Dover-Sherborn Middle School

Curriculum Road Maps

 

Course Title:                 U.S. History                                                     Grade:              8         

 

Unit:                             Western Expansion                              

Month Presented:         March                                   Unit Length (in weeks):    4         

 

 

 

Essential Question (s):

  • Was expansion America’s destiny?

 

Learning Objectives:

1.                  Chart the physical growth of the United States between 1800-1850.  Understand reasons for the acquisition of each new territory.

2.                  Explain the technological innovations, intellectual ideas and economic factors that contributed to western migration of Americans.

3.                  Evaluate the contributions of political parties, individual leaders and popular sentiment in shaping American democracy and territorial growth.  

 

Skills:

  • Primary Document analysis
  • Mapmaking and analysis
  • Presentation and speaking skills
  • Cooperative Group work

 

Instructional Strategies and  Activities:

 

·                    Map Activity: Territorial Additions to the United States

·                    Region Research:                     North, South and West

·                    Andrew Jackson:                     Experience, Values, Actions Analysis

·                    Harper’s Weekly Political Cartoons:    Issues of the Jackson Administration

·                    Andrew Jackson:         Biopoem Assignment 

·                    Manifest Destiny:      Art and Text Analysis

·                    Mock Trial of Andrew Jackson:   Crimes against Humanity and Abuse of the Constitution

·                    Indian Removal Map Exercise

·                    Video/Multimedia: Oregon Trail CD-Rom

“James K. Polk”   They Might Be Giants, Factory Showroom

The American Experience: The Donner Party

 

Materials Used:   Textbook, internet websites, political cartoons, Ken Burns’ “The West.” 

Assessment Strategies:

  • Mock Trial of Andrew Jackson
  • Map Quizzes
  • Trail Journal