7 Themes

We will be spending a significant amount of our year focused on following these 7 Themes of American History.  Exploring our nation's history from now until its origins requires a threat which remains the same to give the story some links.  AP Central has identified the following themes and we will be learning these:
  • Identity
  • Work, Exchange and Technology
  • Peopling
  • Politics and Power
  • America in the World
  • Environment and Geography: Human and Physical
  • Ideas, Beliefs and Culture
We are going to ask you to organize your thinking, learning and reflecting on these themes all year. 

Homework assignments and readings will be analyzed according to these themes. 

First Block

Identity

characteristics and traits that make people who they are:  religion, race, gender.  Ex:  segregation, presidency.  (Stick people with cross)  

Second Block

Identity

Gender, Class, Race.  Everything is related – once something changes, other things follow and they change.  (Fingerprint) 

Politics and Power

Different groups influence different people.  Voting, Freedom/Restrictions.  (Crown)

Politics and Power

choice and opinion play a big role.  Power is not in the hands of one, but is shared by many.  Everyone has an input and the right to challenge others. (Venn Diagram) 

Environment and Geography

How humans react to the environment and how the environment react to humans.  Advantages and disadvantages during times of war and conflict.  How man-made and natural environments identify certain regions.  (Flower)

Environment and Geography

Affect how people act; difference between natural and man-made environment.  History has changed the environment and the environment has changed history. (Mountains)

Work, Exchange and Technolgy

growth of business and innovations.  Development of technology –industrial revolution.  Availability of resources.  (Teepee thing.) 

Work, Exchange, and Technology

The American economy and how it fits into the world.  Trade with other countries.  Made up of markets, transportation, and technology.  Labor systems throughout the world—slavery, indentured servitude, free labor, and sharecropping.  (Tractor)

Peopling

Migrants and immigrants –how their beliefs, traditions, and culture affect American and how America affects them.  People adapting to environment.  (Person) 

Peopling

Different cultures, immigration.  New social/physical environments.  (Border – Squiggly line) 

Ideas, Beliefs, and Technology

Understanding and examining moral, religious, scientific and philosophical principles.  How the principles affect people’s daily lives and how the principles interact with each other.  (Thought bubble.)

Ideas, Beliefs, and Technology

How other’s beliefs and cultures affect others.  How differences can cause problems, including discrimination. (Flag)

America in the World

Second block is in charge.

America in the World

North American’s place in the world. Impact throughout its history.  Compare and contrast with other countries.  How democracy and its leaders affect the world.  (Globe/planet)