Welcome to Grade 8 Social Studies!

Open House,Sept. 1, 2015

Grade 8 is a Thinking Zone!

“What did you do in school, today, son, believe…

– or think?”

A Thinking Zone!

The Purpose of Social Studies…

To provide students with opportunities to learn about the “human experience”

• What does it mean to be “human?”• Why do humans behave as they

(we) do?

The Purpose of Social Studies…

To teach students to how to think critically and make informed and reasoned decisions

…about what is important to them now and in the future

The Purpose of Social Studies…

And to guide the development of skills students need to be actively and effectively engaged

with classmates in their communitiesas citizens of a diverse and globally

connected world community.

We draw from the Social Sciences to do this…

Anthropology Economics Geography History Law Philosophy Political science Psychology Religion Sociology

We use the classroom as a laboratory for intellectual risk-taking Developing critical thinking skills Developing collaborative skills Individual and group thinking Research &problem-solving QUESTIONING Seeking solutions Public debate Finding individual voice

Thematic Learning Units

Dude, Where’s My Culture?Learning to look

“beneath the tip of the ice-berg” to recognize and understand less-visible (hidden) aspects of culture that “bind” a people together

Focus on developing analytic (critical) thinking skills

Using the current events, documentaries, movies, and more, to “see” culture in action, applying these concepts and skills

Thematic, cont…

Mother, Should I Trust the Government? -Forms of Government

-Economic Systems & Government-Philosophers- Governance in a Democratic Society

Citizen Rights & Responsibilities(case study: USA)

Thematic, cont.

“Choices in Little Rock” an extended case study on the American Experience The “individual and society” Race and identity Segregation and Its Consequences The Road to the Civil Rights Movement The importance of Choices made by

leaders, media, students, community,

Inquiry Based Learning Units(Project-Based Learning)

Global Issues (PBL)-extended unitPast Issues

2011: Crisis in the Horn of Africa 2012:  The issue of North Korea2013:  Global Issues Summit2014: Global Food Security2015: ?

Focus on 21st Century Skills Development: 5 Cs :

Collaboration Critical Thinking Communication Content Creativity

Assignments & Formative Assessments

Are Varied!

Class DiscussionsFollow-up reflections & responses Thinking MapsInformal Observation1-1 conversationsQuizzes (Necessary Content knowledge)“Take-aways” from class activity/lessonEVERNOTES

Summative Assessments

Call on students to demonstrate learning through meaningful, relevant application of concepts and skills, such as

Family / personal ethnographic work document analysis (critical thinking) Analyzing media (movies) Writing a position paper or policy

recommendation Citizen advocacy (letters, public debate)

Reporting of student Growth is based on these Standards:

Standard 1: Content UnderstandingThe student comprehends the meaning and significance of concepts

Standard 2: Critical Thinking SkillsThe student researches, thinks critically and applies knowledge about concepts

Standard 3: Communication SkillsThe student communicates using a variety of skills & media

"We are faced with the preeminent fact that if civilization is to survive we must cultivate the science of human relationship-- the ability of peoples of all kinds to live together and work together in the same world, at peace.” 

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt1945

Toward this end we will instruct and guide your sons and daughters this year.

Linda Greer-Wegener