As we’ve plowed through dozens of history curriculum options in search of an optimal scope and sequence for elementary through high school (which complements the Mission Great Commission program), I never even imagined that we would find something like this. (In fact, I never even considered having our high school students develop a history portfolio!) But then we came across….
- a story-driven history curriculum that expounds upon the Christian roots of our nation, following an overarching theme of redemption throughout its history
- a course that provides a springboard for deep discussions with an upfront explanation of the Socratic method of asking questions (for both students and parents)
- a class that teaches and emphasizes how to take notes during lectures and how to build a portfolio that, at completion, may be used as a history textbook for younger children to read
Can you believe that an affordable middle/high school course like this actually exists?!?
We’ve been blown away by Dave Raymond’s American History! Our history-loving high schooler usually finds it difficult to find a curriculum in which he doesn’t already know the majority of the material, but every single lesson in this curriculum has provided a new perspective to ponder. As Dave Raymond unveils God’s hand through the history narrative, he presents intriguing stories from original source texts. The video-based lessons include visual references to places, portraits, artwork, and maps that better illustrate the ideas presented, and corresponding readings from the student book are taken from primary source documents. And… our son is learning how to take notes even while sitting at our kitchen table! It’s more than anything we hoped to find in a high school history course!
This history course is presented from a distinctly Christian worldview as it examines American history as an extension of Christendom – a tale of sinners and redemption as the gospel moved westward. It examines basic principles and motives for individuals and people groups, how culture has changed, and how ideas impact the way people live. In so doing, the curriculum is aimed at learning the wisdom from the past in order to apply it to the student’s life – and all of it has the underlying theme of seeking out what God has done to reveal Himself to humanity. Because it doesn’t shy away from the Christian principles that founded our nation, it provides a much more thorough study of early American history.
Every week, our son is assigned a portfolio assignment in which he graphically displays major principles and topics related to each lesson. (This portfolio is essentially a scrapbook or visual textbook of the course.) The first lesson explores why we should even study history in the first place…
… and then the course dives into the history of America before Columbus. As we started this study, we were enthralled with the detail provided for the much lesser-known events and peoples of the Americas, including Mesoamerican civilizations and pre-Columbian explorers. To add to the integration of biblical themes, references to the biblical timeline are incorporated seamlessly into the discussion:
The Olmecs likely “settled down in Mexico around the days of Gideon or Samson.” (And they were there until about the days of Plato.)
Because the portfolio is a student’s personal application and retelling of the lesson, it presents an opportunity for students to use their talents, skills, and interests as they visually record what they’ve learned. This also grants an opportunity for the student to learn computer graphics, fonts, and other digital formats for representing his work.
In addition to a history portfolio, the student must also complete four major projects over the course of the year:
- A colonial map, in which students replicate a map from colonial times, adding as much of the original detail as possible
- A costumed speech, in which the student memorizes a speech from America’s founding period and creates a costume in which s/he presents the speech
- A research/thesis paper of 3-10 pages, in which the student researches and writes on an American history topic of his choice
- An hour project in which the student spends a designated number of hours (30 to 40) to choose, plan, and execute a single project in a medium of his/her choice.
(The above two photos are the map project our oldest completed in 11th grade and our second oldest completed in 9th grade.)
We enjoy the flexibility within the framework of the projects in Dave Raymond’s History courses. For example, a student who enjoys drawing and/or cartography may choose a more challenging map than one who struggles with those skills. Our oldest son (in 11th grade) chose to replicate the map “The Fourth Part of the World: A New and Most Exact Description of America” by Diego Gutierrez and Hieronymus Cock (1562). Our second oldest son (in 9th grade) replicated the map, “Americæ pars, nunc Virginia dicta: primum ab Anglis inuenta, sumtibus Dn. Walteri Raleigh (That Part of America which is Now Called Virginia…)” by John White, Theodor de Bry, and Thomas Harriot (1590).
For his costumed speech, he presented a 4-minute portion of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech at the ACE Upper Cumberland Regional Student Convention. (United Christian Academy is the co-op our children attend for choir and drama.)
This one-year history curriculum consists of 130 video lectures (approximately 15 minutes each) covering American history from Ancient Mesoamerica to the early 20th century. (The rest of 20th century American History is covered in the subsequent course, Dave Raymond’s Modernity.)
Also available are Antiquity, featuring ancient world history, and Christendom, featuring the impact of the church on Western Civilization. Dave Raymond’s History is available in physical book/DVD format, streaming format, or as a course within Compass Classroom Membership. The streaming/membership versions come with a digital copy of the Student and Teacher Books.
Need help with high school lesson planning? Check out our High School Lesson Plans: Truth Trek Series which provides lesson plans for Dave Raymond’s History courses! Lesson plans for Dave Raymond’s American History are included in our High School Lessons: Truth Trek One program, which provides plans for a full year of study in science (Biology I), U.S. history, American literature/composition, foreign language, math, and electives (Bible, health, and government).
Try it for free!
We very highly recommend this course to other families! Try sample lessons of Dave Raymond’s American History to try out and see if it’s a good fit for your family, too! And also be sure to check out other free resources from Compass Classroom!
In fact, you can test drive this course, the other history courses, and almost all of Compass Classroom’s other courses with a free one-week Compass Classroom membership! Be sure to sign up here to try out all the courses Compass Classroom offers!
You can also visit this helpful website which lays out how to plan your year using Compass Classroom.
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