Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
9 LessonsThe text is divided into chronological units. Each unit is divided into chapters that contain components critical to understanding each time period. Each component includes review and stimulus-based (primary and secondary source) multiple-choice questions. In addition, each unit has a summative essay activity. The components included in each chapter are as follows:
Inquiry Organizer
Inside the Inquiry Organizer, students will find the learning objectives for the unit and chapter, as well as any resources needed to complete assignments.
Chapter Introductory Essay
Each chapter has an introductory essay which gives an in-depth overview of significant events in a particular time period. This essay is in narrative form which helps students understand the human experience through story and assists in placing important turning points and events during that time period.
Narratives
Throughout the chapter, shorter narrative stories further an understanding of history as the connection of people and events in a timeline affected by experiences.
Decision Points
These decision points are pulled out for students to study more closely as narratives that fit into the bigger stories they’ve been reading about. Each decision point is an excellent way to help students understand actions, consequences, and a chain of events.
Point-Counterpoints
Here students will find differing sides of an argument presented by scholars. Practicing debate or written argument is an excellent way for students to prepare for AP tests and to develop their own belief systems.
Primary Sources
Look no further to fill out your curriculum with primary sources for students to study. Here students will be able to easily click on primary sources to use for building out background or facts for an argument.
Lessons
Instructions and handouts can be found in each of the lessons. They are designed to engage students and get them to understand the context of events and people in history, as well as develop their own knowledge base.
Unit Essay Activity
Each unit has a culminating activity designed to assess chapter objectives. These are perfectly aligned to students on an AP track, but may also be very useful for differentiation in a college prep high school history course.
9 Lessons
LessonUnit 2 Essay Activity
This lesson should be used at the conclusion of Unit 2.
LessonUnit 3 Essay Activity
Use this lesson at the conclusion of Unit 3.
LessonUnit 4 Essay Activity
Use this lesson at the end of the unit.
LessonUnit 5 Essay Activity
This lesson should be used as the conclusion of the unit.
LessonUnit 6 Essay Activity
Use this lesson as the conclusion of the unit.
LessonUnit 7 Essay Activity
Use this lesson as the conclusion of the unit.
LessonUnit 8 Essay Activity
Use this lesson as a conclusion to the unit.
LessonAbigail Adams: “Remember the Ladies” Mini DBQ
Use this lesson with the Mercy Otis Warren Narrative and the Judith Sargent Murray Primary Source "On the Equality of the Sexes" to allow students to discuss gender roles and expectations in the founding period.
LessonActions of the First Congress
Students should have a solid foundation of the regional differences in the former colonies, now states, as well as an understanding of the ratification of the Constitution. This Lesson is best used after students have read The Constitutional Convention and The Ratification Debate on the Constitution Narratives in Chapter 3. The James Madison and the Bill of Rights Narrative in Chapter 4 can be used as background for the Lesson or can be assigned as homework after the Lesson to reinforce main ideas.