8th
Grade Social Studies
Beth
Vanaman
New Castle Middle School
2005-2006
Following an introduction to geography and two years of general world history (in grades 6 and 7), in 8th grade, Social Studies takes focus on the foundation and history of the United States of America. Meeting daily, for approximately 50 minutes per day, students will use a multitude of learning strategies to comprehend content and material, which addresses Delaware's 8th grade Social Studies Civics, Geography, History, and Economic Standards.
In order to most effectively reach every unique individual within such a diverse community of learners, utilize class time, encourage intrinsic motivation to learn, and meet/ exceed appropriate content standards, a variety of instructional and learning techniques will be used throughout the year. Direct instruction to introduce ideas, partner and group work to discuss ideas and encourage cooperation, while expanding thinking, and independent work to preview new ideas and review old will all be used. In addition, inquiry-based learning will be emphasized, in order to push students to explore, ask questions, and discover fresh concepts for themselves.
The teaching and learning strategies will be used to teach students about the significance of the history of the United States of America. Beginning with exploration of the New World and the establishment of the colonies, students will take focus on economics (i.e. trade, cost, demand, technology, and mercantilism). By the 2nd marking period, students will begin to explore civics while studying the Constitutional Period and the foundations of our nation's government. After Winter Break, students will begin to focus on point-of-view, as they question historians' perspectives of the early years of our nation (1790-1825). Spring brings with it intriguing content. Students will learn about our nation's early conflicts (1820-1877). The Civil War will be covered in great depth and detail.
The Prentice Hall textbook, THE AMERICAN NATION, will be used as the primary textbook. Supplementary materials also include an investigation of primary resources using CD-ROM and government-education, web-based resources, a Declaration of Independence interactive set, up-to-date news' resources (inc. internet news websites and local newspapers) to allow for current events, and other books including, but not limited to, atlases, nonfiction texts, primary resource pamphlets, and additional supplementary texts.