The objective of this course is to introduce young students to the important people, places and events that have had a significant impact on American History.  Furthermore, this course seeks to help the students gain an insight into, an appreciation of and a pride in the history of this great country that we call the United States of America.

Civic Skills Proficiency 

• Exhibit civic discourse skills: listening, speaking, respecting diverse viewpoints, evaluate arguments

• Demonstrate respect for people or groups that have different perspectives and reach consensus

• Participate in a civic discussion on issues in the contemporary world

Citizenship and Government Proficiency

• Understand the principles of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution and how they have been applied throughout U.S. History (7.1.2.3.1)

• Identify and explain the importance of the Bill of Rights and how they have been applied to important Supreme Court Decisions (7.1.3.4.1)

• Explain that the United States government has three levels of government (federal, state and local) and also three branches of government (legislative, executive and judicial) (7.1.4.6.1)

Historical Thinking Skills Proficiency 

• Understand that historical  inquiry is a process where multiple sources and historical evidence are analyzed to determine how and why things/events happened in the past (7.4.1.2.1)

• This class uses the “5W” Questions format when analyzing sources and historical evidence to determine:  Who, What, Where, When and Why things/events happened in the past.

United States History Proficiency 

• Describe the territorial land expansion of the United States including the Louisiana Territory (Lewis and Clark Expedition, Texas Annexation and Manifest Destiny that also led to later conflict with the Native American Indians the Trail of Tears, Dakota 38 and Battle of Little BigHorn (7.4.4.18.1)

• Explain how the issue of slavery and state’s rights led to political compromises including the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850 before ultimately Civil War (7.4.4.19.1)

• Outline the major political and military events of the Civil War such as Fort Sumter, Bull Run, Antietam, Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Sherman’s March to the Sea and Appomatox (7.4.4.19.2)

• Describe the impact of the Civil War,  the assassination of President Lincoln and the importance of the post-Civil War/Reconstruction Amendments: 13th, 14th and 15th (7.4.4.19.3)

• Outline the causes of World War 1  including the major nations involved along with key political/military leaders involved with events including the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the sinking of the Lusitania, the Battle of Belleau Wood and the Treaty of Versailles (7.4.4.20.7/7.4.4.20.8)

• Identify the causes of the Great Depression to include the 1929 Stock Market Crash, Bank Failures and the Dust Bowl (7.4.4.21.1)

• Describe the impact of the Great Depression on American society including the Bonus Army March, the New Deal policies that led to Social Security among other things and bread/soup lines (7.4.4.21.2)

• Outline the causes of World War 2 including the major nations involved along with key political/military leaders involved with events including Pearl Harbor, D-Day and the Atomic Bombs (7.4.4.21.4)

• Understand the American Civil Rights movement that followed World War 2 starting with such things as Jackie Robinson becoming the first black player in the MLB that was followed by the desegregation of the American Military, Brown vs. Board of Education, Rosa Parks and MLK (7.4.4.22.1)

• McDougal-Littell:  Creating America--A History of the United States (textbook)

• History Videos/Movies (Examples):  The Crossing, Gettysburg and Dakota 38

• Primary Sources (Examples):  Declaration of Independence, Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Lewis and Clark Journals, Gettysburg Address and the I Have a Dream Speech

• Articles from a variety of internet news related sources