PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 8
LENGTH: One Year
CATEGORY: Required
The comprehensive goals of the American Studies course is to provide students with an in-depth survey of early American history, focusing on the United States and its creation, development, people and events. As a spring-board into high school studies of American history, students in eighth grade American Studies will gain the fundamental background on which further knowledge will be built.
AREAS OF STUDY:
• Introduction and review: First Americans and European Discovery
Students will be able to describe the conditions leading up to European discovery of America, both for Europeans and Native Americans.
• Making 13 Colonies
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the various people, economics and regions and developed in the early colonial period.
• From Colonies to Country
Students will demonstrate understanding of the causes and effects of the American Revolution for all those involved.
• The Constitution
Students will comprehend the meaning of democratic government and demonstrate the ability to gather information from the US Constitution.
• The New Nation
Students will be able to explain the problems that existed for the new country, politically, economically and socially.
• Liberty For All
Students will demonstrate the understanding of reform movements in America in which its citizens attempted to improve living standards for all people living in the U.S.
• War, Terrible War
Students will demonstrate knowledge concerning cause and effect of the American Civil War covering economic, social and political problems.
• Reconstruction and Reform
Students will be able to explain how the country attempted to pull itself together after the war and how it benefited from the onslaught of social, industrial and technological change.
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Reading and analyzing the text and other assigned written and visual materials
Meeting minimum requirements on written home work assignments
Participating in class activities
Respecting the rights of others
Writing analytical and summary paragraphs using accepted writing format
Satisfactory performance on tests and quizzes
Continuing to develop study skills including: reading for a variety of purposes, taking notes in class, using logical, common-sense analytical skills, use on in-class study time, and using a variety of reference materials.
PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 7
LENGTH: One Year
CATEGORY: Required
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The Global Studies Class strives to cultivate in the student a perspective of the world which emphasizes interdependence, scarcity of resources, environmental problems, different governments and diversity of cultures throughout the world.
The view of the world as a collection of countries pursuing separate goals is no longer valid. Therefore, it is important that our students understand our nation's security, prosperity and way of life are dependent upon our ability to understand world problems.
A major goal for students in Global Studies is to understand the world as a global system, see themselves as participants in that system, recognize the benefits, costs, rights and responsibilities inherent in such participation.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of seventh grade Global Studies is to encourage development of students' global perspectives. Emphasis is on student involvement to increase awareness and understanding concerning our growing ties to the rest of the world.
The concept focused curriculum will give each student opportunity to examine various cultures and geographic characteristics of selected world areas. Appropriate use of technology, inquiry lessons, role playing, simulation activities and skill exercises such as writing, reading , map skills and listening are used to achieve the objectives of each unit. Global Studies and Language Arts classes are team taught. Special activities include a Global Issues Conference, Geography Bee, Geography Olympiad, and special teamed interdisciplinary project units.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Geography Skills and the Social Scientist
Europe and Russia
Sub-Saharan Africa
Work Population and Global Issues
Middle East and North Africa
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Study textbook and related materials
Participate orally in class
Complete a variety of in-class and out-of-class activities
Read about and observe current global events
Perform satisfactorily on unit tests and quizzes
Demonstrate appropriate work-study skills
Respect rights of others
Proficiency in multi-media presentations, including Hyper Studio
Grades will be based on quizzes, homework, projects, class assignments, class participation and unit tests.