8th Grade History Units Why Study History
The Ohio standards contain a group of "history analysis" skills that I cover throughout the year. This opening unit briefly introduces those skills and the different types of activities we will do throughout the year. Here I introduce the ways to use historical thinking skills: Corroboration, Sourcing, Contextualization, and Close Reading. Click the following link to explore what historians do. Why Study History Exploration This unit discusses the different explorers and many journeys made to discover the world today as we know it. We will look at what exploration meant and the influences exploration has had on the world today. We will discuss the 3 main G's of exploration: God, Glory, and Gold. This unit will be about a week long. Click on the following link to explore the Exploration unit. Exploration Unit Early America This unit discusses the begin of early settlements in America. We look at the different view points of Indians and explorers to decide our opinions on how America really developed if it was taken by God's grace or if it was taken through blood shed and a more dominate culture. This unit will be about a week to two weeks long. Click on the link to explore Early America. Early America Unit French Indian War This unit will look at the beginning of struggles between the colonists and the native Indians How did each side fight and what strategies did the colonists gain that later helped them in history? This unit will be about a week long. Click the following link to explore the French and Indian War. French Indian War Unit Road to Revolution Were the colonists justified in going to war or were they just trying to change a few laws? Why did two groups of people fight when both claim that neither wanted to fight? Were they forced to fight? You will answer all of these questions after exploring this unit on the Revolutionary War. This unit will be about 4 weeks long including a DBQ over the Causes of the Revolutionary War. Click the link to explore the road to the revolution. Road to Revolution Unit Revolutionary War The war that established America as a nation. Why did we go to war? How did the colonists survive and win the war while out numbered, our supplied, and with very little guidance? This unit explains the fighting tactics and results of the revolutionary war. This unit will be about 2 weeks long. Click the link to explore the Revolutionary War. Revolutionary War Unit Developing Government Starting with the failed Articles of Confederation this unit looks at how the Constitution ultimately arose out of great compromise and guided the direction the direction of this country. We will look closely at the Articles as well and the powers assigned to states and local governments. We will close with an in-depth look at our rights as defined in the Bill of the Rights. Essential Question: Should the Constitution have been ratified as originally written without the promise of a Bill of Rights? Click on the following link to explore the Constitution and Early Government of America. Developing Government Unit Early Republic We will look at some of the early policies put into place by the first few presidents. This unit will last only about a week or two and will set us up for expansion and war in the future of America. Early Republic Unit Jefferson in Office and Lewis and Clark Purchase land for about 3 cents and acre, why not? What were the lasting affects of this purchase and how did Jefferson change the face of America during his presidency? This unit will be about two weeks long. Click the following link to explore Jefferson in office. Jefferson/Lewis and Clark Unit National and Regional Growth / Industrial Rev. There is nothing that screams patriotism then standing up and taking pride in the country you live in. Hard work and the development of Industries help to build America to be one of the powerful countries in the world. This unit will be about a week. Click on the following link to explore the development of the United States and Industries. National Growth/Industrial Revolution Unit Age of Jackson People's president? What peoples? Well that is for you to decide if this only president to pay off the United States national debt is really to be considered the peoples president. He is a true rags to riches story by hard work and patriotism. This unit will be about a week long. Click the following link to explore Jackson's presidency. Jackson Unit Manifest Destiny Expand or not? Are we destined to take land that is unsettled and not being used properly? Lets take it!!! This is the mindset the American's had about the rest of the America's after buying Louisiana. It was also a way to focus attention away from the issue of slavery in America. This unit will be about a week long. Click the following link to explore the Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny Unit Women's Reform Learn about the women's movement and their rise to change. We will examine leaders of the reform not only for women but in slavery as well. Click the following link to explore women's reform. Women's Reform Unit A Nation Breaking Apart Two existing lands that claim to be one cannot exist together when they are split on major issues. This is the case in America when they were choosing whether or not slavery should exist. It ultimately comes to a head and causes a war amongst brothers. Click the following link to explore the causes of the civil war. Nation Breaking Apart Unit Civil War Brothers vs. Brothers over the issue of slavery and money. How should our country be run and who are the people when stated "we the people" in the Constitution. Is it all people who live under the land or is it just certain people. This issue causes America to fight amongst its self. Click the link to explore the Civil War unit. Civil War Unit Reconstruction Rebuilding the country after fighting one another is easier said then done. Many think we are still fighting a battle between the Union and the Confederates. How were baby steps taken to restore a country that was in complete shambles. Click the link to explore the rebuilding of America. Reconstruction Unit Other Resources Explore some other resources for the different areas above. Learning Styles Survey 8th grade web quests book link 2nd Semester Exam Review Political Parties Who Are You? Political Fed vs Rep Political Dem vs Rep Fakebook Template |
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