High School: Teaching Modern U.S. and World History

Many parents question their ability to teach their high schoolers at home, but we believe that there is no reason to fear the high school years! And we're here to help. Here's our newest high school level study. It's chock full of great literature because we also believe that just because you're teaching high school level students doesn't mean you have to start using dry, boring textbooks. The high school years provide a unique opportunity to read some of the best historical literature available! These books provide a unique lens through which to view the course of human events and provide training in writing style, critical thinking skills, geography, and much more. The books you see pictured here make up our Modern U.S. and World History study and they're books from world renowned historians, biographers, and writers. Classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird, Rifles for Watie, The Hiding Place, and The Jungle bring color to the black and white annuls of history. Tales of courage like Unbroken and Lost Names inspire character traits we seek to nurture in our children. And the study guide brings it all together with historical and author notes, lesson plans, vocabulary, mapping activities, writing assignments, websites, additional book and movie recommendations and much more. Check out these sample pages from the study guide. 

If you're curious to hear from a family who used this study, check out this review. And if you've used it, chime in in the comments and let us know what you thought. 

We hope you find this helpful. Please never hesitate to contact us with any questions. We can be reached at 800.889.1978, letters@bfbooks.com, on Facebook, and Instagram.

Product Feature: Drawing on History

One of the wonderful things about teaching history using literature is the other avenues into the arts and sciences that are opened to you and your students. Instead of history being studied in isolation, it becomes a starting point for learning about the ideas and movements of the time period. Literature is one of these avenues and another is art. We were very excited when Deborah Swanson proposed writing an art accompaniment to our Modern U.S. and World History study guide. Through Drawing on Art, An Interactive Approach to Art & World History for High School Students, you will be able to explore the literature and history of the 19th and 20th centuries as well as the art!

This time period saw more change in artistic expression than any other! You will learn about the development of Impressionism and Realism and how these were just two of many movements in the transition between Classicism and Modernism. You will be introduced to Picasso, Monet, Warhol, Cezanne, and many others as you delve through Swanson's beautifully produced work. She explains the historical and cultural movements behind the art placing it with a larger context. By doing so art becomes more than just a personal experience of taste, it becomes an expression of shared experiences, a cry for change, a rallying point, a revolution, and a story!

As an accompaniment to the Modern U.S. and World History study guide, this will follow section-by-section, making it easy to add art history to your literature and social studies. Drawing On History can also fully stand on its own! The layout of the book is user-friendly and interactive, ensuring your student is engaged and inspired. We are thrilled with Deborah's work and know that you and your students will enjoy adding this fascinating dimension to your history studies. There are also art lessons, drawing, painting and sketching assignments, color tutorials, and much more!

Additionally, this will count as a one year high school credit in fine arts! Perfect for those of you preparing transcripts for college applications!