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Washington State: Classroom Based Assessment(CBA)

Links to Primary Documents at the National Archives and Records Administration

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 Classroom 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 and teaching suggestions, from the "Our Documents" web site www.ourdocuments.gov. The transcribed copy is for your convenience and for students having difficulty reading handwriting. All pages can be easily downloaded and/or printed. Just click on the document title and it will take you to the specific "Our Documents" page.

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

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The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001
Telephone: 1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272