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8th Grade Social Studies
General Information:
Hour: 3rd
Room: 105
Instructor: Mr. Jansonius
Required text: America: History of Our Nation
Course Description:
This course offers an overview of American History. We will begin with the Columbus voyage and cover major historical events through the present day. There are three themes that we deal with when we study history:
1. Causes: What caused _____ to happen?
2. Conduct: What actually occurred?
3. Consequences: What was gained or lost as a result of _____?
Course Objectives:
1. Students will know how people first reached the Americas.
2. Students will know why England and France wanted to find a Northwest Passage past North America.
3. Students will know why some Europeans and Africans came to the New World.
4. Students will know that there were three colonial areas in North America and that each had unique geographic features that shaped that area’s economy.
5. Students will know why North American settlers felt they had to rebel against England.
6. Students will know the role of the city of New Orleans in our nation’s history.
7. Students will know why indentured servants and slaves were brought to the New World.
8. Students will know what caused friction between Native Americans and white settlers throughout our history.
9. Students will know why the northern states were more industrially developed than the southern states.
10. Students will know why some Americans traveled to places like Texas, Oregon, and California before these areas were admitted as states.
11. Students will know how technology increased the demand for slaves in the southern states.
12. Students will know why people from different parts of America had very different opinions on slavery and why this resulted in the worst war in our history.
13. Students will know how life changed for African-Americans during Reconstruction.
14. Students will know why people settled in Kansas and how they had to adapt to the environment to survive.
15. Students will know why we were involved in a war with Spain in 1898 and how this made the U.S. a world power.
16. Students will know what events led to our participation in World War I.
17. Students will know what caused the Great Depression and how it affected Kansans.
18. Students will know how America became involved in World War II.
19. Students will know why America and Russia haven’t been friendly to each other since 1946.
20. Students will know that every country in the world today depends on products from other countries.
Method of Instruction:
This course will be taught through class discussion and with the use of the materials mentioned above. Students will be active participants in these teaching methods.