Exploring American History
Reading, Vocabulary, and Test-taking Skills
Phil LeFaivre and Flo Decker
High beginning to low intermediate
Exploring American History is a two-book reading series that promotes
academic success by developing critical reading, vocabulary,
and test-taking skills around compelling narratives of major
events and key people in US history.
Features
• Content-based approach encourages students to learn about engaging historical
topics such as New York: The Money
Machine, Benjamin Banneker: Self-Taught Genius, and Gold Fever Hits
California, as they
acquire English language skills
• Direct teaching of critical reading
skills such as finding the main
idea, visualizing, and scanning guides students to effectively
tackle academic content
• Systematic development of academic vocabulary teaches students
high-frequency words from across the curriculum through
context-rich activities
• Test-taking practice in each chapter and bonus Test- taking Strategy
Workshops help raise student performance on standardized exams
• Abundant photos, maps, and art reproductions enable students to visualize
and discuss historical figures, places, and events
Exploring American History 1
(Pre-history to 1865)
Exploring American History 2
(1880-present)
