Willowcreek Mrs. Ness ACAD United States History, AP Human Geography & Spanish
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About the Course: An Introduction to American History

"The task of teaching and writing history is infinitely complex and infinitely seductive and rewarding....History isn’t just something that ought to be taught or ought to be read or ought to be encouraged because it’s going to make us a better citizen, which it will; or because it will make us a more thoughtful and understanding human being, which it will; or because it will cause us to behave better, which it will. It should be taught for pleasure: The pleasure of history, like art or music or literature, consists of an expansion of the experience of being alive, which is what education is largely about."   -David McCullough
United States History for 8th grade covers events and issues from the Age of Exploration through post Civil War Reconstruction and the western movement, emphasizing those periods through the 16th and 19th centuries.  Units covered will include:  physical and political geography of the United States; Cultural and Religious History with a focus on the First Amendment; and the Causes, the Courses, and Consequences of Conflict.  History will be taught thematically in chronological order. Students will be tested and held accountable for knowing all 10 state core Standards.  Additional content may be covered as time permits; particularly when relating to the present.

We are the product of our past, for this reason I teach history. As we come to know our history, both our personal and collective histories we come to understand ourselves, our families, our culture, our nation and our world. As we understand who we are, we gain the tools to determine who we will become. In that vein the study of history is empowering. It gives us the ability to control our future; to shape ourselves, our culture, and our nation. I look forward to working with you as together we study our collective past. 

What you will know and understand at the end of the year:
Geography and the story of mankind are interwoven.
Conflict is effectively addressed by recognizing and dealing with the underlying reasons for conflict.
The Constitution is the guiding forces and standard by which all laws are measured in the US
Knowing the past is critical to understanding the present.
The United States was founded on the principle and the extension of democratic principles.
The United States is a diverse nation- it’s story has been shaped by many different cultures, ethnicities and religions. 
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​Skills you will acquire during the course of the year:
Historical Literacy 
(sourcing, context, corroboration, close reading)
Civic Dialogue
(collaborate, communicate & compromise)
Formulating argument with evidence
Historical Inquiry
​(cause & effect; summarization; compare & contrast)
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Dispositions you will build upon during the course of the year:
SACRIFICE & COMPROMISE
Willingness to Sacrifice Interests for the Common Good
Advocacy, Action and Action

COURAGE
Courage to stand up for what is right
Reaction & Resistance, Students & Strategies

EMPATHY
Inclination to seek to understand others perspectives 

CURIOSITY 
A desire to know & understand the world around them
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Inclination to understand and solve problems.
Polls & Policies, Gradualism & Compromise, Media & Momentum

PATRIOTISM

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Curriculum Calendar


Current Unit
Past units and future units are available at the bottom of the webpage

ACAD: U.S. History Current Unit

The Current Unit tab on the right will be updated periodically to reflect the current unit being studied in A.C.A.D. History.  Past and future units are available at the bottom of the page. 
Introduction to US History
Completed Timeline Rebellion to Reconstruction

Information for Parents &  Communication

Make a Donation For Best Learning

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Make a Donation: Help Fund Best Learning
The Alpine Foundation is a tax deductible foundation that allows you to help with special projects in your son/daughter’s classroom.  My hope is to help your child acquire and use technology skills that will help them succeed in the 21st Century world.  Make a donation by clinking on the "Donate Now!" link on the left.  It will only take a few minutes.  Be sure to keep a copy of your receipt for a tax deduction come tax season AND contact your employer to access matching funds for your child's education


Text Message & Email Reminders

​ACAD History Students: 
Text @ACADUS22 to the number 81010.  You'll  receive a welcome text from Remind.
If you have trouble with 81010, you can try texting@ACADUS22
to (801) 701-1419.

ACAD History Parents

Text @ACADPAR22 to the number 81010.  You'll  receive a welcome text from Remind.
If you have trouble with 81010, you can try texting@ACADPAR22
to (801) 701-1419.

Disclosure Document Survey

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Disclosure Document Survey 
Parents & Students please take the Disclosure Document survey by clicking on the survey icon, on the left.  Once completed students will receive an additional late pass.  Students may receive one additional late pass, should their parent(s) choose the take the survey as well.  Parents who take the online survey are not required to sign and turn in the completed hard copy of the Disclosure Document.  Plan on at least 30 minutes to adequately complete the survey.


Send Me A Note!

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Contact Me
Click on the "Contact Me" icon on the left to send an e-mail message to your instructor.

Gifted & Talented

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Information regarding the Gifted and Talented U.S. History program can be accessed by opening the web link on the right.

Alpine School District's Gifted & Talented Services

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ACAD US History Unit Studies:  Curriculum 
The links below will direct you to the curriculum studied in A.C.A.D. U.S. History, current units are at the top of the page.  Within each link you will note there are copies of instructional PowerPoints, lecture notes and guides, supporting videos and links to helpful web sites.  Should you miss class, these learning activities will assist you in completing your work at home.  In addition to the written learning activities, you will find oral podcasts of many of the novels read in class as well as recordings of the content lectures.  Please note if listening to the podcasts in class you are required to use headphones.  If necessary the instructor can provide you with headphones in class. 

Semester I

Term I

Rules & Procedures:  Classroom Management
Geography
Unit I Geography & Why History
Native Americans Pre & Post Columbian
Term 1 Historical Novels
Religion & American Culture
Spanish in the Americas
European Roots  to Colonization
Salem Witch Trials ACAD
Blacks in America

Terms II

Three Worlds Meet
French & Indian War Causes of Revolution
Unit VI Rise of A Nation
New England Illustrated

Semester II

Term III

Three Worlds Meet
Constitution
Conflict in the US 1757-1877
Additional helps and practice exams
Textbook Readings
Student Presentations & Projects
Constitution Review Games
Transportation Videos for WNN News
Three in one Oral WalkAway
So Far From Home Podcast

Term IV

Honest Abe: Mrs. D. Ipad Assignment
Civil War U.S. History
Timeline Rebellion to Revolution

Your instructor: Mrs. Ness

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I love teaching U.S History; in fact I have been teaching U.S. history for almost three decades, far longer than most of my students have been alive.  I am currently teaching U.S. and A.C.A.D History and Spanish I, at Willowcreek Middle School.  In addition I am an instructor at BYU and an adjunct professor at Weber State University.  I am passionate about teaching a viable, standards based US History curriculum. My hope is to facilitate students in better understanding the world and their role in it. I look forward to assisting you in coming to know your personal, and our collective history; as you do so you will know and understand your past and present, and will in turn have the tools available to better determine your present.  

ACAD 2019-2020:  Who are We & What has Shaped Us?

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