FRELINGHUYSEN MIDDLE SCHOOL

COURSE PROFICIENCIES

 

 

COURSE:  SOCIAL STUDIES                                                                      GRADE 8

 

I.  COURSE OVERVIEW

 

Grade 8 Social Studies is a survey course concentrating on Ancient World History.  This course spans the years between Pre-history and the Reformation and centers on the Prentice hall textbook World History:  Connections to Today, Units 1-14.  The course prepares the students for the study of modern world history at the high school.  Activities include traditional instruction complemented with cooperative learning activities, individual and group projects, authentic and traditional assessments and a research paper.  The course also supports the Morris School District’s “Writing Across the Curriculum” guidelines.  Expectations of excellence are supported by the National Council for Social Studies and meet national and state Core Content Curriculum Standards

 

II.  PROFICIENCIES

 

The history of the Earth and its people directly affects our future.  It is only through studying the development of societies, religions, and governments, and through understanding the successes and failures of these, that we are able to ensure we do not make the same mistakes again.  Learning the history of another culture also fosters acceptance and understanding of all the Earth’s people.  The course will deal with key topics related to each specific area of study.

 

1.       Students will demonstrate the ability to use the following as learning tools:

a.       textbooks, maps, tables and graphs

b.       special references such as almanacs, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and periodicals

c.       audio-visual materials

2.       The students will demonstrate the ability to present in written and oral forms the results of his/her study of a topic.

3.       The students will demonstrate the ability to use an increasing number of course-specific vocabulary terms.

4.       Students will be expected to ask and formulate answers to the following essentials questions:

 

·         How do religion and ideas of morality influence the creation of society?

·         How did the development of technology facilitate the advancement of human civilization?

·         How does geography influence the development of civilization?

·         How is a culture reflected in its art and literature?

·         How did the development of government systems enable early leaders to strengthen their empires?

·         What types of events lead to the rise and fall of an empire or a government system?

·         What do the major world religions have in common with one another?

·         What can we learn by studying the religious, literary, and academic writings left behind by the ancients?

·         What components make a civilization?

·         How does one society rely on the tenets of those that have come before it?

 

 

GRADE 8 COURSE PROFICIENCIES (CONT’D)

 

 

·         Why does religion continue to be the most influential tenet with regard to the major conflicts in world history?

·         How does religion shape the daily lives of all people?

·         Why were the empires formed during the Age of Conquest so tenuous?

·         How does the intermingling of different cultures lead to tolerance or conflict?

·         How do cultures express themselves through developments in art, literature, and technology?

·         Why does the societal organization of feudalism continue to persist across the world?

·         How did Renaissance ideas spread throughout Europe?

·         How did the Protestant Reformation shatter the religious unity of Europe?

·         How did the Scientific Revolution enable the rise of capitalism?

·         How did the Renaissance and Reformation influence the development of the individual?

 

 

FRELINGHUYSEN MIDDLE SCHOOL

COURSE STANDARDS

 

 

COURSE:         SOCIAL STUDIES                                                                  GRADE 8

 

 

I.          METHODS OF EVALUATION:

 

            1.         Class participation

            2.         Homework and Class Work – Completion, quality, timeliness.

            3.         Tests and quizzes.

            4.         Projects.

 

 

II.         MATERIALS NEEDED FOR CLASS:

 

            1.         Cover textbooks.

            2.         Loose-leaf notebooks and paper.

            3.         Pen & pencils; markers, if possible.

            4.         Any homework assigned.

 

 

III.       CRITERIA FOR EXCELLENCE:  (Requirements for receiving an “A” in this course.)

 

            1.         An average of 90-100 on all items scored numerically (tests, quizzes and certain

                        assignments).

            2.         Preparedness for class (including punctuality).

            3.         Frequent, thoughtful class participation, including listening and reading.

            4.         Regular completion of homework with evidence of thoughtfulness and effort.

 

 

IV.       MAKE-UP AND EXTRA HELP POLICIES:

 

            1.         Upon return from an absence, the student must make up all homework, class work notes,

                         tests and quizzes.  A reasonable time will be established with the student.

 

            2.         Extra help is available by appointment.