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; Native American Cultures, Political and Physical Geography, Government (Origins and Practices) 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.
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.
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.
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)
Historical Literacy
(sourcing, context, corroboration, close reading)
Civic Dialogue
(collaborate, communicate & compromise)
Formulating argument with evidence
Historical Inquiry
(cause & effect; summarization; compare & contrast)
Dispositions you will build upon during the course of the year:
Sacrifice & Compromise
Willingness to Sacrifice Interests for the Common Good
Courage
Courage to stand up for what is right
Empathy
Inclination to seek to understand others perspectives
Curiosity
Civil Engagement
Inclination to notice and solve problems
Patriotism
Sacrifice & Compromise
Willingness to Sacrifice Interests for the Common Good
Courage
Courage to stand up for what is right
Empathy
Inclination to seek to understand others perspectives
Curiosity
Civil Engagement
Inclination to notice and solve problems
Patriotism
U.S. History Curriculum Calendar
Current Unit: Ness
Past units and future units are available at the bottom of the webpage
Information for Parents & Communication
Make a Donation to Improve Learning
Alpine Foundation:
The Alpine Foundation is a tax deductible foundation that allows you to help with special projects in your son/daughter’s classroom. Money donated will be used to pay for: 1) Purchase a chrome lab 2) Upkeep and replacement of classroom computer labs. 3) Purchasing texts and class copies of historical novels, Make a donation by clinking on the "Donate Now!" link on the left. On arrival at the Alpine Foundation page scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the "DONATE" button on the bottom right hand corner of the page. After submitting your credit card, bank or paypal information you will be asked to review your donation. BE SURE TO IDENTIFY THE PURPOSE of your donation, i.e. Willowcreek: Mrs Cindy Ness, U.S. History; otherwise the instructor will be unable to access these funds to help your student in the classroom. Text Message & Email Reminders
Text Messages
Open the hyperlink on the left to access phone numbers and textcodes for receiving text reminders and study aides for homework and WalkAways. |
Disclosure Document Survey
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!
Contact Me
Click on the "Contact Me" icon on the left to send an e-mail message to your instructor. Utah U.S. History State Core Standards
To access a copy of the Utah State Core Standards open the link on the left.
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US History Unit Studies: Curriculum
The links below will direct you to the curriculum studied in 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.
The links below will direct you to the curriculum studied in 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.
Your instructor: Mrs. Ness
I love teaching U.S History; in fact I have been teaching U.S. history for almost 3 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.