Grade 8 Social Studies OLS Standards

Choices made by individuals, businesses and governments have both present and future consequences.

The Industrial Revolution fundamentally changed the means of production as a result of improvements in technology, use of new power resources, the advent of interchangeable parts and the shift from craftwork to factory work.

Governments can impact markets by means of spending, regulations, taxes and trade barriers.

Modern and historical maps and other geographic tools are used to analyze how historic events are shaped by geography.

The availability of natural resources contributed to the geographic and economic expansion of the United States, sometimes resulting in unintended environmental consequences.

The movement of people, products and ideas resulted in new patterns of settlement and land use that influenced the political and economic development of the United States.

Cultural biases, stereotypes and prejudices had social, political and economic consequences for minority groups and the population as a whole.

Americans began to develop a unique national identity among diverse regional and cultural populations based on democratic ideals.

Active participation in social and civic groups can lead to the attainment of individual and public goals.

Informed citizens understand how media and communication technology influence public opinion.

The U.S. Constitution established a federal republic, providing a framework for a national government with elected representatives, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

The U.S. Constitution protects citizens' rights by limiting the powers of government.

Primary and secondary sources are used to examine events from multiple perspectives and to present and defend a position.

The United States added to its territory through treaties and purchases.

Westward expansion contributed to economic and industrial development, debates over sectional issues, war with Mexico and the displacement of American Indians.

Disputes over the nature of federalism, complicated by economic developments in the United States, resulted in sectional issues, including slavery, which led to the American Civil War.

Key events and significant figures in American history influenced the course and outcome of the Civil War.

The Reconstruction period resulted in changes to the U.S. Constitution, an affirmation of federal authority and lingering social and political differences.

North America, originally inhabited by American Indians, was explored and colonized by Europeans for economic and religious reasons.

Competition for control of territory and resources in North America led to conflicts among colonizing powers.

The practice of race-based slavery led to the forced migration of Africans to the American colonies and contributed to colonial economic development. Their knowledge, skills and traditions were essential to the development of the colonies.

The ideas of the Enlightenment and dissatisfaction with colonial rule led English colonists to write the Declaration of Independence and launch the American

Key events and significant figures in American history influenced the course and outcome of the American Revolution.

The outcome of the American Revolution was national independence and new political, social and economic relationships for the American people.

Problems arising under the Articles of Confederation led to debate over the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.

Actions of early presidential administrations established a strong federal government, provided peaceful transitions of power and repelled a foreign invasion.

Economics

Government

History

Geography

Research to Build and Present Knowledge

History/Social Studies

Key Ideas and Details

Text Types and Purposes

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

Range of Writing

Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects

Production and Distribution of Writing

Craft and Structure

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

Craft and Structure

Science and Technical Subjects

Key Ideas and Details

Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.

By the end of grade 8, read, comprehend, and respond to history/social studies texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

Analyze content-area-specific text development.

Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source.

Provide an accurate summary that includes the central ideas of the source.

Identify key steps in a text's description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.

Describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally).

Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author's perspective or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).

Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.

Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text.

Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic.

Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.

By the end of grade 8, read, comprehend, and respond to science/technical texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

Analyze content-area-specific text development.

Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text.

Provide an accurate and objective summary that includes the central ideas or conclusions of the text.

Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.

Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics.

Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to an understanding of the topic.

Analyze the author's purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text.

Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).

Distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.

Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.

Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.

Establish a clear thesis statement to present and argument.

Introduce claim(s) about a topic or issue, acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.

Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant, accurate data and evidence that demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources.

Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

Establish and maintain a formal style.

Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.

Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/experiments, or technical processes.

Establish a thesis statement to present information.

Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories as appropriate to achieving purpose; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.

Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.

Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.

Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone.

Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.

not applicable as a separate requirement

Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.

Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas clearly and efficiently.

Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.

Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others, while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis reflection, and research.