Social Studies

Grade 8 Syllabus:

20th Century to Today:

Class Overview:

Goals / Objectives: 

• Independent, critical thinking; learning the appropriate skills and perspectives to participate in American society. 

• Respect of people, their beliefs and actions within the context of their time and situation while still able to gauge the morality of their actions through the lens of our Christian faith.

• Appreciate America’s unique history in the context of global existence.

• Acknowledge American individualism while also recognizing “E pluribus unum”.

Grading:

All graded assignments will be given a point value (50 points for simple “pop” quizzes, up-to 200 points for more significant announced quizzes, projects, long form open response essays, etc.) the total number of points available divided by the total number of assignments equals your final numerical grade. 

No individual grade will be dependent upon “group” work. 

Teacher’s prerogative to add a point or two to a student’s final grade if the student has consistently demonstrated a positive attitude and contributed in a beneficial manner to the classroom atmosphere.

Classroom Dynamics:

We will be discussing numerous sensitive topics as we learn about our past. Be respectful of those topics and discuss them in as mature and insightful a way as possible. 

Be respectful of peers and their ideas and beliefs.

Students must be responsible for their actions.

If an issue arises I expect students to speak to me directly, in confidence.

Topics & Lessons: (To be covered throughout the year)

Learning to think like an historian…

Why do we study history?... 

Where in time?... 

Cause and Effect… 

Geography Skills:

Where in the World?...    

Civics: …

Basic Economics… 

Living History…

History: 

Grade 8 TRi-1:

The American West; Industrial and Urban Growth 

• The effect of commerce on the development of the West.

• How industrialization affected change in the United States.

• The causes and effects of the growth of cities.

• The Gilded Age; Titans of Industry/Robber Barons

Expansion and World War I; How a more powerful United States expanded its role in the world.

• Political movements that affected world events in the early part of the 20th Century.

• Causes and effects of World War II

Grade 8 Tri-2:

The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression; World War II

The United States and the Cold War; Civil Rights Era; Vietnam Era

• Key foreign and domestic issues that affected the United States after World War II.

• The civil rights movement began establishing equal opportunity for all Americans.

• The causes and immediate and subsequent effects of the Vietnam War.

Grade 8 Tri-3:

New Directions – A Changing World Climate

• Events that changed the way Americans viewed the presidency.

• Major national and international events affected the nation.

• Challenges faced by the United States in the 21st Century.