The department seeks to prepare students to be independent, forward-thinking participants, actively involved in the 21st century. Inclusion of technology and evidence-based learning are paramount to the curriculum which is designed to motivate each student to think for himself/herself, to analyze, and to draw conclusions from a variety of primary and secondary sources. At least one research paper is required at each level. The curriculum is supplemented with works of historical non-fiction and/or other works of literature in the content area. Each course integrates the social, political, economic and historical elements of culture, nations and governments as outlined in the NYS Syllabi for Social Studies as well as the NYS learning standards. Social Studies courses in grades 9-11 are Regents courses, culminating in a Regents exam in grades 10 and 11. College Board Advanced Placement courses are offered in grades 10, 11, and 12. For more information regarding the New York State Core Curriculum for Social Studies go to: 

https://www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-k-12-social-studies-framework

Grade 8

Curriculum Level: Grade level

State Exam: None

Frequency: Every day
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DESCRIPTION

Grade 8 Social Studies is arranged chronologically, beginning with the Civil War and Reconstruction and ending at the present. The course incorporates geography as well as economic, social and political trends. The course content is divided into nine key ideas; the first seven trace the human experience in the United States from Reconstruction to the end of World War II. The last two key ideas examine different themes in United States and New York State history from the post-war period up to the present day, which provides the opportunity to explore contemporary issues.

TEXT AND OTHER MATERIALS

Teacher provided handouts and articles & ebook: America: History of Our Nation
Selected readings, fiction and nonfiction

WORK EXPECTATIONS

Participation in class discussions and group activities, daily reading and writing assignments, analysis and synthesis of primary/secondary documents, quizzes, essays, research based projects

COURSE OUTLINE

1. The Civil War and Reconstruction
1. Causes and aftermath of the Civil War
2. A changing society
1. Industrialization, urbanization, immigration
2. Calls for reform
3. Expansion and imperialism
1. Economic, political, and cultural factors that were responsible for the westward movement
2. A changing foreign policy
4. World War I and post war America 
5. The Great Depression
1. Causes
2. The changing role of the government
6. World War II and the transformation of warfare and society
7. The Cold War, containment, communism and the Middle East
8. Post World War II demographic changes
9. Domestic politics and civil rights reform to address social, legal, economic, and environmental problems