Major Concepts/Content: The United States History 8 course is designed to place major emphasis on the nation's history, from pre-Columbian civilizations to the Civil War and Reconstruction. Geography of the United States and social studies skills also receive emphasis. This course reviews and continues the study of history begun at the fifth grade, which emphasized the colonial development and emergence of the United States. Map skills, reading and interpreting charts and graphs, and the utilization of reference books and materials are implemented throughout the program. Influences of and relations with the host nation/state are explored during the year. 

Major Instructional Activities: Instructional activities will be provided using the content of history as the basis of information. Map skills, reading and interpreting various charts and graphs, and the utilization of reference books and materials will be implemented throughout the course. Students will participate in role-playing, group activities, formal presentations, simulation activities, documentation examinations, and teacher-organized lecture/ discussion activities. Timelines and con-structured periods of history will be developed. 

Major Evaluative Techniques: Evaluation will include essay tests, cause and effect examinations, projects, interpretations and reports of research, map skill tests, and assessment of participation in individual and group activities. Standardized tests for students in grade eight include items to measure achievement of objectives for history. 

Essential Objectives: Upon completion of the United States History course, students should be able to:

• Describe Native American societies in North America.
• Describe European exploration of North America.
• Describe life in colonial America.
• Describe winning independence. Contrast confederation and sectionalism before 1865
• Identify major geographical features. Arrange major periods in chronological order.
• Identify important people and their contributions to the development of the United States.

Last Revised: July 21, 2005