Social Studies
8th Grade -- Social Studies
A - Map and Globe Skills
- use cardinal directions
- use intermediate directions
- use a letter/number grid system to determine location
- compare and contrast the categories of natural, cultural, and political features found on maps
- use customary and metric map scales to determine distance on a map
- use map key/legend to acquire information from historical, physical, political, resource, product, and economic maps
- use a map to explain impact of geography on historical and current events
- draw conclusions and make generalizations based on information from maps
- use latitude and longitude to determine location
- use graphic scales to determine distances on a map
- compare maps of the same place at different points in time and from different perspectives to determine changes, identify trends, and generalize about human activities
- compare maps with data sets (e.g., charts, tables, graphs) and/or readings to draw conclusions and make generalizations
B - Information Processing Skills
- compare similarities and differences
- organize items chronologically
- identify and write about issues and/or problems and alternative solutions
- distinguish between fact and opinion as used in informational/explanatory text
- identify main idea, detail, sequence of events, and cause and effect in a social studies context
- identify and use primary and secondary sources
- interpret timelines
- identify social studies reference resources to use for a specific purpose
- construct charts and tables
- analyze artifacts
- write arguments, informative text, and explanatory text that draw conclusions and make generalizations
- analyze graphs and diagrams
- translate dates into centuries, eras, or ages
- formulate appropriate research questions
- write arguments, informative text, and explanatory text that determine adequacy and/or relevancy of information
- check for consistency of information
- interpret political cartoons
C - Geographic Understandings of Georgia
- describe Georgia's geography and climate
D - Native American Cultures and Exploration
- evaluate the impact of European exploration and settlement on American Indians in Georgia
E - Georgia’s Colonial History
- analyze the colonial period of Georgia's history
F - Georgia and the American Revolution
- analyze the role of Georgia in the American Revolutionary Era
G - Westward Expansion
- explain significant factors that affected westward expansion in Georgia between 1789 and 1840
H - Antebellum, Civil War and Reconstruction
- analyze the impact of the Civil War on Georgia
- analyze the impact of Reconstruction on Georgia
I - New South
- evaluate key political, social, and economic changes that occurred in Georgia during the New South Era
J - World War I and Great Depression
- analyze Georgia's participation in important events that occurred from World War I through the Great Depression
K - World War II in Georgia
- describe the role of Georgia in World War II
L - Post World War II in Georgia
- evaluate key post-World War II developments in Georgia
M - Georgia’s Role in the Civil Rights Movement
- evaluate the role of Georgia in the modern civil rights movement
N - Modern Georgia
- explain the importance of developments in Georgia since the late 20th Century
O - Governing Georgia
- describe the foundations of Georgia's government
- analyze the role of the legislative branch in Georgia in state government
- analyze the role of the executive branch in Georgia state government
- analyze the role of the judicial branch in Georgia state government
- explain how the Georgia court system treats juvenile offenders
- analyze the role of local governments in the state of Georgia
P - Economic Understandings
- explain how the four transportation systems (i.e., road, air, water, and rail) of Georgia contribute to the development and growth of the state's economy
- evaluate the influence of Georgia-based businesses on the state's economic growth and development
- explain the principles of effective personal money management