8th Grade American History I

Mr. Kemble

Main Objective______

The main objective of this course is to help you understand how change occurs over time and how events of our nation’s past influence us today. In order to accomplish this you will be asked to analyze and interpret historical events and draw conclusions.

Course of Study ______

We will focus mainly on the years spanning from the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the Indian War of the 1890s (1492 to 1900).

Major Themes______

Exploration / The Constitution / The Bill of Rights
Indian Wars of the West / Discovery & Conquest / The Age of Jefferson
English Colonization / The War of 1812 / Life in Colonial America
Industrial Revolution / French and Indian War / Transportation Revolution
Colonial Government / The Age of Jackson / The Revolutionary War
Manifest Destiny / Creating the United States / Slavery & Abolition
U.S. Government / The Civil War / Reconstruction Period

Grading______

Major Tests/Quizzes occur at the end of every chapter corresponding with the textbook. Some will be online tests and some will be taken in class. They contain many types of items ranging from simple matching to complex essays. This type of assessment carries the most weight when determining marking period grades.

Projects come in a variety of styles and compliment classroom curriculum. Their value varies with the amount of work involved with each project.

Homework will be given throughout the year as a way to introduce and reinforce material learned in class.

Class Work can come in different varieties and is completed during class time.

Portfolio Review will take place at the end of each marking period as a way to showcase your work and help you create study resources for the midterm and final.

Extra Credit will be available from time to time throughout the year. Please do not ask for extra credit.

Expectations______

You are now in 8th grade and know how to act appropriately. You are expected to:

  • Come to class prepared
  • Respect others and treat them as you would like to be treated
  • Raise your hand! Do not call out and disrupt class.
  • Get your pass signed and sign out before leaving the classroom
  • Follow all other school rules outlined in your student handbook (No gum, cell phones, etc.)

If your behavior is disrupting the learning environment it will not be tolerated!

Absences______

1) It is your responsibility to find out about, complete, and turn in ANY work missed due to an absence within the time period outlined in your student handbook. Any work turned in outside of that time frame will receive a zero.

2) When you are absent please gather the paper work you missed from the “missed work” bulletin board. Then come talk to me about making up the work. You can also visit the Moodle Page to access class notes and activities when absent. If you ever have any questions about the work you missed please email me.