8-1 Social Studies

Murdock

Social Studies Syllabus

Mr. J. Murdock

Welcome to Eighth Grade Social Studies! This year we will study the United States and North Carolina. We will study the geography, environment, culture, history, politics/government, economics, resources, current events, and the unintended consequences of past actions on our present day in accordance with the NC Essential Standards that are set by NCDPI (www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/new-standards/social-studies/8.pdf). Student will gain the skills needed for High School which involve research, how to use primary and secondary sources, how to formulate an opinion based on facts (not opinions), and be able to cite sources to support those opinions.

Students will be expected to keep all information from class in a one- inch spiral notebook, or a three ring binder. The notebook will be checked periodically and must be in the attached format. Notebook checks are easy grades. Your notebook will be your primary source of information, and is your most important resource in this class. We use the book as a resource along with other supplementary material.

A review will always precede a test, and the test will be announced at least two days in advance, and listed on the board with other social studies information. Social Studies information will also be placed on the following site, https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/8-1hgmsmurdock/home every Monday to help link parents and students to the weekly activity.

As we progress throughout the year we will begin to leave the study of basic knowledge and begin to use the study of U.S. & N.C. History to help develop and create research skills to help produce higher level thinkers who are able to create and support their views based on facts that are found and cited within their research.

Current events are an ongoing assignment each week. CNN Student News, Marketplace.org, and NPR Morning Edition will be used weekly in class to cover hot topics going on in our global society. Students will view or listen to the broadcast Monday - Wednesday, and discuss the information in class as a segway into our current lesson. At the end of the week a quiz will be given.

1^st Nine Weeks:

- Geography/Pre Colonial North America

- Colonial Era

- American Revolution/War of 1812

2nd Nine Weeks:

- Civics and Government

- Westward Expansion

- Manifest Destiny

- Civil War/Reconstruction

3^rd Nine Weeks:

- Industrial Revolution

- Imperialism/WWI

- Great Depression/Great Recession

- WWII/Nuclear Age

4^th Nine Weeks:

- Civil Rights Movement

- Vietnam

- Modern Era (U.S. Foreign Policy and it’s benefits & consequences)

Please be reminded that this is a tentative outline and may be altered and changed to meet the needs of the students.

Social Studies Syllabus

Student: _____________________________________________ 7-10-17

Parent/Guardian: _____________________________________ 7-10-17

M��+��