Paths of Settlement
Paths of Settlement is the second step in the Trail Guide to Learning series. Learn about the settling of our nation as examined through the lives of leaders who made a difference by standing for their beliefs and making a way for us as a nation.
What does it take to build a nation?
Blazing a trail was the first step in the Paths of Exploration, building a foundation for growth and government is next. The six units in POS will take you from the tumultuous time before the Revolutionary War, all the way through the Civil War, and up to the turn of the century. Learn about the accomplishments of great Americans whose actions teach us the principles of freedom and citizenship—founding and expanding our country, strengthening us in times of war and binding us together in times of struggle.
Primary science focus involves Earth Science (geology, weather, land forms, climate) and the impact of these factors on settlement. Basic economics and international relationships are also addressed. Activities in POS such as period crafts, cooking, watercolor painting, state studies, and making a wind gauge, enhance and solidify subjects learned. While specifically designed for fourth through sixth graders, this book can easily be adapted for third and seventh graders as well. A Middle School Supplement is also available to include older students learning related content on a more challenging level.
Each unit in the book should take about six weeks to complete. The six units of the Paths of Settlement are:
- Growing Pains (includes people such as Samuel Adams, John Audubon and Paul Revere)
- Freedom Decided (includes people such as George Washington, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin)
- Nation Building (includes people such as Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson, and Francis Scott Key)
- House Divided (includes people such as Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, and Clara Barton)
- Unity Restored (Includes people such as Samuel Francis Smith, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and cowboys of the American West)
- Sea to Shining Sea (includes people such as Theodore Roosevelt, Will Rogers, and Booker T. Washington)
Click Here for a sample lesson from Paths of Settlement.
Click Here for the Paths of Settlement Table of Contents.
The necessary resources for Paths of Settlement are:
Core Resources:
- DK Pocket Weather
- DK Pocket Rocks and Minerals
- Klutz Watercolor Book
- Wee Sing CD/Book
- U.S. History Atlas
- Children’s Illustrated US Atlas
- Eat Your Way Through the USA
- Profiles from History: Volume 2
- Rock Study Kit
- U.S. Presidents Flash Cards
- U.S. PlaceMap
- Large Outline Map of the U.S.
- Mark-It Timeline of History
- USA Activity CD
Volume 1 Resources:
Courage of Sarah Noble
- Matchlock Gun
- Ambush in the Wilderness
- Abigail Adams
- The American Revolution
- Guns for General Washington
- George Washington
- The Cabin Faced West
- Justin Morgan Had a Horse
- Francis Scott Key
- The Eve of Revolution
- Drive Through History, America
Volume 2 Resources:
- Robert E. Lee
- Abraham Lincoln
- Clara Barton
- Laura Ingalls Wilder, Young Pioneer
- Janie’s Freedom
- Samuel F. Smith
- The Klondike Gold Rush
- Theodore Roosevelt
- Yankee Blue or Rebel Grey
- Good Ol’ Cowboy Stories
Optional Support Materials:
Middle School Supplement
A Middle School Supplement is available to provide guidance for older students who are using the learning series. Content follows along with the sourcebook but at a higher, more challenging level. Including higher level literature books, writing assignments, activities, and thinking skill points. Connect all your students to the same time period, and type of learning with the Trail Guide to Learning series Middle School Supplement. Available in digital format.
Click Here for sample pages from the Paths of Settlement Middle School Supplement.
Pre-printed Student Notebook Pages
Printing the student notebook pages from the Student Resources CD-ROM included in Paths of Settlement is easy enough, but many folks requested we have them already printed and ready-to-use. The pages are all conveniently three-hole punched for placing in a 3-ring binder and are printed on high quality 60lb paper.
Click Here for sample pages from the Paths of Settlement Student Notebook Pages.
Assessment CD-ROM
Does your state require testing? Do you want to be able to assess your student's progress while teaching from the Trail Guide to Learning series? This assessment CD-ROM is just the ticket.
Coupled with the daily observations and interactive discussions and games that are a natural part of the Trail Guide to Learning series, this disk provides ample material upon which to base an accurate evaluation of student progress. Evaluations provided for each grade. Answer keys included.
"Wow, what an awesome CD; very comprehensive teacher keys and assessments in one organized file. I just wonder, can this series possibly be any more organized??? Thank you!"
– Sarah from Charlottesville, VA
Click Here for sample pages from the Paths of Settlement Assessments.
Light for the Trail CD-ROM
Optional Bible study curriculum that coincides with the 6 units in Paths of Settlement. Easy-to-use guide provides daily assignments and helps students make the most important connection of all, the one between their faith and their view of the world around them.
Click Here for sample pages from the Light for the Trail—Paths of Settlement.
Lapbooks
Lapbooks provide interactive, hands-on connections. Their biggest benefit is that you dramatically increase your student’s ability to retain learning. Great for all ages, using the lapbooks makes it even easier to teach your younger students. Each unit has a separate lapbook with multiple activities for learning fun. These are available as digital downloads (eBook), printed and ready to use, or on CD for you to print. For your convenience, file folders are already included in the printed versions!
Game Cards
These fascinating, yet familiar, games are used to review material learned in Paths of Settlment and are assigned throughout the curriculum when appropriate. They are also great for family fun or as a compliment to any study of the topics they cover.
Although the games are included in the appendix and CD-ROM of the curriculum this set of games, printed on card stock, makes it even more convenient for you.
