8th Grade U.S.

History
Syllabus 2015-16 Mrs. Seaberg
Teacher Contact Information:
Email: stmarysocialstudies1@gmail.com or sgarthe@stmarysll.org
Phone: 231.256.9636 ext. 206
Course Description:
This course will cover the history of the United States through Reconstruction. The
core of the information will come from TCIs History Alive! program. Outside texts
including primary and secondary sources will be used also. responsibility for their learning.
While being individualized this course will also include group work and group discussion.
The course is divided into the following units and topics.
Unit 1 Native Americans
Unit 2 Exploration and Colonization
European exploration
English Colonies
Life in the colonies
Unit 3 Revolutionary War
Toward independence
Declaration of independence
American Revolution
Unit 4 Government of the New Country
Creating the Constitution
The Constitution: A more perfect union
The Bill of Rights
Unit 5 Early United States
Political Developments in the Early Republic
Foreign Affairs in the young nation
A growing Sense of nationhood
Andrew Jackson and the growth of democracy
Unit 6 Expansion
Manifest Destiny and the Growing Nation
Life in the West
Mexican Contributions to the Southwest

Unit 7 Pre-Civil War America

An Era of Reform
The worlds of the North and South
African Americans at Mid-Century
Unit 8 Civil War and Reconstruction
A dividing nation
The Civil War
The Reconstruction Era
Assignments:
Each Unit consists of the following assignments:

Study Questions
A Processing Assignment
Various in class activities including group and individual assignments
Primary Source Activities
Reading and Book Discussions
Group Quizzes
Unit Tests

Expectations:
I expect students to do the following

Come to class prepared workbook, textbook, pen/pencil, homework

completed
Keep a neat and organized workbook
Participate in class
Be a positive group and class member
Respect others
Respect school rules

Procedures:
1. Late work will lose 10% of its points automatically for every day late. Example: a 20
pt. assignment that is 2 days late will automatically lose 20% of the points meaning
the highest grade it can receive is 16/20.
2. Missed tests will need to be completed after school, during lunch or during
seminar. The make-up test may not be the same as the test the rest of the class
took.

3. Cell phones and other electronic devices are prohibited unless you have
permission from the school/teacher to use them. Technology can be very useful in
a social studies classroom and will be allowed often as long as it is not abused or
used for things not pertaining to academics.

I hold all students to high expectations. I expect and believe that students can rise to the
high expectations. This does not mean every student will be doing the same level or
amount of work. Each student is different and learns differently. I believe in having an
equitable classroom not and equal one.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I look forward to another great
school year!

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Student Signature

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