First, this is free! Yes, you can request this cd, America's Heritage, at no cost. The print version is $19.95. What exactly is this? Well, it's a supplementary curriculum that focuses on the core symbols and pillars of our nation. Some of the lesson topics include:- Colonial America
- the Declaration of Independence
- the Statue of Liberty
- the national motto
- the national anthem
- the Presidential Seal
- the national flag
And much more!
Is this a stand alone social studies or history curriculum? After examining the lesson plans, I see this as more of a resource or supplementary study than a stand alone curriculum. The lesson plans did not all align to the same grade levels, so teachers would need to make adjustments to fit the age of their students if they wanted to use the product in it entirety.
What age is it for? It's definitely for upper elementary or middle school. The activities are geared toward a group of students with strong reading and critical thinking skills.
What does it include?
- lesson plans for 14 topics
- printable worksheets, learning activities, and games that coordinate with the lesson plans
- an appendix of resources pertaining to the law and religious freedom in schools
- a list of sources for information presented in the lessons
Is it biased? Okay, this was a concern I had when I put the cd in the computer. And I was very relieved at the straightforward nature of this study. Yes, it definitely is an expression of thankfulness for the core pillars of our nation and concern over the lack of personal commitment to those pillars today, but it's really more history and activities that encourage students to apply that history to now than anything else. I know in our home, while we are Christian homeschoolers, I really don't like my curriculum to get preachy or take on much commentary. I would rather have quality, well-researched materials and information we can use to develop and strengthen and even challenge our own viewpoints. This cd does fit that bill.
Okay, I did find a couple of typo's. However, overall, this is well written, very informative, and provides a variety of thought-provoking activities for students. I will say this--one page of the KWL master copy would have sufficed rather than taking up several pages of the study for the very same original that's used in several lessons.
Can you get this and plan to use it exclusively for your social studies program next year? No, that's not what it's intended for. If you're like me and love to develop curriculum that is customized for your students, this can be your foundation, and you can add to it. This would be an excellent program to do outside of school proper with, say, the upper elem./middle school aged students in your homeschool groups.
At this point, I speak only from the point of view of a former upper elem./middle school teacher. My kids aren't quite old enough for this program yet, but I can see it has substance and is meant to inspire through information about and examination of the foundational issues of our nation. And, y'all, how can you go wrong with a resouce like this that is free? There's absolutely no reason not to check it out.
To find out more and to order a copy, go to www.americanheritage.org/ . You can also simply download the level you need from that site. There's no catch I can find. On their site, you can also learn more about what the American Heritage Education Foundation is and is about. If you'd like to read what other TOS Crew members have to say, click here.
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