In 2000, while a student-teacher at Holt High School, Dr. Hartnell began writing his illustrious "packets" to use in addition to the standard text. Called the "All You Need to Know" guides, these packets grew into "Pathways Through History", which were so popular that they became the textbook. In 2008, Dr. Hartnell overhauled and consolidated all of his packets... thus Nutty the A.D.D. Squirrel's "Scramblin' thru History" was born! In 2012, Dr. Hartnell launched Nutty's very own site so everyone can access his material on the go. As its creator and author, no matter what curriculum changes the district undergoes, Dr. Hartnell is able to update his text instantly and tailor it to the new material.
Book #1...
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Because this is an Honors class, you didn't think you were getting away with just mooching off Dr. Hartnell's finely-tuned researching and writing skills, did you? No, no. In addition to entering the recesses of Dr. Hartnell's mind (which, understandably, carries its own set of dangers), there are four other books you will be assigned for this course... giving you a "fivefecta" of factual fun!
What's even better is this: the district is footing the bill for these books... and you get to keep ALL of them! (Well, most of them.) First, there is the award-winning and educationally explosive Nutty the A.D.D. Squirrel... but you already knew about that packet-turned-website little gem. Up second is the district-mandated textbook by Glencoe McGraw-Hill, which is aptly (and enthusiastically) titled United States History & Geography: Modern Times. And while everyone puckers up when they hear the word "mandated", you really have to give this textbook a chance. The authors finally stopped trying to cram every "flavor-of-the-month" version of history and dropped some of the "untold" stories that, well, didn't really need to be told. It really is the finest, and most concise, textbook that Dr. Hartnell has ever been "told" to use. You will receive a copy to use for the school year. The third book, titled The Mental Floss History of the United States: The (Almost) Complete and (Entirely) Entertaining Story of America and written by Erik Sass, will be used as a supplemental to enhance your Honors' experience. It's a tongue-in-cheek look at American History that's written in bite-size segments so easy to follow (and recall) that you can reserve it for bathroom reading. Seriously. And don't worry, your parents won't be weirded out by the sounds of laughter bellowing from the lavatory... Bernardine Evaristo's Blonde Roots serves as the fourth book. This delicious little novel flips history on its head by asking: "What if the transatlantic slave trade had been reversed... and Africans enslaved Europeans?" Students will read this during the 1st Semester and complete Dr. Hartnell's "Rewriting History" project. Both the reading and project will be referenced throughout the rest of the year during discussions of "revisionist" history and alongside other great "What if?" moments. The fifth book, Raye of Light by Tom Shanahan, traces the story of Jimmy Raye, Michigan State's first black starting quarterback and the first Southern black quarterback to win a national championship. This ground-breaking novel details Coach Duffy Daugherty's "Underground Railroad" and its impact on the integration of college football (and society) during the 1960s. Students will read this during the 2nd Semester in connection with Dr. Hartnell's unit on the Civil Rights Movement and complete his "More Than a Game" project. Pulling material for lectures and units from all five sources ("Nutty", McGraw-Hill, Mental Floss, Blonde Roots, and Raye of Light), Dr. Hartnell will provide his students with an extremely well-rounded... and entertaining... look at American History. |
Book #2...
Book #3...
Book #4...
Book #5...
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NOTE: Reading assignments will be posted to the
Calendar page of the Honors class!
Calvin "gets it"... [Click picture for a larger version.]
