Do you love history? If not, you may have been taught history by memorizing dates and facts in a way that was boring. History is not boring! We do our kids an injustice when we teach it in a boring way. History is exciting, scary, funny, and bizarre. And it is important. It teaches us where we come from and where we are likely to be going. It allows us to learn not only from our mistakes but also from the mistakes of others. It inspires us as we learn about ordinary men, women, and children who do great things, often in difficult circumstances against great odds. And it lets us know that we are not alone, that others have succeeded in similar circumstances.

In this 30-week, 1-1/2 hour class we will explore American history.  We will be interspersing Nathan Hale’s graphic novels ``Hazardous Tales.”  These books are interesting portrayals of history in the United States.  They engage the student and help them connect with characters that would have been alive during that time.  We will study how the US was discovered, Revolutionary War, Civil War, the Westward expansion, the World Wars, The Underground Railroad, the Alamo, and more. There will be a lecture component that will cover more in-depth historical timelines, videos to assist with memorization and comprehension, oral and/or written reports, worksheets, reading, etc.

Students are given opportunities to develop their creative writing and presentation skills throughout the year and are given the opportunity to learn note-taking skills through fill-in-the-blank history sheets for different lessons. This can be used as a graded course, as it will have homework and they will be graded and tracked in Schoology

Required text: Hazardous Tales by Nathan Hale: One Dead Spy, Big Bad Ironclad!, Donner Dinner Party, Treaties, Trenches, Mud and Blood, The Underground Abductor, All-Star Alamo (you can purchase these books or rent them from your public library, I will let you know which ones specifically will be needed, and when, so that you can get them for your student as needed)

Class Homework requirements: Students will have reading outside of class to complete the Hazardous Tales books.  Quizzes are taken on the Schoology platform and in person. Reports are assigned a few times a year. Homework will consist of 1-2 hours a week.

Tuesday

Time:  10:45-12:15
Grades: 4-6
Class Fee: $375
Supply Fee: $60
Tutor: Michelle Scheri