Books in A Look at US History series

James Meredith's 1966 march in Mississippi began as one man's peaceful protest for voter registration and became one of the South's most important demonstrations of the civil rights movement. It brought together leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Stokely Carmichael, who formed an unlikely alliance that resulted in the Black Power movement, which ushered in a new era in the fight for equality. The retelling of Meredith's story opens on the day of his assassination attempt and goes back in time to recount the moments leading up to that event and its aftermath. Readers learn about the powerful figures and emerging leaders who joined the over 200-mile walk that became known as the "March Against Fear." Thoughtfully presented by award-winning author Ann Bausum, this book helps readers understand the complex issues of fear, injustice, and the challenges of change. It is a history lesson that's as important and relevant today as it was 50 years ago.

Not only did the Declaration of Independence help set US history in motion, the document was influential to other revolutions around the world. Therefore, its crucial to understand the meaning of the Declaration of Independence in order to continue exploring the social studies curriculum. Readers are presented with the most important aspects of the document, including why it was written, the writing process, and its impact on American independence. Written in clear, simple language, this volume will be useful in test review or as an introduction to the history of the Declaration of Independence.

From the formal beginning of the women's suffrage movement in the United States to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, the journey to women's right to vote is endlessly fascinating. Leaders such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Alice Paul are part of this volume, which covers important curriculum points, including the Seneca Falls Convention and its Declaration of Sentiments. The main text succinctly introduces important events and groups as well as provides historical context outside of the suffrage movement. A concluding timeline aids readers in need of further review.

In 1915, the United States experienced the 9/11 of its time. A German torpedo sank the Lusitania killing nearly 2,000 innocent passengers. The ensuing hysteria helped draw the United States into World War I—the bitter, brutal conflict that became known as the Great War and the War to End All Wars. But as U.S. troops fought to make the world safe for democracy abroad, our own government eroded freedoms at home, especially for German-Americans. Free speech was no longer an operating principle of American democracy. Award-winning author Ann Bausum asks, just where do Americans draw the line of justice in times of war?Drawing thought-provoking parallels with President Wilson’s government and other wartime administrations, from FDR to George W. Bush, Bausum’s analysis has plenty of history lessons for the world today. Her exhaustive research turns up astonishing first-person stories and rare images, and the full-color design is fresh and stunning. The result is a gripping book that is well-positioned for the run-up to the World War I centennial.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Not only did the Declaration of Independence help set US history in motion, the document was influential to other revolutions around the world. Therefore, its crucial to understand the meaning of the Declaration of Independence in order to continue exploring the social studies curriculum. Readers are presented with the most important aspects of the document, including why it was written, the writing process, and its impact on American independence. Written in clear, simple language, this volume will be useful in test review or as an introduction to the history of the Declaration of Independence.

The highest law in the United States isnt written in modern English. Yet students are expected to know and understand much of what it says, as well as facts about how and why it was written. Readers are presented with the most important points of the history of the Constitution and its contents in this book. The main content gives simple explanations of important social studies curriculum topics, from the compromises needed to write the Constitution to the Bill of Rights. Fact boxes, a concluding timeline, and historical images offer readers even more detail needed for a full overview of the document.

The teaching guides developed for Middle/High schools were created to support 8th grade American history content standards and learning frameworks. They present concise menus of ideas for teachers working with developing critical thinkers. Where the Elementary level teaching guides focus on comprehension, the Middle/High School level teaching guides emphasize critical thinking and drawing connections. The core of each chapter lesson is a Connect-Understand-Check Understanding format, with activities for prereading, comprehension and extension. In addition, each lesson presents activity suggestions for linking disciplines, further research, nonfiction reading, geography skills and differentiated instruction. Groups of chapters are contextualized by Part activities, which include setting context for reading, written assessment prompts, debate suggestions, ethics discussion prompts, projects, and activities. Also, each Part contains a cooperative learning activity developed for A History of US by Johns Hopkins University's Center for Social Organization of Schools. Reproducible assessments, worksheets graphic organizers and rubrics are found at back.

Trace 500 years of American history in this fascinating family reference—now updated to include the most significant developments of our time. You’ll pore over landmark events, intriguing facts, and compelling biographies. Period art and photography bring past events to life. Maps detail the course of wars, migration, and expansion. Illustrated time lines present history at a glance.Fun to read and easy to use—whether for homework, casual browsing, or in-depth exploration—this book is a supremely inviting guide to American history.

The teaching guides developed for Elementary schools were created to support 5th grade American history content standards and learning frameworks. They present lesson ideas for each chapter and also groups of chapters called Parts. Part activities help to set context for reading and present overview concepts for the chapters, as well as introduce timeline and map concepts to help frame understanding. Part summaries include project and activity ideas. Chapter lessons are presented in an Ask-Discuss-Write format and focus heavily on nonfiction literacy skill and reading comprehension concepts. In addition, each Chapter lesson includes additional activities to reinforce reading skills, vocabulary retention and differentiated instruction. Reproducible assessments, worksheets graphic organizers and rubrics are found at back.About the Series:Master storyteller Joy Hakim has excited millions of young minds with the great drama of American history in her award-winning series A History of US. Recommended by the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy as an exemplary informational text, A History of US weaves together exciting stories that bring American history to life. Hailed by reviewers, historians, educators, and parents for its exciting, thought-provoking narrative, the books have been recognized as a break-through tool in teaching history and critical reading skills to young people. In ten books that span from Prehistory to the 21st century, young people will never think of American history as boring again.

The true story behind the acclaimed movie 12 Years a Slave, this book is based on the life of Solomon Northup, a free black man from New York who was captured in the United States and sold into slavery in Louisiana. Solomon Northup awoke in the middle of the night with his body trembling. Slowly, he realized that he was handcuffed in a dark room and his feet were chained to the floor. He managed to slip his hand into his pocket to look for his free papers that proved he was one of 400,000 free blacks in a nation where 2.5 million other African Americans were slaves. They were gone. This remarkable story follows Northup through his 12 years of bondage as a man kidnapped into slavery, enduring the hardships of slave life in Louisiana. But the tale also has a remarkable ending. Northup is rescued from his master's cotton plantation in the deep South by friends in New York. This is a compelling tale that looks into a little known slice of history, sure to rivet young readers and adults alike.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.