Interpret maps, graphs, and charts using technology.
Identify global physical features and compare them to their own physical environment
Compare and contrast cultural characteristics between countries of Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
Compare and contrast the major forms of governments in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
Evaluate the effects of historical events, figures, and decisions from the Eastern Hemisphere and their influence on world cultures.
Demonstrate the influence of cultural and physical factors upon the economic systems of countries in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Evaluate current affairs of the world and their present and future impact on the Eastern Hemisphere.
Understand the relationship between individual and group behavior in Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
Use relevant data from a variety of sources to make conclusions and decisions about various cultures in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Compare and contrast ideas about civic responsibility and community service of Eastern Cultures with those in the local community.
Grade 8: U.S. History
The student will be able to:
Compare and contrast Native American cultures of North America prior to European contact, and explain the motivating factors leading to European exploration of the Americas.
Describe and assess the geographic and political characteristics of the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies.
Identify and trace the economic, political, and social forces leading to colonial demands for independence and the Revolutionary War.
Explain the importance of conflict and compromise in U.S. History (Loyalists, U.S. Patriots, Missouri Compromise, and the Compromise of 1850).
Analyze the "critical period" of the new nation. (Articles of Confederation to the writing of the Constitution and the early formative years, 1780-1812).
Trace and assess events and historical figures of the early republic and nationalist period.
Describe the major events and historical figures of the Colonial Period, Jacksonian Era, and the rise of sectionalism.
Analyze the events, forces, and historical figures, leading to expansion, west of the Mississippi River and the concept of Manifest Destiny.
Summarize the underlying forces leading to the Civil War, trace major events of the conflict, and examine the policies and impact of reconstruction.
Identify and appraise the economic, social, and political issues involved in dissent and reform from Exploration through 1900.
World History
The student will be able to:
Analyze group influences on people, events, and movements of the past.
Identify forces that influenced political change in various historical contexts and the role of political leadership in the development of political systems.
Trace the origins of current political, ethnic, religious, and environmental conflicts.
Use a variety of resources to gather information, make decisions, and distinguish fact from opinion.
Give examples of how technology has influenced the development of people in different places and times.
Evaluate the influence of geographical factors in the development of civilizations.
Examine the cultural, ethnic, religious, and economic struggles, which have contributed to warfare throughout history.
Evaluate how the environment has influenced social structures of various cultures.
World Geography
The student will be able to:
Use maps, globes, and tools to acquire and process information about people, places, and environments.
Explain the concept of region and describe the human and physical characteristics of place.
Understand the physical characteristics of earth's environment (process, distribution patterns, and interrelationships).
Explain the human characteristics of earth's environment (political patterns, population, dynamics, cultural morals, and land use).
Analyze the relationship between humans and the physical environment.
Analyze the patterns and networks of human economic interdependence.
Demonstrate that change on earth is constant in relationship to populations, goods, ideas, and elements of the physical earth.
Interpret past events, analyze and make rational choices for present challenges and future trends.
Understand the changing political patterns of regions.
Understand regional cultural changes.
U .S. History
The student will be able to:
Examine the fundamental principles of democracy (natural rights philosophy, republicanism, and constitutionalism).
Examine the major ideas and concepts about government that developed during the Colonial and Constitutional Eras.
Summarize the major periods and events in U.S. History prior to the late 19th Century (formation of the United States, national expansion, and social changes of the Civil War).
Understand the economic transformation of the United States from an agricultural to an industrial society, and the impact of immigration on the American society.
Identify and explain the social and economic forces associated with the eras of prosperity, depression, and the New Deal.
Outline the events leading to the entry and participation of the United States in World War I and World War II (development of nuclear energy, and the escalation of tensions during the cold war between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R.).
Examine the political, social, economic, and technological transformation of U.S. society during the post-World War II period (changing role of women, prosperity, and baby boom).
Identify and explain the significance of post-World War II events (Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, Watergate, Middle East, Reaganomics, collapse of the Soviet Union).
Identify, interpret, and use information from mass media (appropriate technologies, reference materials, and data sources) and use historical evidence to evaluate proposed solutions to current problems.
Sociology
The student will be able to:
Identify basic Sociology terms.
Identify fundamental aspects of cultures, transmitting culture norms, patterns, and subculture variations.
Describe and examine social institutions (family, religion, education, government, and economics).
Examine the socialization process from birth to death.
Gather data, interpret data, and draw conclusions.
Evaluate, compare, and contrast social problems and predict possible solutions.
Economics
The student will be able to:
Explain how people and nations use resources to satisfy their wants and needs.
Explain scarcity and understand how it affects the decisions that are made in an economic system.
Recognize that different economic systems exist and explain who makes decisions for economic systems.
Explain how economic systems answer the four economic questions (Who should produce what? What should be produced? How should it be produced? Who should share in what is produced?).
Recognize and explain the roles of government and people in the economy.
Identify the characteristics of a mixed economic system and explain the steps of problem solving in mixed economic systems.
Explain and apply the principle of supply and demand.
Explain the importance of a price on supply and demand and its affect on international trade.
Describe the organizations and roles of various types of market structures in a mixed economic system.
Demonstrate various savings and investment opportunities that exist in a mixed economic system.
Psychology
The student will be able to:
List and explain what is not psychology (hypnosis, ESP, parapsychology).
Understand the scientific method.
Demonstrate the principles of research designed for an appropriate experiment.
Explain the process of how humans grow, learn, and adapt to the environment.
Understand factors that influence personality.
Identify the causes of and therapeutic approaches to stress.
Identify the types of and treatments for specific forms of mental illness.
Understand the role of altered state of consciousness (sleep, daydream).
Explain basic psychological responses and how they affect behavior.
Government
The student will be able to:
Trace the major historical events which have affected the government's role in society.
Describe the three branches of government and explain the concepts of checks and balances and separation of powers.
Distinguish between the powers of the national government, including powers implied, denied, and enumerated.
Examine the role of executive leadership at all levels.
Explain the purposes of government and analyze how powers are acquired, used, and justified.
Understand the rights and responsibilities of all United States citizens.
Cite examples of how the law has been changed and shaped by individuals.
Describe and cite examples of opportunities individuals have to voice opinions and affect change.
Evaluate the ever-changing scope of governmental authority.
Explain how state governments are organized and identify the major responsibilities of each branch of government.
Civil War
The student will be able to:
Identify geographical differences in the United States in the mid-nineteenth century (political, economic, physical).
Summarize the underlying forces leading to the Civil War.
Trace the major battles of the Civil War from Ft. Sumter to Appomatox.
Analyze the tactics and strategies used by military leaders during the Civil War.
Trace the development and use of different kinds of technology used during the Civil War period.
Examine the political policies and developments that arose as a result of the Civil War.
Summarize the consequences of Reconstruction, and how Reconstruction policy effects our society today (politically, economically, and culturally).
American Revolution
The student will be able to:
Explain the motivating factors leading to European exploration of the Americas (crusades, renaissance).
Understand the role and influence of religion in the American experience (a rationale for early colonization, the Great Awakening, religious background of past and contemporary reform movement).
Understand the geographic and political characteristics of the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies.
Identify the economic, political and social forces leading to demands for independence and the Revolutionary War (taxation, mercantilism, loyalty, geography, and nationalism).
Examine tactics and strategies used by the British and American military leaders in the battles of the American Revolution (Bunker Hill, Cowpens, Yorktown).
Explain the reasons for the American victory in the Revolutionary War.
Examine the fundamental ideas that led to the development of the U.S. Constitution.
World War II
The student will be able to:
Discuss how the Depression influenced American policy before World War II.
Explain the reasons for Japan's aggression before World War II.
Outline chronologically Germany's conquest of Europe during the years of Adolph Hitler.
List the steps Franklin D. Roosevelt used to increase Allied support during World War II.
Discuss the course of war in Europe and in Asia with emphasis on essential battles.
Explain how the tide of war turned in favor of the Allies during 1942 and 194
Describe the Atlantic Charter and the agreements the Allies reached at the Yalta Conference.
Discuss efforts to mobilize the economy for war production.
Explain the war's impact on the American society (women, African Americans, and Japanese Americans).
Explain how the United States became a world power.
Post World War II
The student will be able to:
Identify the events that caused and heightened the cold war.
Explain how the Soviet Union carried out Communist policies after the death of Joseph Stalin.
Describe how Western Europe moved toward greater political and economical unity during the cold war.
Trace the political, cultural, and social changes that the people of the United States and Canada experienced during and after the cold war years.
Explain why the United Nations waged a limited war in Korea.
Describe how the fear of nuclear war affected the cold war.
Describe the setbacks and difficulties the civil rights movement faced during the 1960's.
Explain the incidents that led to the Vietnam War.
Investigate major events in the American space program during the cold war.
Explain how the spread of democracy led to the formation of a new world order.
