Section I: COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
**This section is STATIC and students should refer to their Google Classroom page for assignments and the most up-to-date information**
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Eighth graders study United States History where the focus is on the 20th century, primarily World War I through the September 11th attacks. We will also study the U. S. Presidents and take an in-depth look at the enslavement of Africans (beginning in 1619) and how that affected this nation's formation and history.
The most important goal is to create an enthusiasm for our country's past and widen the student's appreciation of important American historical events. Possible activities projects, debates, films, current events, map work, class discussions and lectures. Students will practice note taking, historical research, and essay writing.
Ideally, 8th grade World History will also contain some the following: appreciation of the diverse histories and cultures represented in our history, focus on active and collaborative learning, attention on learning strong study skills, capitalization on serendipitous opportunities such as local happenings and guest speakers and integration with other middle school classes (when possible).
The following standards will be used to direct learning and offer feedback on how students are doing in the class:
1. Constructs questions that frame and advance inquiry
2. Analyzes and critiques historical documents.
3. Uses maps to demonstrate locations of historical events.
4. Makes connections between current events and historical contexts.
5. Evaluates the relative influence of various causes and effects of events and developments in the past.
6. Evaluates the relevance, utility, and credibility of a source.
7. Develops critical claims and counterclaims.
8. Creates written and spoken arguments using claims and evidence.
9. Creates written and spoken historical explanations.
10. Creates narrative accounts of historical events.
11. Demonstrates accurate grammar, punctuation, and spelling in written work.
Students will be instructed in class expectations, especially the importance of the Trinity Honor Code and the Trinity Way. Communication is critical so please email me at [email protected] or call at 704-651-6353.
**This section is STATIC and students should refer to their Google Classroom page for assignments and the most up-to-date information**
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Eighth graders study United States History where the focus is on the 20th century, primarily World War I through the September 11th attacks. We will also study the U. S. Presidents and take an in-depth look at the enslavement of Africans (beginning in 1619) and how that affected this nation's formation and history.
The most important goal is to create an enthusiasm for our country's past and widen the student's appreciation of important American historical events. Possible activities projects, debates, films, current events, map work, class discussions and lectures. Students will practice note taking, historical research, and essay writing.
Ideally, 8th grade World History will also contain some the following: appreciation of the diverse histories and cultures represented in our history, focus on active and collaborative learning, attention on learning strong study skills, capitalization on serendipitous opportunities such as local happenings and guest speakers and integration with other middle school classes (when possible).
The following standards will be used to direct learning and offer feedback on how students are doing in the class:
1. Constructs questions that frame and advance inquiry
2. Analyzes and critiques historical documents.
3. Uses maps to demonstrate locations of historical events.
4. Makes connections between current events and historical contexts.
5. Evaluates the relative influence of various causes and effects of events and developments in the past.
6. Evaluates the relevance, utility, and credibility of a source.
7. Develops critical claims and counterclaims.
8. Creates written and spoken arguments using claims and evidence.
9. Creates written and spoken historical explanations.
10. Creates narrative accounts of historical events.
11. Demonstrates accurate grammar, punctuation, and spelling in written work.
Students will be instructed in class expectations, especially the importance of the Trinity Honor Code and the Trinity Way. Communication is critical so please email me at [email protected] or call at 704-651-6353.
ONLINE TEXTBOOK
8th graders will use the online history text provided by UShistory.org and Khan Academy. Although not perfect, these online resources provide accurate information and interesting links relating to our history.
8th graders will use the online history text provided by UShistory.org and Khan Academy. Although not perfect, these online resources provide accurate information and interesting links relating to our history.
PRESIDENTS
All 8th graders will need to memorize the 45 American Presidents in order. Actually, there are only 44 names as Grover Cleveland is listed twice! Please click the photo collage to the left to see the YouTube video "From George Washington to Barack Obama - A Long Way- Original Video" by Poldivideo. This video is one of the many resources that can be used to memorize the Presidents. Feel free to get stared at anytime and see Mr. Smith if you need other hints on how to study.
All 8th graders will need to memorize the 45 American Presidents in order. Actually, there are only 44 names as Grover Cleveland is listed twice! Please click the photo collage to the left to see the YouTube video "From George Washington to Barack Obama - A Long Way- Original Video" by Poldivideo. This video is one of the many resources that can be used to memorize the Presidents. Feel free to get stared at anytime and see Mr. Smith if you need other hints on how to study.
NATIONAL HISTORY BEE
Seventh and eight grade students will be able to compete in the National History Bee. Students will take a written test to qualify for one of ten spots available in the school History Bee. Those ten students will then take an online test to see who qualifies for the regional bee.
The National History Bee is focused on American history and World history and resources and sample questions are available at the official website. Just click on logo to the left or go to historybee.com.
The school bee will be in early January. Some practice will occur social studies class, but interested students are encouraged to review and study on their own with the help of the website and other recommended resources.
Seventh and eight grade students will be able to compete in the National History Bee. Students will take a written test to qualify for one of ten spots available in the school History Bee. Those ten students will then take an online test to see who qualifies for the regional bee.
The National History Bee is focused on American history and World history and resources and sample questions are available at the official website. Just click on logo to the left or go to historybee.com.
The school bee will be in early January. Some practice will occur social studies class, but interested students are encouraged to review and study on their own with the help of the website and other recommended resources.
THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BEE
The National Geographic Bee is still an important and fun part of the social studies curriculum at Trinity. Eighth graders who are interested in the geography bee should click on the image at the left to take the daily geography quiz and access other great geography bee resources.
JOURNALS
Journaling will be an important part of each 8th grade section. How else can students learn to appreciate primary sources unless they are creating one themselves! As in past years, students will journal daily in a composition book that remains in the class room. Journal topics will be written on the board , but students are encouraged to write about what they deem is important. Students should be very respectful of each other journals and entries should not reveal any truly personal information.
Journaling will be an important part of each 8th grade section. How else can students learn to appreciate primary sources unless they are creating one themselves! As in past years, students will journal daily in a composition book that remains in the class room. Journal topics will be written on the board , but students are encouraged to write about what they deem is important. Students should be very respectful of each other journals and entries should not reveal any truly personal information.
Click to go to CNN.
CURRENT EVENTS
Weekly current events are an excellent way to stay abreast of "current history". Every week (usually on the same day), usually half the student will need to find a current event on the CNN website (or any other major news or newspaper website), read that current and then post a description and link on a Google Docs page. Other new sites that you might consider are The Charlotte Observer, NPR, Fox News, the BBC or Al Jazeera.
Students need to find a current event happening inside or outside the United States that does not involve celebrities, graphic individual crimes, silly or weird happenings or anything that seems inappropriate. Current events must occur within the seven days prior to the due date. Once a current event is posted by a student on the Google Doc, another student MAY NOT do that same current event. Have no fear, lots of things are happening and you have seven days in which to look.
Students will present their current events and links on the assigned day by giving a quick synopsis of the article. Here are step by step directions for current events:
1. Go to the CNN website or other news website using the links above or by simply doing a Google search for the sites. Clicking on the newspaper stack picture above will take you to CNN.
2. Find a specific article focusing on an event INSIDE or OUTSIDE the United States.
3. READ the article and watch any attached videos. You may also want to discuss it with your parents or Mr. Smith.
4. Highlight the URL address of the specific article (all those letters and numbers in the top box on your screen that denote the web address of the article) by clicking and dragging the cursor across the full address so it is highlighted in blue (or another color).
5. Copy that address by clicking on "Edit" at the top and then clicking on "Copy" or by pressing Command C
6. Open your class sections current event Google doc page (assigned through Google Classroom) and write your title and name on the doc.
8. Highlight the title you just wrote by clicking and dragging across the title and then click the "Insert Link" button at the top of the Google docs page. It is the button with the icon that looks like the link in a chain.
10. A box will appear with you title in it.
11. Your cursor should be blinking in a box below the title that says URL address.
12. Go to "Edit" and then "Paste" (or Command V) and the copied URL address of your CNN article should appear in the box.
13. Click "OK".
14. Your title itself should now be a link to the article you have chosen.
15. Please write a short paragraph describing where your event happens and what has occurred.
Current Event Checklist:
- Acceptable Current Event
- Title with Embedded Link
- Student Name
- Location
- Description
- Capitalization
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Answering Questions
- Locating Country on Google Map