Curriculum

Ms. Vanaman's class will be aligned to the Delaware State Social Studies Standards.

Colonial Period-
Focus Question- How did technology, costs, demand, and taxation affect the price of goods and services in the colonial market economy?
Civics- Structure of early government, English colonization, French colonization, Influence on US government, Rights and participation, Religious freedom, Political freedom, John Peter Zenger, Dissension
Geography- Physical & economic differences between regions
History- Mayflower Compact, House of Burgesses, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, Town Meetins/ County Government, Right to Vote- requirements
Economics- Microeconomics: Opportunity costs of migration for indentured servants, Macroeconomics: Taxation, Economic Systems: French v. English economic interests/ motives, International Trade: Specialization and Interdependency, Mercantilism, Triangular Trade
Standards for Focus and Assessment- Econ 1: Students will analyze how changes in technology, costs, and demand interact in competitive markets to determine or change the price of goods and services. Econ 2: Students will analyze the role of money and banking in the economy, and the ways in which government taxes and spending affect the functioning of market economies.
Benchmark Terms- Technology, Costs, Demand, Competitive Market, Goods, Money, Banking, Taxes, Market Economy

Constitutional Period-
Focus Question- How are governmental powers apportioned and divided at the local, state, and national levels in the United States?
Economics- Taxation and the effects on economy, Boycotts, Smuggling, Revolution
Geography- Geographic factors of the American Revolution, Population Differences, Home turn advantage
History- Military Conflicts of the French and Indian War, American Revolution, Primary Sources: Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution, Constitutional Compromises, Federalist Papers, Bill of Rights
Civics- Government: Transitions, inc. monarchy to confederation & confederation to republic, Politics: Minority movement, Pats v. Loyalists, Major American Documents, Citizenship: Protection of Constitutional Rights as influenced by the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Bill of Rights, Economic Rights and "Taxation without Representation", Participation: Students should research and prepare a letter to one of the officeholders advocating a particular course of action.
Standards for Focus and Assessment: Civics 1a: Students will understand that governments have the power to make and enforce laws and regulations, levy taxes, conduct foreign policy, and make war. Civics 1b: Students will analyze the different functions of federal, state, and local governments in the US and examine the reasons for the different organizational structures each level of government employs. Civics 2b: Students will understand the principles and content of major American state papers such as the Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, and the Federalist Papers.
Benchmark Terms: Power, Levy, Foreign Policy, Functions, Federal, Structures, Employs

Early Nation-
Focus Question- Why do historians often view the same events between 1790 and 1825 in different ways?
Economics- Role of banking in the economy (Bank of the United States), Taxes and the effect on the economy (protective tariffs and international trade, eliminating the debt)
Civics- Study of Bill of Rights, Amendment process, Civil v. economic rights, Responsibilities and privileges of citizenship
Geography- Early improvements in transportation, Louisiana Purchase (Lewis & Clark Expedition)
History (1790-1825)- Chronology: Creation of political parties (cause/effect) 1. Loose vs. Strict Interpretation of Constitution (cause) 2. Related Events (effect), War of 1812. Analysis: Foreign policy- establishing a firm foundation: Neutrality Proclamation, Monroe Doctrine. Interpretation: Economic policy- establish a firm foundation: Evaluation and effectiveness of Hamilton's plan
Standards for Focus and Assessment: History 3: Students will compare different historians' descriptions of the same societies in order to examine how the choice of questions and use of sources may affect their conclusions
Benchmark Terms: Historical Questions, Historical Sources

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