14 min video)
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13.2—Read Article l of the Constitution
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13.3—Parties & Articles (9 min video)
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13.3—Read Articles ll-Vll of the Constitution
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13.4—Convention & Constitution (11 min video)
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13.4—Read The Bill of Rights
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13.5—Rights & Ratification (5 min video)
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13.5—Lesson 13 Portfolio
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13.5—Lesson 13 Exam
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13.6—Give Costumed Speech
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13.1—The Principle (9 min video)
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Lesson 14: Federal Headship (George Washington)11 Steps
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14.1—The Principle (9 min video)
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14.1—Read The Vow of Washington
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14.2—American Joshua (13 min video)
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14.2—Read Selection by George Washington
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14.3—American Cincinnatus (14 min video)
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14.3—Read Washington's First Inaugural Address
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14.4—Washington’s Lieutenants (10 min video)
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14.4—Read Washington's Farewell Address
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14.5—Federal Headship (8 min video)
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14.5—Lesson 14 Portfolio
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14.5—Lesson 14 Exam
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14.1—The Principle (9 min video)
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Lesson 15: How Good & Pleasant It Is (Adams & Jefferson)15 Steps|1 Quiz
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15.1—The Principle (6 min video)
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15.1—Read Daniel Webster
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15.2—John Adams (13 min video)
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15.2—Read Abigail Adams
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15.2—Extra Credit: Read John Adams
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15.3—Thomas Jefferson (14 min video)
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15.3—Sketch Monticello
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15.4—The Presidencies (14 min video)
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15.4—Read "Letter to President Thomas Jefferson"
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15.5—The Reconciliation (5 min video)
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15.5—Lesson 15 Portfolio
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15.5—Lesson 15 Exam
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15.5—Lesson 15 Exam with Answers
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15.6—Project 3: Research and Thesis Paper (12 min video)
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15.6—Choose Thesis Paper Topic & Begin Research
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15.1—The Principle (6 min video)
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Lesson 16: Manifest Destiny (Settlers, Explorers, & War)11 Steps
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16.1—The Principle (14 min video)
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16.1—Read de Tocqueville
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16.2—Settlers (13 min video)
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16.2—Read The Winning of the West
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16.3—Explorers (13 min video)
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16.3—Sketch Lewis Journal Entry
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16.4—The War of 1812, Part 1 (12 min video)
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16.4—Read The Cruise of the Wasp
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16.5—The War of 1812, Part 2 (8 min video)
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16.5—Lesson 16 Portfolio
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16.5—Lesson 16 Exam
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16.1—The Principle (14 min video)
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Lesson 17: Word & Deed (John Quincy Adams & Andrew Jackson)12 Steps
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17.1—The Principle (7 min video)
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17.1—Read Scripture
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17.2—John Quincy Adams (14 min video)
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17.2—Read John Quincy Adams
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17.3—Andrew Jackson, Part 1 (14 min video)
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17.3—Read Jackson's National Bank Veto Speech
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17.4—Andrew Jackson, Part 2 (7 min video)
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17.4—Read the Appeal of the Cherokee Nation
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17.5—The Trail of Tears (5 min video)
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17.5—Lesson 17 Portfolio
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17.5—Lesson 17 Exam
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17.6—Thesis Outline Finished
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17.1—The Principle (7 min video)
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Lesson 18: The Original United Nations (Expansion of the Early U.S.)11 Steps
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18.1—The Principle (8 min video)
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18.1—Read Democracy in America Selection
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18.2—Land (11 min video)
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18.2—Read William Gilpin Quote
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18.3—Technology, Communication, & Transportation (16 min video)
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18.3—Read Erie Canal Journal Entries
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18.4—Texas & The Mexican War (14 min video)
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18.4—Read The Defense of the Alamo
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18.5—Oregon, California, & The 11 Nations (9 min video)
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18.5—Lesson 18 Portfolio
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18.5—Lesson 18 Exam
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18.1—The Principle (8 min video)
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Lesson 19: Idols of Mercy (Revivals, Counterfeits, & Art)12 Steps
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19.1—The Principle (9 min video)
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19.1—Read de Tocqueville Selection
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19.2—The Digression of Ideas (14 min video)
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19.2—Read Democracy in America Selection
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19.3—Revivals & Revivalism (14 min video)
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19.3—Read Nettleton Sermon
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19.4—Heresies & Cults (10 min video)
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19.4—Read "Self-Reliance" Selection
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19.5—Art & Literature (12 min video)
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19.5—Lesson 19 Portfolio
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19.5—Lesson 19 Exam
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19.6—Thesis Paper Finished
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19.1—The Principle (9 min video)
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Lesson 20: A House Divided 1 (The Age of Compromise & Divided Cultures)11 Steps
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20.1—The Principle (12 min video)
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20.1—Read "A House Divided"
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20.2—The Missouri Compromise & Regional Distinctions (15 min video)
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20.2—Read John C. Calhoun Selection
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20.3—American Slavery (12 min video)
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20.3—Read Slave Narratives
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20.4—American Abolition (8 min video)
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20.4—Read "On the Death of John Brown"
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20.5—American Secessions (4 min video)
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20.5—Lesson 20 Portfolio
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20.5—Lesson 20 Exam
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20.1—The Principle (12 min video)
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Lesson 21: A House Divided 2 (Abraham Lincoln & Secession)13 Steps
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21.1—The Unifiers (16 min video)
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21.1—Read John C. Calhoun Selection
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21.2—The 1850s (14 min video)
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21.2—Read The Fugitive Slave Act
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21.3—Abraham Lincoln: His Early Life (13 min video)
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21.3—Read Abraham Lincoln Letter
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21.4—Abraham Lincoln: His Political Worldview and the Election of 1860 (15 min video)
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21.4—Read Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
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21.5—Abraham Lincoln: His Faith (7 min video)
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21.5—Lesson 21 Portfolio
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21.5—Lesson 21 Exam
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21.6—Project 4: The Hour Project (8 min video)
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21.6—Choose “Hour Project” Goal
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21.1—The Unifiers (16 min video)
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Lesson 22: The Second War for Independence (The War Between the States 1)11 Steps
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22.1—The Principle (9 min video)
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22.1—Read Jefferson Davis' Inaugural Address
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22.2—Overview & Fort Sumter (15 min video)
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22.2—Read "How Men Die in Battle"
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22.3—The Union Army (11 min video)
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22.3—Read General McClellan Letter
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22.4—The Confederate Army (10 min video)
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22.4—Read Robert E. Lee Letters
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22.5—The First Battle of Bull Run (6 min video)
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22.5—Lesson 22 Portfolio
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22.5—Lesson 22 Exam
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22.1—The Principle (9 min video)
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Lesson 23: Brother Against Brother (The War Between the States 2)11 Steps
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23.1—The Principle (14 min video)
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23.1—Read "Music in the Camp"
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23.2—The Shades of Blue and Grey: Anaconda to Shenandoah (16 min video)
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23.2—Read Poems About Stonewall Jackson
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23.3—Antietam to Gettysburg (14 min video)
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23.3—Read Abraham Lincoln
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23.4—Forrest to Atlanta (10 min video)
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23.4—Read General Sherman Letter
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23.5—Appomattox to the End (5 min video)
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23.5—Read Sherman Letter to General Halleck
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23.5—Lesson 23 Portfolio
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23.1—The Principle (14 min video)
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Lesson 24: The Lost Cause (Reconstruction)11 Steps
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24.1—The Principle (11 min video)
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24.1—Read "Lee in the Mountains"
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24.2—Reconciliation, Assassination, & Johnson (11 min video)
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24.2—Read "O Captain, My Captain"
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24.3—Black Codes & Amendments (12 min video)
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24.3—Read Thaddeus Stevens Speech
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24.4—Reconstruction Act to President Grant (15 min video)
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24.4—Read Constitutional Amendments & Hill Speech
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24.5—The End of Reconstruction (7 min video)
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24.5—Lesson 24 Portfolio
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24.5—Lesson 24 Exam
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24.1—The Principle (11 min video)
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Lesson 25: A New Normal (The West, Immigration, & Robber Barons)11 Steps
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25.1—The Principle (11 min video)
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25.1—Read Introduction to Christianity and Liberalism
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25.2—Passive Leaders & Powerful Ideas (17 min video)
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25.2—Read Christianity and the Social Crisis
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25.3—The Wild, Wild West (13 min video)
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25.3—Read The Frontier in American History
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25.4—Immigrants, Cities, & Railroads (17 min video)
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25.4—Read The Road to Business Success
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25.5—Steel & Oil (6 min video)
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25.5—Lesson 25 Portfolio
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25.5—Lesson 25 Exam
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25.1—The Principle (11 min video)
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Lesson 26: Theology As Biography (Theodore Roosevelt & Booker T. Washington)12 Steps
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26.1—The Principle (12 min video)
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26.1—Read The Struggle for an Education
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26.2—TR: From His Early Life to His Return (14 min video)
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26.2—Read Character and Success
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26.3—TR: From the Rough Riders to the Amazon (16 min video)
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26.3—Read The Man With the Muck Rake
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26.4—Booker T: His Early Life to Hampton Roads (11 min video)
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26.4—Read Atlanta Exposition Address
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26.5—Booker T: The Tuskegee Institute & Lost Causes (6 min video)
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26.5—Lesson 26 Essay
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26.5—Lesson 26 Portfolio
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26.6—Hour Project Finished
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26.1—The Principle (12 min video)
Lesson 1,
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Available Resources
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Lesson Videos
- Available and streamed as an individual purchase or as part of the Compass Classroom Membership
- 26 lessons with 5 videos each; additional videos explain the quarterly projects
Student Reader
- Available as digital files with your purchase, or as a separate download or printed book (over 300 pages)
- Includes daily readings, assignments, and weekly exams.
Portfolio
- Essentially a scrapbook or a visual textbook for the semester’s lessons which shows the lessons that have been verbally discussed.
- Provided by the student: a scrapbook, photo album, 3-ring binder, or a fine sketchbook of durable quality such as card stock or a heavy drawing paper.
Teacher’s Guide
- Scope & Sequence for two semesters of Middle/High School (Ages 13+)
- Portfolio & Project Guide
- Grading Guides for Exams, Readings, the Portfolio, and Projects
- Suggested Titles for Further Reading to go along with all 26 Lessons
- Exam Answer Key
Supplementary Audio Products
- American History Stories
- American History Songs
- Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America
- Mr. President
- The Six Shooter
- You Are There
- The Cavalcade of America