An American Summer
A reading & watching course in U.S. history and civics
Classes are paused for the summer, but here’s something to keep us in motion — not a stack of worksheets, and not test-prep. This is closer to a good long book and a good long binge-watch, with us in the margins.
Here’s the honest truth the test-prep books won’t tell you. Once you actually know the American story, the history and civics on the test mostly take care of themselves. You can’t review something you were never taught — so we’re not reviewing. We’re learning it for real, the long way that turns out to be the only real way.
Two ways in. You choose.
Not a beginner door and an advanced door — two complete ways through the same summer. Pick the one that fits how you learn and how much time you have right now.
Track A · read
The Immersion Spine →
The whole story in seven Movements, told in order, with the real voices of people who were there — and a place to reflect.
Choose this if you’d rather read than watch, you like one clear thing to move through, and you want the story to land deep.
Track B · watch
The Annotated Course →
The full Khan Academy U.S. history course, start to finish, with our notes in the margins. Watch a little, read a little, check it off.
Choose this if you’d rather watch than read, you like checking off steps as you go, and you want to see your progress build.
Both are good, and you don’t have to do both. If you have the time and you’re curious, working through both — in either order — is a rich way to spend the summer. But it’s not the only way. Take a look at each and do what serves you. Nothing is locked: both stay right here all summer and into the next program year after Labor Day. Choosing today isn’t a verdict — it’s just where you start.