This class is hosted on Outschool, with availability on Mondays at 3:00pm Eastern, starting September 9.

In this homeschool-friendly discussion class, we use Jill Lepore's book, "These Truths," to examine the scope of United States history, and to delve into the question asked by founder Alexander Hamilton: [are] societies of men really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force. 

The book will not only help learners see that there have been times when the U.S. succeeded in that mission, and times that the country has faltered; it is also one of the few one-volume U.S. histories written in decades, and brings readers all the way to the 2016 election.

Classes will be discussion based and highly interactive. Students may contribute via voice or chat, but they are expected to contribute. Work outside of class each week will include reading a complete chapter from "These Truths." Students will be provided with organizing questions to go with the reading to help them prepare for class discussion. Chapters in the book are 30-40 pages long, and are densely packed with information. Students can use a printed copy, an ebook, or can use an audiobook (or any combination) to take in the information. Homework is expected to take 2-3 hours per week.

What parents and students are saying:

  - "My high schooler isn’t a history lover, but she really enjoyed this class...  The text was excellent, providing high level content, and the instructor asked substantive questions that challenged my daughter’s thinking about the early history of the United States."

  - "This class really makes me think while learning about the history of America. We had really thought provoking conversations."

I completed 70 class hours of training, under the direction of The Orton-Gillingham Academy of Practitioners and Educators in order to provide specialized instruction to my own children.

Additionally, I completed professional education units through the Georgia Educational Training Agency including the following:

• Early Literacy: Phonological / Phonemic Awareness
• Focus on Phonics: Decoding and Encoding
• Learning Disabilities that Interfere with Reading and Written Expression
• Understanding Dyslexia

I am the primary homeschooling parent to two twice-exceptional students (one who is now in college) and have experience modifying curriculum. Additionally, I have worked in-person with students with ADHD, Auditory Processing Disorder, and Autism.