American Studies
The eighth grade social studies program is an American Studies course. Students study elements of political science, including the historical background and development of the American national government, its parts, and processes. This course enables students to take their place as citizens in a democratic society.
Learning about the United States
s Foundations of government, Magna-Carta, English Bill of Rights, and Constitutional Democracy
s The Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and Bill of Rights
s Representative Democracy, Federalism, the three branches of government, checks and balances, legislative process, jury system, and political parties
s Influence of geography and colonialism
s Expansion of civil rights, responsibilities of citizenship, compromise, equality, discrimination, minority rights, slavery, cultural differences, and prejudice
Learning the skills of history, civics, and economics
s Using research skills and gathering relevant data
s Distinguishing between fact and opinion
s Distinguishing between primary and secondary sources
s Analyzing point of view
s Taking notes and sequencing information
s Analyzing cause and effect
s Evaluating current and historical data and documents
s Analyzing research
s Using current, historical, and land use maps
s Reading and making maps, charts, and graphs