8th Grade Social Studies Scope and Sequence
In 8th grade, the 3 units in social studies are guided overarching questions that support the standards and content listed below.
PowerStandards
Civics
SS.CV.2.6-8.MdC: Explain the origins, functions, and structure of government with reference to the U.S. Constitution, Illinois Constitution and other systems of government.
SS.CV.4.6-8.MdC: Analyze the ideas and principles contained in the founding documents of the United States and other countries, and explain how they influence the social and political system.
SS.CV.1.6-8.MC: Evaluate the powers and responsibilities of citizens, political parties, interest groups, and the media.
SS.CV.3.6-8.LC, MdC, MC: Compare the means by which individuals and groups change societies, promote the common good, and protect rights.
History
SS.H.4.6-8.MC: Organize applicable evidence into a coherent argument about the past.
Essential and Supporting Questions
- What were the circumstances that led to the Constitutional Convention?
- How does the Constitution limit the power of government?
- How has the role of government in the lives of its citizens changed over time?
Students will be able to…
- Explain the philosophical basis of representative government
- Evaluate the reasons for the colonies separation from England
- Summarize the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation.
- Explain the structure and function of the United States Government as outlined in the United States Constitution.
- Explain how to make changes to the constitution today.
- Make connections to present day events in politics.
- Compare the US Constitution and the Illinois Constitution
Unit: How did the United States grow from an isolated nation to a world superpower?
PowerStandards
Civics
SS.CV.6.6-8.MdC; Analyze the purposes, implementation, and consequences of public policies in historic and contemporary settings.
History
SS.H.2.6-8.MdC: Analyze multiple factors that influenced the perspectives of people during different historical eras.
SS.H.3.6-8.LC: Classify the kinds of historical sources used in secondary interpretation.
SS.H.4.6-8.MC: Organize applicable evidence into a coherent argument about the past.
Essential and Supporting Questions
- What were the reasons for America’s political isolation from Europe during its first century of existence?
- What factors drew the United States into WWI?
- How did the circumstances surrounding the end of WWI send America back into isolationism?
- What influences led to the United States not entering WWII until 1941?
- How did WWII alter America’s role in world politics?
- How did America’s role in WWII alter world politics?
Unit:How can groups of people successfully fight for their rights?
PowerStandards
Civics
SS.CV.1.6-8.MC: Evaluate the powers and responsibilities of citizens, political parties, interest groups, and the media.
SS.H.1.6-8.MdC: Analyze connections among events and developments in broader historical contexts.
SS.CV.6.6-8.MdC; Analyze the purposes, implementation, and consequences of public policies in historic and contemporary settings.
SS.CV.2.6-8.MdC: Explain the origins, functions, and structure of government with reference to the U.S. Constitution, Illinois Constitution and other systems of government.
SS.CV.3.6-8.LC, MdC, MC: Compare the means by which individuals and groups change societies, promote the common good, and protect rights
History
SS.H.2.6-8.MdC: Analyze multiple factors that influenced the perspectives of people during different historical eras
SS.H.3.6-8.LC: Classify the kinds of historical sources used in secondary interpretation.
SS.H.4.6-8.MC: Organize applicable evidence into a coherent argument about the past.
Essential and Supporting Questions
- What are some common characteristics shared by different genocides?
- What injustices did African Americans face in the century following the Civil War?
- How did the Civil Rights Movement bring about meaningful change for African Americans?
- How did other emerging social movements follow the template of the Civil Rights movement to bring about meaningful change?
- How do modern day protest movements compare in both goals and in tactics to their predecessors?
Students will be able to….
- Identify the characteristics of a genocide
- Summarize the negative consequences of segregation
- Evaluate different protest strategies
- Recognize the changes effected by the Civil Rights Movement?
- Compare the Civil Rights Movement to other emerging social movements.
- Identify leaders and events important to a variety of social movements.