Free Homeschooling History Curriculum – really!

Some of you know that I am a member of the Old Schoolhouse “Crew” (a homeschool product review team). We were recently sent a CD of an American History Curriculum product called “America’s Heritage” that is available to anyone for the asking- FREE.

We were asked to examine and use it and then to post our opinions of it so that you could decide if it was a resource that might work for your family.

 Right now, I am teaching 5^th, 7^th and 9^th grades. Although the CD I received contains all lessons for all the grade levels, I chose to try the High School Level of the American Heritage Foundation’s product since I am using All American History (see my previous review) with my 5^th and 8^th graders.

 “America’s Heritage: An Adventure in Liberty” is targeted for students in grades 9-12 and it provides good information on some of the aspects of our country that other texts may leave behind. This curriculum tackles some tough issues that we are dealing with today, such as the right to freedom of religious expression, particularly in the public schools. It addresses the free enterprise system and some of the heroes of that system, entrepreneurs who had a profound influence on the culture and prosperity of our Nation.

 Here is an excerpt I really liked from the forward of the Curriculum for 9-12^th Grades:

“The Miracle of America: A Revolutionary Idea

In only a little more than 200 years, our ancestors transformed this country from a wilderness into a great nation. This nation demonstrates what can be accomplished by free people who create a government limited to serving the people rather than being their master. The moral and ethical basis of good conduct was derived from the faith that built America. That faith grew from the common belief that each individual is endowed with basic rights and responsibilities by our Creator. That is the foundation of our democratic republic expressed in the Declaration of Independence.”

As I mentioned, the America’s Heritage Curriculum is available free (they can accept donations at their site) from the American Heritage Foundation. It has been valued at around $150.00. The program was developed for grades K-12, as a way to promote good citizenship, and good stewardship of our freedoms. The American Heritage Foundation seeks to do this by educating students about our country’s history.

It seems to be geared towards a classroom setting, but it contains some great kernels of information that both public school students and those that learn at home can benefit from. My daughter and I both loved that the curriculum included the wording of some of our original documents, such as the Mayflower Compact and the Bill of Rights. It did a good job of trying to relate the rights and responsibilities we have today and those original writings which have so clearly enumerated those rights for us throughout our History.

 The High School Curriculum focuses on pointing the student towards the foundations of the freedoms that we have to day. It includes specific Lesson Plans, Templates and soundly teaches students about how our past faith relates to our present freedoms.

 In my opinion, the lessons are a bit dry, but they can really be spiced up by using this along with some living books and the internet. Overall this could be used as a good framework around which you and your student can hang some additional discussions and research.

Did I mention that the American Heritage Education Foundation’s High School American History Program is FREE? You can also request a CD to be sent to you, (also free). If you would prefer to have everything already printed out, this excellent resource is available in a printed our binder format for only $19.50.

It is simple to pay that online: http://americanheritage.org/online_pay.html, or you may mail them a check.

If you just want the free stuff (and there is some good stuff in there) you can download the pdf files or request a CD Here: http://www.americanheritage.org/

There is some helpful information here and the price is right !

Celebrate American Heritage Month in November!

“American Heritage Month gives us all an opportunity to reflect on our roots as Americans from a fresh perspective. It is a time to remember that we Americans have brought with us many different heritages, but we have joined together in this country as one people.

The Declaration of Independence sets forth our fundamental values, and the Constitution serves to protect those values. Our schools, teachers, students, and other citizens help preserve and strengthen the miracle that is America. As Thomas Jefferson said, ‘If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.’”

The American Heritage Education Foundation, Inc.

I truly am Thankful at this time of the year, for the many blessings of faith, freedom, friends and turkey!

Merit K

Posted by Anonymous

Hi Merit,

I want to join TEACH & I have the form filled out around here somewhere...can I mail it to you & if so, could you let me know your address?

Thanks! I'm definitely way behind...

Patty