1. Describe the physical characteristics of the American continent and their impact on population distribution and settlement patterns between 1700 and 1783.
• Descriptions will be found in the narrative and in maps contained in the required reading in the textbook for this unit.
• Verification of mastery will be measured by performance on quiz questions covering the narrative and maps in the textbook
2. Analyze the various economic factors that influenced the development of colonial America between 1700 and 1783.
• Discussions of economic factors will be found in the narrative and in various charts and graphs contained in the required reading in the textbook for this unit.
• Verification of mastery will be measured by performance on quiz questions covering the narrative and charts/graphs in the textbook.
3. Evaluate the impact of scientific discoveries and technological innovations on the development of the American colonies between 1700 and 1783.
• Discussions of scientific discoveries and technological innovations will be found in the narrative contained in the required reading in the textbook for this unit.
• Verification of mastery will be measured by performance on quiz questions covering the narrative in the textbook
4. Use critical-thinking skills, including the identification of bias in written, oral, and visual material.
• Primary documents contained in the required reading in the textbook for this unit as well as critical thinking questions that follow each chapter sub-heading in the textbook are designed to prompt critical thinking skills.
• Verification of mastery will be measured by performance on quiz questions covering the critical thinking issues raised in each chapter subheading in the textbook. Critical thinking will also be assessed by Document Analysis exercises required for each student during this unit.
5. Relate the relevance and significance of developments during this period to conditions in contemporary America;
• The feature in each chapter of the required textbook entitled "It Matters Today" addresses specifically the relevance and significance of such developments.
• Verification of mastery will be measured by performance on quiz questions covering the narrative and the "It Matters Today" feature in the textbook.
6. Report findings clearly in language and style appropriate to an academic setting.
• Students will have the opportunity to report findings through Document Analysis exercises required for each student during this unit. Feedback through a grading rubric will give added guidance to students in this regard.
• Verification of mastery will be assessed by the Document Analysis exercises required for each student during this unit