Decoding the Past

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 LiberalArts 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.

• CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2 Life Before 1600 COLLISION OF CULTURES CHAPTER 3 1607–1650 SETTLING IN CHAPTER 4 1650–1750 COLONIAL DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 5 17th–18th century EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE COLONIES CHAPTER 6 1750–1783 PATH TO INDEPENDENCE CHAPTER 7 1775–1815 FORGING A NEW GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 8 1783–1800 VISIONS OF THE NEW NATION CHAPTER 9 1803–1850 WESTWARD EXPANSION CHAPTER 10 1850–1865 SECTIONALISM AND THE CIVIL WAR CHAPTER 11 1865–1877 RECONSTRUCTION REFERENCES GLOSSARY OF TEACHING STRATEGIES USED IN LESSONS ABOUT THE AUTHORS