Time Periods
Time Line of the Literature Guides
These literature guides work exceptionally well alongside your existing history curriculum. Using these guides for your literature and reading program will enhance the history learning experience. Our family preferred Time Travelers History by Homeschool in the Woods. However, any history program that includes the time periods below would be excellent.
1764: – Kaya— – Nez Perce Indians (Unit 1)
Although this particular unit pertains to a time in our history that is prior to the exploration of the Pacific Northwest and an establishment of a real organized government, the study of the Pacific Northwest and the Nez Perce Indians is still a rich part of the history of North America. This study could lead into later in history with a study of Chief Joseph and his meeting of Lewis and Clark, – although this didn’t happen until later into the 1800’s. It could also be used ats a starting point to an American Indian unit through the 1800’s, including the Trail of Tears and many other important events and battles. This unit was a favorite with my boys. Craft and field trip ideas from the time period are included in the unit to help enhance the study.
1774: – Felicity— – The American Revolution (Unit 2)
This time in history is filled with so much information you could easily spend months on it. Choose what works for you, the ages of your children, and what your curriculum includes. You can always come back to the time in history again, when your children are older and go deeper. Some things to consider including during this unit study is are The French and Indian War (this is not a war between the French and Indians), causes leading up to the American Revolution, George Washington, Paul Revere, Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, Continental Congress, women of the war, etc. Craft and field trip ideas from the time period are included in the unit to help enhance the study.
1812: Caroline – The War of 1812 (Unit 9)
This is a fantastic unit, filled with information about a war often forgotten and misunderstood. This was an important time in history for Americans, Canadians and the British. This is a great unit for character development and discussion. This unit will be enjoyed by both boys and girls, as the curriculum utilizes ship building, knot making and many other fun and educational activities. Field trips include, museums, sailing, fishing and more. Biography opportunities include James Madison, Francis Scott Key and Laura Secord.
(Although this unit is dated 1812, it is the 9th unit in the Girls of American History series, as it was not part of the original historical American Girl book series.)
1824: – Josefina— –Southwest America (Unit 3)
This unit works well for studying the early 19th century, the southwestern states, the Alamo, Pueblo Indians, the Mexican American War, and so much more. The early 19th century really covers so much more than the southwestern states. Many inventions took place as well as, the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Louisiana Purchase. This unit was a favorite with my boys. Craft and field trip ideas from the time period are included in the unit to help enhance the study.
1853: Marie-Grace and Cecile – New Orleans in the 1850’s (Unit 10)
This is a unique unit that really encourages children to think about others, serve and help in their community and appreciate the arts. New Orleans is a city rich with history unlike any other in the United States. Giving, serving and thinking about others and ways to help are things that help build long lasting positive character traits. The crafts in this unit lean more toward girls.
1854: – Kirsten— – Pioneer Times in America (Unit 4)
This is a great unit to use during your study of the Oregon Trail, Immigration, the Gold Rush, Midwest America, and more. You can easily stretch your early 19th century study across both Josefina and Kirsten (which is what we did). Craft and field trip ideas from the time period are included in the unit to help enhance the study.
1864: – Addy— – The Civil War (Unit 5)
This was a fantastic unit, probably one of my favorites. This unit works well alongside a study of the Civil War, slavery, Harriet Tubman, Abe Lincoln, the Underground Railroad, emancipation, and more. You could use this as a starting point and continue on with a study of the Civil Rights movement, equality, Martin Luther King Jr., and more. There are many craft and field trip ideas from this time period included in the unit to help enhance the study.
1904: – Samantha— – Turn of the 20th Century in America (Unit 6)
This unit helps to understandcovers child labor, orphan trains, women’s suffrage, and more. Some things to consider including in this study would be the transcontinental railroad, tThe Gilded Age, the Iindustrial Rrevolution, inventions, innovators, Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers, Susan B. Anthony, and more. Craft and field trip ideas from the time period are included in the unit to help enhance the study.
1914: Rebecca – New York Life in 1914 (Unit 11)
This unit is an excellent look into the life of an immigrant – the transition into adjusting to life in America, work conditions and school. This unit is from the perspective of a young Jewish girl, yet does not impose one belief over another. Many Jewish citizens made significant contributions to the United States. This is an excellent opportunity to discover those contributions and study those citizens. This was an exciting time in history. People were hard workers and busy much of the time making a way for themselves. Movies were beginning to be quite popular, as were amusement parks. Biography and research opportunities include Babe Ruth, Charlie Chaplin, Tsar Nicholas II, Pearl White, Theda Bara, Mary Pickford, early movie making, labor unions, immigration and more. Craft and field trip ideas from the time period are included in the unit to help enhance the study.
1934: – Kit— – The Great Depression (Unit 7)
This time in history helps teach us so much about values and morals. Some things to consider including would be the crash of the stock market, the Dust Bowl, living during the depression, Amelia Earhart, Eleanor Roosevelt, and more. Craft and field trip ideas from the time period are included in the unit to help enhance the study.
1944: – Molly— – World War II (Unit 8)
This is a time in history that is filled with information. During this time period you might consider including some background of WWI, countries involved in both WWI and WWII, the Nazi Regime, Anne Frank, the occupations of Germans, Italians, and Japanese, the Holocaust, and more. Craft and field trip ideas from the time period are included in the unit to help enhance the study.
1954: Maryellen – Life in the USA During the 1950’s (Unit 13)
During this time in history, the USA was doing well, recovering from wars and enjoying a flourishing economy. During this unit, you might consider including some information on the end of WWII, the Cold War, the Iron Curtain, Polio Vaccine discovery, Sputnik and the case of Brown vs the Board of Education. Craft and field trip ideas from the time period are included in the unit to help enhance the study.
1964: Melody – Life in the USA During the 1960’s (Unit 14)
This unit is packed full of field trip options, biography study options, as well as gardening and plant identification study options. This unit has less craft ideas, but many opportunities for learning more about Civil Rights, Black History, Martin Luther King Jr., Motown Music, and more. Life during this time in history was tense – we see this in the story of Melody. However, we also see character traits of courage, perseverance, justice and more. Craft and field trip ideas from the time period are included in the unit to help enhance the study.
1974: Julie – Growing up in the USA in 1974 (Unit 12)
A fun unit filled with many activities and field trips. This is a very full unit with several options to include language arts, science and math. During this unit you might consider studying environmental issues, equal rights, President Ford and President Nixon, Watergate, Title Nine, the Vietnam War and more.