8th Grade U.S.

History Course Syllabus

Stoneybrooke Christian Junior High

Welcome to 8th Grade U.S. History!

About Mr. Donnowitz

I'm originally from Munster, IN, a town about 45 minutes outside the
city of Chicago. I graduated from Purdue University with my BA in
Psychology and Minors in History and Organizational Leadership &
Supervision. I moved to Los Angeles in 2010 to attend seminary, and
began my teaching career as an Enrichment Teacher at Grace
Community School in Sun Valley. In 2014, I earned my California
Secondary Teaching Credential in Social Science from The University of
Redlands, having student taught U.S. History and Economics at Dana
Hills High School. I also possess ACSI Certification as a Bible Specialist.
I absolutely love teaching and working with junior high students in the
classroom! This year I'll be teaching 8th Grade Bible, 8th Grade U.S.
History, 7th Grade World History, and Technology. I also serve as the
Lead Teacher for our Junior High Yearbook.
Contact Email: mdonnowitz@stoneybrooke.com
Contact Phone: (949) 364-4407

Course Objectives
Students will be able to
1. Identify significant people, places, and events, explain the
historical contexts in which they occurred, and describe the
impacts made on subsequent generations.
2. Use primary sources and other instruments of historians
(maps, charts, archeology, etc.) to investigate characters and
events from U.S. history firsthand.
3. Compare and contrast various historical perspectives on the
role of the government, the economy, historical figures, social
change, and popular culture.

8th Grade U.S. History Course Syllabus

Stoneybrooke Christian Junior High
4. Evaluate and discuss current U.S. and world events in the
context of their growing knowledge of U.S. and world history.
5. Discern Gods providence in the establishment, growth, and
direction of our nation, and discuss the biblical principles
followed and/or abandoned by our nation at various points in
history, including today.

About the Textbook

The American Republic, Third Edition.
General Objectives from the Textbook:
Basic Comprehension Goals
1. Gods providence in the seven eras of U.S. history and the
outline of major periods within each era.
2. Continuity and change in the six spheres of human activity
politics, economics, religion, society, science, and arts.
3. Continuity and change in foreign relations, including past
wars, and the roots of modern foreign policy.
4. Gods supervision of American church history as Gods people
have interacted with secular authority.
5. The consequences of past decisions, good and bad, that
testify that Bible principles are true and that God oversees the
course of U.S. history.
6. Major events and dates in each era, including the leading
causes and effects of the events.
7. Major individuals of U.S. history, including their roles in the
past and lessons for today.
8. Fundamental traits of Americanismthe American dream,
limited government, popular culture, the free enterprise
economyand how they have changed over the nations
history.
Basic Skill Goals
1. Define and use basic terms from U.S. history that are essential
in understanding and explaining Gods providence.
2. Interpret historical maps that are found in atlases of U.S.
history.
3. Evaluate historical narratives and original documents for
accuracy and historic perspectives.
4. Interpret common tools of historians, such as maps, timelines,
graphs, charts, and primary sources.

8th Grade U.S. History Course Syllabus

Stoneybrooke Christian Junior High
5. Discern Gods providence in any era by showing the impact of
physical geography and circumstances on the course of
events in U.S. history.
6. Use the Bible to evaluate social, economic, and political
systems or philosophers in any era.
7. Identify the variety of challenges that Christians faced in each
era and draw lessons for today.
8. Explain the causes of historic crises, give the Bibles solution,
and find parallels to current issues in America.
The seven units in our U.S. history textbook generally follow the ten
eras listed in the National Standards for United States History. Our
scheme combines (1) the exploration and colonization eras, (2) postCivil War development of industry and the emergence of modern
America in the late nineteenth century, and (3) the post-World War II
era and the contemporary United States.

Homework, Quizzes, Tests, and Projects

Students will have short amounts of reading from the textbook on a
daily basis, and will be required to answer review questions at the end
of each Section. Reading and answering review questions will reinforce
learning from class activities and help prepare them for quizzes and
tests. One to two quizzes will occur during each chapter. Chapter tests
will occur at the end of each chapter, although shorter chapters may
be combined for a single test. Projects will be assigned periodically
throughout the year and will be announced well in advance.

Free Homework Passes and Rewards

Each week, students are given a Challenge of the Week in addition to
their regular homework and quizzes. The Challenge of the Week is
optional and does not hurt students grades if they choose not to
complete it. Those students who complete the Challenge will receive a
Free Homework Pass from Mr. Donnowitz. If students receive and do
not use their homework passes, they can cash them in for other
rewards (going out to lunch, historical memorabilia, etc.). The
Challenges focus on some aspect of history or geography above and
beyond the normal course content.

Materials Needed for Class

Students will need:

8th Grade U.S. History Course Syllabus

Stoneybrooke Christian Junior High
1. Class Textbook (The American Republic, Third Edition) on their
iPad.
2. One medium sized three-ring binder, or a section of a larger
binder, dedicated exclusively to U.S. History.
3. One spiral college ruled notebook.
4. A black or blue and red pen.
5. A folder specifically for U.S. History