|
General Statement
Eighth grade US History focuses on three questions:
- How do we understand the truth about what happened in the past?
- How do people make just and equitable societies?
- How can we use the past to understand the present?
Students examine the complexity of the history  of the US while exploring the task of recording and analyzing historical events seen through multiple perspectives. The course begins with a unit on the multiple perspectives and biases in the writing and telling of US History called' How doe we tell the story of the United States?" Students then study four main units as the year progresses:
- Who was Christopher Columbus?
- How does the Constitution affect the United States?
- How have people worked for social justice in the US?
- How have people worked for peace in the US?
Each student also individually pursues his or her own independent research question or questions throughout the year, evaluating sources and taking extensive notes.
Concepts
The aim of this course is to build students' analytical reasoning and critical thinking skills while providing a base of knowledge of United States History. The course challenges students to use this knowledge of events in order to identify repeating historical patterns and themes and to recognize cause and effect in history as it relates to the past and present. Students assess the choices that people made at various points in US history and examine the factors that influenced these choices. Students also reflect on the factors that affect our lives today.
Methods and Materials
Students learn through the use of simulation games and role playing,
music and film, lectures, group and individual projects and
 presentations, guest speakers, research, discussion, and a wide variety of readings. Students read, examine, and evaluate primary source materials with regularity and understand methods of analysis for different kinds of historical sources. Students' independent research in the second semester includes an oral history component. In this project, students research an era of twentieth century U.S. History, locate people to interview about the topic, tape record interviews, and present finished work.
Students read regularly, bringing notes prepared for discussion and building upon reading and note-taking skills introduced in Reading Workshop. Eighth graders' history writing assignments and essay tests build upon skills introduced in their Writing Workshop course. Furthermore, students' Reading Workshop group novels and their yearlong study of jazz in music class allow for direct connections throughout the year in US History.
Homework is given at every class meeting. Students are tested on material at the end of units, with regular small quizzes and writing assignments. Eighth graders' history writing assignments and essay tests build upon skills introduced in their Writing Workshop course. Eighth Graders also bring together music, literature, and history through a Harlem Renaissance project, their Reading Workshop group novels, and their yearlong study of jazz in music class.
Study Skills
History Class presents an excellent opportunity for building and reinforcing students' skills in reading, note-taking, research, writing, and test taking. Students use the study skills that they have practiced in the sixth and seventh grades in order to read, write, analyze, question, and research effectively with historical materials. A higher level of proficiency, organization, independence, and critical thought is expected at this level. When students read non-fiction, they practice picking out main ideas and salient details, summarizing, and outlining. Students practice taking thoughtful and accurate notes from reading and from lectures. In research, students gather information, locate resources, and use the interviewing skills taught in class. Students are expected to use the public library independently and efficiently. Students write essays, short responses, research reports, and historical fiction. Finally, in taking tests, students practice and reflect upon their performance on different kinds of test questions, including multiple choice, short answer, and essay.
|
|
|
