America’s Story Volume 1 is a full-color student textbook from our America’s Story 1 (Set) featuring engaging narrative, beautiful historic illustrations, photographs, maps, and cultural connections. Through this curriculum, your upper elementary homeschool students will explore the ancient Americas to the great Gold Rush, the infancy of our country through the founding of our great nation, and catch glimpses of the leaders who would become known as the Founding Fathers. This is an unforgettable American history course consisting of 28 chapters and five built-in reviews, making it easy to finish in one school year.
An Unforgettable Journey Through American History!
America’s Story 1 brings American history alive for upper elementary homeschool students. Your students will never forget the stories and adventures of explorers and pioneers who saw in America the chance to live a dream of freely worshipping God, owning land, and searching for wealth and opportunities.
In America’s Story 1, an American history curriculum, your student will:
Learn about those who lived & thrived in the Americas first
Meet the Christian Viking who accidentally discovered America around 1000 A.D.
Become acquainted with the many explorers and their amazing tales of the Americas
Discover how simple words were used to powerfully shape the course of history
Follow along through the Revolutionary War and watch as the Constitution of the United States of America is drafted
Tell of the triumphs, hardships, mistakes, and victories that together formed the nation we now know
and so much more!
Exciting, Interactive Stories
O’Dell’s lively storytelling style ensures history comes alive in an exciting way! Through engaging narrative, O’Dell interacts with students and draws them in to imagine the adventures, hardships, failures, and triumphs of the incredible characters who shaped American history.
Course Includes:
America’s Story Volume 1 Student Text
America’s Story Volume 1 Teacher Guide
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Who Lived Here First?
Chapter 2: Leif Ericson, the Christian Viking
Chapter 3: Christopher Columbus and Other European Explorers
Chapter 4: Settlements, Mosquitoes, and an Indian Princess
Chapter 5: Pilgrimage to Freedom
Chapter 6: Squanto the Friendly Indian and the First Thanksgiving
Chapter 7: Life in the Colonies
Chapter 8: William Penn, a Man of Peace
Chapter 9: William Wilberforce, Abolitionist Hero
Chapter 10: Young George Washington and the Horrible War
Chapter 11: Winds of Change in the English Colonies
Chapter 12: The Power of Words.
Chapter 13: The British Are Coming!
Chapter 14: Stories of the American Revolution
Chapter 15: More Stories of the Revolution
Chapter 16: 13 Colonies Become One Nation
Chapter 17: First in the Hearts of His Countryman
Chapter 18: Looking West
Chapter 19: The Louisiana Purchase, What a Deal!
Chapter 20: The Adventures of Lewis and Clark
Chapter 21: The Strange War of 1812
Chapter 22: The Industrial Revolution Changes the World
Chapter 23: Paths of Change
Chapter 24: Heroes of the Abolition Movement
Chapter 25: The Story of the Alamo
Chapter 26: The Great Journey West — Part 1
Chapter 27: The Great Journey West — Part 2
Chapter 28: Our Place in History
Glossary
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Customer Reviews
5
We love history
Review byAriasil
Love it as a read aloud and we love the illustrations, they draw you into the book, more fun than your usual history books!
4
Some images/ special words missing
Review byDanielle
The only negative I had with the ebook was that some images were not available. We opened the documents several ways with no avail. The book would refer to an image and it would be missing so we would look it up online. There were also a couple special words that were not highlighted and could not be found in the chapter. I looked them up in the teacher's book and we found the definition in a dictionary.
5
Beautiful History
Review byJennifer
I remember the dry boring textbooks for history as a kid. Where was this? Beautiful, engaging history and lessons.
5
Wonderful and colorful
Review byApril
We have tried several history curriculums. We enjoy doing History together, family style and it has been a bit of a challenge to find something that can engage my younger daughter but has enough meat to keep my older daughter interested as well. The narrative, Charlotte Mason inspired text and accompanying activities keeps both of my daughters interest. There are great pictures and illustrations throughout. Engaging discussion questions. It is not at all dry like many history programs. We are enjoying America's Story 1, and my children are retaining what they have been learning very well. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
5
Beautiful and Engaging!
Review byTheresa
This is a fantastic curriculum: beautiful pictures, engaging story-based history, short lessons. We used it last school year, and both my kids remember this portion of history when we come across names or events in other studies and read-alouds. We went through many chapters slower than the recommended pace, to incorporate outside read-alouds, movies/YouTube, crafts, and even a couple related field trips, while others we completed as recommended.
The Student book alone makes an excellent read-aloud, but the Teacher's Guide is definitely worth it with making this a complete curriculum.
5
Interactive History Lessons
Review byAbbie
Sometimes finding age appropriate, interactive History curriculum is difficult. Sometimes we find ourselves piecing together things. Over the past 13 years in homeschooling I have used and looked at, reviewed and tested various curriculum for my kids. I poured over curriculums with lots of hands on activities and some with so much bookwork that the kids hated the subject. At one point in our homeschooling journey my oldest four declared in unison that they officially hated American History! I was shocked, what would happen if they really did begin to detest history?
Then we started our journey with Masterbooks and for the first time the kids were locked in to history. They were actually excited about their reading and their lessons, about the worksheets, the timelines, the projects. But we still did not have anything for my lower grades until the creation of My Story.
There are so many things I love about this curriculum; starting with the title "America's Story". Until a child understands that they are part of the ongoing story of the World and more importantly the history of their nation and this world they will not appreciate the fact that they influence how the story unfolds. Furthermore, owning the history of the world and the nation we are a part of helps us to be accountable to the history. It helps us also to appreciate the sacrifice and the struggles of those who came before. And most importantly children see how God was present in all of history and where man strayed from His Word or held to it.
The rich history of the United States is important for children to understand. The diversity that makes up this great nation is something to be studied. But it is also important that children gain an understanding of what this nation was founded on, what beliefs impelled our early leaders. I think that too often History is watered down to the point that God is almost completely written out of the books and children do not understand the rich spiritual history of their nation.
Like all other Masterbooks subjects this is so easily laid out that prep time is easy. Keeping track of grades and assignments can be done with ease. Parents and siblings can participate in the activities and how much fun to create food or art to better understand what you are studying.
In the end I highly recommend this History book.
5
Simple and Inclusive
Review byEmily
We've only been using America's Story for a short time but so far our family is really enjoying it! The narration is easy to understand but is packed full of information delivered in a way our 3rd grader loves. She isn't overwhelmed or memorizing facts but instead is genuinely picking up on the history being taught. The illustrations of the old maps are definitely a favorite aspect!
5
Love this History Series
Review byChristina
This is a wonderful beginning in a series of books on America's History. The touch of Charlotte Mason and the open and go has created a wonderful way to study and learn the history of America. It has a gentle yet fun and engaging approach. Colorful and interesting - it keeps the attention of both teacher and student. History should always be this fun!
5
Outstanding
Review byNikki
Simply put, this book is stunning!
The author writes in a easy to understand, conversational style that is right on par with the recommended ages for this curriculum. There are plenty of narration breaks to ensure understanding of the material. I appreciate the author taking the time to touch upon the darker parts of our history - but in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner. The stories are short and less in depth, which is perfect for an overview of American history at the elementary level. The book is full of stunning images, maps, and artwork - which I absolutely love.
As you would expect with all of Master Book's publications, the text is firmly rooted in the Word of God and promotes a Biblical worldview.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this course for elementary students. With some supplemental reading and projects, it could also easily be adapted for middle school students.
5
Amazing resource!
Review byKelly
America's Story Vol 1 is the perfect way to learn the history of our country in an informative yet natural way. Read, review, narrate, and interact together while you pick up a thing or two you probably forgot yourself! ;) My son (3rd grade) and I are loving having this as part of our homeschool day!