Americans today are largely uninformed about the founding principles and ideas that have shaped our nation. The ongoing failure of America’s educational institutions to teach those ideas over the last 50 years is well documented. Combined with today’s social and cultural challenges, America’s heritage and philosophical origins—the fabric that has held us together as a nation—are at risk of demise. Indeed, America has become divided about what our country stands for and where it is headed—or where it should be heading. Without citizens’ learning of America’s positive founding principles and values, the American idea has materially weakened.
For a summary of studies over the last 20 years documenting the growing lack of knowledge among the American people, see “Problem” at www.americanheritage.org.
To counter this trend, the American Heritage Education Foundation (AHEF) is dedicated to the understanding and teaching of America’s philosophical heritage among students and citizens. AHEF is a non-profit organization that produces K-College teacher/homeschooler resources and lesson plans in Social Studies and American History, Government/Political Science, and Philosophy/Principles that are engaging, patriotic, and timeless.
AHEF uniquely focuses much of its work on the Judeo-Christian, philosophical foundations of America. AHEF’s recently-released reference book—The Miracle of America: The Influence of the Bible on the Founding History and Principles of the United States of America for a People of Every Belief—has been acclaimed by educators and historians as the first book of its kind to connect Judeo-Christian, Bible-based ideas with America’s founding principles. This book includes key events and thinkers in America’s founding, excerpts from historical documents, Bible references, review questions, and learning activities.
AHEF is now also offering The Miracle of America High School Teacher Course Guide to be used in conjunction with The Miracle of America reference book. The guide serves as a framework for a semester-long, secondary-level course on the founding, philosophical, governing principles of the United States, or as supplemental units in existing Social Studies courses. It provides teaching strategies and activities on in-depth, focused topics.
AHEF’s other widely-used K-12 supplemental lesson plans serve to support and strengthen Social Studies and Civic Education on America’s founding documents, symbols, and principles. These resources are titled America’s Heritage: An Adventure in Liberty and its new sequel, America’s Heritage: An Experiment in Self-Government. They assist and support homeschoolers in any curriculum program. Lessons include short history readings, excerpts from founding documents, review/test questions, essay writing, and other activities.
With AHEF’s resources, students will better understand America’s founding ideas and values, what it means to be an American, and their own responsibilities as citizens. As a result, they will more likely become productive, contributing members of society, participate in civic activities, and be well-informed voters. These outcomes benefit our nation and future.
AHEF’s resources are available as free PDF downloads or for purchase in print on AHEF’s website, www.americanheritage.org.
- American Heritage Education Foundation
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American Heritage Education Foundation
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