Your 8th Grade Social Studies Course will be divided into 3 Main Components:
I. GOVERNMENT
III. ECONOMICS
I. GOVERNMENT
The Government component of the course will be divided into 7 units:
UNIT # 1: Founding Issues and Documents
In this unit as part of the government component, students will be able to define citizenship, learn what it means to be a good citizen and be a valuable contributor to our society. Just what exactly is government and how does it affect us? What type of government do we have in America and when and how was it started? We will further explore many of the key documents that our founding fathers studied to help create the government we have today to include: the Magna Carta, the Mayflower Compact, the House of Burgesses, the English Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence as well as the Articles of Confederation (our first government). Students will discover the 4 main functions of government as well as compare and contrast other forms of government with our own. Students will be able to compare and contrast the Virginia and New Jersey Plans as well as explain the weakness of the Articles of Confederation.
Standards assessed in this unit are:
5.1.9.A, 5.1.9.B, 5.1.9.C, 5.1.9.E, 5.1.9.G, 5.1.9.H, 5.1.9.I, 5.1.9.J, 5.2.9.B 5.3.9.K, 8.1.9.A, 8.1.9.B, 8.1.9.C, 8.1.9.D
UNIT # 2: The Constitution
The supreme law of the land in America is the "United States Constitution". In Unit # 1 we learned how the founding fathers fashioned this most important document as well as where many of the core concepts found in the Constitution have their roots. In this unit we will take a deeper look into this hallowed document. First, students will analyze the 5 fundamental principles on which our constitution is based. (Federalism, Checks and Balances, Separation of Powers, Rule of Law and Popular Sovereignty). Next, students will study the layout and design of our constitution through a more focused examination of its 8 parts. Lastly, students will discover that the document however great, was not perfect but remains a living document which has been modified and updated overtime. We will take a closer look at those modifications or changes called amendments to our Constitution including the first 10 Amendments also known as the Bill of Rights.
Standards assessed in this unit are:
5.1.9.A, 5.1.9.B, 5.1.9.C, 5.1.9.E, 5.3.9.G, 5.3.9.J, 8.1.9.A, 8.1.9.B, 8.1.9.C, 8.1.9.D
UNIT # 3: Legislative Branch
In this unit we will explore the complexities of just how our government works within the parameters of the Constitution. The Legislative Branch or "Congress" is a bicameral legislature with both a House of Representatives and a Senate. Students will compare and contrast both houses of Congress and see first hand how bills become laws in this country. Students will have an opportunity to learn about key political offices in Congress and who hold those positions today! Students will not only learn about the design of Congress but also about the powers of Congress and any limitations on that power.
Standards assessed in this unit are:
5.1.9.A, 5.1.9.E, 5.3.9.A, 5.3.9.B, 5.3.9.C, 5.3.9.I, 5.4.9.D
UNIT # 4: Executive Branch
As the most visible figure in American Government, the President of the United States is the head of the Executive Branch. Since most students often develop a natural curiosity to study this prestigious political office, and whereas most students know that the president lives in the White House, and since most of their knowledge ends there; we will focus our attention on the requirements, benefits, responsibilities and powers of the president. Students will also have the opportunity to study the relationship between the presidency and foreign policy. Other topics that will be covered will be the The President's Cabinet, the Vice-Presidency and the federal bureaucracy.
Standards assessed in this unit are:
5.1.9.A, 5.1.9.E, 5.2.9.C, 5.2.9.D, 5.3.9.A, 5.3.9.B, 5.3.9.D, 5.4.9.D
UNIT # 5: Judicial Branch
For many people the Judicial Branch is the most obscure and most difficult branch of government to understand, however; in this unit we will attempt to clarify the vague and demystify the unclear. Students will perform an investigation of the Federal Court System with an examination of the three levels of courts: U.S. District Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Students will delve into the many different components of the Judicial Branch to include: federal judges, types of jurisdictions and types of law. Students will focus specific attention to the U.S. Supreme Court and some of its landmark cases. Finally students will be able to explain in detail how the three branches of government check and balance each other using specific examples.
Standards assessed in this unit are:
5.1.9.A, 5.1.9.L, 5.3.9.A, 5.3.9.B, 5.3.9.G, 5.4.9.D
UNIT # 6: State and Local Government
Just like the federal government, each state has its own legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. Students will compare and contrast the federal and Pennsylvania State governmental systems. Students will analyze their local governments to include: County, township and borough level systems. *As a note: For sake of parity, students will focus Local attention on "Snyder" County and the Borough of "Selinsgrove". *
Standards assessed in this unit are:
5.1.9.A, 5.1.9.C, 5.1.9.D, 5.1.9.F, 5.1.9.H, 5.1.9.L, 5.2.9B, 5.2.9.F, 5.3.9.A, 5.3.9.C, 5.3.9.D
UNIT # 7: Elections
Many would say that one of our most important rights is the right to choose those who will govern over us. It is through the election process that this is accomplished. Students will explore the voting process, types of elections, paying for elections and campaigning for public office. Students will work through a mini unit on the electoral college to better understand how the president is elected. Of course we will study in detail the 2 party system consisting of the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. *As a note: Since the General Election will be held in November of 2008, students will have an opportunity to focus on real candidates and issues instead of the abstract.*
Standards assessed in this unit are:
5.2.9.E, 5.2.9.G, 5.3.9.E, 5.3.9.F
The PA History component of the course will be divided into 3 units:
UNIT # 1: State Geography, Symbols and Facts
What makes Pennsylvania so great? In this unit students will focus on the geography of Pennsylvania to include her major waterways and her major and minor regions. Students will take a glimpse at her state parks, metropolitan areas and cultural centers. Students will be able to list the state symbols as well as general facts about their state such as the origin of the state name and who the governor of Pennsylvania is in 2007. Students will have the opportunity to study the political boundaries in Pennsylvania as they memorize the names and locations of her 67 counties.
Standards assessed in this unit are:
5.1.9.D, 5.1.9.F, 5.1.9.K
UNIT # 2: History: Independence to the Civil War
Assuming that students have a had a solid foundation on Pennsylvania history from colonization up to and including the founding of the Commonwealth in 1776; This unit will focus on Pennsylvania history from 1787 to the eve of the outbreak of the Civil War. In this unit we will cover subjects such as population and immigration, political developments, the Antislavery movement, industry, transportation, culture, and famous female Pennsylvanians! *As a note: Students will focus their attention on one famous Pennsylvanian. Each student will present a detailed biography of their life.*
Standards assessed in this unit are:
5.1.9.D, 8.2.9.A, 8.2.9.B, 8.2.9.C, 8.2.9.D
UNIT # 3: History: Era of Industrial Ascendancy
Building on what we learned from Unit # 2, in this unit we will continue our journey forward through the Civil War, past the turn of the century and up to the eve of the outbreak of WWI in Europe. Pennsylvania's rich supply of both anthracite and bituminous coal helped to usher in an era where steel was the new king! Students will also study industrial giants such as Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick and Charles James Hall all of whom helped to bring industrial dominance to Pennsylvania. *As a note: Students will continue their focus on the famous Pennsylvanian project. Students will present their biographies at the end of this unit.*
Standards assessed in this unit are:
5.1.9.D, 8.2.9.A, 8.2.9.B, 8.2.9.C, 8.2.9.D
The Economics component of the course will be divided into 6 units:
UNIT # 1: The Stock Market Game
Students will have an opportunity to participate in a national and state wide stock investment competition. From February to April classes will form small groups and research companies worthy of their investment dollars. Students will focus on the 3 major markets: The New York Stock Exchange, The American Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ. Market indicators such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 will be discovered as well. Other key concepts such as a bear and bull markets, diversification of portfolios and industry and corporations will also be on the agenda.
Standards assessed in this unit are:
6.1.9.C, 6.2.9.B, 6.2.9.C, 6.2.9.E, 6.2.9.H, 6.3.9.A, 6.3.9.B, 6.3.9.C, 6.3.9.F, 6.4.9.A, 6.4.9.B, 6.5.9.F
UNIT # 2: What is Economics
So just what exactly is economics? Students will form a definition of economics as well as gain a basic understanding of the fundamentals of economics. We will study the "Three Basic Economic Questions" (What to produce, How to produce it and for Whom to produce). Students will be introduced to concepts such as scarcity, opportunity cost, marginal revenue and cost benefit analysis. Finally students will take an in depth look at America's Market Economy and how our economy is based on the free enterprise system.
Standards assessed in this unit are:
6.1.9.B, 6.2.9.F, 6.3.9.A, 6.3.9.B, 6.3.9.E, 6.4.9.F
UNIT # 3: The American Economy
In this unit students will focus on the four factors of production: (Natural Resources, Labor, Capital and Entrepreneurs) to better understand how to produce goods and services. Students will also be introduced to concepts such as productivity, specialization and division of labor. We will learn which economic decision makers actually generate economic flow in a market economy. Finally we will take an in depth look at the features of consumerism in America today.
Standards assessed in this unit are:
6.2.9.A, 6.2.9.B, 6.3.9.C, 6.3.9.D, 6.3.9.F, 6.4.9.A, 6.5.9.B, 6.5.9.F
UNIT # 4: Supply & Demand
In the fourth of our six units, students will be introduced to the law of supply and demand. We will first turn our attention to Demand. Students will focus on the demand curve, changes in demand and elasticity of demand. In the second half of this unit students will learn about the supply curve, changes in supply and elasticity of supply. Finally students will be able to analyze the relationship between supply and demand.
Standards assessed in this unit are:
6.2.9.E, 6.5.9.A
UNIT # 5: Business, Labor, Money and Banking
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each type of business organization, explain how labor unions and management conduct negotiations and describe the responsibilities of businesses. students will be able to describe how money is used, explain how the Federal Reserve System affects the economy and analyze the functions of banks.
Standards assessed in this unit are:
6.1.9.D, 6.2.9.C 6.2.9.D, 6.2.9.L, 6.5.9.A, 6.5.9.C
UNIT # 6: Government and the Economy
In this unit students will learn how the government plays several important roles in the economy such as maintaining competition, regulating market activities and providing public goods. Students will also learn about the business cycle and what factors measure economic performance. Lastly, we will identify the reasons for economic inequality such as: Education, Family wealth and Discrimination.
Standards assessed in this unit are:
6.1.9.C, 6.1.9.D, 6.2.9.H, 6.2.9.I, 6.5.9.E, 6.5.9.G