M/J United States History Course Outline
This course follows Florida’s Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for 8th grade social studies. This course focuses on the history of the United States from exploration and colonization to reconstruction after the Civil War. It also covers an overview of economics and civics.
The students will learn about the different European colonies formed in America and will compare the characteristics of different colonies. They will learn about the American Revolution and the founding principles of the United States. The students will study the westward expansion of the country and its national and international causes. They will learn about the causes of the Civil War, the major battles of the war, and its effect on the country. The students will then learn about the types of economy and what type of things will impact economies.
Finally, the students will learn about what it means to be a citizen and the rights and responsibility that come along with citizenship.
Course Outline
Introduction
- Welcome
- Course Description
- Pretest
- Assignment: Pretest
- Understanding Plagiarism
- MLA Formatting
- MLA Documentation
- MLA Citation
- MLA Incorporating Sources
The Peoples of Ancient America
- Introduction
- The First Arrivals
- Early People of North America
- Europeans Arrive
- Handout: Early Peoples Graphic Organizer
- Assignment: Early Peoples Graphic Organizer
- Worksheet: The Peoples of Ancient America
The New Age of Discovery
- Introduction
- The Beginnings of Exploration
- Columbus Sails for Spain
- Conquering and Ruling the Land
- The French Move In
- English Exploration
- Assignment: Early Explorers Timeline
- Worksheet: The New Age of Discovery
- Quiz: Unit 1 (Chapters 2 & 3) Test
English Colonies in America
- Introduction
- Handout: Chapter 4 Lecture
Filling in the Coast
- Introduction
- The Carolinas
- New York & New Jersey
- Pennsylvania & Delaware
- Handout: Filling in the Coast Graphic Organizer
- Assignment: Filling in the Coast
- Worksheet: Filling in the Coast
The Road To Independence
- Introduction
- Handout: Chapter 6 Lecture
- Quiz: Road to Independence
- Assignment: Independence Current Event
The War For Independence
- Introduction
- The First Years of the War
- The War in the Middle Colonies
- The War Moves South
- Worksheet: The War for Independence
- Assignment: War For Independence Presentation
The Constitution
- Introduction
- Handout: Chapter 8 Lecture
- Handout: Constitution Scavenger Hunt
- Assignment: Constitution Scavenger Hunt
How the Government Works
- Introduction
- Handout: Chapter 9 Lecture
- Midtest
- Assignment: Midtest
- Handout: Bill of Rights Graphic Organizer
- Worksheet: How the Government Works
- Assignment: Bill of Rights Graphic Organizer
Establishing the Republic: The 1790’s
- Introduction
- Starting the Government
- Foreign and Domestic Policy
- The Administration of John Adams
- Essay: Founding Fathers
- Assignment: 1790’s Timeline
Establishing the Republic: The Jeffersonian
- Introduction
- Handout: Chapter 11 Lecture
- Assignment: Jeffersonian Project
A Time of Growth
- Introduction
- A Changing Economy
- The South & The North
- The West
- Worksheet: A Time of Growth
- Assignment: Immigration
The Spirit of Reform
- Introduction
- Handout: Chapter 13 Lecture
- Quiz: The Spirit of Reform
- Assignment: Reform Current Event
Manifest Destiny
- Introduction
- Handout: Chapter 14 Lecture
- Essay: Manifest Destiny
Sectional Conflict Intensifies
- Introduction
- Handout: Chapter 15 Lecture
- Quiz: Sectional Conflict Intensifies
The Civil War
- Introduction
- The Two Sides
- The First Two Years of War
- Toward Union Victory
- Assignment: Emancipation Proclamation
- Assignment: Civil War Culminating Project
Conclusion
- Florida’s Contributions
- Assignment: Florida’s Contributions
- Post-test
- Assignment: Post-test
- Assignment: United States Geography Culminating Project
Course Survey
- Course Survey
- Handout: Course Survey
- Assignment: Course Survey
