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Grade 8 Social Studies with Mrs. Kearney
U.S. History, 1860s-1960s  
Grade 8 Social Studies is an exciting look at 100 years of U.S. History! We will begin with events that affected the United States economically, industrially, socially and geographically.  Students will study the ways in which the West was settled post Civil War and then, time travel through to the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s.  Our first unit focuses on the 5 themes of Geography and how they influence the towns we live in today.  Afterwards, we will begin studying the Westward Movement that began during the 1860s.  Students will study the Gold Rush, Cattle Drives, Sodbusting, and the massive effects this had upon the Native Americans.  The primary book used will be the 8th grade Social Studies Textbook, America: A History of Our Nation, along with other outside resources.  Students are responsible for material presented in class through notes and discussion and text reading.
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1.  Approximately once a week, we try to incorporate world news through our weekly reader Current Events.  The format of our discussions vary from issue to issue, depending on the topic and time constraints. 


2.  Students do receive a Current Events grade for Social Studies in 8th grade.  At the end of each issue, there is a review of the material entitled Test Yourself.  All students are expected to complete this section of the issue and turn it in for a Current Events grade.  Students may not only use the issue at hand, but he/she can utilize any resource available to them.  The Test Yourself review is a great source of practice for taking tests on map skills, vocabulary and content comprehension.