Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School

Lakeland Central School District

Course Outline/Information for Students

Social Studies – Grade 8

• Course title: United States History, Part 2

• Course description: The course covers the history and geography of America from the end of Reconstruction to present times. The course emphasizes political, economic, geographic and social concepts. We build on and reinforce skills, concepts and content understandings introduced in the K-7 program.

• Course goals: Students will gain an understanding of the ideas, events and people that make up our country’s history.

Students will understand the concepts of change, conflict, diversity, empathy, interdependence, imperialism, nationalism, geography, science and technology, justice, power, government, political systems, citizenship and human rights as they apply to the content.

Students will build on their skills of note-taking, outlining, and using graphic organizers; interpreting information from graphs, flow charts, timelines and maps; analyzing political cartoons; getting, using and presenting information; debating opposing positions; distinguishing fact from opinion; understanding cause-effect relationships; classifying information; participating in group activities; finding and solving problems and communicating orally, visually and in writing.

Students will be prepared for the New York State Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Test in Social Studies.

• Major text: The American Nation (Prentice Hall)

• Supplemental texts:
• A History of US by Joy Hakim
• Mastering New York’s Grade 8 Intermediate Social Studies Test by Killoran, Zimmer and Jarrett

• Content outline:
• An Era of Change in the West (1865-1914)
• The Rise of Industry and Unions (1865-1914)
• Immigration and the Growth of Cities (1865-1914)
• Progressives and Reformers (1876-1914)
• Becoming a World Power (1865-1916)
• World War I (1914-1919)
• The Roaring Twenties (1919-1929)
• The Great Depression (1929-1941)
• World War II (1935-1945)
• The Cold War Era (1945-1991)
• Prosperity and Reform (1945-1980)
• New Directions (1980-Post Cold War)

• Class preparation:
• Binders/Notebooks
• Writing utensils
• Art supplies
• School agenda pad

• Homework policy: Homework is assigned most nights. The length of assignments averages between 20 and 40 minutes. Students are expected to complete all assignments and hand them in when due. Students are responsible for making sure they hand in their homework and get their assignment when they miss a class for music lessons. Late assignments due to absence will be accepted according to school policy.

• Extra help policy: Extra help is available before and after school by appointment with the teacher.

• Grading policy: Grades are determined by a combination of homework, quizzes, tests, projects, and class participation.

• Classroom behavior expectations: Students should exhibit polite and respectful behaviors and be mindful of the LCBMS Code of Conduct.