AMERICAN HISTORY RULES! 23-24

AMERICAN HISTORY RULES! 2025-26

WHY?

QUESTIONS

UNITS

INQUIRY

EXCELLENCE

LANDMARKS

SKILL

COACH TAFT

CONTENT

PROCESS

AHR! SITE

ASSESSMENT

ASSIGNMENTS

MYUSM

NHD 26

SERVICE

DC 26

FLag

Jasper Johns. Flag. 1954-55

DC 2023

TAFT

SERVICE

TLAH

INQUIRY

This question serves as the focus of our 8th grade American history experience. Everything that we examine and do in and out of class must have some relevance to our lives, our country, our community, and our world.It is THE essential question of the year ... and beyond!

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OUR GUIDING QUESTIONS

1. Why is it necessary for us to study American history?
2. What role do the Charters of Freedom play in America’s story?
3. How has the struggle between states’ rights and federal power shaped America’s story?
4. How has geography shaped the course of American history?
5. How have differing political factions affected the development of the U.S.?
6. What are the causes and effects of US expansion since the 18th century?
7. How has the cultural identity of America changed over time?
8. How has the United States viewed its role in the world since independence?
9. What is the government’s involvement with the American economy?
10. Does America provide for and protect everyone in the United States?

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UNITS

While we can't examine every aspect of America's story from 1776 until our current day, we will dive into five units of study and make connections between the past and the present. Click each unit for more information!

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ASSESSMENT

HOVER OVER THE POINTS FOR DESCRIPTORS

• Learning targets are provided and discussed for all work - both formative and summative

• Feedback will be provided, based on the targets
• Feedback is divided into three categories - content, skill and process
• Historians can reassess to improve within the unit of study
• Historians will have an ongoing learning log with feedback

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CONTENT

Your understaning and application of the historical content we examine - the history stuff!

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SKILL

Your ability in communication, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

FOR EXAMPLE ...

Developing and supporting claims with evidence

Analyzing resources for bias and appropriateness

Interpreting maps, charts, graphs, and other visuals

Differentiating between fact and opinion

Working successfully in a collaborative experience

Utilizing creativity to present ideas effectively

Successfuly communicating ideas through writing and speaking

Determining editorial viewpoints in cartoons and speeches

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Summarizing key ideas of a written passage or video sample

Applying knowledge to real world situations

SKILL

Your ability in communication, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

FOR EXAMPLE ...

Developing and supporting claims with evidence

Analyzing resources for bias and appropriateness

Interpreting maps, charts, graphs, and other visuals

Differentiating between fact and opinion

Working successfully in a collaborative experience

Utilizing creativity to present ideas effectively

Successfuly communicating ideas through writing and speaking

Determining editorial viewpoints in cartoons and speeches

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Summarizing key ideas of a written passage or video sample

Applying knowledge to real world situations

PROCESS

QUESTIONING

PREPARATION

Your overall approach to learning, in and out of school.

PARTICIPATION

ORGANIZATION

DETAIL

TIMELINESS

REFLECTION

ADVOCACY

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Every young historian will complete a major reseach project this year - NATIONAL HISTORY DAY. You will select a topic based on the NHD theme, and conduct original research using primary and secondary sources, archives, interviews, and more. You will deveop a thesis based on the evidence you collected and create a historical argument as a paper, website, documentary, exhibit, or performance. As a culmination, you will present your work to the USM comunity at the NHD Showcase. Many of you will also compete at the NHD regional contest ... and possibly the State competition ... and maybe the National contest in June!

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CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE AHR! NHD WEBSITE

HOME LEARNING

PURPOSE

TARGET

FEEDBACK

LOCATION

TIME

PRIORITIZE

COMMUNICATION

SLEEP

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THINKING LIKE HISTORIANS - THAT'S WHAT WE DO!

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LEARNING LANDMARKS

My goal as your history coach is to help you become deep thinkers as young historians. You will receive ongoing feedback on our LEARNING LANDMARKS to guide you toward mastery. I want to support each student in progressing and improving over time, rather than being evaluated by a single score or average. GROWTH IS THE KEY!

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HOW DO WE LEARN?

By asking questions!

Then finding and evaluating sources ...

to develop answers to our questions!

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THE PRICE OF FREEDOM

8th Grade Service Learning

• SUMMER READING ON MILITARY SERVICE
• CURRICULAR FOCUS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
• VETERANS DAY FUNDRAISER
• STUDENT LED PROJECTS AND ASSEMBLIES
• MARCH TO THE MEMORIALS
• ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWS
• WASHINGTON DC TRIP!

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Taps, performed by Matt HArding

TENETS OF EXCELLENCE

RESILIENCE

CURIOSITY

It's not about points, or percentages, or grades ... or perfection. At USM, we want you to all strive for excellence - your form of excellence! Pick one, or two, or three areas of strength - and a few to push for growth.

EFFORT

INITIATIVE

CONFIDENCE

CREATIVITY

FOCUS

EMPATHY

CONFIDENCE

DEPENDABILITY