Social Studies Curriculum

Grade 8 - United States History
Curriculum Guide

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Overview

U.S. History 8 Course Description:

In this course, students are introduced to historiography, which is the use of chronological thinking in conjunction with historical comprehension, historical analysis, and interpretation to conduct historical research for decision-making and the analysis of historical issues. This course provides a foundation of American historical Era 1 - Three Worlds Meet (1400s) through the Era 4 - Expansion and Reform (1860s) and civics. Geography, economics, government, and the humanities are used a basis for examining the United States during these historical time periods.

U.S. History 8 Mission Statement:

U.S. History 8 will prepare students with knowledge and skills needed to become informed participating citizens in our democratic republic. U.S. History 8 will also help students to understand how and why we study history and allow them to view their world in an historical context influenced by the development of the American nation.

U.S. History 8 Course Objective:

1. U.S. History 8 fits well into the Anchorage School District K-12 social studies curriculum alignment and is developmentally appropriate.
2. U.S. History 8 provides a foundation for the high school history curriculum.
3. U.S. History 8 develops and fosters a sense of civic responsibility.
4. U.S. History 8 encourages teaching with interdisciplinary approaches.
5. U.S. History 8 promotes reading, writing, research, presentation skills, and participatory activities.
6. U.S. History 8 utilizes current events as a valuable tool in understanding history.
7. U.S. History 8 supports the development of critical and abstract thinking skills, which allow students to analyze the impact of historical events.
8. U.S. History 8 allows students to examine the multiple perspectives of historical events and their effects upon themselves and society.

U.S. History 8 Units of Study:

• Historiography
• Three Worlds Meet
• Colonization and Settlement
• Revolution and New Nation
• Civics
• Expansion and Reform

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