Grade Eight Social Studies

These twelve essentials and the "I can" statements will form the majority of the curriculum for eighth grade North Carolina/U.S. History this year.  We will work in conjunction with 21st Century technology and Language Arts skills.

1. Impact of Geography-

We will study the Geography of North Carolina.  Students will be responsible for knowing North Carolina’s three regions and their differences and similarities.  Students will be able to correctly place North Carolinas cities, major rivers, and other major features on a map.

2. Impact of Exploration-

We will learn about the Lost Colony at Roanoke.  Students will learn about the major European explorations of North Carolina and the United States. Students will describe the impact of the Colombian Exchange (trade between Europe and the New World). Students will be able to compile the political and religious motives for European exploration.

3. Impact of Native Americans-

We will learn about the five major tribes in North Carolina in 1492 by examining their culture.  Students will learn about the impact of European Colonization on Native American Tribes. 

4. Impact of Colonization-

5. Impact of the Revolutionary War-

We will learn about the American Revolution.  Students will examine in detail the causes and impact of this world changing event.  The individuals who influenced this revolution will be studied.

We will study the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and other relevant documents such as the Mecklenburg Declaration.  We will analyze each document for meaning and see how they are still part of our lives and our heritage.

7. Examine the Antebellum Period-

We will study how the United States developed economic differences between the North (industrial) and the South (agricultural) during the Antebellum Period.  We will examine the institution of slavery during the early 1800’s leading up to the Civil War.

8. Impact of the Civil War-

We will learn about the causes of the Civil War and its effects on our country.

The role North Carolina played in the Civil War will be examined. We will learn about some specific battles and the destruction caused by the war.

9. Examine the results of the Civil War  

          We will learn about Reconstruction in the South after the Civil War.  We will study the  development of key industries such as tobacco,      furniture, and textiles in North Carolina.  We learn about social changes in North Carolina.

10. Impact of the World Wars on North Carolina and the U.S.A.-

We will learn about World War I and its effect on the world.  We will study the Great Depression and learn how people in North Carolina dealt with this event.

Students will examine World War II and its far reaching effects.

11. Impact of Segregation and the Civil Rights Movement-

We will learn about Segregation through out the United States.  Students will examine the Civil Rights movement and its key events and figures.  Students will study how this movement has led to social change in our state and the U.S.A.

12. Impact of the Post WWII  Era on North Carolina, the United States and our World-   We will connect post war political reasoning with the Cold War, Korean and Vietnam Wars, to the current world situation. Opportunities for growth and the role that North Carolina and the United States will play in our global communities of the future will be analyzed.