This study is intended as a three-year course for American students at Level 1 or 2.
The course uses a substantial narrative history book by H.E. Marshall as the key text, together with supplementary Catholic history material. If this is all you manage to read, your child will still have a good grounding in the history of The United States, although ideally you should also try to read at least one of the recommended reading books each term. For those who enjoy history and have time to include more, we have included suggestions for further reading arranged by period and level.
Key Texts
* This Country of Ours by H.E.Marshall
(see also: Teachers’ notes for This Country of Ours and Study Guide for This Country of Ours)
*The Catholic Faith Comes to the Americas by Illeen Reninger.
Note: Younger Children
Good historical fiction is rarely written for young children and most of the recommended reading is more suitable for older children (age 8+). If you are using this course with a 6 or 7 year old you may prefer to skip the recommended reading books, and choose from the optional books for Level 1 instead.
See further reading for list of books arranged by period and level.
YEAR One
Term 1: (Explorers and Pioneers)
This Country of Ours Ch.1 to 12
The Catholic Faith Comes to the Americas (3 lessons)
Ch.1 – St.Brendan
Ch.2 – The Discovery of the Americas
Ch.3 – Converting Mexico
Recommended Reading: Columbus by Ingri and Edgar d’Aulaire
Term 2 (Stories of Virginia)
This Country of Ours, Ch.13 to 21
The Catholic Faith Comes to the Americas (4 lessons)
Ch.4 – Converting South America
(4 sections: Early Spanish Explorers; St. Peter Claver; St. Martin de Porres; St. Rose of Lima)
Recommended Reading: Pocahontas by Ingri and Edgar d’Aulaire
Term 3 (Stories of New England)
This Country of Ours, Ch.22 to 34
Recommended Reading: Who’s That Stepping on Plymouth Rock? by Jean Fritz
YEAR Two
Term 1 (Stories of the Middle and Southern Colonies)
This Country of Ours, Ch.35 to 44
The Catholic Faith Comes to the Americas (4 lessons)
Ch.7 – English in America
Ch.8 – Exploring the Southwest and California
(3 sections: Fr. Francisco Kino; Fr. Antonio Margil; Bl. Junipero Serra)
Term 2 (Stories of the French in America; The Struggle for Liberty)
This Country of Ours, Ch.45 to 53
The Catholic Faith Comes to the Americas (3 lessons)
Ch.5 – The French Contribution
Ch.6 – Exploring the Mississippi (2 sections: Marquette and Joliet; Rene de La Salle)
Recommended Reading: Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Term 3 (Stories of the Struggle for Liberty)
This Country of Ours, Ch.54 to 63
The Catholic Faith Comes to the Americas (6 lessons)
Ch.9 – The Carrolls in the War for Independence
(3 sections: Charles Carroll / Daniel Carroll / John Carroll)
Ch.10 – Catholics in the War for Independence
(3 sections: John Barry; Francisco Vigo; Other Volunteers)
Recommended Reading: George Washington by Ingri and Edgar d’Aulaire
YEAR 3
Term 1 (Stories of the US Under the Constitution)
This Country of Ours, Ch.64 to 75
The Catholic Faith Comes to the Americas (5 lessons)
Ch.11 – The Catholic Church Growing in the United States
(2 sections: Demetrius Gallitzen; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton)
Ch.12 – Three Bishops in a Young Church
(3 sections: Benedict Flaget; Simon Brute; James Bayley)
Recommended Reading: Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates
Term 2 (Gold Rush; Civil War)
This Country of Ours Ch.76 to 87
The Catholic Faith Comes to the Americas (6 lessons)
Ch.13 – Friends of the Indians (2 sections: Rose Philippe Duchesne; Peter de Smet)
Ch.14 – Oregon Territory
Ch.15 – Father of the Catholic Schools
Ch.16 – Sisters in the Civil War and After (2 sections: Nursing Sisters; Sister Blandina)
Recommended Reading: By the Great Horn Spoon by Sid Fleischman
Term 3 (Civil War to World War I)
This Country of Ours Ch.88 to 99
The Catholic Faith Comes to the Americas (4 lessons)
Ch.17 – Forgotten People (2 sections: St.Frances Xavier Cabrini; St.Katherine Drexel)
Ch.18 – Irish Christian Brothers Come to America (2 sections: Br. Edmund Rice; Br. Ignatius Doorley)
