Zinn's A Young People's History of the United States Chapter Assignments

This packet is designed to accompany Howard Zinn's A Young People's History of the United States. This version of the famous People's History is more accessible to younger students and gives a great background on working class and progressive history. This packet breaks down the book by chapter, excluding chapters 22 - 28 (that many classes will not get to). Each chapter has either a note-taking guide (major vocabulary and themes to help students take notes with purpose) or questions about the chapter material. Each chapter also has a "thought question", which are meant to encourage deeper thinking, connections to the present day, and opportunities for students to express their opinions.

I designed this as a summer reading assignment for AP United States history, but it could be used throughout the year, especially when paired with other perspectives on each era. While the questions are generally geared towards high schoolers, the book is around an 8th grade reading level and can be used in a variety of settings. Many chapters could also be used during certain units or themed lessons. For example, the civil rights chapter is a good addition to any African-American-focused curriculum.