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  • This course regularly costs $147.
  • A $20 Early Enrollment Discount will be applied if you purchase this course before April 15th, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
  • This course has 23 seats remaining.

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Course name
Boot Camp: The Declaration of Independence
Live course taught by Christopher Martin for Summer 2026 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).
Summary

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

Total classes

8

Class dates

Monday - Thursdays, June 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11, 2026.

Starting time

2:30 PM Eastern (1:30 Central; 12:30 Mountain; 11:30 Pacific)

Duration

45 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

Fees

Fee: For all 8 classes: $127 if you register on or before April 15; $147 if you register after April 15. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $25 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)

Course name
Boot Camp: The Declaration of Independence
Instructor
Christopher Martin
Semester
Summer 2026
Category
History ➤ American History
Grade levels
High School, Middle School, Grade School
Monitor
Christine Kupovits
Start time
June 1st, 2026 at 2:30 PM ET
Course type
Live
Price
$147
Seats available
25 seats available
Seats remaining
23 seats remaining
Relative due dates
Relative due dates are disabled for this course.
Enhanced quiz security
Enhanced assignment security

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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.

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Christine Kupovits

Christine is a cradle Catholic, wife and mother from Michigan. She has 2 teenage boys that are homeschooled and has been married for over 20 years. Besides monitoring she is a small group leader for the junior high youth group at her parish. She enjoys bike rides, reading (especially mysteries) and soccer. Christine has a degree in radiation therapy and also a theology degree from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Her favorite saints are St. Joseph, St. Joan of Arc, St. Gemma and St. Rita.