MS US History-Through Civil War

The U.S. History 1 course recounts important historical themes and events in United States history from the precolonial era to the 1800s. Topics include the following:
– Theories of how the Americas were inhabited by diverse indigenous peoples.
– How the thirteen English colonies were established.
– How the Americans fought the British for liberty and justice.
– The creation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights soon after America’s independence from England, and the U.S. became the first country to create a government of the people.
– Compromise over the issue of slavery eventually led to the Civil War.
– The Westward expansion of the United States provided economic opportunity for many and contributed to the growth of the nation, but it came at the price of Native- American sovereignty.
Students learn and apply skills related to geography, historical analysis and reasoning, evaluating and using primary and secondary sources, determining credibility or bias when gathering evidence, and developing claims and counterclaims. Additionally, special topics, like the electoral college, are introduced and examined.Projects are provided to allow for a deeper application of skills. The projects are designed to foster independent learning by empowering students to make their own choices about the types of work products they create, the specific areas they wish to research, and the practical application of concepts. As students navigate these decisions, they develop self- management skills that help them organize, plan, and complete their activities effectively.