UNITED STATES HISTORY - GRADE 8
U.S. History introduces the first half of our national history, heritage, and legacy. Students will study the second half in high school. The span of this course includes the earliest beginnings of our nation, the steps forward of the early republic, and the significant issues and events through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Early American history emphasizes the development and structure of the Constitution, as well as the relationship of the Bill of Rights to the nature of citizenship in the democracy of the United States. Emphasis on the multicultural nature of the American people demonstrates the value and contributions of a diverse society. Within this historical context, students will study the role of geography, immigration, and emerging capitalism as these and other various forces shaped our national identity. This course design explores two fundamental understandings of early American history: several important reasons contributed to the growth of representative government in the United States; and citizens of the United States have both rights and responsibilities.