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American History (8th Grade) Class Activities and Supplemental Resources
American History (8th Grade) Class Activities and Supplemental Resources
09/02/24 - 09/13/24 (Weeks 1 - 2)
09/02/24 - 09/13/24 (Weeks 1 - 2)
The first two weeks of 8th Grade Social Studies will focus on: acclimating students to a new teacher/school year, observing Patriot Day and Constitution Day with special lessons, and taking the baseline writing assessment. The writing assessment is not graded but just a demonstration of what skills students are starting the year with.
Supplemental Resources:
No content suggestions, but discuss with your students how the transition to a new school year has gone.
09/16/24 - 09/27/24 (Weeks 3 - 4)
09/16/24 - 09/27/24 (Weeks 3 - 4)
The next two weeks of US History will be setting the stage for the American Revolution. We will observe Constitution Day next week with a special lesson on how the Constitution is a living document. Students will then learn the colonial regions and their differences. We will hold our first simulation in class next week designed for students to feel taxation without representation (please keep this a secret). At the conclusion of this two week window we will look at the Atlantic Slave Trade and the first signs of tensions between Great Britain and it's 13 American Colonies.
Optional Home Resources:
Watch this video with your students to show them what life was like for children during colonial times!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAe2iexZ_4E
Read this article to learn 13 facts about the 13 colonies!
https://www.history.com/news/13-colonies-facts
09/30/24 - 10/11/24 (Weeks 5 - 6)
09/30/24 - 10/11/24 (Weeks 5 - 6)
8th grade US History students will learn about the various taxes and acts that led to the American Revolution. We will perform a special crime scene investigation of the Boston Massacre where students will practice their skill of corroborating primary and secondary sources. Our first unit test will most likely occur within three weeks.
Optional Home Resources:
This is not a free resource because it is a subscription channel on Prime video, but it is an excellent preview of the next two weeks of class. IT IS NOT REQUIRED.
https://www.amazon.com/The-Revolution-Season-1/dp/B08DMC11PZ
Review this timeline with your students at home to mirror out activities in class.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/americanrevolution/timeline.htm
10/15/24 - 10/25/24 (Weeks 7 - 8)
10/15/24 - 10/25/24 (Weeks 7 - 8)
8th grade US History students will learn about the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War in New Jersey, take their first unit test on the Road to the American Revolution, and create a podcast project highlighting the contributions of an "unsung" hero of the American Revolution.
Optional Home Resources:
Here's a great resource to cover with your students on our founding document the Declaration of Indepdence.
Here's a great video qrecapping the material of our first unit test. You students may cringe on how corny it is but it's effective!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC1KtU5_LK0
10/28/24 - 11/15/24 (Weeks 9 - 11)
10/28/24 - 11/15/24 (Weeks 9 - 11)
8th grade US History students will learn about the following topics over the course of the next three weeks:
How the Electoral College works
The Articles of Confederation (America's first government)
Trouble the nation faced followed independence
Calls for reforms to the Articles of Confederation
Optional Home Resources:
Watch this video at home to learn about America's first government!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxpLLYqhv9I
12/9/24 - 12/20/24 (Weeks 13 - 14)
12/9/24 - 12/20/24 (Weeks 13 - 14)
8th grade US History students will learn about the following topics over the course of the next two weeks:
How Amendments to the Constitution are passed.
The Bill of Rights and the rights/freedoms they guarantee us.
An assembly with a Constitutional Law Lawyer.
A quiz on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights (12/17/24)
Optional Home Resources:
Watch this video at home to learn more about the Bill of Rights!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQPfYUq9xh4
1/6/25 - 1/17/25 (Weeks 16 - 17)
1/6/25 - 1/17/25 (Weeks 16 - 17)
8th grade US History students will learn about the following topics over the course of the next two weeks:
Students will write a DBQ essay on how the Constitution guards against tyranny.
Students will begin their interdisciplinary unit studying the Holocaust in ELA and Social Studies. The first week of the unit has students demonstrate prior knowledge, and explains the circumstances that led to the rise to power of Adolf Hitler.
Optional Home Resources:
1/21/25 - 1/31/25 (Weeks 18 - 19)
1/21/25 - 1/31/25 (Weeks 18 - 19)
8th grade US History students will learn about the following topics over the course of the next two weeks:
Students will complete their Humanities Unit studying the Holocaust and answer the essentail question how can we overcome indifference and act with compassion?
Students will begin researching ideas for bills for our Model Congress democratic simulation.
Optional Home Resources:
Watch this school house rock classic with your student to learn how a bill becomes a law!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Otbml6WIQPo
2/3/25 - 2/14/25 (Weeks 20 - 21)
2/3/25 - 2/14/25 (Weeks 20 - 21)
8th grade US History students will learn about the following topics over the course of the next two weeks:
Students will complete their bills for Model Congress and work within the simulation to propose, debate, and attempt to pass legislation.
Optional Home Resources:
Watch this video for tips on overcoming stage fright. This will help students prepare for presenting their bills during Model Congress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K93fMnFKwfI
2/18/25 - 2/28/25 (Weeks 22 - 23)
2/18/25 - 2/28/25 (Weeks 22 - 23)
8th grade US History students will learn about the following topics over the course of the next two weeks:
Students will continue to work in the Model Congress simulation. Students will introduce bills, debate in committees, and vote in the whole session to try and pass legislation.
We will examine the impact of George Washington's Presidency specifically the precedents he set.
Optional Home Resources:
Review these facts with your student at home about George Washington's presidency.
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-first-president/ten-facts-about-washingtons-presidency
3/17/25 - 3/28/25 (Weeks 26 - 27)
3/17/25 - 3/28/25 (Weeks 26 - 27)
8th grade US History students will learn about the following topics over the course of the next two weeks:
Students will practice a note taking strategy that will be beneficial for high school.
Students will learn about the various land acquisitions in US history (Louisiana Purchase, Florida, Annexation of Texas, etc.)
Students will research and create a museum exhibit on one of the land acquisitions associated with westward expansion.
Optional Home Resources:
Watch this video with your students at home to get an overview of Manifest Destiny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHemd90ZdsU
4/28/25 - 5/9/25 (Weeks 33 - 34)
4/28/25 - 5/9/25 (Weeks 33 - 34)
8th grade US History students will learn about the following topics over the course of the next two weeks:
Students will learn about slavery in the United States before the Civil War
Begin to examine the growing divide between the north and south
Optional Home Resources:
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