Course Summary:  An 8th grader’s course of study in U.S. History will take him/her

    on a survey of American history from origins to 1900.  Particular emphasis is

    placed on the American Civil War; both its causes and consequences are studied. 

    Curriculum follows the California Standards for Grade Eight history.

    Unlike the 7th grade curriculum, 8th grade history allows for a more in-depth

    study of our country while students utilize skills that will be needed in high

    school.  A notable difference for an 8th grader from the previous year’s class is

    the added weight of tests and quizzes upon the overall grade (35%).

    With the exception of weekends, homework is assigned almost nightly.  A

    student’s understanding of the next day’s concepts is often dependent on

    completion of the previous night’s work.  Except in rare cases, extra credit

    is not offered.

Quarters At A Glance:

    First Quarter- Exploration of the “New World,” Colonization, Life in the

    Colonies, Growing Discontent, Revolution, A New Nation

    Second Quarter- U.S. Government- Roots of Democracy, Formation of Government with emphasis

    on the Constitutional Convention, Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches, Role of Federalism

    Third Quarter- Growing Pains of a New Nation, Age of Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Age of

    Jacksonian Democracy, Manifest Destiny

    Fourth Quarter- Slavery, A Nation Divided, The Civil War, Reconstruction,

    The Gilded Age, Imperialism.

    Skills to be developed:                                Supplies needed:

    • reading for information                              • 1 section in a 3 ring binder

    • note taking                                                • pens- blue or black ink

    • test taking                                                 • 2 pencils (for exams)

    • oral presentation skills                               • colored pencils

    • library skills- research   

    • use of the internet in research

    • creating bibliographies

    • map skills   

    Text: United States History: Independence to 1914 (Holt, Rinehart, Winston)

               - Adopted in June, 2007

   Grading:

    Tests and quizzes (35%) - Tests on entire units, quizzes, sometimes unannounced, to check for

    understanding on key concepts. 

    Assignments/Homework (30%) - All class and home work is to be kept in an

    organized notebook.  An up-to-date Table of Contents (TOC) is kept to

    help organize materials. Assignments may be collected daily, weekly, or

    at the end of each unit. Students are graded on both the content of their

    work and the organization of their binders.

    Projects/Essays (20%) - Special projects, group work, and expository writing

    will be assigned periodically throughout the quarter. Group projects will

    usually have an individual grade component built into the grading.

    Participation (15%) - A student’s focus, attention, preparedness, and overall

    participation is graded each quarter. Active involvement in the course is a

    key for student success.

    Updates on Student Grades:

    Grades can viewed on the PowerSchool Portal at any time. Please note that (  ) means that the

    grade has not yet been entered into the gradebook; it does not mean the assignment is missing

    nor does it have any affect on the current overall grade. Students should actively use the Power

    School Portal to keep updated on their progress during the year.

   Questions? Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail.

            Jason Dewberry                                  Wade Spenader

            Voicemail: 650-934-3826                       Voicemail: 650-934-3825

            e-mail: jdewberry@blachschool.org       e-mail: wspenader@blachschool.org