Welcome! This one-year survey of our nation’s history, from the early colonial times through the industrialization,  we will be emphasizing an understanding of the foundations of American government and the ideals on which the nation was constructed.  Students will develop an understanding and awareness of the process by which the nation expanded and became deeply involved in a complicated and a bitter civil war. The profound changes brought about by post-war industrialization will be examined closely. This course emphasizes the evolution of social, political, economic, and intellectual patterns as they influenced the nation’s development. Global perspectives are included throughout the course, and students are encouraged to make connections to how the topics studied relate to current events and themes.

Thinking like a historian is a key shift we will be working on throughout the year. A variety of strategies, teaching methods, and techniques will be used to help students develop a sound understanding of the past in order to help them understand the present, as well as the future challenges of the 21st century.  Students are required to be active participants in their learning. Classroom activities, including discussions, presentations, note taking, interpreting a wide variety of media sources(primary/secondary sources both text and visual etc.), and writing, will be used to develop the learners’ skills and content knowledge. Students will be able to participate and receive help both online and in school.