One Day Academy

With  an emphasis on hands-on learning, elementary students will be gently  introduced to the physical and cultural geography of the United States.   Through very interactive class times, students will gain important  social studies skills, such as how to read a map, how to identify and  distinguish geographical features, how to effectively use an atlas, and  become familiar with longitude and latitude, cardinal (north, south,  east, and west) and intermediate directions (northeast, northwest,  southeast, southwest).  Using games, songs, simulations, and stories,  students will also learn states and capitals, time zones, monuments, and  national parks.  Students will discover the uniqueness of each state  and geographical region in America through exploring flags, landforms,  landmarks, and fun facts.  In addition to short weekly homework,  students will complete two semester projects of their choice, a state  project and a national park project.

As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “We are not makers of history.  We are made by history.”  America’s history is a unique story unlike that of any other nation. The people, events, geography, and social and religious institutions shaped our nation into the diverse superpower it is today.   In this class, we will be diving into America’s story from the time prior to European exploration through the end of the twentieth century.  With a focus on project-based learning, students will be exposed to a variety of primary sources from songs to poems to the Declaration of Independence to journal entries from presidents and explorers.   From Revolutionary War heroes to the Atomic Age and beyond, in this class we will discover the fascinating people and changing times of the land that would become the United States of America.

In the Creation Mandate in Genesis 1:28, God instructs Adam to "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion...over every living thing that moveth across the earth."  Geography has had a place in God's plan since creation.  In this course, students will learn not only about the physical features of the land, but also how people interact with the land and each other. Students will be given an overview on the field of geography as well as learn map reading skills while studying the various geographical regions around the globe. Class time will be highly participatory.  In addition to lectures and discussions, classes will include simulations, games, and opportunities for students to nurture critical thinking. Understanding geography is crucial to understanding the story of God's world.

C.S. Lewis aptly tells us that “History is a story written by the finger of God.” In this highly interactive high school level course, students will study the history of humanity from Creation through the twentieth century.  Students will thoroughly examine the origins and influence of Western Civilization as well as coverage of world history in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. With an emphasis on primary sources, students will explore the people, places, and events of all the major civilizations as well as focus on how our Creator has shaped history for His purposes. Students will be expected to complete weekly written homework assignments, regular presentations, and a project for each semester.

Everybody loves stories. Middle School World History is the exciting adventure of discovering the story of the world. For the Christian, history is even more meaningful and exciting because the Lord of history is the author, director, and star of the story.

The goal of this class is: 1) for students to discover the big picture and overall story of world history; 2) to acquaint students with some of the most exciting events, people, and cultures in world history; 3) to give students a love for history; and, 4) to see that joy and a meaningful life are possible because our lives are a part of God’s great story.

“Since all the world is but a story, it were well for thee to buy the more enduring story rather than the story that is less enduring.” -- Saint Columba

Note: This class can be taken on its own, but the student is encouraged to take this class alongside American Literature. The classes coordinate and will provide a fuller educational experience.

According to the American Historical Association, “Laymen and educators are generally agreed that knowledge of our own history is essential in the making of Americans.” The study of American History is essential in helping students to understand who we are and where we are at as a nation today.

American History is the story of a nation founded upon the ideals of freedom and opportunity. American History is the story of the fascinating heroes, the equally fascinating villains, and the
common men and women who built this nation. America is the story of a nation of immigrants who journeyed from faraway lands to make a better life for their families and who made a contribution which enriched this country. American History is full of magnanimous ideas and the
events which inspire us. American History remembers those who gave their lives to protect our freedoms and way of life. The promise of America is unique in the history of the world. America is a land of dreams, a land of privileges, a land of responsibilities, and a land of possibilities. America is “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Yet American History is also about the deep struggles which are still with us today.

This course will be a survey of American History from pre-colonial days to the modern era. In order to make wise decisions about the future of America it is essential to know the past. To protect our freedoms means the youth of this country must be educated.

What does it mean to be an American? What shared experiences, values, and ideas define and shape who we are as individuals and as a nation? How did we get to where we are today? What is your place in the story of America? These questions will shape the American History course.

But . . . we are also Christians. To leave out the influence Christianity has had on this country would be to leave out that which helped to make America both great and good. Christian students must be taught history in order to take their place in shaping this country we call the United States of America.

Welcome to the exciting world of American History! This year will be filled with the fascinating stories of our amazing country. We will be using old books as our resources; most of them published over 100 years ago. Fortunately, homeschool groups have made these available online. They can be read online for free, or you may choose to download them for access without an online connection. They are also available in hard copies.

The curriculum, which is provided, will have weekly reading assignments from these resources. At the end of each week’s assignment, there is an answer sheet with questions and activities garnered from the readings. Students should answer the questions and complete map work. Answer sheets will be turned in each week and the map book will be graded periodically.

This highly interactive course is ODA’s introductory Social Studies class and is appropriate for early middle school.  From the pre-Columbian Native Texans to the Age of Oil to the Space Race, students will focus on the history of our great state of Texas.  In this course, there will be an emphasis on introducing important skills such as note taking, reading for the main idea, and understanding the vocabulary of Social Studies curriculum.  Students will also be introduced to the geography of Texas and beginning map skills.

Many great reasons can be set forth as to why the study of history is important. The ancient Greek historian, Herodotus, stated that the purpose of history is "so that the actions of people will not fade with time." The great Roman orator, Cicero, stated that "To be ignorant of what happened before you were born is to remain always a child." History is the series of pivotal events, the fascinating and inspiring (at times horrifying) biographies of men and women, and the ideas that have brought us to where we are today. And yet history is more than this. Christian scholar and writer C.S. Lewis said, "History is a story written by the finger of God." History is His story, and therefore it is important that we know this story.

Saint Augustine provides a powerful framework for the study of history in his monumental work, The City of God. Two cities exist side by side; the city of man and the city of God. Each city has its own history and its own destiny. In this course, we will follow Augustine’s framework.

Psalm 20:8 describes world history in this way, "They have bowed down and fallen, But we have risen and stood upright." History is the rise and fall of great civilizations. History is also the rising and expansion of God’s work in this world. On a personal note, history is also a wonderful adventure to see how our individual stories fit in to His grand overarching story.

To this end, we will discover the great civilizations of the world from the beginning of time until today. We will learn about the extraordinary events and people that have shaped the world. We will explore the ideas that have brought us to where we are today. In one year this class will provide a framework and a foundation for understanding the world in which we live and the story that God is writing. This class is not designed to be the completion of the student’s study of history. This class is designed to be the beginning of a lifetime of discovery.