8^th Grade U.S. History is designed to follow the development of the United States of America economically, politically and socially. The course will provide students with an opportunity to develop academically, while promoting a culture of life long learning. Knowing History will help students understand and come to their own conclusions as to why things are the way they are, how we as a country have been successful, how we as a country have failed, and how to change for an even better future without repeating the failures of the past.

In 8^th Grade U.S. History students will begin with a review of major ideas, issues and events preceding the founding of the nation. Students will then concentrate on the critical events that led to the Revolution and the Declaration Independence, to the framing of the Constitution, the Civil War, Expansion and the Age of Industrialization. Instruction will include specific areas such as map and graph interpretation, critical thinking, and skills which develop written expressions. Students will be prepared to continue the study of U.S. History in the 11th grade from the age of industrialization to the present.