The Seven Strands of Social Studies

Eighth Grade Unit

Andrew B. Londergan

11/12/2002

ED 639 – Dr. Helms

Wright State University

Table of Contents

Slides 3 and 4 - American Heritage Slides 5 and 6 – People in Societies Slides 7 and 8 – World Interactions Slides 9 and 10 – Decision Making and

Resources Slides 11 and 12 – Democratic

Processes Slides 13 and 14 – Citizenship Rights

and Responsibilities Slides 15 and 16 – Science, Technology,

and Society

American HeritageActivities Assign textbook reading about the history and

development of the President’s Cabinet. Discuss the Cabinet’s evolution.

Lecture about Shay’s Rebellion and its causal relationship to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Compare and contrast the Mayflower Compact with the Constitution in a one page essay.

Examine and chart the settlement patterns of the U.S. through census records.

Group presentations relating the success of the American Revolution with revolutions for independence which have followed throughout the world.

American Heritage WebsitesShay's RebellionThe development of the CabinetThe Mayflower CompactCensus figuresFrench Revolution

People in Societies Activities Discuss contacts between Native Americans and

French and English in Ohio. Compare the views of Japan and Europe on

foreign trade. Examine the reasons why various groups left

their homelands to come to America. Contrast the attitudes of Native Americans and

whites on westward expansion. Write a family history. Research should include

interviewing relatives.

People in Societies Websites http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/ World views on foreign trade U.S. Immigration History The impact of white settlement Genealogy research

World Interactions Activities List the exchange rates in five foreign

countries. Present the populations of the states by

color coding the states on a blank outline map.

List the longitude and latitude of ten national capitals.

Discuss the impact of language on racial prejudice.

Lecture about the benefits and weaknesses of a tariff system.

World Interactions Websites Exchange rates State populations World maps Language prejudice Tariffs

Decision-Making and Resources Activities Divide class into three groups – national, state,

and local. Each group should produce a presentation on the taxes that their level of government controls.

In a two page essay, compare the Native American economy in 1600 with that of Europe in the same era.

Lecture about the impact of the Federal Reserve on economic activity.

Following a textbook reading assignment, discuss the effect that money had on the American Revolution.

Show Milton Friedman’s “Free to Choose” P.B.S. video.

Decision-Making and Resources Websites Taxes Economic history Federal Reserve Board information American Revolution Milton Friedman

Democratic Processes Activities Identify the qualifications for voting today and

compare them with voting qualifications of the past.

Brainstorm ideas for a school or class motto. Hold school or class wide election to determine the winner.

View a televised debate between political opponents. Discuss the effectiveness and appeal of each candidate.

Lecture about the separation of federal powers and how they check and balance each other.

Discuss how the Articles of Confederation influenced the 1787 Constitutional Convention.

Democratic Processes Websites Voting requirements Political candidates Televised debates Separation of powers Articles of Confederation

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities Activities Groups will present a brief report on a president’s

leadership ability. Each report should list 3 areas of leadership.

Groups are given five anonymous candidates. Groups then discuss and decide what anonymous candidate they would choose to be their leader. Groups must explain why they made their choices.

Debate the issue of punishment vs. rehabilitation after analyzing and interpreting information.

Discuss the fundamental American principle of “pursuit of happiness”. Determine what this principle means.

Play the “Blame Game”. Discuss who is to blame for society’s problems.

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities Websites The Presidents Leadership Juvenile justice Tough on crime Current events

Science, Technology, and Society Activities Discuss how the invention of the

automobile changed American life. Examine the relationship between medical

advancement and world population. Explain that new laws are needed to

govern new technologies. Discuss the seven wonders of the world

and then create an eighth. Use modern science and technology to create this eighth wonder.

Contrast contemporary theories on evolution with those of the past.

Science, Technology, and Society Websites Invention of the automobile World Population Technology law Seven wonders of the world Evolution