Corvian

Community

School

Social Studies

8th Grade Social Studies

At Corvian Community School, we will establish an integrated model where social studies and language arts teachers plan cohesive units that integrate the standards. Our classrooms will be highly integrated with book clubs, research papers, word study, various projects, and opportunities to build a community of readers, writers, speakers and listeners. Students will learn, apply, and synthesize the language arts curriculum goals through the study of world cultures, historical events, and the local and global community. We are committed to involvement in the community, establishing global connections, and gaining respect and understanding for diversity within cultures and communities. Through our cohesive approach to learning we will produce well-rounded students who appreciate and recognize historical perspectives and therefore are able to begin establishing their own individual identity. Students will also experience further curricular integration through grade-level global themes. We will adhere closely to the standards set forth at the national and state level.

Theme for the Year: Connections

Essential Questions:
How can we connect the themes and issues of the past to help us understand our present?
How do we connect with others around us to have a positive impact on our world?
How has technology impacted the interconnectedness of humanity and politics?

In 8th grade, the students will build on the 6th grade theme of Perspective and 7th grade theme of Change, and begin to explore how the modern world is interconnected in terms of humanity, politics, geography and culture.

The Social Studies curriculum will focus on both American History and North Carolina History tracing the changes in history from the Revolutionary Era through contemporary times. The students will begin to understand the role of individual citizens and the collective society. They will build on their experiences reading and writing multiple genres of text, including focusing on research skills.The students will analyze the relationships between geography, politics, economics, technology and culture. This integrated study helps students see the connections between the democratic principles that shape our nation, state, and the modern world.

5 Strands:

History
Geography & Environmental Literacy
Economics & Financial Literacy
Civics & Government
Culture

Major Focus:

Foundation of US Government and Revolutionary War: 13 Colonies, map skills, influences of Africa and Europe on Colonial America, key historical figures, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, causes of American Revolution, democracy, citizenship
Civil War and Slavery: westward expansion, Manifest Destiny, agriculture and economy, social and political climate, trade, reconstruction
Turn of the Century: economy, social classes, women’s suffrage, Great Depression, industrial revolution, Progressivism, Populism, immigration,
WWI and WWII: political climate of Europe and US, economy, warfare, Holocaust, internment camps, propaganda
Civil Rights Era: Emancipation Proclamation, social constructs, media, economy, education, famous activists, Vietnam and Korean wars, political climate, civic change
Modern Conflicts in the World: world religions, Middle East, North Korea, political climate, world economy, media influence, technology, terrorism, environment and climate, Western influence in world politics