Grade 8 Social Studies Program
In Grade 8 Social Studies, students investigate the history of the United States from 1790-1877 in order to answer the question, "How has the American identity evolved?" Through an analysis of selected primary and secondary sources, they will draw conclusions about the causes and consequences of important events, including the American Revolution, Westward Expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction. They learn about the tools and methods of historians to explain events in U.S. history by reading, constructing and interpreting timelines, analyzing cause and effect, and perspective. . By the completion of Grade 8 Social Studies, they are expected to be able to read and write independently, read primary sources, construct a 5-paragraph essay (at a minimum), complete research independently and develop their study skills. They will complete writing assignments and research projects using the Internet and other reference sources. They will also read and construct maps, charts, tables and graphs. Students will take a countywide midterm and final exam in this course. The units studied are:
- Review of Colonial and Revolutionary America
- A New Nation
- Growth and Change
- The Civil War
- Reconstruction
The Service Learning requirement and career exploration activities are integrated throughout the year.
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Last updated by Lisa Kissinger on August 28, 2002