1. UNITED STATES HISTORY 7 MR. GARREN
TERM PLAN/COURSE OUTLINE
United States History is a two-year course that studies the geography, history, culture, political development, and economic
development of the United States of America. During 7th grade, students will begin the course with an introductory unit on
skill development and geography that will lay the foundation for the next two years of American History and the rest of
high school.
United States History 7 will culminate in the New York State 8th Grade Social Studies Assessment. This test, given towards
the end of 8th grade, will include material from 7th and 8th grade.
In 7th grade, students will study the following units.
UNIT 1: The Global Heritage of the American People Prior to 1500 UNIT 4: Experiments in Government
UNIT 2: European Exploration and Colonization of the Americas UNIT 5: Life in the New Nation
UNIT 3: A Nation is Created UNIT 6: Division and Reunion
During 7th grade, students will use the textbook “America’s Story” by Houghton Mifflin and various supplemental
resources to meet the New York State Social Studies Standards.
Throughout the course, the following skills will be developed and strengthened:
1. Study Skills 4. Concentration Skills 7. Time Management Skills
2. Reading Skills 5. Test Taking Skills 8. Concept/Word Mapping Skills
3. Outlining Skills 6. Map Reading Skills 9. Geography Concepts & Ideas in U.S. History
Based on the textbook, the following course outline will be used.
UNIT 1: The Global Heritage of the American People Prior to 1500:
Chapter 1: Explorers Reach the Americas (40,000 B.C. - 1500 A.D.)
UNIT 2: European Exploration and Colonization of the Americas:
Chapter 2: Europeans Explore the New Lands (1492 - 1610)
Chapter 3: Europeans Compete for Colonial Empires (1492 – 1610)
Chapter 4: English Colonies Thrive in North America (1607 – 1763)
Chapter 5: Colonial Life Varies from Region to Region (1607 – 1763)
UNIT 3: A Nation is Created:
Chapter 6: Self-Government Develops in the Thirteen Colonies (1607 – 1763)
Chapter 7: The Colonists Seek Greater Freedom (1763 – 1775)
Chapter 8: The Thirteen Colonies Win Independence (1775 – 1783)
UNIT 4: Experiments in Government:
Chapter 9: The Thirteen States Create a Constitution (1781 – 1789)
Chapter 10: The Federalists Launch the New Government (1789 – 1800)
Chapter 11: The United States Grows Stronger (1800 – 1815)
UNIT 5: Life in the New Nation:
Chapter 12: National and Sectional Interests Compete (1815 – 1846)
Chapter 13: The Northeast Becomes the Center of Commerce (1815 – 1846)
Chapter 14: Cotton Shapes Southern Life (1815 – 1846)
Chapter 15: Americans Call for Social Change (1815 – 1846)
UNIT 6: Division and Reunion:
Chapter 16: The United States Reaches from Sea to Sea (1840 – 1853)
Chapter 17: The Nation Divides in Two (1850 – 1861)
Chapter 18: The North and the South Fight a Bitter War (1861 – 1865)
Chapter 19: The Nation Heals Its Wounds (1865 – 1877)
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