Washington State
Curriculum Based Assessment [CBA] Links to the National Archives and Records Administration's Primary Documents located at [web]www.ourdocuments.gov
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8th Grade

Why History? (History)

Student assignment:

In a persuasive paper or presentation, you will:

  1. Explain how multiple historical events relate to the understanding of a significant, current issue using well-supported reasons.
  2. Present a thesis/position that:
    • is clear,
    • outlines the relevant historical events to be explained, and
    • makes a generalization about how history helps us understand current events.

Primary source documents from "Our Documents, 100 Milestone Source Documents from the National Archives and Records Administration," relating to this Curriculum Based Assessment [CBA]:

Important notes for using this section:

  • Following each sub-topic is a list representing specific documents that are believed to best illustrate a topic. Each document is linked to an interactive digital copy of the record itself, complete with description, background information, a transcribed copy [for convenience and for students having difficulty reading handwriting] and teaching suggestions, from the "Our Documents" web site [see [web]www.ourdocuments.gov]. Just click on the document title and it will take you to the specific "Our Documents" page.
  • In addition, there is a "Document Only" link which can be used in classrooms with fewer web connections. This is an "Adobe Acrobat" [.pdf] file and can be opened in advance and copied by the instructor or student directly, without a web connection, on any type of computer, as long as Adobe Acrobat is loaded on the computer. For a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat program [web]click here.

Sample Topics and Associated Primary Sources:

U.S. History

Formation of Political Parties

Presidential Speeches Outlining Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens

George Washington James Monroe Andrew Jackson Abraham Lincoln Woodrow Wilson Franklin D. Roosevelt Henry Truman Dwight D. Eisenhower John F. Kennedy

Documents Related to Specific Wars

Revolutionary War War of 1812 Mexican War Civil War Indian Wars Spanish American War World War I World War II Arab-Israeli War Korean War Cuban Missile Crisis Cold War Vietnam War

Associated Washington State Standards {EALR}

  • History 1.2.2 - Identify and analyze major issues, people, and events in Washington State, U.S. and World History.
  • History 1.2.2b - Using evidence for support, identify, analyze, and explain possible causal factors contributing to given historical event.
  • Social Studies Inquiry and Information Skills 1.1.2d - Recognize relevant facts and ideas in Social Studies documents.
  • Social Studies 1.1.1f - Create a product that demonstrates understanding of information and responds to central questions; present product to a meaningful audience.
  • Social Studies Skills 1.1.2d - Recognize relevant facts and ideas in social studies documents: evaluate bias of sources/ authors; classify information as fact/opinion.

Scoring
EALR Scoring
(*for additional levels, see OSPI Scoring Rubric)
History 1.2.2, History 1.2.2b, Social Studies Inquiry and Information Skills 1.1.2d *at highest level... Accurately explains how three historical events relate to the understanding of a significant current issue with well-supported reasons.
Social Studies 1.1.1f *at highest level... Presents a thesis/position that:
  • is clear,
  • outlines the relevant historical events to be explained, and
  • makes a generalization about how history helps us understand current events.
Social Studies Skills 1.1.2d *at highest level... Annotated bibliography includes a variety of resources from multiple perspectives. Annotations discuss reliability and credibility and show validity through comparison of resources.
National Archives and Records Administration
6125 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
http://www.archives.gov/pacific-alaska