8^th Grade U.S. History Pacing Guide

8^th grade U.S. History is a survey of the development of America from the Early Colonial Period through Reconstruction (1877), focusing on political, social and economic history, with an emphasis on multiculturalism.  The program will provide students with a basic knowledge of the development of American culture through a survey of major issues, people, events, and geographical expansion in American history.

Essential Questions for 8^th Grade Social Studies

How does our environment affect the way we live?

How do historians research and draw conclusions about the past?

How did the North American world perspective differ from that of Europeans in the late17th and 18^th centuries?

How did European exploration affect the colonization of the Western Hemisphere?

How (and why) did the three American colonial regions differ from one another?

Why did some colonies succeed and others fail?

How did the American colonies defeat what was the greatest military power on earth (Great Britain)?

How did the federal system emerge in the U.S.?

What is the purpose of government?  How did the Founding Fathers envision the new American government?

In what way is the Constitution a “bundle of compromises?”

Why did the colonies ultimately sever ties with the British Empire?

How should power be divided within government?

Is freedom sufficiently insured under the Constitution?  Explain your answer.

Why do revolutions occur?  Under what circumstances do revolutions fail or succeed?

What challenges did the newly independent United States of America face?

How did expansionism shape the U.S.?

How did early American Presidents’ policies affect politics, economics, and society?

In what ways has slavery shaped the American society and economy?

Why are wars fought?

How did the differences between Northern and Southern society, culture, and ideals lead to the Civil War?

Use the above essential questions to design purposeful lesson plans around the content & skills identified on pages 18-24 of the Social Studies Middle School Curriculum Guide (2004-2005).  Please call 854-4111 if you need a copy of this guide.

*Survey students to assess knowledge of/background in colonial America.  This may impact the number of weeks/days spent on this unit.

Please see 2004 curriculum guide for specific activities, assessments, content, and standards