8th Grade Social Studies
American History
Why is Social Studies important?
Develops critical thinking skills through the analysis of primary and secondary sources.
Encourages students to see the perspective of other social groups and cultures.
Focus on relevance. “Only those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.”
UNit 2: The Foundation of America: 1650-1797
Archdiocesan Unified Standards:
SS.g.8.1 Create and use maps and other geographical representations in order to explain the relationships and reveal patterns/trends in American history
SS.g.8.2 Explain how the physical and human characteristics of regions in the Americas are connected to the changing identity and culture
SS.h.8.1 Create and use tools to analyze the chronological sequence of related events in American history.
SS.h.8.2 Explain connections between historical context and peoples’ perspectives at the time in American history.
SS.c.8.1 Analyze laws, policies and process to determine how governmental systems affect individuals and groups in society in American history.
SS.e.8.1- Using an American History lens, examine the opportunity costs and benefits of economic decisions on society as a whole as well as on individuals.
Focus of the Story:
We next move to the formal creation of the American identity based on the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The founding documents of our government reveal both the aspirations and inequities in the protections of Americans.
Essential Questions:
Who am I? What allegiances to ideals and institutions define my sense of self/purpose?
Why do civilizations/leaders/groups rise and fall?
How does geography influence the way people live?
What were the colonizers of Early America really after? How did it impact the way they developed partnerships and conquered people?
What ideas and ideals shaped the early American identity? How did this play out in the language of founding American documents and early American policies?
Click on the link to view our 8th grade curriculum
Google Classroom
I utilize Google classroom as our home base for learning this year. Here I will post:
daily agendas
class assignments
classroom materials
How to access the online textbook
Click on the title above to view instructions on how to access the online textbook.