In eighth grade, students focus on the history of the United States through Reconstruction. This includes the American founding and establishment of democratic principles. Students begin by exploring the complexity of the founding communities and the importance of a variety of groups to the founding of America. They then study who should be held up as heroes in the Revolutionary period of United States' history. Students learn to question the narrative of early US History and those it leaves out. Students will then analyze landmark cases to understand the origins, functions, and structure of the U.S. government. Moving into the middle of the 19th century they learn about Westward Migration through multiple perspectives and investigate events leading up to the Civil War. The final unit allows students to investigate the effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction on various groups of people.
Students will examine the ideas that shaped, and continue to shape the United States with particular emphasis on examining stories and perspectives that historically have been untold. Students develop skills in problem solving, logic, critical thinking, primary source document interpretation and analysis, information gathering, presentations and simulations.
Students will examine the ideas that shaped, and continue to shape the United States with particular emphasis on examining stories and perspectives that historically have been untold. Students develop skills in problem solving, logic, critical thinking, primary source document interpretation and analysis, information gathering, presentations and simulations.
Curriculum Guide 2019-2020
