8th Grade United States History Teacher: Ms. Erin Nooney Room 801 Contact Information: [email protected] 410.643.7330 ext. 2801

Course Description: Tracing American history from the colonial era through Reconstruction, this year we will explore the roots of the United States to better understand our own society today. Instruction will draw on the Maryland State Curriculum, the College and Career-Ready Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, and the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards. Throughout the course, students will conduct research, explore primary and secondary sources, engage in project-based learning, and reflect on contemporary connections to historical content.

Course Outcomes: Students will take on the roles of academic historians, geographers, political scientists, and economists. They will investigate primary and secondary sources to draw conclusions about the past and share their research with others. By the end of the year, students will be able to assess historical sources and use evidence to support a historical argument in order to engage in civic life.

Course Outline and Marking Period Content Goals: First Quarter Third Quarter Unit 1: Review of Colonies and Revolutionary War Unit 7: The Jackson Era Unit 2: Building a New Nation Unit 8: Westward Expansion Unit 3: Principles of Government Unit 9: Antebellum America Unit 10: The Nation Divides Second Quarter Fourth Quarter Unit 4: Launching the New Government Unit 11: Civil War Unit 5: The Age of Jefferson Unit 12: Reconstruction Unit 6: The Growing Nation Countywide Midterm Exam Countywide Final Exam

Explanation of Assessments and Projects Students will be assessed on their mastery of Social Studies content and processes at the end of each unit. Students will be assessed through various means, including tests and quizzes, writing and research tasks, and project-based learning. A study guide will be available to prepare for each test as a review resource. Completion of the study guide is the responsibility of the student, in order to prepare for the test. All Queen Anne’s County students in 8th grade will also complete a countywide midterm and final exam. These exams are cumulative, covering content and skills from the first and second half of the course, respectively. Students are encouraged to review previous study guides, notes, and assignments in preparation for these exams. Finally, each student will research and create a National History Day project. Per the National History Day rules and guidelines, students may choose to create a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website to share their research. All projects must connect to the annual National History Day theme; this year the National History Day theme is “Taking a Stand in History.” Students will work on this project between September and January. The top entries from Matapeake Middle School are encouraged to compete at the Queen Anne’s County History Day in February. The top two finishers at each competition qualify to advance to the next level (Maryland History Day at UMBC, April 29th and National History Day at College Park, June 11-15).

Textbooks/Materials All students are expected to come to class prepared with their charged Chromebook, earbuds, binder with notebook paper, and a pen or pencil. Students may also want to consider bringing a planner/calendar/organizer to class to help keep track of assignments and due dates. This year, students will use an online Techbook (Discovery Education) as our textbook for the course. Students are encouraged to use their site as a reference on homework and in preparation of unit study guides. Additionally, we will use classroom sets of The American Nation, We the People and A History of US as supplemental resources throughout the year. These sources will be integrated into instruction, and are to remain in the classroom to ensure equal access by all students. In addition to our classroom resources, students will use a variety of digital resources to support our class curriculum, including Remind 101, NoodleTools, and iCivics. All digital resources will be accessible through Ms. Nooneys’ group on Google Classroom. I am happy to offer additional assistance in the use of Google Classroom and other technological resources to parents or students, upon request.

Classroom Requirement/Procedures Each class will begin with a warm-up to spark an initial discussion and introduce the content for the day’s lesson. Students are expected to use this time at the start of class to complete the warm-up task/prompt, turn in any work and/or ask for missing assignments if absent the previous day(s).. Depending on the content and outcomes, lessons may consist of direct instruction, historical simulations, primary/secondary source analysis, project-based learning, or a combination thereof. I expect students to take responsibility for their own work and learning, through attentive and engaged behaviors. Students are expected to turn in work in a timely manner, according to due dates established in class. All digital work must be turned in through Google Classroom. Any physical work must be turned in to the class bins in the back of the classroom. If a student is absent, it is his or her responsibility to complete a “Make-Up Work” contract found in the back of the classroom. Students must include their name and the dates they were absent. Once the teacher has received this contract, they will return the contract with instructions for the make-up work and the new due date. It is the student’s responsibility to return the make-up work upon the given due date. This make-up work will be graded according to the Middle School Grading Policy Implementing Procedures and the Middle School Attendance Policy. All students are expected to act with academic integrity and honesty. This means that: ● All assignments must be the authentic and independent work of the student submitting the work, unless explicit directions are given otherwise. ● In group work scenarios, each student must contribute equitably to the group’s progress. ● Students must cite any ideas or words that are not their own. ● Students will not cheat or assist a classmate to cheat on any assignment.

Homework Policy If students do not finish assigned classwork in class, they will be expected to complete the work at home. All work will be due the following day, unless directions are given otherwise. Students should also use time and resources at home to work on projects and study guides.

Grading Policy See Middle School Grading Policy Implementing Procedures