Good morning, welcome to our Homeschool Resources: Social Studies. Not only that through these resources you can study Science, History and Literature.
Discovery Education Social Studies Techbook
Discovery Education Social Studies Techbook is a standards-aligned digital resource that immerses students in Historical events and breathes new life into Social Studies concepts.
Grades 9-12, with parental supervision
Discover the rich History of America through the use of literature and with help of the lessons on this website. This e-curriculum, created by Amy Kass and Leon Kass, uses classic American stories, speeches, and songs alongside of video discussions and in-depth study guides to encourage students to be active readers and promote meaningful conversation of the subject matter.
When arriving at the website, select the Curriculum link at the top of the page. Currently, there are four curricula to choose from:
- The Meaning of America – 11 sessions explore “American character and American identity in ways that will produce thoughtful and engaged citizens.”
- The American Calendar – 11 sessions explore “the purpose and meaning of our civic holidays, showing how their repeated celebration helps unite and identify us as a people and attaches us to our country.”
- Songs for Free Men and Women – 6 sessions examine “our major national songs, both to understand their words and to discover what they contribute to making attached citizens.”
- The American Muse – 1 session “examines classic American poems, both to understand their words and to explore how reading poetry can join individual and community in a unique and powerful way.”
The Meaning of America curriculum includes 45-minute videoed model conversations as well as discussion guides that encourage students to look beyond the story and to gain insight into the meaningful connection between the American and human matters.
All of the curricula provide an introduction to the subject matter and thought provoking questions for discussion of the primary resources presented.
In addition to the curriculum, check out the blog to find more teacher-created lesson plans. Select the “Library” link at the top of the page to see the complete list of short stories, speeches, study guides, discussion videos, author biographies, and primary texts available.
While this website was created for high school students, it could be adapted to be used with middle school students as well.
When students are provided with characters that they can identify with, studies take on a new life and meaning. Through the use of literature, these characters are found and students are likely to take hold of the information more readily. This website can provide a stepping-stone into the discovery of the characters of American History.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
