Unit 8 -- Reconstruction

Late February - Early March

Students will learn about the new amendments (13th, 14th & 15th) that were added to the Constitution and the ways in which those new rights were circumvented.  They will also analyze the impact of Reconstruction on varying groups in the U.S.

Unit 7 -- Civil War

February

Students will write the story of a Civil War soldier they create through the use of multiple choice prompts to help them imagine the creative details.   They will examine primary source documents discussing topics like the Gettysburg Address, the NYC draft riots, and the Emancipation Proclamation.  They will also examine the experience of the Civil War through the stories of many types of participants - including, Black soldiers, women, and even those who resisted the war, like the draft rioters.  Students will be assessed on their understanding through the completion of a critical thinking exam examining their understanding of the content with the use of historical thinking questions.

Unit 6 -- Sectionalism

January

Within this unit, students will analyze the impact slavery had on the events leading to the Civil War, and the resistance to slavery from enslaved people and abolitionists.  Students will recognize the impact of changing borders as they examine how U.S. land claims changed as the government attempted to deal the expanding economy and population.

Unit 5 -- Reform Movements

Late November -- Winter Break

Students will learn about the transformation brought about by the Market Revolution - in the way people lived and the way the market (capitalism) impacted the priorities for daily life. They will also learn about the new immigrants (Irish and German) who came to the United States during this time, and how their treatment reflects the issues with bias in general. I find it essential that students critically think about and conceptualize how life dramatically changed at that time, and how that change would impact America throughout the 19th century.

Unit 4 -- Westward Expansion

Late October - Thanksgiving Break

With this unit, students will break down the major events that caused westward expansion.  The conflict between those who fought for westward expansion and those were were removed from their land are all explored.   Students will analyze a variety of voices through primary sources to determine the ideas of Manifest Destiny and the consequences. Students will also play a fun “Westward We Go!” game as a fun interlude between primary source analysis.

This unit culminates in an inquiry-based essay where students will discuss the consequences of Manifest Destiny.   Students will brainstorm a list of major consequences and then address those consequences in an inquiry exploration and an essay as a summative assessment.

Unit 3 -- Early Presidents

October

Our current unit will focus on students learning about the presidencies of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.  Students will write rap battles about the Whiskey Rebellion.  They will write tweets from the perspective of John Adams.  They’ll solve an escape room about the Early Presidents and play a card game that links lyrics from the musical Hamilton to the actual History behind the musical.  Throughout all of the lessons, students will practice their historical thinking skills by examining primary sources.   Students will also build literacy skills by annotating and closely reading text.

Unit 2 -- The Constitution

September

This unit relates to  the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.  The goal of this unit is to instill critical thinking skills while also encouraging students to develop their love of history.  I want them to see how their lives continue to be impacted by events now centuries old!

A big focus of this unit is to make the material attainable and relatable to all students.  We will read the story of how the Constitution came to be while complex terms are broken down into familiar language.  Students will take the concept of Federalism and apply it to modern news headlines.  They’ll read about Supreme Court cases that have involved teenagers and analyze whether they agree with those rulings.  The role of each branch of government is broken down in a way that enhances student learning.

Unit 1 -- 5th Grade Review

Mid-Late August 

Our year began with reviewing 5th Grade social studies.  We discussed the reason for separation from Britain.  We narrowed in on one major event from the time period, the Boston Massacre.  Students have not had U.S. History since then.  6th grade had a focus on Ancient Civilizations while 7th grade discusses a combination geography and Kansas History.  8th grade curriculum will begin with our nation's founding, the creation of the Constitution, and will run through the Progressive Era (early 1900s).