COURSE DESCRIPTION

Grade Eight American History is a thematically based study of major topics. The themes include: Issues of American Rights, Migration/Immigration, Industrialization,

Urbanization and Conflict/Foreign Policy. This course will consist of reading, research, writing and presentation of historic themes. In addition to the text, students will be exposed to a variety of supplemental resources.

Content

1st Marking Period American Rights

§ Declaration of Independence

§ Constitution and Amendments

§ American Rights Issues / Citizenship

2^nd Marking Period Migration / Immigration

§ Manifest Destiny

§ U. S. Expansion

§ Periods of Immigration

§ Settlement patterns of immigration

§ Factors influencing assimilation

3^rd Marking Period Industrialization/Urbanization

§ Impact of the Industrial Revolution

§ Development of the Labor movement

§ Impact of the business cycle on historic periods

§ Impact of technology and industry on the environment

§ Progressive movement and the role of the reformer

4^th Marking Period Foreign Affairs / Conflict

§ Identify major U. S. conflicts

§ Explain major foreign policies

§ Describe U. S. involvement in the Cold War

§ Complete a timeline on a world conflict

KEY CONCEPTS

Democracy

Migration

Immigration

Expansion

Industrialization

Urbanization

Conflict

KEY TEXT

THE AMERICAN NATION , Prentice Hall, 2003.

Nystrom Atlas ,1999.

Filmstrips and Videos

Contemporary readings