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Grade 8 Social Studies

Grade 8 Social Studies

The CREC 6-8 Social Studies curriculum prepares students to be informed citizens who are members of a 21st Century global community, by introducing them to the regions of the world and key concepts in early United States History. The curriculum follows the Connecticut Social Studies Framework, based on the C3, which seeks to prepare students for Career, College and Civic Life. Through a variety of classroom experiences, students develop critical thinking skills, creativity, curiosity and open-mindedness. Classroom instruction balances learning about new content and concepts with an inquiry-based learning approach. Inquiry-based learning allows students to ask questions and have the opportunity to engage in the research process to further address their questions. Additionally, students are introduced to key concepts in history, civics, economics, and geography, in preparation for their high school experience. Literacy in the content area is emphasized to continue to develop students’ reading, writing, and speaking/listening skills.

Grade 8 Early American History
8th Grade Social Studies has a focus on Early American History; from the Revolutionary Era through Reconstruction.  Students explore the ideas, issues, and events from the mid- 1700s through the late 19th century. Students will examine the development of politics, society, culture, and economy in the United States to deepen their understanding of history, civics, geography, and economics. Studying the causes and consequences of events throughout early American history will assist students’ in comprehending the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a culturally diverse democracy. This course will also help prepare students for learning Social Studies in high school.

  • Key Concepts Addressed
    • Cause and Effect: The American Revolution 
    • Key Government Concepts: U.S. Constitution
    • Growth of a Nation: Westward Expansion and Industrialization
    • Conflict and War: The Civil War and Reconstruction

 

In CREC classrooms, students will learn Social Studies within an inquiry-based approach. This approach allows for teacher-created, standards-based curriculum to come to life while allowing room for student voice and interest. Students are encouraged to think, read, write, and speak like historians, geographers, and citizens, engaging in authentic, real-world tasks to bring learning to life. Additionally, the classroom instruction will foster the CREC Portrait of a Learning Skills: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Resilience, and Empathy.

Some tasks students will engage in include: 

  • Choosing topics for and completing independent and group research projects (with age appropriate support and requirements).
  • Collaborating with peers and providing feedback to each other.
  • Presenting for different audiences.
  • Selecting and evaluating appropriate sources for projects and assessments.
  • Writing for a range of audiences.
  • Developing an argument and supporting it with evidence, including both writing and speaking/listening activities
  • Utilizing technology to demonstrate learning.

 

Classroom Materials:   

 

What You Can to Do at Home: 

Provide time and space for your child to read independently for an extended period of time. This reading time should be free from distractions such as television and cell phones.

  • Make your child aware of current events. Discuss current events and encourage your child to watch the news and/or read the newspaper. 
  • Look at maps and globes together and ask your child to show you the regions of the world and places they are studying. 
  • Visit museums, zoos, theaters, historical sites, aquariums, and other educational places to help increase your child’s exposure to new knowledge and vocabulary.
    • Local sites of interest include: The Wadsworth Atheneum, Connecticut Old State House, Connecticut Historical Society, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Hartford Public Library and Hartford History Center.  Visit your local library for free or discounted passes for these sites. 
  • Encourage your child to read stories, books, or biographies based on your native culture or others. Read the same book as your child and discuss it.
  • Share family traditions, stories, and cultures with your child.  Encourage your child to interview family members, such as grandparents, to learn family history.
  • Ask your child to discuss their school day. Have your child explain to you or write in an academic journal what they learned in class. 
  • Have your child verbally explain their project to you or practice the presentation the night before it is due.
  • Use real-life opportunities to develop understanding of geography concepts and map skills.
  • Encourage service and responsibility. Either through school or as a family, your child can experience providing service to others and/or being a responsible citizen through community giving. 

 

Websites

Non-Fiction Magazines

  • Junior Scholastic – Provides coverage of current news issues and investigative journalism.
  • Upfront – Focuses on investigative journalism for teens.
  • Cobblestone – Highlights a distinct period in US history and explores what it means to be American.
  • Dig – Explores archaeology with photos and stories from on-site archaeologists.
  • National Geographic for Kids – Encourages readers to protect the planet's resources and to learn more about geography, adventure, wildlife, science, and their peers around the world.
  • Connecticut Explored - Provides history specific to Connecticut.

For more information, please contact the Supervisor of Social Studies, Kristen Juda, at kjuda@crec.org

  • grade 8