Welcome to 8th Grade U.S. History

This is going to be an exciting year as we study the history of the United States of America! We will start with a mini review of geography. Our first "big" unit will be on Explorers. There is so much to cover this year: Colonial America, Revolutionary War, The Constitution and Founding Fathers, The War of 1812, Westward Movement, The Civil War and MORE!

I will send home email updates about important history information such as tests, projects, and activities. You can also access my website by clicking to the right of this post where it says "Mrs. Gibbons Website". On that website you will find class notes, copies of assignments, etc.

Looking forward to an FANTASTIC 2014-2015 school year! I know you will have fun learning the history of the AWESOME United States of America! 

Westward Movement

Congratulations to the students for the great work during our unit on the United States Government! We are currently studying Westward Movement. We will be learning about: The Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark, The War of 1812, the Monroe Doctrine, the Gold Rush, Pioneers, the Trail of Tears, the Mexican American War, and the Alamo. One highlight of this unit is our "Panning for Gold" simulation.

Forming a New Government

Happy 2014!! We ended the last quarter with the American victory of the Revolutionary War. The colonies are officially an independent country. Now what? We will discuss the beginnings of a government in the United States. What worked? What didn't? How did we end up with the Constitution of the United States of America? What are the Bill of Rights? And finally, what are the rights and responsibilites of being a citizen? This quarter we will answer all those questions.

One requirement this quarter is to pass a modified version of the U.S. citizenship test. I encourage you to discuss the questions with your family!! We should all know this information about our great country!

Click on my web site to the right of this post for a copy of the January calendar.