8th Grade American History Mastery Skills: Students will by:
September to December:
1. Create and interpret a timeline
2. Read/interpret historical maps,tables,graphs,charts,(e.g. natural resources,division of North
and South,etc)
3. Learn how culture,economics,and geography impacted the development of regional
differences in the colonies.
4. Learn the importance of the American Revolution.
5 .Learn the participants,causes,and results of the American Revolution.
6. Understand the concepts of the Constitution,the ideals of democracy,and the responsibility
of the citizen.
7. Define what amendments are and describe the process of how they are developed and
approved.
8. List the reasons for the adoption of the new Constitution and the role of separation of
powers and federalism.
January to June:
9.. Examine current issues ,events, or themes and relate them to past events.
10. Relate how Jacksonian democracy led to the antebellum reforms.
11. Recognize the social and economic differences between between the North and the
South (e.g. population distribution,economic stability,resources,etc.)
12 .Learn the importance of and the cause of Westward Expansion.
13 .Explain how expansionism led to the Civil War.
14 Locate and gather information using primary source documents,and other sources.
15. Write a five paragraph essay related to U. S. History..
16. Examine the origins of Black History Month through readings , movies and literature.