US History Assignments for August 31 to September 4:

OBJECTIVE:  Gain overview of US History course.  Examine the historic method.  Consider the geography of North America and its influence on settlement. 

GUIDING QUESTIONS:  What is the historic method?  What effect did geography and landforms have on the peopling of America and on European claims in North America?

Monday, August 31st: Welcome!  Seating chart. Overview Pioneer Expectations and US History Expectations.  Signatures due Friday, BOP.

Tuesday, September 1:  Practice historic method.   Due EOP.

Wednesday, September 2:  What Do You Know. Who are historians and how do they work?  Consider the Question-->Evidence-->Account-->Question cycle.

Thursday, September 3:  Review North American geography to understand its influence on settlement patterns.  Map due, in color pencil, Tuesday BOP. 

Friday, September 4: Turn in signed "Expectations" sheets.   Complete physical map of North America.  Due Tuesday BOP.

US History Assignments for September 7 ~ 11:

OBJECTIVES:  Evaluate the motives of early European explorers.  Consider the effect of the Columbian Exchange on Africa, Europe and the Americas. 

PROBLEM:   How did European nations' desire for power transform the world?

Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day

Tuesday, Sept. 8: Reading like a historian, consider Columbus's journal and letter.  Discuss Columbus's point of view. 

Wednesday, Sept. 9: Age of Exploration and Discovery notes.

Thursday, Sept. 10: Complete informational chart on explorers.

Friday, Sept. 11: Analyze the clash of three worlds and the resulting Columbian Exchange.  Complete quiz on explorers and Columbian Exchange, using notes.

US History Assignments for September 14 ~ 18

OBJECTIVE:  Evaluate the motives of early settlements in North America.  Consider why some settlements failed and some succeeded.

PROBLEM:  What European countries gained power through creating successful settlements in North America?

Monday, Sept. 14: Review Columbian Exchange.  Take open note quiz.

Tuesday, Sept. 15:  Folder cover Early Settlements.  Notes and readings on failed settlements. 

Wednesday, Sept. 16:  Notes on Jamestown's successful settlement.

Thursday, Sept. 17:  Constitution Day! BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT FOR PARENTS 7 to 9 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 18:  Introduction to Jamestown and Pocahontas.