Social Studies Standards - 8th grade student performance skills

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Culture Standards
8.1.1 | 8.1.2 | 8.1.3 | 8.1.4 | 8.1.5 | 8.1.7 | 8.1.9

SPI's & Reporting Categories
(based on Tennessee Curriculum Standards)

Internet Resources

Recognize the definition of religion.
8.1.1
G

Identify cultures that contributed to the development of the United States (i.e., Native American, African, British, Scottish, Irish, and German).
8.1.2
USP2

Recognize the influence of science and technology on the development of early American colonial cultures (i.e., compass, shipbuilding, food storage, printing press, financial markets, weaponry, and transportation).
8.1.3
USP1

Compare and contrast the tenets of America’s early major religions (i.e., Olmec beliefs, Native American Earth/Mother spirit, African Traditional Religion, Puritanism, and Quakerism).
8.1.4
USP1

Identify how religion contributed to early American society (e.g., impact on government, education, social norms, slavery, and tolerance).
8.1.5
USP1, 2

Recognize how immigration and cultural diffusion have influenced the character of a place (i.e., religion within certain colonies, African songs in the American south, and British vs. French influences).
8.1.7
G

Interpret a timeline of technological innovations.
8.1.9
USP1, 2

Economics Standards
8.2.1 | 8.2.2 | 8.2.3 | 8.2.4 | 8.2.5 | 8.2.6 | 8.2.7 | 8.2.8 | 8.2.9 | 8.2.10

Recognize America's natural resources (i.e., land, timber, fish, animal pelts, peppers, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkins, turkeys, peanuts, potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco, cacao, beans, and vanilla).
8.2.1
E

Interpret a diagram showing the steps of changing a resource into a product.
8.2.2
E

Differentiate between credit and debt.
8.2.3
E

Recognize the economic activities of Early America (i.e., agriculture, industry, and service).
8.2.4
E

Identify various forms of taxation (i.e., tariffs, sales tax, and excise tax).
8.2.5
E

Interpret a variety of economic graphs and charts with topics (e.g., the Columbian exchange, numbers of slaves, population of colonies, and population diversity).
8.2.6
E

Differentiate between a commercial and subsistence economy.
8.2.7
E

Recognize the factors that led to urbanization and industrialization in Early America (i.e., religious freedom, land ownership, and thriving market).
8.2.8
E

Analyze in economic terms (i.e., climate, triangle trade, infrastructure, and topography) why slavery flourished in the South as opposed to the North.
8.2.9
USP1, 2

Distinguish among various economic markets found in Early America (i.e., traditional, monopoly, oligopoly, and free competition).
8.2.10
E

Geography Standards
8.3.1 | 8.3.2 | 8.3.3 | 8.3.4 | 8.3.5 | 8.3.6 | 8.3.7

Recognize the causes and examples of migration and immigration in early America (i.e., land, religion, money, pioneer spirit, indentured servitude, displacement, and slavery).
8.3.1
USP1, 2

Identify and use the key geographic elements on maps (i.e., island, flood plain, swamp, delta, marsh, harbor, cape, sea level, bay, prairie, desert, oasis, mesa, mountain, valley, glacier, canyon, cliff, and plateau).
8.3.2
G

Interpret examples which illustrate how cultures adapt to or change the environment (i.e., deforestation, subsistence farming, cash crop, and dam and road building).
8.3.3
G

Use various geographic data from maps and globes to determine longitude, latitude, distance, and direction.
8.3.4
G

Interpret a geographic map of the early United States.
8.3.5
G

Recognize how topographical features such as mountain and river systems influenced the settlement and expansion of the United States (i.e., Cumberland Gap, Wilderness Road, and Ohio and Tennessee river systems).
8.3.6
G

Interpret a chart or map of population characteristics of the early United States (i.e., density, distribution, and regional growth).
8.3.7
G

Governance and Civics Standards
8.4.1 | 8.4.2 | 8.4.3 | 8.4.4 | 8.4.5 | 8.4.6 | 8.4.7 | 8.4.8 | 8.4.9

Identify the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of a member of the United States of America (i.e., Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution, and Bill of Rights).
8.4.1
GC

Identify the purposes and structures of various systems of governance (i.e., Federalism, Confederation, Republic, Democracy, Executive, Legislative, and Judicial).
8.4.2
GC

Recognize the purpose of government and how its powers are acquired, used, and justified.
8.4.3
GC

Recognize the rights and responsibilities of individuals throughout the development of the United States.
8.4.4
GC

Identify how conditions, actions, and motivations contributed to conflict and cooperation between states, regions, and nations.
8.4.5
GC

Recognize the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
8.4.6
GC

Recognize the impact of major court decisions have had on American life, (i.e., Marbury vs. Madison, McCulloch vs. Maryland, and Dred Scott vs. Sandford).
8.4.7
GC

Recognize how a right must be interpreted to balance individual rights with the need for order (i.e., freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and trial by jury).
8.4.8
GC

Analyze the contributions of Tennessee political leaders on the national scene (e.g., Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, James K. Polk, Sequoyah, and Sam Houston).
8.4.9
USP2

History Standards
8.5.1 | 8.5.2 | 8.5.3 | 8.5.4 | 8.5.5 | 8.5.6 | 8.5.7 | 8.5.8 | 8.5.9 | 8.5.10 | 8.5.11 | 8.5.13 | 8.5.14

Contrast the characteristics of major native civilizations of the Americas.
8.5.1
USP1

Read a timeline and order events of the past.
8.5.2
USP1, 2

Differentiate between a primary and secondary source.
8.5.3
USP1, 2

Recognize causes and consequences of conflict, (i.e., French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812).
8.5.4
USP1, 2

Recognize consequences of the westward expansion of the United States.
8.5.5
USP2

Classify the characteristics of major historic events into causes and effects (i.e., exploration, colonization, revolution, expansion, and Civil War).
8.5.6
USP1, 2

Recognize the historical impacts of European settlement in North America.
8.5.7
USP1

Determine the social, political, and economic factors that contribute to the institution of slavery in America.
8.5.8
USP2

Interpret a timeline, detailing the development of political parties in the United States to the Civil War.
8.5.9
USP2

Interpret maps, timelines, and charts that illustrate key elements of history (i.e., expansion, economics, politics, and society).
8.5.10
USP2

American History timeline posted by the Smithsonian

American Memory Timeline - This resource was developed to help teachers and students use the vast online collections of the Library of Congress. The links will lead you to sets of selected primary sources on a variety of topics in United States History. The sets are arranged by chronological period.

U. S. Civil War (includes links to many photographs)

A Chronology of U. S. Historical Documents - (pre-Colonial to present)

Identify conclusions about historical events using primary and secondary sources.
8.5.11
USP1, 2

Examine the demographic changes brought about by westward movement (i.e., slavery, industrialization, and Native American relocation).
8.5.13
USP2

Recognize the course of conflicts including major battles, alliances, strategy, leadership, resources, or technology using a diagram for the Revolutionary War.
8.5.14
USP2

Individuals Groups and Interactions Standards
8.6.1 | 8.6.2 | 8.6.3 | 8.6.4 | 8.6.5

Identify the impact of individual and group decisions on historical events.
8.6.1
USP2

Recognize the impact groups have on change at the local, state, national, and world levels.
8.6.2
USP2

Recognize examples of stereotyping, prejudice, conformity, and altruism in Early American history.
8.6.3
USP2

Identify the role of institutions in furthering both continuity and change (i.e., governments, churches, families, schools, and communities).
8.6.4
GC

Recognize how groups and institutions work together to meet common needs.
8.6.5
GC

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Individuals Groups and Interactions Standards 8.6.1 \| 8.6.2 \| 8.6.3 \| 8.6.4 \| 8.6.5
Identify the impact of individual and group decisions on historical events. 8.6.1 USP2	Not your Grandma's Lemonade Stand - individual choices impact events.
Recognize the impact groups have on change at the local, state, national, and world levels. 8.6.2 USP2	A Tale of Three cities - How life has - and hasn't - changed in the past 2000 years. Eye in the Sky - "Aerial photography and satellites show in vivid detail the results of laying waste to vast areas of forest and the harm done by poisons that humans have been pumping into the water and air during the century and a half since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution."
Recognize examples of stereotyping, prejudice, conformity, and altruism in Early American history. 8.6.3 USP2
Identify the role of institutions in furthering both continuity and change (i.e., governments, churches, families, schools, and communities). 8.6.4 GC	Community in History - Lesson plan; "guides students in understanding the nature of European colonization in the Americas and how it compares to the inception of their community" Exploring your Community - Lesson plan; Discovery Education The Hispano Ranchos of Northern New Mexico: Continuity and Change - Lesson plan; settlement of the West
Recognize how groups and institutions work together to meet common needs. 8.6.5 GC	History of Cooperatives - "Since early man cooperated with others to help kill large animals for survival, people have been cooperating to achieve objectives that they could not reach if they acted individually" - Farmworkers and their struggles - Farmworkers of California
On-Line Testing
Released Test	Eighth Grade Social Studies - Read each question and choose the best answer. Then mark the circle next to the letter for the answer you have chosen. (from Texas)

Economics Standards 8.2.1 \| 8.2.2 \| 8.2.3 \| 8.2.4 \| 8.2.5 \| 8.2.6 \| 8.2.7 \| 8.2.8 \| 8.2.9 \| 8.2.10
Recognize America's natural resources (i.e., land, timber, fish, animal pelts, peppers, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkins, turkeys, peanuts, potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco, cacao, beans, and vanilla). 8.2.1 E	State Profiles - All fifty states are listed. Click on the state you want information about. Agriculture Factbook 2001-2002 - from the U S Department of Agriculture (169 pages) Agriculture in the Classroom - resources
Interpret a diagram showing the steps of changing a resource into a product. 8.2.2 E	The Roots of Trash - s identify the various natural resources used to produce common items; to understand how people use science and technology to produce those items
Differentiate between credit and debt. 8.2.3 E	The Cost of Carrying A Credit Card Balance - How much in interest charges does a credit card balance accumulate over the years? Debt Through the Ages - History's highway paved with IOUs Differentiate between good debt and bad debt I want a credit card--or do I? - Credit cards seem like a great way to pay for things. It only takes a small payment each month to buy whatever your heart desires. You can charge $1000.00 for the paltry sum of $25.00 per month. But, will you still be paying when the thrill is gone? Card Calculator - enter balance, rate, and minimum payment to calculate how long it will take to pay off the bill (a useful tool to accompany the lesson above) How Credit Card Companies Calculate Interest - also useful with the credit card lesson Q T Pi Fashions - Learning About Credit Card Us - from EconEdLink, a Marco Polo partner site What Is Credit and How Does It Work?
Recognize the economic activities of Early America (i.e., agriculture, industry, and service). 8.2.4 E	Plantation Agriculture - from the National Park Service Money in North American History - from Wampum to Electronic Funds Transfer
Identify various forms of taxation (i.e., tariffs, sales tax, and excise tax). 8.2.5 E	Taxation - from MSN Encarta Commonly Used Tax Terms - from MSN Encarta Fact Sheet about Taxes
Interpret a variety of economic graphs and charts with topics (e.g., the Columbian exchange, numbers of slaves, population of colonies, and population diversity). 8.2.6 E	Oil Production in 42 Countries - Dig into some really heavy economic data regarding the petroleum life cycle in the major oil producing countries.
Differentiate between a commercial and subsistence economy. 8.2.7 E	The Subsistence Economy - Comparing an Inuit hunter with Wall Street.
Recognize the factors that led to urbanization and industrialization in Early America (i.e., religious freedom, land ownership, and thriving market). 8.2.8 E
Analyze in economic terms (i.e., climate, triangle trade, infrastructure, and topography) why slavery flourished in the South as opposed to the North. 8.2.9 USP1, 2	Virginia Looks to Africa for Labor - article Understanding Slavery - Teacher guide; lessons Rice Cultivation - Africans bring their knowledge to the States Plantation History - articles on the plantation system
Distinguish among various economic markets found in Early America (i.e., traditional, monopoly, oligopoly, and free competition). 8.2.10 E	I Have No Money, Would You Take Wampum? - lesson plan Oligopoly - article and explanation Characteristics of Oligopoly - article Oligopoly Watch - information on companies Monopoly - definition and characteristics
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Geography Standards 8.3.1 \| 8.3.2 \| 8.3.3 \| 8.3.4 \| 8.3.5 \| 8.3.6 \| 8.3.7
Recognize the causes and examples of migration and immigration in early America (i.e., land, religion, money, pioneer spirit, indentured servitude, displacement, and slavery). 8.3.1 USP1, 2	Migration- Why people move. Migration to and in the U.S. Migration Information Source Migration News Thirteen Reasons Our Ancestors Migrated - Reasons for migration. Why People Migrate - Effect of Migration on Population Growth European Immigration - Description of reasons for emigration and changes they made in America. Natives and Immigrants - Welcome to the Natives and Immigrants view of the Gold Rush. Follow the pathway of one of these cultures: As you move through the exhibitions, look for the Native and Immigrant labels at the top of the page to learn more about how these cultures experienced the Gold Rush Immigration - Coming to America - Interactive tour of Ellis Island, follow a boy through his journey to a new land. On the Trail of an Immigrant - Learn facts and see photographs of migration of peoples.
Identify and use the key geographic elements on maps (i.e., island, flood plain, swamp, delta, marsh, harbor, cape, sea level, bay, prairie, desert, oasis, mesa, mountain, valley, glacier, canyon, cliff, and plateau). 8.3.2 G	Using Maps in Ocean Research of Earth - a lesson plan from National Geographic Explore Spatial Patterns in your own hometown Exploring Maps of the Earth A Map For All Reasons - students identify the function of various parts of a map Understanding Maps of Earth What’s On a Map? - eight questions about using various parts of a map
Interpret examples which illustrate how cultures adapt to or change the environment (i.e., deforestation, subsistence farming, cash crop, and dam and road building). 8.3.3 G	Satellite Images of Environmental Changes - Great Wall against the Yangtze - It hopes to control devastating natural floods that have affected millions of people. At the same time, it threatens rare wildlife, ancient monuments and the natural environment it tries to reshape.
Use various geographic data from maps and globes to determine longitude, latitude, distance, and direction. 8.3.4 G	Are We There Yet? - students answer ten questions by reading information from maps Go to Enchanted Learning Software's Search page and enter latitude and longitude. You will find dozens of printable pages Find your Longitude - Interactive game How to use a Compass Important Facts about Latitude and Longitude Label the Latitude and Longitude - a world map from Enchanted Learning (answers for the teacher) Land Formations Lost at Sea - The Search for Longitude - NOVA chronicles the seventeenth-century journey to determine longitude Latitude and Longitude - Many links; quizzes and activities. Latitude and Longitude - Introduction Latitude and Longitude quiz - Finding out the latitude and longitude of selected points on a globe Latitude and Longitude Printout Glossary - to be used with the world map above. Look up the latitude and longitude of states in the U.S. USA Latitude and Longitude Activity - from Enchanted Learning World map to use in latitude & longitude study - World Latitude and Longitude Activity to go with the map World Latitude and Longitude Outline Map - from Enchanted Learning
Interpret a geographic map of the early United States. 8.3.5 G	Growth of a Nation - This ten minute presentation illustrates the growth of the United States from the original thirteen states in 1789. You can play the entire ten minutes or play one part at a time.
Recognize how topographical features such as mountain and river systems influenced the settlement and expansion of the United States (i.e., Cumberland Gap, Wilderness Road, and Ohio and Tennessee river systems). 8.3.6 G	Find your spot - Use criteria to relocate to a new area. Urban and Agricultural Settlements -Why are They There? - Lesson plan Foundation of Human Activity - article
Interpret a chart or map of population characteristics of the early United States (i.e., density, distribution, and regional growth). 8.3.7 G	Population Country Ranks - find rankings for a variety of demographic concepts Population Density Animated Map - human population growth through history Continental Population Density Maps, 1995: (click on thumbnail image for full size maps) Population density - (persons per sq km) - A listing of locations ranked from greatest density to least density Population Density on a World Map - This data set shows the number of people per square kilometer around the world in 1994. Summary Demographic Data - This page allows you to obtain summary demographic data and population pyramids for one country. (Data updated 9/30/2004) Where People Live on Planet Earth - a color-coded map produced from populations estimates made for 1994. (click the map for a larger version) Population Growth Rate Human Population: 2006 Data Sheet - Population growth rate - a list of countries ordered from the highest growth rate to the lowest Population growth rate (All Descending) - a more detailed listing of the growth rates Population Growth Rate - a learning module from the World Bank Group Population Growth Rate Teaching Activities (with answers) - a learning module from the World Bank Group
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Governance and Civics Standards 8.4.1 \| 8.4.2 \| 8.4.3 \| 8.4.4 \| 8.4.5 \| 8.4.6 \| 8.4.7 \| 8.4.8 \| 8.4.9
Identify the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of a member of the United States of America (i.e., Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution, and Bill of Rights). 8.4.1 GC	Inside the Voting Booth - the Democracy Project presents information on voting Rights and responsibilities of a citizen - Quia quiz Citizenship - rights and responsibilities Practice Questions for the U.S. Citizenship Exam - Can you pass this exam? Special Privileges and Obligations of Living in the U.S. - article
Identify the purposes and structures of various systems of governance (i.e., Federalism, Confederation, Republic, Democracy, Executive, Legislative, and Judicial). 8.4.2 GC	History of Supreme Court - article Legislative Branch - explanation Legislative Branch - Thinkquest activity Judicial Branch - Thinkquest activity Federalism - introduction to concept Redefining Federalism - Timeline showing how federalism has changed over time
Recognize the purpose of government and how its powers are acquired, used, and justified. 8.4.3 GC	Government Glossory The purpose of Government The theory of Government The purpose of Government We the People - Why do we need a government
Recognize the rights and responsibilities of individuals throughout the development of the United States. 8.4.4 GC	What Responsibilities Accompany Our Rights? Cooperation, Community and the Common Good Public Good vs Individual Rights What are the human rights of an individual citizen? Declaration of Rights
Identify how conditions, actions, and motivations contributed to conflict and cooperation between states, regions, and nations. 8.4.5 GC	Causes of Conflict - from The History Guy. Pick a war and scroll down to see causes of conflict. Understanding Conflict - Learn the causes of conflict.
Recognize the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. 8.4.6 GC	Bill of Rights - Purpose of Bill of Rights The Bill of Rights - A Web Quest Bill of Rights WebQuest - a second quest on this topic Save the Bill of Rights - the national computer has crashed, your job is to help find the lost amendments
Recognize the impact of major court decisions have had on American life, (i.e., Marbury vs. Madison, McCulloch vs. Maryland, and Dred Scott vs. Sandford). 8.4.7 GC	Dred Scott vs. Sandford - summary of opinion of the court Dred Scott - an introduction Landmark Supreme Court Cases - Dred Scott v. Sandford
Recognize how a right must be interpreted to balance individual rights with the need for order (i.e., freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and trial by jury). 8.4.8 GC	Freedom of Expression - background information Student Rights of Free Speech - What are you rights? The Critical Balance: Individual Rights and National Security in Uncertain Times - article Individual Rights - online quiz, answers checked online
Analyze the contributions of Tennessee political leaders on the national scene (e.g., Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, James K. Polk, Sequoyah, and Sam Houston). 8.4.9 USP2	Sequoyah - biography Sequoyah - biography and alphabet created Andrew Johnson - biography Impeachment Trial of Andrew Johnson - article 17th President - Biography Quotes of Andrew Johnson -
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