8th Grade Washington State History
This class will be held once a week on Thursday afternoon.
Weekly reading: Students will be expected to have completed the assigned reading and have taken notes in an organized manner so as to maximize the abbreviated class time that we have. Students should expect to spend about 30-40 minutes a week reading and taking notes. There will be a minimum of five reading quizzes each trimester.
Assessments: Reading quizzes and notes, 25%, Homework, 25%, Final trimester test, 25%, Map Test, 15%, Participation & preparedness, 10%.
STATE REQUIREMENT
Washington history is a state requirement for students to complete before they finish 8th grade. The content of the course will take six weeks, spaced throughout the year. It will usually be taught on Thursday afternoons, in relation to what we are studying in U.S. History. Components of the class will also be taught in religion, science, and literature. Students will receive an individual grade each trimester for this class.
CURRICULUM PREVIEW
September Introduction: A sense of place; regions of WA; First sea explorers
October Fur trade and missionaries; overland exploration; Oregon Trail settlers; OR boundary question; Map Test
November Native peoples; treaties
December Tribal map; WA state Constitution, liberty?
January Immigrants, urbanization, railroads; 1889
February Klondike Gold Rush
March Progressive reform; Japanese Internment
April Cold War impact; civil rights; WA economics, natural resources, sustainability
May Pacific Rim economics