Exploring America is a one-year curriculum that combines civics, government, and literature for high school students. You can use it in 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, or 12th grade.
Watch this video walkthrough with author Ray Notgrass to see how it works.
Exploring America is divided into 30 units with five lessons each. You can complete the curriculum in one year by doing one lesson per day for 150 days during your school year. The lessons guide your student chronologically through the history of the United States, highlighting key events, people, and places. Your student can read the daily lessons and follow the instructions independently. You as the parent can be involved as much or as little as you desire.
Exploring America presents history from the perspective of faith in God and respect for His Word. Each unit includes a Bible study highlighting spiritual issues related to history. It is comprehensive, giving students a survey of events and issues from European exploration to the war on terror, with extensive coverage of the 20th century.
If you use the course as written, your student can earn one year of credit in three high school subjects: American History, English, and Bible. However, the course is flexible, so you can adjust the assignments as needed to fit your student's schedule and needs.
- The American History credit involves reading the lessons and the original documents and speeches, and answering the questions in the optional Student Review Pack if desired.
- The English credit involves completing several writing assignments, including one research paper; reading the poems and short stories in American Voices; and reading the assigned literature.
- The Bible credit involves reading the Bible lessons, completing the Bible assignments at the end of many lessons, and reading the hymns and other religious literature in American Voices.
We recommend twelve works of literature that complement the lessons in Exploring America. These books are not essential for understanding the lessons, but each one adds a valuable perspective on a different time period. All of the books are in print and available for purchase individually or as a package.
Reading the literature is part of earning the English credit. If your student has already read one of the assigned books, or you want to choose a different book for any reason, you can substitute a different book.
Part 1
- Units 2-3: The Scarlet Letter (Nathaniel Hawthorne)
- Units 6-7: Narrative of the Life of David Crockett (David Crockett)
- Unit 8: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (Frederick Douglass)
- Units 9-11: Uncle Tom's Cabin (Harriet Beecher Stowe)
- Units 12-13: Co. Aytch (Sam Watkins)
- Unit 15: Humorous Stories and Sketches (Mark Twain)
Part 2
- Units 16-17: In His Steps (Charles Sheldon)
- Unit 18: Up From Slavery (Booker T. Washington)
- Unit 19: Mama's Bank Account (Kathryn Forbes)
- Units 20-21: Miracle in the Hills (Mary T. Martin Sloop and LeGette Blythe)
- Units 22-23: To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
- Unit 27: The Giver (Lois Lowry)
If you already have the curriculum, our Quick Start Guide will launch you to success in using the literature, suggested supplements, and bonus downloads.