Course: Tourney of American Heroes | Cornerstone Classical Educators

Tourney of American Heroes

Grades 6 - 8
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Course Schedule

Class Follows Upper Annual Schedule
Dates: 2025-08-12 to 2026-05-14

Cost

Tuition: $250 / Annual
Supplies: $0

Expectations and Homework

Students are required to bring their completed mini reports, a writing utensil, and file folder timeline project (provided by the instructor) to each class session. Students will also be expected to keep track of any handouts provided by the instructor. Due to the nature of the class format, students will be expected to participate in presenting their findings to the class and actively participating in the debate and discussion. Debate participation is make or break for this class. Often the debate portion has proven to be the most enriching and powerful experience. Each week, homework will consist of researching the two opposing figures to complete a front-and-back mini report for each historical figure. (Use the links in the "About the Course" section below to see the Mini Report format.) These sheets can be completed using the internet, library books, or any other research material you prefer. In addition to the mini reports, students will complete a timeline activity throughout the year, which will give them an idea of the historical context of the people they are researching. If the schedule allows, the timeline additions can be completed in class. Lastly, students will read two biographies, one per semester. A short book report will be completed on each. The due dates for the biography report forms (provided by the instructor) are November 20th and April 30th. (Links in the About the Course section below will allow you to see the report formats, rubrics, and tournament bracket.)

Prerequisites

Please see the Homework and Expectations section above, and the links provided in the About the Course section below, to get an idea of the skills required for this class.

Class Supplies Needed

Students will need a folder and a writing utensil. Students will also need to complete research at home using the internet, library books, or any other credible sources. (The weekly mini report handouts and file folder timeline project will be provided by the instructor.)

Get in Touch

About the Course

The Tourney of American Heroes is a unique approach to exploring 32 historical Americans who have significantly impacted our great country. Using a tournament bracket system, similar to the NCAA March Madness bracket, these 32 historical figures will compete head-to-head until the final round where the most influential American hero is determined. The 32 historical figures are arranged in four regions: Founding Fathers, Scientists/Inventors, Reformers, and a grab bag of political figures, presidents, entertainers, a philanthropist, and an athlete.

Each week, students will research the two figures opposing each other and fill out a front-and-back mini report for each. These mini reports will highlight the figure’s qualities, achievements, and contributions to our country. In class, several students will be selected to present their findings on one of the figures to persuade their classmates to vote for their choice. After a debate, students will vote for which historical figure they believe is more influential, with the winner advancing to the next round.

Additionally, students will read two biographies (one per semester) of influential Americans and complete a brief front-and-back book report form (provided by the instructor) for each. They will also work on a file folder timeline activity (which will be provided by the instructor) throughout the year. Students will place the historical figures for the week along the timeline to see the historical context in which the figures lived.

Class minimum of 6 students. Grades available upon request. Payment may be made by check or Venmo.

My wife Kristen's Venmo:

Venmo QR Code

Links to view documents:

NAIA Tourney Bracket

Tournament Debate Date Breakdown

Influential Figure Mini Report Form

Mini Report Rubric

Biography Report Form

Biography Report Rubric

Participation Rubric

Registration

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About Robert

I have lived in Southern Indiana for almost 45 years and have been married to my dear wife for 26 years. God has blessed us with two wonderful children that my wife has homeschooled from kindergarten.
I was blessed to grow up in a loving, Christian home in Floyds Knobs, Indiana. I graduated from Portland Christian High School, and in 2000, I graduated from Spalding University with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. A couple months after graduating, I began teaching at Thomas Jefferson Elementary in Greater Clark County Schools, where I remained for the next 20 years.
During my teaching career I taught 1st, 3rd, and 4th grade all-subject classrooms and K-5th technology classes. During this time, I also piloted the Engineering is Elementary program sponsored by Raytheon. I really enjoyed this opportunity and was able to teach aerospace, structural, and transportation engineering to 3rd-5th grades. I also curated a virtual drive where I shared hundreds of self-created teaching resources with over 200 educators worldwide.
Due to medical complications I had to resign in 2020 after teaching for 20 years. God has taught me so much in this interim, and it was during this time that my faith and my relationship with Jesus Christ was tested and became much deeper. I am so excited to be able to teach in an environment where the most important lessons I can teach, my faith, will not be censored.
My hobbies include reading, drawing, writing, CAD, board games, gaming, and hiking. I am also in the process of finishing a novel I hope to publish.

More Classes

View other classes for elementary and upper school or all courses taught by Robert Leppert.