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gwendolyn.lamonica
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With hard work and motivation I believe all students will arise above the challenge in their path to new discoveries throughout their educational careers. I hope that all of my students leave the classroom with a new found love for history and follow the motto "Carpe Diem".
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Welcome to the 8th Grade.  Remember, THE ONLY EASY DAY WAS YESTERDAY.  With a lot of GRIT everyone will be successful. Supplies Needed 1. Paper 2. Pencils 3. Headphones 4. Binder (does not have to be strictly for just Social Studies) 5. Colored Pencils 8th Grade Social Studies Standards   Academic standards, chosen by the Tennessee State Board of Education, provide a common set of expectations for what students should know and be able to do at the end of a specific grade or course.  Local school districts determine the order in which these state-mandated standards are addressed in their schools.  For a breakdown of standard pacing and course objectives for 8th grade Social Studies students in the Clarksville Montgomery County School System, please visit the Academic Resources link under the Students & Parents tab on the CMCSS homepage.   It is the policy of the Clarksville Montgomery County School System to follow the dictates of state statues in the selection and use of all instructional materials.  Parents or legal guardians may request to review any instructional materials used in the classroom of the parent or legal guardian’s child following the guideline set forth in Instructional Policy INS-A073 found at: https://portal.cmcss.net/iso.aspx?doc=INS-A073.pdf   The chart below outlines the units of study for 8th grade Social Studies and possible major assignments or field trips that could be used to enhance student learning or solidify mastery of standards in each unit.  This chart is not inclusive of every assignment for 8th grade Social Studies, as additional or different assignments may be created based on the needs of students.  Specific details for major assignments will be shared with students and parents or legal guardians as the standards related to the assignments are addressed in class.     Unit   Topic Areas of Focus and Possible Major Assignments Possible Field Trips 1 Colonization Diagram push and pull factors of English colonization Compare motives for founding of colonies Analyze Jamestown location, hardships, accomplishments – rise of plantation economy Rise of representative government – House of Burgesses, Bacon’s Rebellion Origins of American slavery Religious Reasons for Founding Colonies:  Plymouth, Mass Bay, Pennsylvania Map colonies major geographic features and tie to development of economy and culture Identify major figures in colonial history and their significance Trace Dutch influence in Hudson Valley and the rise of New York Carolina colonies – tobacco, rice, indigo – recognize Tidewater influence Founding of Georgia – motive as a buffer colony and haven for debtors Trace the extent of French occupation of Canada and move into the Ohio Valley Identify impact of European colonization on American Indians Explain the Navigation acts and mercantilism Compare the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies Close reading on the geography of the colonies; foundational documents like the Mayflower Compact Map Triangular Trade Close reading on Middle Passage or African experiences as slaves (Equiano) Text dependent writing assignments on various topics   2 The American Revolution Compare French and British colonization in the New World Analyze effect of salutary neglect policies and enforcement of mercantilism List accomplishments of Benjamin Franklin Analyze first political cartoon – Albany Union Close reading – Zenger Trial Graphic organizer Causes of French and Indian War and Effects of French and Indian War Trace events in early TN history – important figures and effect of Am Rev Sequence Events in the Pre-Revolutionary Period Close reading and analysis of Declaration of Independence Close reading of Common Sense excerpts and The Crisis Close reading of Speech to VA Convention – Patrick Henry Graphic organizer of factors leading to Am victory (including major battles) Outcomes of Treaty of Paris 1783 Text dependent writing assignments on various topics Fort Defiance 3 The New Nation Trace origins – Magna Carta, Locke, Montesquieu List features and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Analyze impact of the Land Ordinance and Northwest Ordinance Identify important figures and their roles at Constitutional Convention Graphic organizers – types of powers – delegated, shared, reserved, implied Identify and explain major compromises and their impact – Great Compromise, 3/5 Compromise, Slave Trade Compromise Compare views of Federalists and Anti-Federalists Close reading of excerpts from the Federalist Papers Analyze the Preamble (recommended students memorize) Analyze the principles of the Constitution Diagram checks and balances Construct scenarios of checks and balances List the rights and protections in the Bill of Rights Identify Washington’s goals as President, his cabinet members, and problems he faced and resolved Categorize and analyze the parts of Hamilton’s Financial Plan Compare views of Hamilton and Jefferson that led to first political parties Identify outcomes of the Election of 1796 and problems facing John Adams Impact of Napoleonic Wars on the U.S. Close reading Farewell Address excerpt Text dependent writing assignments on various topics Analyze the statehood of Tennessee (and first constitution)   4 Growth of a Young Nation Close reading of excerpts from Cooper, Irving Identify leaders and events in early TN history Analyze important Supreme Court cases – Marbury v. Madison, etc. Map and analyze impact of the Louisiana Purchase Trace the route and impact of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Close reading – journal excerpts Lewis and Clark Text dependent writing assignments on various topics Graphic organizer – causes and effects of the War of 1812 Close reading excerpt from the Monroe Doctrine Map expansion of the U.S. to include treaties and purchases Text dependent writing assignments on various topics   5 The Jacksonian Era Analyze key Supreme Court decisions (reading excerpts): Gibbons v. Ogden, McCulloch v. Maryland, Worcester v. Georgia Examine the elections of 1824 and 1828 Explain the importance of Jackson’s actions on the Bank of the U.S. and the Nullification Crisis Describe and map out the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears Close reading of excerpt from Jackson’s Indian Removal Speech Write narrative piece on Trail of Tears Reading excerpts and analyzing the 1832 Tennessee State Constitution   6 Sectionalism and Reform Map transportation in early U.S. – canals, early railroads, roads Push and pull factors for immigration Irish and German) List important reformers of the period Close reading excerpts from literature, suffrage movement, reform movements Southern geography and impact on culture Describe the importance of the cotton gin and the agrarian economy of the South List ways in which slaves adapted to and resisted slavery prior to the Civil War (including Nat Turner’s revolt) Analyze various components of the Industrial Revolution: interchangeable parts, trade unions, textile industry, Lowell System and how this affected Northern industry Close readings on the Second Great Awakening and its impact on reform Close readings and biographical analysis on women’s suffrage movement: Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Stanton, Sojourner Truth Analyze the importance of abolitionists (Garrison, Douglass, Tubman)     7 Expansion and Division of the Nation Review Northwest Ordinance and trace events affecting slavery – MO Trace Texas Independence and Mexican War events and impact List accomplishments of James K. Polk Close reading – Manifest Destiny Trace routes of Fremont, Oregon Trail, and other western routes Sequence events in U.S. expansion including Gold Rush, Oregon Trail, Mormons List parts of Compromise of 1850 – analyze impact of Fugitive Slave Law Close reading excerpt Uncle Tom’s Cabin Analyze reasons for and impact of Kansas-Nebraska Act Analyze newspaper story and cartoons of Crime Against Kansas Speech Close reading excerpt from Dred Scott Decision Identify important points of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates Review visuals and documentary excerpts about conditions for slaves in the South prior to the Civil War Text dependent writing assignments on various topics   8 Civil War Map southern and northern states on eve of Civil War Compare cultural, economic characteristics of the two sections List candidates and explain the outcome of the Election of 1860 Analyze division of TN over the issue of war, secession, slavery Identify key Confederate leaders Close reading of excerpts about soldier hardships Compare advantages/disadvantages of the North and South in the war Track the major battles – places, impact Analyze the role of the border states Close reading of excerpt from Emancipation Proclamation Describe African American involvement in the Army (54th Mass. Regiment and 13th Colored Troops) Analyze impact of Lincoln’s assassination Text dependent writing assignments on various topics Fort Donelson 9 Reconstruction Identify and analyze impact of the 13th, 14th, 15th amendments List problems faced by Andrew Johnson Compare Lincoln’s 10% Plan with the Radical Reconstruction plan Analyze impact of Black Codes, Freedmen’s Bureau, and disfranchisement methods Video clips on KKK, Carpetbaggers, conditions for freedmen Reconstruction issues in TN (know Governor William Brownlow) Analyze impact of the disputed election of 1876 and the Compromise of 1877 Trace routes and settlements of Exodusters and First Great Migration (beginning) Explain sharecropping and “New South” economy changes Text dependent writing assignments on various topics                        
  1. Be RESPECTFUL to yourself and others.
  2. Come to class PREPARED. (paper, pencil, and an eagerness to learn).
  3. Raise your hand and PATIENTLY wait to be called upon.
  4. Listen to all DIRECTIONS carefully.
  5. NO EXCUSES.

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