Welcome to 8th Grade Social Studies

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Welcome to 8th Grade Social Studies

• Mr. Schmidts United States History

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What will we be studying?

• This is the first half of a survey course
  intending to be an introduction to U.S. History.
• We will begin with the settling of the English
  Colonies in North America, and finish with
  Reconstruction and the aftermath of the U.S.
  Civil War.
• Students will pick back up with
  Industrialization, Urbanization and Immigration
  of the late 19th Century beginning next year in
  9th Grade.

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Our Essential Questions

• How does geography influence culture and
  economics in the United States?
• To what extent does society influence people and
  to what extent do people influence society?
• To what extent is the story of American history
  consistent with our democratic ideals?
• What is the appropriate role of government in
  society?
• How should the United States interact with other
  countries?
• What does it mean to be a citizen?

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Unit Plan From Colonization ? To the End of the
Frontier

• The English Colonies
• The American Revolution
• Forming a New Nation

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Unit Plan From Colonization ? To the End of the
Frontier

• Expansion Reform
• Civil War
• Reconstruction
• The End of the Frontier

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U.S. History Binder

• Throughout the course of the year students will
  keep an organized binder of their class work and
  homework, activities, as well as their thoughts
  and reflections.
• This is a valuable tool that allows students to
  synthesize and put into words what they are
  learning. It will also be used to generate
  discussion on a number of topics throughout the
  year.

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U.S. History Grading Categories

• Completion (33.3)
• Grade given for completing the assignment on
  time. No late work accepted.
• Homework/Class work/Projects (33.3)
• Letter grade given for accuracy
• Projects lose 10 for everyday late
• Tests Quizzes (33.3)

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Mr. Schmidts Website Calendar

• Students will have access to electronic documents
  and lecture Power Points through their MOODLE
  account
• The World History calendar on my website lists
  daily homework assignments, projects due dates,
  and tests.
• Website also includes link to online textbook.

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• The strength of the United States is not the
  gold at Fort Knox or the weapons of mass
  destruction that we have, but the sum total of
  the education and the character of our people.
• Claiborne Pell

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Thanks again for coming to Open House

• And thank you for all your support.