Class Materials/About American History
2025-2026 School Year
Pencils-Quantity-4
Pencils are basic school supplies and students should have at least two on them on all times.
Black or Blue Pens-Quantity 4
Pens are also basic school supplies and students should have at least two on them on all times. Black and blue pens only. There is no need for additional colored pens for social studies.
A Pencil Bag-Quantity 1
Students should have a pencil bag, with their name on it, kept with them or in a binder at all times. I like the ringed pencil bags that can be kept in a binder and easily carried from class to class.
A Pencil Box-Quantity 1
While students carry the pencil bag, the pencil box remains in the locker as a "back-up" supply station. Middle school students notoriously lose pencils and pens. Having a back-up pencil box in the locker helps them to stay prepared. Check with students routinely to make sure they have adequate supplies.
A Multi-Subject Accordion Folder-Quantity 1
Accordian folders are excellent organizational tools and allow students to keep track of homework assignments daily.
1 1/2 inch binder-Quantity 1
A 3-ring, 1 1/2 inch-binder is perfect for social studies class. Please do not get a binder larger than a 1 1/2 inch for social studies. It is difficult to fit larger binders in the lockers. I highly recommend those with the see-though plastic overlays. This way you can label the binders by subject making them easier to identify.
Divider Tabs for the Binder-Quantity 2
Two divider tabs to divide routine class assignments and chapter topics. Students will clean out their binders after each unit, so two is more than enough. This binder may also be the binder you share with your ELA teacher.
50 Sheets of White-lined paper in the binder
Quite often students will be responsible for taking notes, creating outlines, and completing general writing tasks. Therefore, having a binder with 50 to 100 sheets of paper at all times is required.
A pair of plug-in earbuds or headphones
When interacting with audio-visual media having a pair of plug-in headphones helps students to focus on tasks. Please note: the headphones can be cheap, dollar-store headphones. If you already have a good plug-in pair, you do not need to buy a new pair. However, they need to be plug-in headphones rather than wireless headphones because some wireless components are not compatible with Chromebooks.
American History is about...us. The United States! Understanding the development of the United States from its early colonial origins to the establishment of our constitutional republic fosters an understanding of the events and issues that dominate American politics today.
The first one hundred years covers a variety of topics. Some of these we learn in chronological order. Other we learn thematically based on specific trends and events in a given period of history. Units are divided according to the following...
Unit 1-Colonial Origins
Early Colonies in Virginia and New England
Early Settlement in the Middle and Southern Colonies
Life in the American Colonies
Unit 2-Origins of Colonial Government
Unit 3-Conflict in the Colonies
Unit 4-Causes of the Revolution
Unit 5-The Revolutionary War
Unit 6-Forming a New Nation
Unit 7-Forming a New Government
Social Studies, like Math and Language Arts, is an academic course in Middle School. Therefore, social studies teachers challenge students to think analytically and critically using content knowledge. Using specific skills, such as RACES for History, and historical analysis charts, and specific tools such as analysis and assessment charts and writing rubrics.
Yes! State Common Core Standards require all teachers to incorporate reading and writing skills into their curriculum and instruction. Students will develop specific strategies using non-fiction text. These skills will include specific before, during, and after reading strategies reflective questioning, and historical writing strategies using rubrics as a guide for appropriate content-area writing.