Decoding the Past
Inquiry-Based Lessons in U.S. History Volume 1
2nd Edition
Will be published approx. on 19. June 2026
250 pages
E-Book
978-1-040-58382-1 (ISBN)
Description
Inquiry-Based Lessons in U.S. History: Decoding the Past Volume 1 provides engaging, adaptable primary source lessons that focus on teaching U.S. history through inquiry to middle school students.
Covering key chronological periods from the Age of Exploration to Reconstruction, Volume I aligns with the scope and sequence of major social studies textbooks and is linked to the National Council for History in the Schools (NCHS) U.S. History Content Standards. Each chapter provides a short historical background and three inquiry-based lesson plans that feature a question and primary source evidence. Students will analyze sources including photographs, speeches, political cartoons, maps, paintings, letters, and diary entries to answer the lesson question.
This updated edition features new lessons, new primary sources, new activities, and strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into the classroom to enhance student engagement and understanding. Additional "Ready for Monday" lesson resources are available for download on resourcecentre. https://routledge.com/books/9781041045458.
This book is a must-have for middle school teachers, curriculum developers, and homeschool educators seeking ready-to-use lessons that can be seamlessly incorporated into curricula to inspire a deeper connection to U.S. history in grades 5-8. These lessons are easily adaptable for high school students as well.
Covering key chronological periods from the Age of Exploration to Reconstruction, Volume I aligns with the scope and sequence of major social studies textbooks and is linked to the National Council for History in the Schools (NCHS) U.S. History Content Standards. Each chapter provides a short historical background and three inquiry-based lesson plans that feature a question and primary source evidence. Students will analyze sources including photographs, speeches, political cartoons, maps, paintings, letters, and diary entries to answer the lesson question.
This updated edition features new lessons, new primary sources, new activities, and strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into the classroom to enhance student engagement and understanding. Additional "Ready for Monday" lesson resources are available for download on resourcecentre. https://routledge.com/books/9781041045458.
This book is a must-have for middle school teachers, curriculum developers, and homeschool educators seeking ready-to-use lessons that can be seamlessly incorporated into curricula to inspire a deeper connection to U.S. history in grades 5-8. These lessons are easily adaptable for high school students as well.
More details
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
10 Tables, black and white
ISBN-13
978-1-040-58382-1 (9781040583821)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 06/2026
2nd Edition
Routledge
€191.50
Not yet published
Book
approx. 06/2026
2nd Edition
Routledge
€57.16
Not yet published
Persons
Jana Kirchner, Ph.D., is an educator with over 30 years of experience. She has served as a school district instructional supervisor, an assistant professor at Western Kentucky University, a social studies consultant, and a high school social studies and English teacher. She provides professional development on social studies strategies and inquiry with JK Consulting (janakirchner.com).
Andrew McMichael, Ph.D., serves as the Executive Vice President and Dean of the University, and a Professor of History, at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. Prior to that, he served as Dean of the College of Liberal
Arts and Social Sciences at Auburn University at Montgomery. He earned his Ph.D. in American History from Vanderbilt University, and has taught high school and gained teaching experience in kindergarten, 3rd, and 5th-grade classrooms. His current work focuses on pedagogical collaborations, and a focus on the history and culture of food and alcohol. Andrew co-authored Inquiry-Based Lessons in U.S. History: Decoding the Past and Inquiry-Based Lessons in World History (vols. 1 & 2). He is also the author of books and articles on Thomas Jefferson, the Florida-Louisiana frontier, and the history of alcohol.
Andrew McMichael, Ph.D., serves as the Executive Vice President and Dean of the University, and a Professor of History, at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. Prior to that, he served as Dean of the College of Liberal
Arts and Social Sciences at Auburn University at Montgomery. He earned his Ph.D. in American History from Vanderbilt University, and has taught high school and gained teaching experience in kindergarten, 3rd, and 5th-grade classrooms. His current work focuses on pedagogical collaborations, and a focus on the history and culture of food and alcohol. Andrew co-authored Inquiry-Based Lessons in U.S. History: Decoding the Past and Inquiry-Based Lessons in World History (vols. 1 & 2). He is also the author of books and articles on Thomas Jefferson, the Florida-Louisiana frontier, and the history of alcohol.
Content
1. Introduction 2. Life Before 1600: Collision of Cultures 3. Settling In: 1607 - 1650 4. Colonial Development: 1650 - 1750 5. Everyday Life in the Colonies: 17th - 18th century 6. Path to Independence: 1750 - 1783 7. Forging a New Government: 1775 - 1815 8. Visions of the New Nation: 1783 - 1800 9. Westward Expansion: 1803 - 1850 10. Sectionalism and the Civil War: 1850 - 1865 11. Reconstruction: 1865 - 1877
