American History 8th Grade
Course Rationale
Eighth grade American History is the study of the Epic of America: the development of the United States as a strong and free nation. The unique contribution of the men and women who built the heritage is stressed. The eighth grade concentrates on the exploration period to the Progressive Era and focuses the course on standards. The American History standards include: historical perspective: Early America; historical perspective: an independent nation; government structure/citizenship; and basic concepts.
Aim
Students will better understand how the United States developed into a democratic nation and how they can become responsible, active citizens in our democratic society.
Essential Questions
What does it mean to be an American?
What are the rights and responsibilities that all of us have as Americans?
Basic Concepts
• Be able to read and interpret graphs, maps, charts, tables, and other tools of social studies.
• Compare/Contrast different time periods demonstrating an understanding of chronology and time lines.
• Identify important locations in the United States.
Government Structure/Citizenship
• Gain an appreciation of our government and its heritage through the study/trip to Washington D.C.
• Understand the goals and purpose of the Constitution. Identify and analyze the duties of the 3 branches of our government.
Historical Perspective: An Independent Nation
• Analyze events of the early years of America's history following the ratification of the Constitution that helped to shape the United States into the nation it is today. Identify causes and effects of American expansion westward.
• Analyze the effectiveness of the United States policy of Reconstruction after the Civil War.
• Explain how beliefs and values of different regions of the United States led to Sectionalism.
• Identify key figures, places, and events of the Civil War.
• Understand how conflict and cooperation between the 13 colonies contributed to the success of the American Revolution.
• Understand how the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, and other important documents formed a foundation for American democracy.
• Understand the cause and effects of the Civil War. Identify key figures, places, and events of the Civil War.
Historical Perspective: Early America
• Analyze the impact of the Age of Exploration on the development of the Americas.
• Understand early relationships with Native Americans and how Native Americans and Europeans were impacted by those relationships.
• Understand the process of colonial development in the 13 original colonies both politically and socially.
Grading Scale
Our school is in the process of revamping our grading procedure. We are beginning the process of starting to utilize "Proficiency Scales," rather than letter grades. We will keep you posted as the process evolves.
Personal growth as well as mastery of social science skills and knowledge is more important than grades. Please help your child keep perspective on his or her achievement.
Redoing Assessments (including tests, quizzes, projects, writings, and assignments):
At teacher discretion, any assessment may be redone if the student did not completely master the intended content or skills, and the student has demonstrated sincere effort to prepare for the assessment the first time it was given. Rigorous relearning or review in preparation for a second attempt will qualify a student to redo an assessment. Redoing assessments is a privilege, not something to be taken for granted. Students must redo assessments within one week of their return; otherwise the original grade stands. Occasionally, assessments cannot be redone, but instead students may correct their mistakes and receive half credit for each item they correct. Students must redo assessments on their own time, not during direct teaching time in our class.
Makeup Work:
Students are given the opportunity to make up work if they are absent from school. They are allowed the same number of days they were gone to make up the work, unless a note is received from parents requesting more time.
Late Assignments:
If for some reason your child was unable to meet the deadline for an assignment they will still be able to turn the work in, but with a loss of some credit. If your child does have late work, please encourage them to complete the assignment as soon as possible after the due date in order to keep the learning as relevant as possible.
Homework:
Every day our objectives, activities, and assignments are posted on the whiteboard in the front of the room. We encourage all students to write these assignments and due dates in their agenda as soon as they come into the classroom.
Homework is very rarely assigned on weekends or holidays. Those times are reserved for students to be with their families, relax, and come back ready to learn on the next school day. At their discretion, students may choose to work over weekends and holidays on long-term projects, rough drafts, or their missing assignments. If a student is working beyond his or her normal bedtime on homework, please tell him or her to stop and go to bed. Sleep and health will do more for a student’s education than finishing assignments when the student is tired. In these situations, parents need to send a note asking for a brief extension of completion time in order for students to receive full credit. Please be aware of the student’s need to manage his or her life such that homework is a priority – sports, music, church, Scouts, visits from relatives, time with friends and family events are just some of the things that can make a student too tired to do homework each night. Creating a balance is a vital skill to learn while in middle school.
Contacting Teachers:
Our school number is 319-848-5500. We can be contacted through e-mail as well at [email protected] (Orange Team), [email protected] (Hawk Team) or [email protected] (Black Team)
Mr. Dunne, Mr. Boyd, and Mr. Reittinger
8th Grade American History Teachers
Course Rationale
Eighth grade American History is the study of the Epic of America: the development of the United States as a strong and free nation. The unique contribution of the men and women who built the heritage is stressed. The eighth grade concentrates on the exploration period to the Progressive Era and focuses the course on standards. The American History standards include: historical perspective: Early America; historical perspective: an independent nation; government structure/citizenship; and basic concepts.
Aim
Students will better understand how the United States developed into a democratic nation and how they can become responsible, active citizens in our democratic society.
Essential Questions
What does it mean to be an American?
What are the rights and responsibilities that all of us have as Americans?
Basic Concepts
• Be able to read and interpret graphs, maps, charts, tables, and other tools of social studies.
• Compare/Contrast different time periods demonstrating an understanding of chronology and time lines.
• Identify important locations in the United States.
Government Structure/Citizenship
• Gain an appreciation of our government and its heritage through the study/trip to Washington D.C.
• Understand the goals and purpose of the Constitution. Identify and analyze the duties of the 3 branches of our government.
Historical Perspective: An Independent Nation
• Analyze events of the early years of America's history following the ratification of the Constitution that helped to shape the United States into the nation it is today. Identify causes and effects of American expansion westward.
• Analyze the effectiveness of the United States policy of Reconstruction after the Civil War.
• Explain how beliefs and values of different regions of the United States led to Sectionalism.
• Identify key figures, places, and events of the Civil War.
• Understand how conflict and cooperation between the 13 colonies contributed to the success of the American Revolution.
• Understand how the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, and other important documents formed a foundation for American democracy.
• Understand the cause and effects of the Civil War. Identify key figures, places, and events of the Civil War.
Historical Perspective: Early America
• Analyze the impact of the Age of Exploration on the development of the Americas.
• Understand early relationships with Native Americans and how Native Americans and Europeans were impacted by those relationships.
• Understand the process of colonial development in the 13 original colonies both politically and socially.
Grading Scale
Our school is in the process of revamping our grading procedure. We are beginning the process of starting to utilize "Proficiency Scales," rather than letter grades. We will keep you posted as the process evolves.
Personal growth as well as mastery of social science skills and knowledge is more important than grades. Please help your child keep perspective on his or her achievement.
Redoing Assessments (including tests, quizzes, projects, writings, and assignments):
At teacher discretion, any assessment may be redone if the student did not completely master the intended content or skills, and the student has demonstrated sincere effort to prepare for the assessment the first time it was given. Rigorous relearning or review in preparation for a second attempt will qualify a student to redo an assessment. Redoing assessments is a privilege, not something to be taken for granted. Students must redo assessments within one week of their return; otherwise the original grade stands. Occasionally, assessments cannot be redone, but instead students may correct their mistakes and receive half credit for each item they correct. Students must redo assessments on their own time, not during direct teaching time in our class.
Makeup Work:
Students are given the opportunity to make up work if they are absent from school. They are allowed the same number of days they were gone to make up the work, unless a note is received from parents requesting more time.
Late Assignments:
If for some reason your child was unable to meet the deadline for an assignment they will still be able to turn the work in, but with a loss of some credit. If your child does have late work, please encourage them to complete the assignment as soon as possible after the due date in order to keep the learning as relevant as possible.
Homework:
Every day our objectives, activities, and assignments are posted on the whiteboard in the front of the room. We encourage all students to write these assignments and due dates in their agenda as soon as they come into the classroom.
Homework is very rarely assigned on weekends or holidays. Those times are reserved for students to be with their families, relax, and come back ready to learn on the next school day. At their discretion, students may choose to work over weekends and holidays on long-term projects, rough drafts, or their missing assignments. If a student is working beyond his or her normal bedtime on homework, please tell him or her to stop and go to bed. Sleep and health will do more for a student’s education than finishing assignments when the student is tired. In these situations, parents need to send a note asking for a brief extension of completion time in order for students to receive full credit. Please be aware of the student’s need to manage his or her life such that homework is a priority – sports, music, church, Scouts, visits from relatives, time with friends and family events are just some of the things that can make a student too tired to do homework each night. Creating a balance is a vital skill to learn while in middle school.
Contacting Teachers:
Our school number is 319-848-5500. We can be contacted through e-mail as well at [email protected] (Orange Team), [email protected] (Hawk Team) or [email protected] (Black Team)
Mr. Dunne, Mr. Boyd, and Mr. Reittinger
8th Grade American History Teachers