8th Grade Social Studies Curriculum Map
Social Studies Grade 8 Essential Questions:
1.
Content and Skills Alignment to Ohio Academic Content Standards:
What is the meaning of freedom and how has it
changed over time?
How do individuals and groups exert control over others?
2.
3.
4.
5.
Why do people’s actions sometimes conflict with their beliefs?
What role does leadership play during times of great change?
Why is “where” important?
1st Grading Period
U.S. Government
Unit Enduring
Understandings
August
Unit Essential
Questions
Content and Skills Alignment to Ohio Academic Content Standards
September
The U.S. Constitution establishes a federal
government, protects the rights of citizens, and
provides general rules that government must follow.
The power of the federal government is separated
into three branches, and checks and balances are in
place to balance the power between them. The
amendment process enables our Constitution to
adapt to a constantly changing society.
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First Global Age
How is the U.S. Constitution a document of
balance, flexibility, and compromise?
Do I have rights? Do I have responsibilities?
How is the U.S. Constitution active in our lives
today?
October
November
Colonization in America was the result of many
factors, varied from region to region, and resulted in
very different societies. European colonization
affected American Indian populations. Class and
race impacted colonial life.
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Why do people uproot themselves and move?
How does the economic behavior and religious
beliefs of individuals and groups affect others?
3rd Grading Period
4th Grading Period
A New Nation
Civil War & Reconstruction
December
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Government:
History:
1)
Explain the political concepts expressed in
1)
Select events and construct a multiple-tier
the U.S. Constitution:
time line to show relationships among
a)
Representative democracy;
events. (A)
b)
Federalism;
2)
Describe the political, religious and
c)
Bicameralism;
economic aspects of North American
d)
Separation of powers;
colonization including:
e)
Checks and balances. (B)
a)
Reasons for colonization, including
2)
Explain how the U.S. Constitution protects
religion, desire for land and
the rights of citizens, regulates the use of
economic opportunity;
territory, manages conflict and establishes
b)
Key differences among the Spanish,
order and security. (B)
French and British colonies;
3)
Explain how specific provisions of the U.S.
c)
Interactions between American
Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, limit
Indians and European settlers,
the powers of government in order to protect
including the agricultural and cultural
the rights of individuals with emphasis on:
exchanges, alliances and conflicts;
a)
Freedom of religion, speech, press,
d)
Indentured servitude and the
assembly and petition;
introduction and institutionalization of
b)
Right to trial by jury and the right to
slavery;
counsel;
e)
Early representative governments
c)
Due process and equal protection of
and democratic practices that
the laws. (B)
emerged, including town meetings
4)
Describe the process by which a bill
and colonial assemblies;
becomes a law. (B)
f)
Conflicts among colonial powers for
control of North America. (D)
Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities:
1)
Show connections between the rights and
People in Societies:
responsibilities of citizenship including:
1)
Trace the development of religious diversity
a)
Voting and staying informed on
in the colonies, and analyze how the concept
issues;
of religious freedom has evolved in the
b)
Being tried by a jury and serving on
United States. (B)
juries;
2)
Describe and explain the social, economic
c)
Having rights and respecting the
and political effects of:
rights of others. (B)
a)
Stereotyping and prejudice;
b)
Racism and discrimination;
c)
Institutionalized racism and
institutionalized discrimination. (B)
2nd Grading Period
American Revolution
January
New ways of thinking, improvements in
communication and technology, and religion brought
colonists together and led them to seek change in a
political system that many believed was oppressive.
The system would not change, so American
colonists sought to abolish it and create a new more
democratic system.
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• Standard: History, People in Societies, Geography, Economics, Government,
Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities, Social Studies Skills
• Benchmark: Letter corresponds with state benchmark letter
What are the roots of America’s democracy?
What is the desired role of government in
society?
What is the cost of freedom? Who pays for it?
What causes people to challenge established
authority?
Was the American Revolution really a
revolution?
February
March
After experimenting with a confederation form of
government, the U.S. turned to a federal system of
government with a written constitution. The early
nation created foreign and domestic policies that set
precedents for future generations. As cultures
collided during this period of time, the American
society evolved and reformed.
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How did compromise play a role in the shaping
of the U.S. Constitution?
How did the U.S. resolve domestic and foreign
problems?
Was the U.S. truly a democracy during the half
century?
History:
History:
1)
Identify and explain the sources of conflict
1)
Explain major domestic problems faced by
which led to the American Revolution, with
the leaders of the new republic under the
emphasis on the perspectives of the
Articles of Confederation including:
Patriots, Loyalists, neutral colonists and the
a)
Maintaining national security;
British concerning:
b)
Creating a stable economic system;
a)
The Proclamation of 1763, the
c)
Dealing with war debts;
Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, the
d)
Collecting revenue;
Tea Act and the Intolerable Acts;
e)
Defining the authority of the central
b)
The Boston Tea Party, the boycotts,
government. (F)
the Sons of Liberty and petitions and 2)
Explain the challenges in writing and
appeals to Parliament. (E)
ratifying the U.S. Constitution including:
a)
Issues debated during the
People in Societies:
convention resulting in compromises
1)
Explain how the diverse peoples of the
(i.e., the Great Compromise, the
United States developed a common national
Three-Fifths Compromise and the
identity. (C)
compromise over the slave trade);
b)
The Federalist/Anti-Federalist
Geography:
debate;
1)
Compare places and regions in the United
c)
The debate over a Bill of Rights. (F)
States as they existed prior to 1877 with the 3)
Describe the actions taken to build one
same places and regions today to analyze
country from 13 states including:
changes in land use and population, political,
a)
The precedents established by
social and economic characteristics. (B)
George Washington, including the
2)
Analyze the principles of self-government
cabinet and a two-term presidency;
and natural rights expressed in the
b)
Alexander Hamilton’s actions to
Declaration of Independence and their
create a financially strong country,
relationship to Enlightenment ideas. (A)
including the creation of a national
bank;
Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities:
c)
The establishment of an independent
1)
Show the relationship between participating
federal court system. (F)
in civic and political life and the attainment of
individual and public goals including:
Geography:
a)
The Sons of Liberty and Committees 1)
Compare places and regions in the United
of Correspondence/American
States as they existed prior to 1877 with the
independence. (A)
same places and regions today to analyze
changes in land use and population, political,
social and economic characteristics. (B)
April
May
June
The U.S. expanded westward rapidly through treaties, settlement, and war.
The country experienced improvements in technology and transportation
during this period of time, and the issues of slavery and sectionalism
dominated the nation’s growth and development. This led to the Civil War
and radically altered the path of our nation’s history.
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Was westward expansion America’s destiny?
What effects do a nation’s resources have on its development?
What types of issues motivate people to resort to conflict?
Was the Civil War a turning point in our nation’s history?
History:
1)
Describe and analyze the territorial expansion of the United States
including:
a)
Northwest Ordinance;
b)
The Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark
expedition;
c)
Westward movement including Manifest Destiny;
d)
The Texas War for Independence and the MexicanAmerican War. (G)
2)
Explain causes of the Civil War with emphasis on:
a)
Slavery;
b)
States’ rights;
c)
The different economies of the North and South;
d)
The extension of slavery into the territories, including the
Dred Scott Decision and the Kansas-Nebraska Act;
e)
The abolitionist movement and the roles of Frederick
Douglass and John Brown;
f)
The addition of new states to the Union and their impact on
the balance of power in the Senate, including the Missouri
Compromise and the Compromise of 1850;
g)
The emergence of Abraham Lincoln as a national figure in
the Lincoln-Douglas debates, the presidential election of
1860, and the South’s secession. (G)
3)
Explain the course and consequences of the Civil War with
emphasis on:
a)
Contributions of key individuals, including Abraham Lincoln,
Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant;
b)
The Emancipation Proclamation;
c)
The Battle of Gettysburg. (G)
4)
Analyze the consequences of Reconstruction with emphasis on:
a)
President Lincoln’s assassination and the ensuing struggle
for control of Reconstruction, including the impeachment of
President Andrew Johnson;
b)
Attempts to protect the rights of and enhance opportunities
for the freedmen, including the basic provisions of the 13th,
14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution;
c)
The Ku Klux Klan and the enactment of black codes. (G)
1st Grading Period
U.S. Government
August
September
Assessments
(Formative and Summative)
Content and Skills Alignment to Ohio Academic Content Standards
Social Studies Skills:
1)
Compare accuracy and point of view of
fiction and nonfiction sources about a
particular era or event. (A)
2)
Construct a historical narrative using primary
and secondary sources. (C)
3)
Write a position paper or give an oral
presentation that includes citation of
sources. (C)
4)
Organize and lead a discussion. (D)
5)
Identify ways to manage conflict within a
group. (D)
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First Global Age
Cornell Notes
Current events
Projects (Executive Departments Poster, Bill of
Rights in Action)
Quizzes (Vocabulary, U.S. Geography, Bill of
Rights)
Unit Test
October
November
2nd Grading Period
3rd Grading Period
4th Grading Period
American Revolution
A New Nation
Civil War & Reconstruction
December
January
February
March
People in Societies:
Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities:
Economics:
3)
Analyze how contact between white settlers 2)
Evaluate the role of historical figures and
1)
Explain how lack of power to regulate the
and American Indians resulted in treaties,
political bodies in furthering and restricting
economy contributed to the demise of the
land acquisition and Indian removal. (B)
the rights of individuals including:
Articles of Confederation and the creation of
4)
Analyze the economic, geographic, religious
a)
Jefferson and the contradiction
U.S. Constitution. (C)
and political factors that contributed to:
between the ideals of the Declaration 2)
Explain how governmental protection of
a)
The enslavement of Africans in North
of Independence and his role as a
property rights and regulation of economic
America (B)
slave owner. (B)
activity impacted the development of the
U.S. economy. (C)
Geography:
Social Studies Skills:
1)
Compare places and regions in the United
1)
Compare accuracy and point of view of
Government:
States as they existed prior to 1877 with the
fiction and nonfiction sources about a
1)
Explain how the U.S. Constitution protects
same places and regions today to analyze
particular era or event. (A)
the rights of citizens, regulates the use of
changes in land use and population, political, 2)
Construct a historical narrative using primary
territory, manages conflict and establishes
social and economic characteristics. (B)
and secondary sources. (C)
order and security. (B)
2)
Analyze how physical characteristics of the 3)
Write a position paper or give an oral
2)
Explain how the Northwest Ordinance
environment influenced population
presentation that includes citation of
established principles and procedures for the
distribution, settlement patterns and
sources. (C)
orderly expansion of the United States. (B)
economic activities in the United States
4)
Organize and lead a discussion. (D)
3)
Explain how events and issues
during the 18th and 19th centuries. (C)
5)
Identify ways to manage conflict within a
demonstrated the need for a stronger form of
3)
Explain how colonization, westward
group. (D)
governance in the early years of the United
expansion, immigration and advances in
States:
transportation and communication changed
a)
Shays’s Rebellion;
geographic patterns in the United States. (D)
b)
Economic instability;
c)
Government under the Articles of
Economics:
Confederation. (B)
2)
Discuss how mercantilism and the
establishment of colonies led to increased
Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities:
global trading during the 17th and 18th
2)
Explain how the opportunities for civic
centuries. (B)
participation expanded during the first half of
the 19th century including:
Social Studies Skills:
a)
Nominating conventions;
1)
Compare accuracy and point of view of
b)
Expansion of the franchise;
fiction and nonfiction sources about a
c)
Active campaigning. (A)
particular era or event. (A)
3)
Evaluate the role of historical figures and
2)
Construct a historical narrative using primary
political bodies in furthering and restricting
and secondary sources. (C)
the rights of individuals including:
3)
Write a position paper or give an oral
a)
State constitutional conventions and
presentation that includes citation of
the disenfranchisement of free
sources. (C)
blacks. (B)
4)
Organize and lead a discussion. (D)
5)
Identify ways to manage conflict within a
Social Studies Skills:
group. (D)
6)
Compare accuracy and point of view of
fiction and nonfiction sources about a
particular era or event. (A)
7)
Construct a historical narrative using primary
and secondary sources. (C)
8)
Write a position paper or give an oral
presentation that includes citation of
sources. (C)
9)
Organize and lead a discussion. (D)
10)
Identify ways to manage conflict within a
group. (D)
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Cornell notes
Current events
DBQs (Mayflower Compact)
Map work (13 Colonies)
Projects (Colony Advertisement, 13 Colonies
Timeline)
Quizzes (Vocabulary, New England Colonies,
Middle Colonies, Southern Colonies)
Simulations (Mercantilism, Colonization, Puritan
General Court)
Unit Test
Webquests (Jamestown)
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Cornell Notes
Current events
DBQs (American Revolution)
Map work (American Revolution)
Presentation (Key Battles of the American
Revolution)
Projects (Declaration of Independence
Children’s Book)
Quizzes (Vocabulary, U.S. Geography, Root
Causes of the American Revolution)
Simulations (Colonial Town Meeting)
Thematic essay (American Revolution)
Webquests
Unit Test
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Cornell Notes
Current events
DBQs (Articles of Confederation)
Map work (War of 1812)
Projects ( Foreign Policies Political Cartoons)
Quizzes (Vocabulary, U.S. Geography, Foreign
Affairs & War of 1812)
Simulations (Constitutional Convention)
Webquests (Early Republic)
Unit Test
April
May
June
People in Societies:
1)
Analyze how contact between white settlers and American Indians
resulted in treaties, land acquisition and Indian removal. (B)
2)
Analyze the economic, geographic, religious and political factors
that contributed to:
a)
Resistance to slavery. (B)
3)
Describe the historical limitations on participation of women in U.S.
society and their efforts to gain equal rights. (B)
Geography:
1)
Compare places and regions in the United States as they existed
prior to 1877 with the same places and regions today to analyze
changes in land use and population, political, social and economic
characteristics. (B)
2)
Analyze how physical characteristics of the environment influenced
population distribution, settlement patterns and economic activities
in the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. (C)
3)
Explain how colonization, westward expansion, immigration and
advances in transportation and communication changed
geographic patterns in the United States. (D)
Economics:
1)
Explain how the uneven distribution of productive resources
influenced historic events such as the Civil War. (A)
2)
Explain the purpose and effects of trade barriers such as tariffs
enacted before the Civil War. (B)
Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities:
1)
Show the relationship between participating in civic and political life
and the attainment of individual and public goals including:
a)
The Underground Railroad and the abolitionist
movement/Abolition of slavery. (A)
2)
Evaluate the role of historical figures and political bodies in
furthering and restricting the rights of individuals including:
a)
Jackson and his role in Indian removal;
b)
Frederick Douglass and the abolitionist movement;
c)
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and women’s rights. (B)
Social Studies Skills:
1)
Compare accuracy and point of view of fiction and nonfiction
sources about a particular era or event. (A)
2)
Construct a historical narrative using primary and secondary
sources. (C)
3)
Write a position paper or give an oral presentation that includes
citation of sources. (C)
4)
Organize and lead a discussion. (D)
5)
Identify ways to manage conflict within a group. (D)
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Cornell Notes
Current events
DBQs (Causes of the Civil War)
Map work (Territorial Expansion, Free-Slave States, Civil War)
Photo Analysis (Slavery, Civil War)
Presentation (Territorial Expansion)
Projects (Reform Movement Poster, Civil War Board Game, Civil War
Trading Cards)
Quizzes (Vocabulary, U.S. Geography, Territorial Expansion, Causes
of Civil War)
Simulations (Civil War Capture the Flag)
Webquests (Territorial Expansion & Jacksonian Democracy)
Unit Test