American Identity, Unit Intro, & Benchmark

Please pick up a textbook from the front and show me the number on the inside front cover before finding your new table (check for your

name plate).

Warm-up: Take out your syllabus and homework and work together as a table to

answer the questions on the handout. If you still have a questionnaire, turn it in to the box on the

back table. Thanks!

Today’s Objectives

We will:

*review the syllabus and answer any questions

*briefly introduce the textbook

*discuss your views on American identity (based on the focus activity)

*preview the “Colonial America” unit

*complete our benchmark pre-assessment

*identify key features of U.S. geography

Syllabus & TextbookWarm-up:

1. What can we retake once each quarter?

first unit test and both multiple choice quizzes

2. What will be our third quiz grade each quarter?

Primary Source Investigation (PSI)

3. What do we need to bring to class on Monday?

class materials (listed on pg. 2 of the syllabus)

4. How long do we have to make up tests/quizzes?

2 days for an excused absence

Please write your full name on the inside front cover of your textbook and keep it at home or leave it here in 208 for use with our class set.

Focus Topic: American Identity

We’ll start our discussion of the focus question:

“What does it mean to be an American?”

by identifying:

*Michael Gerson’s thesis

*the source for each of the five quotes

Abraham Lincoln16th U.S. President (1861-1865)

“We have all heard of Young America. He is the most current youth of the age. Some think him conceited and arrogant; but has he not reason to entertain a rather extensive opinion of himself? Is he not the inventor and owner of the present, and sole hope of the future?”

Theodore RooseveltU.S. President (1901-1909)

“The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.”

Woodrow WilsonU.S. President (1913-1921)

“You cannot become thorough Americans if you think of yourselves in groups.  A man who thinks of himself as belonging to a particular national group in America has not yet become an American.”

Georgia O’KeefeModern Artist

“One cannot be an American by going about saying that one is an American. It is necessary to feel America, like America, love America, and then work.”

Malcolm XCivil Rights Activist

“Sitting at the table doesn’t make you a diner, unless you eat some of what’s on the plate. Being here in America doesn’t make you an American. Being born here in America doesn’t make you an American.”

What does it mean to be an American?

• What do you think? We’ll start with some volunteers who would like to share their thoughts and then call on people randomly.

• You can either read what you wrote or summarize it for us, whatever is easier for you.

• Are there any consistent themes/ideas that stand out in our responses? Is there a consensus?

• Why do we even care about the issue of national identity? How is it relevant to us today?

Unit Guide: Colonial America

• As you turn in your focus assignments and warm-ups, please take out a highlighter and we’ll preview our first unit of the year.

• The unit guide that you will receive tells you everything you need to know about the unit and includes:

*lesson topics

*readings and homework

*key assessment dates (quizzes and tests)

Benchmark Assessment:Historical Thinking Skills

• The benchmark assessment for our class focuses on historical thinking skills

• We will be working with primary sources and historical thinking skills (HTS) throughout the year to develop our ability to think like historians. It’s a skill set that we all will use in our lives no matter what we do for a career.

• The goal on this version of the assessment is to do your best work. Don’t worry if you don’t know an answer. This first benchmark is not scored for a summative grade. You will receive a classwork credit for doing your best on it.

Focus on U.S. Geography• When you finish the benchmark assessment, please

double check to make sure your name is on it and turn it in to the box on the back table.

• You can then pick up the geography focus handout and U.S. map on the side table. Colored pencils are available on the table as needed.

• Please read the directions and work on the focus activity silently while everyone finishes the benchmark. We will spend the rest of the period on the geography focus – whatever you don’t finish today, please complete and bring with you to class on Monday.

Before you leave, please …• Return any colored pencils as needed

• If you did not already do so, turn in any questionnaires, Focus 1 work, or benchmark assessments as needed

• Remember to bring your completed U.S. map (Focus 2: Part I) and class materials with you for the start of class on Monday

• Remember to take your textbook home with you or stack it in the back – feel free to begin reading chapter 1 and start in on the homework for the unit as you have time