Sample Pages  
Fasttrack to America's Past
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Sections Include   Below are a few sample pages from Fasttrack to America's Past.  The workbook is designed to engage students on every page.  Students will need regular pencils and color pencils, as well as a highlighter, a ruler, and their own copy of the book to work in.

   Please see the "Getting Started" pages at the front of the book, and the Teacher Guide & Key section of this web site, for more ideas for using the book effectively in the classroom.

   All of the eight sections in the book are organized in a consistent pattern, but longer sections will have more maps, charts, readings, and topic summary pages than a shorter section.  As shown below, most of the material is arranged in double page spreads for clarity and ease of use by students.

                 

Section Title Page and Study Checklist


   Section title pages give teachers a starting point or set up page as each unit begins.  The quotes and pictures are not labeled, so that teachers can get students talking, sharing what they already know, and making educated guesses about what they see.  Students can be divided into small groups to look over and discuss the quotes and pictures, then predict what topics and ideas will be part of the unit. 

 

Timeline Pages

  (Items to be added by students are shown in red.)

Click here to see the pages above in a larger size

 The timeline pages are at the front of each unit to give students another opportunity to work together in small groups while getting an overview of the main themes and events of each period. 
   On the left side of the double page spread is a list of items that students, working in small groups, can search for in an encyclopedia, a textbook, or online sources.  They can then complete the timeline itself, as shown in red color above.  The completed Timelines are on this web site (look for the antique clock icon on the home page) so students can check their work. 

Topic Summary Pages

Click here to see the pages above in a larger size

   Within each section are a number of double page spreads summarizing topics related to that period.  These help students continue building a solid framework of the essential concepts and terms.  The vocabulary terms listed at the top are chosen because they are words so widely used in books, newspapers, and other media that they are in the core vocabulary of an educated person.
   The word bank for the blanks is always at the end of the double page spread.

Map Pages


   The page to the right shows the workbook map "The Japanese Empire" as it appears when colored properly by the students.   It is one of two maps related to World War Two.

   In the workbook, the maps to be completed are always on the right hand side.  The page giving directions (shown below) will always be on the left side of the double page spread.

 

 

    A page of directions always tells students exactly what to put on the map, and gives some additional background information as well. 

   Students should color the map in the workbook by looking at the completed maps on this web site, or from our collection of overhead transparency maps for teachers. 
 

   Many teachers like to play music from the time period in the background as students work to complete the maps. 








  

Primary Source Reading Selections
   Each section includes historical readings from primary sources designed to get students using higher-level thinking skills as they engage people, events, and issues from the past.  Teachers around the country have praised the workbook's primary source selections as the best collection available for secondary level students.  Since this is a consumable workbook, students can highlight passages they feel are important, and make margin notes right on the pages.

Charts and Graphs
 




(Shown as page appears with graph
completed and colored by students.)

Click here to see the pages above in a larger size

   Every section  gives students practice at analyzing historical statistics.  Students complete the graphs in the workbook by using the data in the matching table, then analyze and discuss in class the significance of the data.  Students can go to the Charts / Graphs icon on the home page and look at the graphs in finished form to check their work. 

 

Our On-line Resources  

  One good way to keep students involved and motivated is to use the Links to More History Resources, which can be reached from the Home Page.  Remember that students enjoy learning and exploring topics independently or in small groups much more than they enjoy a 45 minute lecture.

   Practice tests for all the sections can be reached with a link on the Home Page.  It's a good idea to make a classroom game of these, which is especially easy if you have an LCD projector available.

 


Copyright 2004, 2008 by David Burns
www.fasttrackteaching.com