US History Book Club & Primary Source Documents
Spring 2027 - six weeks
Complements any U.S. History study
This class adds depth and nuance to any comprehensive study of U.S. history.
Our historical fiction novels and primary sources range from the colonial period to reconstruction. These sources enable students to view history from multiple perspectives and helps history come alive.
Students engage in lively discussion with peers as they dive into letters and speeches of real people who lived the history.
Historical Fiction Book Club
We study multiple novels in 6 weeks.
Students study rich historical fiction to bring US history alive.
Students should be strong readers, capable of reading three novels in 6 weeks or have the time to listen to three novels in that time frame.
Primary Source Documents
Student learn how to understand rich and interesting primary source documents from U.S. history.
Students then use these documents as evidence in writing prompts.
At the high school level this is called a DBQ (document based question). This is a vital skill that students will end up using on A.P. history tests and in college history classes. We begin developing that skill now!
Ages, homework supplies, and other details
For a detailed supply list visit our supplies and learning outdoors tips page
Ages
10+ Middle school and up. This class is best for 6th -9th graders who are also studying U.S. History.
Precocious 5th graders who are emotionally mature, have good self-regulation, and are reading at a middle school level are admitted on a case-by-case basis.
Weekly Homework
Students read about 90 to 150 pages of our historical fiction novel
Annotate as they read
Optional discussion questions arefor more depth
Prerequisites
Middle school reading level
Class Length
6-weeks. 1 day per week, 1 hours each day for 6 hours of instruction over the course of the class.
ABOUT MS. LISA CLARK-BURNELL
Relevant Education and Experience
I have a BA in English and Political from UC Santa Barabara. While an undergraduate, I was a university writing tutor for disadvantaged graduate and undergraduate students, assisting them with writing assignments in all disciplines. Upon graduating with highest honors and multiple awards, I then earned a CLAD multiple subject teaching credential with supplementary authorization in Social Studies and Language Arts from San Jose State University. In 1996 I began teaching middle school language arts, social studies, and math, first in the Bay area and then in Carmel Valley. While at these middles schools I concentrated on designing language arts and history curriculum.
In 2005 I took a hiatus from teaching middle school to stay home with my children. During that period I co-founded and directed Salem Harvest, a non-profit that connects farmers and backyard growers with volunteer pickers to harvest fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste in an effort to end hunger. I also began honing my organic gardening expertise and animal husbandry skills, diving deep into permaculture and restorative agriculture. In 2012 I returned to teaching but this time as a homeschooling parent.
In 2019, at the request of my own kids and other parents, I started teaching classes in my areas of expertise for homeschool students.
For more information about Farm School and why I offer the classes I do, see the About page.
Monarch caterpillar in our native plants habitat
Red-headed parrots eating pecans
Mallard ducks foraging for food below pecan tree
Resident but elusive barn owl made an appearance for the first day of Farm School
Artichokes
Grevillea in pollinator garden
CA Bumblebee dusted in peanut senna pollen
Red-eared slider turtle that wandered into the neighborhood
Farm School's miniature Dexter cattle for milk and meat