Skip to main content

Error: Your device, VPN, or network is blocking some parts of Caravel.

Please check your settings and refresh the page.

Enroll in Recorded Course

You must be logged in to enroll.

Thumbnail
Course name
Boot Camp: The Declaration of Independence with Christopher Martin
Recorded course taught by Christopher Martin for High School, Middle School, Grade School American History
Catalog message
Course is designed mostly for middle school, but approachable and adaptable for grade school students (less homework), and high school students (more homework assignments).
Category
History ➤ American History
Grade
High School, Middle School, Grade School
Semester
Recorded
Summary

Instructor Access (optional grading support) for Unlimited Access families is available for this course for $25!

Just in time for its 250th anniversary: Take a deep dive into the most important document and event in American History: the Declaration of Independence!

 

Course Description: What made America? What made Americans? Who were they? Why and how did they declare themselves a free and independent nation? This course answers these questions and more in a two-week exploration of the Declaration of Independence. This includes context and background, primary source analysis, and the intellectual roots of the Revolutionary Era Americans.

Instructor: Christopher Martin, PhD

OUR PRAYER BEFORE CLASS MEETINGS:

Grant me the grace, O merciful God,
to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee,
to examine it prudently,
to acknowledge it truthfully,
and to accomplish it perfectly,
for the praise and glory of Thy name.

Amen.

Total classes

8

Duration

55 minutes

Prerequisites

None

Suggested grade level

Course is designed mostly for middle school, but approachable and adaptable for grade school students (less homework), and high school students (more homework assignments).

Suggested credit

2/3 semester of American history

Outline

Course Outline:

Class 1: The Revolutionary Era Americans

Class 2: Escalating tensions with Britain

Class 3: Last efforts at peace

Class 4: “Common Sense” American Ideas

Class 5: Drafts and Debates

Class 6: The Declaration unpacked, part 1

Class 7: The Declaration unpacked, part 2

Class 8: Epilogue: legacy of the Declaration

Materials

None required. Some materials will be provided by the instructor, free of charge.

Homework

  •   -Daily, optional review quizzes based on classroom lectures and discussions.

                        -Grade school students will complete a Declaration themed hands-on activity of their choice.
                        -Middle school students will complete a primary source worksheet on the Declaration
                        -High school students will complete a primary source worksheet on the Declaration, AND a guided character analysis of their choice of one of the Declaration’s signers

Course name
Boot Camp: The Declaration of Independence with Christopher Martin
Instructor
Christopher Martin
Semester
Recorded
Meeting days
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Category
History ➤ American History
Grade levels
High School, Middle School, Grade School
Start time
June 1st, 2026 at 2:30 PM ET
Course type
Recorded, free with subscription
Relative due dates
Relative due dates are disabled for this course.
Enhanced quiz security
Enhanced assignment security

Image for item
Christopher Martin
chrisgooverthere@yahoo.com

Christopher Martin teaches history and theology. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of History at both Southern New Hampshire University and Antelope Valley College. He holds BA degrees in History and Theology from Christendom College (2007); an MA in History from National University (2012); and a Ph.D. in History from CGU (2018). He has been with Homeschool Connections since 2017, and teaching since 2012. He lives in California, with his wife and three sons. Together, they love to hike and travel.

Dr. Martin believes strongly that history is far more important than we typically assume, and also that it is a lot more entertaining. His classes are therefore both serious, and fun, making sure to cover the essential developments of past events, but also, coloring and animating the past with stories and anecdotes that make them come alive.

Dr. Martin's upcoming LIVE courses.

Dr. Martin's library of RECORDED courses.