Overall Theme: Character in a Big Land: Grit & Nation-building
Yearlong Question: “What kind of person builds a nation—and keeps it?”
- Quarter 1: Frontier & Faith (The Colonial Era)
- Theme: Dependence and Survival
- Quarter 2: Revolution & Industry (The Birth of a Nation)
- Theme: Responsibility and Contribution
- Quarter 3: Home & Character (The 1800s)
- Theme: Relationships and Integrity
- Quarter 4: Survival & Transformation (The Frontier & Beyond)
- Theme: Identity Under Pressure
Spirit: Exploring the American spirit of perseverance, family, and survival.
Core Reading: Witch of Blackbird Pond, Sign of the Beaver, Johnny Tremain, Carry On Mr. Bowditch, Caddie Woodlawn, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Anne of Green Gables, Miracles on Maple Hill
Key Icon: The Anchor (Grit & Steadfastness)
Description: This course explores the dual necessity of Grit and Grace in the American experience. Students learn that building a nation takes the grit of pioneers and revolutionaries, but “keeping” a nation requires the grace of virtue, family, and integrity. By following heroes through the wilderness and across the rugged frontier, students discover that the American adventure is ultimately a journey of the heart, teaching them that grit and grace are needed to navigate a big world.
Key Writing: Students will master the Character Analysis Essay, evaluating how various protagonists rely on perseverance and faith to overcome adversity.
The A.S.K.:
- A – Archetypes & Symbols: Identify the “Wilderness” as a place of testing and the “Anchor” as a symbol of faith.
- S – Search for the Transcendent: Find the True, the Good, and the Beautiful in the fortitude of the pioneer spirit.
- K – Knightly Character: Apply the virtue of Fortitude to navigate modern “frontiers” with integrity.
