Grade 8
Social Studies
Unit — Reconstruction
Essential Questions
What are a nation’s responsibilities to its citizens after major conflict?
Skills Taught
Students will:
compare and contrast two primary source documents.
source documents and place them in context.
draw conclusions from images.
extract and integrate evidence from several sources.
connect historical events to those of contemporary life.
New York State Social Studies Framework
Brief review of 7.8a-e; 8.1; 8.1a; 8.1b; 8.1c
Standards
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Next Generation English Language Arts Literacy Standards
RH1, RH2, RH4, RH6, RH7, RH8
WHST1, WHST2, WHST6, WHST7
Unit — Reshaping the Nation & the Progressive Era
Essential Questions
How do people, policies, and technological advances shape a nation?
New York State Social Studies Framework
8.2 a-e
Standards
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Next Generation English Language Arts Literacy Standards
RH1, RH2, RH4, RH7, RH8
WHST1, WHST4
Unit — Imperialism & WWI
Essential Questions
To what degree should a nation be involved in the affairs of other nations?
Skills Taught
Students will:
compare and contrast primary source documents.
source documents and place them in context.
draw conclusions from images.
extract and integrate evidence from several sources.
write an argumentative essay.
write an informational essay.
connect historical events to those of contemporary life.
draw the main idea and information from primary and secondary texts.
New York State Social Studies Framework
8.3, 8.4
Standards
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Next Generation English Language Arts Literacy Standards
RH1, RH2, RH4, RH7, RH8
WHST1, WHST4
Unit — Turbulent Decades: The U.S. Between Wars
Essential Questions
How does a nation respond to economic, political, and social challenges?
Skills Taught
Students will:
compare and contrast two primary source documents.
complete various graphic organizers.
source documents and place them in context.
draw conclusions from statistics.
pair/share information and conclusions.
extract and integrate evidence from several sources.
annotate primary and secondary sources.
write an argumentative essay.
New York State Social Studies Framework
8.4
Standards
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Next Generation English Language Arts Literacy Standards
RH1, RH2, RH4, RH6, RH7
WHST1, WHST2, WHST4, WHST7
Unit — Modern America WWII, U.S. Post War, Cold War to Present Day
Essential Questions
How do competing views of power and morality lead to global conflict?
Has the United States of America lived up to the promise and potential of its history and status?
Skills Taught
Studenst will:
analyze documents, and complete research to understand the United States cold war relationship with the Soviet Union, Cuba, and nations within Europe and Asia.
research the United States’ changing relationship with contemporary nations.
investigate the impact local, national and internal acts of terrorism have on current American political, social and economic policies.
compare and contrast two primary source documents.
source documents and place them in context.
draw conclusions from images.
extract and integrate evidence from several sources.
connect historical events to those of contemporary life.
New York State Social Studies Framework
8.6, 8.7, 8.9
Standards
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Next Generation English Language Arts Literacy Standards
RH1, RH2, RH3, RH4, RH5, RH6, RH7, RH8
WHST1, WHST5, WHST7