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West Sylvan Middle School
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History

QUIZZES/TESTS & PROJECTS:

There will be a series of quizzes, a test, or major project for each unit of study and perhaps a semester final.  This year we will be studying  Geography of the Americas, Colonial Life, American Revolution, Constitution, Manifest Destiny, Civil War, and Reconstruction & Industrialization.  Please pay attention to the planner for updates on projects, quizzes, and test dates.

Quizzes/Tests can, and often do, follow readings and lectures.  I try to impress upon students that paying attention the first time (whether in reading or listening) is essential to long-term success.  Being purposeful, rather than just getting the task done as soon as possible, lends itself to better understanding or, at the very least, asking good questions that can help lead to better understanding.  Quizzes are normally short and sweet—ten or less simple questions.

There are two versions of each test available for students.  One test will have vocabulary, multiple choice, a map, and identification questions.  The other version will have vocabulary, a map, and short answer questions.  Those students who desire a challenge (or who I deem need a challenge) will take the test with the short answer questions.  I am not an easy evaluator so the short answer test will be difficult.


ASSIGNMENTS:

We will be doing a lot of map work, some note taking, answer reflective questions, and a host of other various tasks.  The shape, form, and due date of the assignments is wide-ranging, so please pay close attention to the planner sheet.

Additionally, the quantity, breadth, and depth of assignments vary from unit to unit.  Student diligence in the completion of the assignments in a timely manner will help their grade immensely.




Geography of the Americas
"The Native Americans" (chapter 1: pages 1-15)

North America Physical: landforms & bodies of water assignment [PDF]
*assignment due 9/9 at the beginning of class
South America Physical: landforms & bodies of water assignment [PDF]
*assignment due 9/12 at the beginning of class

Americas: Physical map to use for North & South America assignment [PDF]
Americas blank map for reference [PDF]
USA: Physical map for reference [PDF]

Americas Political: North, South, Central (reference), and United States assignment [PDF]
*due 9/17 at the beginning of class
North and South America political maps for the "Americas Political assignment [PDF]

World Latitude and Longitude map assignment [PDF]
*due 9/27 at the beginning of class
Latitude and Longitude introduction maps [PDF]

Latitude and Longitude video tutorial [opens in a separate browser window]


Exploration of the Americas
Explorers Project instructions
Historical Fiction guidelines
Historical Fiction rubric

Historical Fiction Persona character biography sheet
Outline Basics
How to Create a Bibliography

websites for creating a bibliography:
  • EasyBib (http://www.easybib.com/)
  • Citation Machine (http://www.citationmachine.net/)
  • Cite this for Me (https://www.citethisforme.com/)


"European Exploration and Settlement" (chapter 2: pages 16-33)

"Columbus and the Indians" (Zinn chapter 1: pages 1-17)
Zinn chapter 1 guided notes assignment for "Columbus and the Indians" (Zinn chapter 1: pages 1-17)

"Exploration of America" research packet [PDF]

Colonial Life
"The English Colonies in America" (chapter 3: pages 34-47)
English Colonies assignment

"Life in the Colonies" (chapter 4: pages 48-61)

"Black and White" (Zinn chapter 2: pages 18-33)
Zinner chapter 2 guided notes assignment for "Black and White" (Zinn chapter 2: pages 18-33)

"Who Were the Colonists?" (Zinn chapter 3: pages 34-51)
Zinner chapter 2 guided notes assignment for "Who Were the Colonists?" (Zinn chapter 3: pages 34-51)


"The 13 British Colonies" map (labeled)
"The 13 British Colonies" map (not labeled)
13 Colonies terms to identify on map

Links to online map quizzes of colonies:
  • American Revolution Map Quiz
  • 13 Colonies Map Quiz
  • Original 13 Colonies Map Quiz


American Revolution
"Toward Independence" (chapter 5: pages 62-77)
"Declaration of Independence" (chapter 6: pages 78-85)
"American Revolution" (chapter 7: pages 86-101)

"Tyranny is Tyranny" (Zinn chapter 4: 52-66)

"Colonial America: 1776" map (not labeled)
"Colonial North America" map (not labeled)
"US 1775" image (JPEG file)

Constitution
"Creating the Constitution" (chapter 8: pages 102-117)
"Constitution: A More Perfect Union" (chapter 9: pages 118-131)
"The Bill of Rights" (chapter 10: pages 132-143)


Early America
"Political Developments in the Early Republic" (chapter 11: pages 144-159)
"Foreign Affairs in the Young Nation" (chapter 12: pages 160-173)
"A Growing Sense of Nationhood" (chapter 13: pages 174-183)


Manifest Destiny

Storyline
The following were used to help students create their character biography:
  • "character biography"
  • "character builder"
  • "character sketch"


This is the sheet for the finalized character biography:
  • "Storyline Character" [Microsoft Word]
  • "Storyline Character" [PDF]


Links to help create the visual for the storyline character:
  • proportional division of face:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oEY9KGdAEco/U1gjmED0urI/AAAAAAAABUA/KyBrZYaNceA/s1600/Figure+Drawing+For+Dummies+-Mantesh-99.jpg
  • example head:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7TRgBmkdJgk/U1gLntGBpzI/AAAAAAAABO4/4TzsCGdumwk/s1600/Figure+Drawing+For+Dummies+-Mantesh-78.jpg
  • face shapes:
http://myurbaneve.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/faceshapecollage.jpg
  • ears:
https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/uploads/users/110/posts/20683/image/ear-shapes.jpg
  • lips:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/5d/8d/33/5d8d33cea3fa620fab7a24d6a9604852.jpg
  • eyes: (careful...some stereotypes)
http://media.trusper.net/u/c019e38d-e987-4866-be2a-0a0adc38e98f.jpg
  • eye tilt:
http://www.ratemydrawings.com/tutorials/images/178_160287.jpg
  • eyelids and eye sockets:
http://www.ratemydrawings.com/tutorials/images/178_402190.jpg
  • eyebrows:
https://torricelumngirl.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/blog.png
  • types of noses:
http://www.buzzle.com/images/people/facial-features/nose-types.jpg​
  •  nose profiles:
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2014/124/5/b/nose_chart_reference_by_macawnivore-d7h155q.jpg


Reading and other Assignments:

"Andrew Jackson and the Growth of American Democracy" (chapter 14: pages 184-195)
"Andrew Jackson" presentation [PDF]
"Andrew Jackson" presentation [PowerPoint]

"Manifest Destiny and the Growing Nation" (chapter 15: pages 196-209)
"Manifest Destiny" presentation [PDF]
"Manifest Destiny" presentation [PowerPoint]

"Life in the West" (chapter 16: pages 210-227)
"Life in the West" presentation [PDF]
"Life in the West" presentation [PowerPoint]

"Mexicano Contributions to the Southwest" (chapter 17: pages 228-239)
"Mexicano Contributions to the Southwest" guided reading notes

"An Era of Reform" (chapter 18: pages 240-251)
"An Era of Reform" link to online presentation via Prezi
"An Era of Reform" link to online page highlighting factory conditions
"An Era of Reform" class presentation [PDF]
"An Era of Reform" class presentation [PowerPoint]
"An Era of Reform" guided reading notes



Civil War
"The Worlds of North and South" (chapter 19: pages 252-267)
"African Americans at Mid-Century" (chapter 20: pages 268-283)
"A Dividing Nation" (chapter 21: pages 284-301)
"The Civil War" (chapter 22: pages 302-321)
"The Civil War" class presentation [PDF]
"The Civil War" class presentation [PowerPoint]


Reconstruction & Industrialization
"Reconstruction Era" (chapter 23: pages 322-335)
"Tensions in the West" (chapter 24: pages 336-351)
"Rise of Industry" (chapter 25: pages 352-369)
"The Great Wave of Immigration" (chapter 26: pages 370-383)
"Progressive Era" (chapter 27: pages 384-397)
"America Becomes a World Power" (chapter 28: pages 398-415)

Children's History Book Project
"Plot Pitch" [PDF]
"Writing Tips" [PDF]
"Storyboard Template" [PDF]
"Publishing Tips" [PDF]
"Grading Rubric" [PDF]