Month

Content/Topic

Skills

Assessment

Standards

September

Reasons to study history

Peopling the Americas

Native American Cultures

Europe, Asia, and Africa, in the Middles Ages

Lure of trade/exploration

First Contact between the cultures

Conquest of the Americas

Spanish Settlement

English Settlement

Consider the “discoverers” of America

Explore Native American cultures

Formulate critical thinking questions

Review 5 themes of geography

Construct a personal view of the meeting of the cultures

Compare European types of colonization and impact on the Americas

Recognize the positive and negative connections and implications of the meetings of culture

Class discussions

Circle discussions

Written responses to questions

Quizzes

Tests

Essays

Small group Projects

Simulations

Journaling

Video reactions

A12. 13

B12.1,2,3,4,7,8,10,

11,12,13,14,17,18.

20

C12.13

October

European settlement of North America in New England, the Middle Atlantic states, the Southern Colonies, and the frontier

French-Indian War

Determine the motives for European colonization of America

Experience the realities of colonial life from European, Native American and African perspectives

Understand the development of the colonial arrangement between England and its colonies

Learn Reconciliation Group Process - Kiva

Class discussions

Circle discussions

Written responses to questions

Quizzes

Tests

Essays

Small group Projects

Simulations

Journaling

Video reactions

B12.1,2,3,4,18

C12.12

E12.15

November

Independence and Freedom in the North American colonies

Recognize the causes and effects of the American Revolution

Identify the perspectives of the participants in the Am. Rev: British, Native American, Loyalist, Patriot, etc.

Recall the major events of the revolution

Appreciate the power of the Declaration of  Independence

Class discussions

Circle discussions

Written responses to questions

Quizzes

Tests

Essays

Small group Projects

Simulations

Journaling

Video reactions

B12.1,2,4,6,9,11,12

C12.1,15

December

From Confederation to Federal Union in the new United States

Study of the Constitution

Research Paper Project

Outline the Constitution

Describe the issues and compromises in moving from the confederation to federal union

Understand concepts of:

Federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, Bill of Rights

Research Paper work: topic, thesis, and outline

Class discussions

Circle discussions

Written responses to questions

Quizzes

Tests

Essays

Small group Projects

Simulations

Journaling

Video reactions

C12.3,4,5,6

January

A Strong Start for the Nation:

Federal Government established

Foreign affairs issues

Federalists dominate party politics

The Nation expands west

The War of 1812

List the steps taken to establish the federal government

Describe how issues of foreign affairs influenced the US

Examine the beginnings of the 2 party system

Understand the effects and implications of the westward expansion of the US

Describe the causes, events, and effects of the War of 1812

Class discussions

Circle discussions

Written responses to questions

Quizzes

Tests

Essays

Small group Projects

Simulations

Journaling

Video reactions

B12.4,6,8,9,11,12,

13

C12.6,14

D12.7,8,9,13

February

Nationalism and Economic Growth:

Nationalism

Economic growth

Jacksonian Democracy

Jackson’s Policies

Separate Societies:

Northern Culture

Southern Culture

Slave Culture

Understand the growth of nationalism in America following the War of 1812.

Describe the American System establish in order to promote economic growth.

Explore the growth and expansion of democracy in American society

Examine the impact of Jackson’s policies, including impact on Native Americans

Describe the different cultures that evolved in America prior to the Civil War

Class discussions

Circle discussions

Written responses to questions

Quizzes

Tests

Essays

Small group Projects

Simulations

Journaling

Video reactions

Examination of primary sources

Role-playing

A12.1,5,7,8,9,10,12

B12.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,18

C12.1,2,3,4,5,7,13,14,15,16

D12.2,6,7,12,

E12.2,3,4,5,6,8,10,12,

March

Working for Reform:

Abolition

Women’s Rights

Religious/Utopian communities

Social Reforms

Expansion and Conflict:

The West

Expansion – Mexican War

The Far North West

California

Explore the motivating factors for reforms and their effects in the Mid 1800s

Describe the various reform movements

Examine the developing social structures

Understand the motivations for, and causes of the Mexican War

Consider the short and long term effects of the Mexican war.

Define the concept of manifest destiny and its implications for America

Class discussions

Circle discussions

Written responses to questions

Quizzes

Tests

Essays

Small group Projects

Simulations

Journaling

Video reactions

Examination of primary sources

Role-playing

A12.1,7,13

B12.1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,18

C12.1,2,3,4,5,7,14,16

D12..2,6,7

E12.3,5,7,8,10

April

War and Reunification:

Slavery’s Expansion

The Civil War

Examine how the polarization of America over the issues of slavery effected the balance of power.

Explore the final attempts at compromise.

Describe the events and individuals in the triggering events of the dissolution of the union.

List the advantage and disadvantages for both sides in the Civil War

Analyze the effects of the Civil War on the lives of Americans of the time.

Describe the consequences of the northern victory.

Understand the concepts of war of attrition and total war

Class discussions

Circle discussions

Written responses to questions

Quizzes

Tests

Essays

Small group Projects

Simulations

Journaling

Video reactions

Examination of primary sources

Role-playing

A12. 5,7,8,12,13

B12.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,13,15,18

C12.1,3,4,5,6,7,14,15,16

D12.1,2,6,10,12,13

E12.3,5,10

May

War and Reunification:

Reconstruction and the New South

Native American Issues

Describe the major proposals for reconstruction

 List the Civil Rights accomplishments of the Era

Describe the social, political, and economic situation of the reconstructed south

Demonstrate an awareness of the Native American position regarding their land and cultural losses

Class discussions

Circle discussions

Written responses to questions

Quizzes

Tests

Essays

Small group Projects

Simulations

Journaling

Video reactions

Examination of primary sources

Role-playing

A12.1,4,10,

B12.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,15,18

C12.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,14,15,16

D12.2,3,6,

E12.2,3,4,6,10,

June