All American History Vol. II: Lessons 5-8

“Did you know that All American History goes clear up to modern times?”

Because Kaylee has never studied U.S. history in depth beyond the Civil War, she was thrilled to find that All American History Vol. II covers our nation’s history through 2004. And as a homeschool mom, I’m excited that she is excited about history!

All American History Vol. II: Lessons 5-8

Lessons 5-8 of All American History Vol. II cover the final two years of the Civil War, the Reconstruction Period, and the assassination of President Lincoln.

Lesson 5 – Third Year of the Civil War

The fifth lesson discusses the uniforms of both Union and Confederate soldiers, the battles of the third year of the Civil War, and the Gettysburg Address.

Review worksheet

Lesson 6 – Fourth Year of the Civil War

This lesson covers the living and fighting conditions of the soldiers, the battles of the fourth year of the Civil War, and the Confederate surrender at Appomattox.

Activity page

Lesson 7 – Presidential Reconstruction

Lesson 7 presents the results of the Civil War, the beginning of Reconstruction efforts, and the assassination of President Lincoln.

Mapwork page

Lesson 8 – Congressional Reconstruction

Lesson 8 covers the Ku Klux Klan and other issues during the Reconstruction Period.

Activity sheet (Presidential summary page)

Supplemental Reading

Kaylee continues to devour books–both biographies and historical fiction–about this period in history. She has commented that reading related books helps her to feel like she already knows about the material covered in the textbook. And isn’t that what learning should be like?

When I Was a Slave: Memoirs from the Slave Narrative Collection – This book contains the life histories of former slaves, told in their own words. It provides an excellent look at the real lives and perspectives of former slaves.

All Things New – This is another historically-accurate fictional book by Lynn Austin. (Kaylee also read three of Austin’s books about the Civil War during AAH’s first four lessons.)

All Things New focuses on the Reconstruction Period and the devastation of the South through the story of Josephine Weatherly, her mother, and their freed slave.

Abraham Lincoln: A New Birth of Freedom (Heroes of History) – Part of the well-known Heroes of History series, this book is a well-written and easily-readable biography of Abraham Lincoln.

Coming up next:

The Journey of Josephine Cain (American Tapestries series) – While not as well-written or realistic as the books by Lynn Austin, this fictional book does a good job of tying together the post-Civil War era and the beginning of industrialization in America. The main focus is on the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Other All American History Materials

If you’re new to All American History, you may not be aware that you can purchase a High School Test Packet for your older students. Kaylee is using the tests, and we have found them to be both challenging and beneficial.

Key benefits of using the test packet:

1. Provides documentation of what has been learned (especially helpful in highly regulated states)
2. Provides a basis for a grade for high school credit
3. Provides test-taking practice which can help with ACT/SAT testing

Each test covers four lessons and consists of multiple-choice, true/false, matching, and map work questions. Tests are reproducible for your own family, and the answer key is included.

The complete High School Test Packet is available as a digital download for only $7.00. (See a sample.)

More About All American History

• All American History Review
• How We Use All American History
• All American History Vol. II: Lessons 1-4

From November 1-24, 2013, you can use the code richheritage at checkout to receive 15% off individual All American History products. (Bundles not included.)