8th Grade American History

This course covers American History in the nineteenth century (1800-1900). Highlights of this period of American History include the development of the Constitution, the Jeffersonian Era, Growth and Expansion of the United States, Nationalism and Sectionalism, the Age of Reform, the Civil War and Reconstruction, Opening the West, the Industrial Age, and Immigration and the Development of Urban Society.

The use of critical thinking will be an important part of the curriculum, and we will draw on some special tools developed at Stanford University, primary source materials, and current events (drawing on CNN Student News, now called CNN 10, and Junior Scholastic Current Events magazines) to support our studies.  DVDs, YouTube, Safari Montage, guest speakers, and field trips are used to enhance instruction.