Public Schools of Robeson County 8th Grade

Subject: NC/US History
Grade Level: 8
Unit Title: The US as a World Power / Timeframe Needed for Completion:9 weeks
Grading Period:4th
Big Idea/Theme: Conflict and Resolution at Home and Abroad
Understandings:
  • World War II
  • Conflict
  • Differing ideologies
  • NC’s role in national events
  • Cold War
  • Civil Rights Movement
  • Vietnam Era
  • Social Change
  • Responsibility of citizens
  • Rights for minorities
  • Equality
  • Astronomical growth of technology
  • War on Terror
  • Financial Crises

Curriculum Goals/Objectives:
  • Describe the US and NC’s reaction to increasing involvement in world affairs and the impact on the economy 8.H.1, 8.H.2, 8.H.3.2, 8.H.3.3, 8.H.3.4, 8.G.1.3, 8.E.1, 8.C&G.1, 8.C&G.2, 8.C.1
  • Causes and effects of major historical events during this time period 8.H.1, 8.H.2, 8.H.3, 8.E.1, 8.C&G.1, 8.C.1
  • Analyze changes in NC during the postwar period to the 1970’s 8.H.1, 8.H.2, 8.H.3, 8.C&G.1, 8.C&G.2, 8.C.1, 8.E.1, 8.G.1
  • Evaluate the impact of demographic, economic, technological, social, and political developments since the 1970’s 8.H.1, 8.H.2, 8.H.3, 8.C&G.1, 8.C&G.2, 8.C.1, 8.E.1, 8.G.1
  • Explore examples of and opportunities for active citizenship, past and present, at the local and state levels 8.C&G.1, 8.C&G.2
/ Essential Questions:
  • Should all people be treated equally? Why or why not?
  • To what extent is the US government responsible for helping other countries?
  • Should people in other countries have the same rights and liberties as citizens of the US?
  • What is the importance of citizens being involved in their local and state governments?
  • How did WWII help and/or hurt the world’s economy?
  • What role does technology play in changing society over time?
  • What does it mean to be a super power? Why is the United States considered a super power?
  • How does the United States affect the world economy?
  • What were the causes and effects of the Civil Rights Movement?
  • What were the causes and effects of WWII?
  • What were the causes and effects of the Cold War?
  • What were the causes and effects of the Vietnam War?

Essential Skills/Vocabulary: / Assessment Tasks:
  • Analyze and/or create charts, graphs, and maps related to WWII. 8.H.1.1
  • Summarize the contributions of historical figures to the early 20th century and how they influenced the shaping of American society (i.e. activities using primary and secondary sources, written form, role playing, posters, debate, etc.) 8.H.1.2, 8.H.1.3, 8.H.1.4, 8.H.1.5, 8.H.2.1, 8.H.2.2, 8.H.2.3, 8.H.3.3, 8.H.1.2, 8.C&G.1.1, 8.C&G.1.2, 8.C&G.1.3, 8.C&G.2.1, 8.C&G.2.2, 8.C.1.2 objectives can be reached using multiple activities or by clustering
  • Use historical inquiry to construct products which reflect knowledge and understanding (LDC module)(i.e. variety of sources, variety of events, etc.) 8.H.1.4
  • Analyze the relationship between historical events and decisions that were made 8.H.1.5, 8.H.2.2
  • Summarize the role of debate, compromise and negotiation during the early 20th century in our state and nation (i.e. written form, role playing, posters, etc.) 8.H.2.3
  • Analyze primary and secondary sources to understand differing viewpoints as well as fact and opinion 8.H.1.3
  • Defend an opinion concerning how geography affected citizens (i.e. economics, culture, ideas, political, ethnic etc.) 8.G.1.1, 8.G.1.2
  • Using philosophical chairs, debate a topic using at least 2 different viewpoints and complete a writing assignment on the chosen viewpoint 8.H.1.3, 8.H.2.3, 8.H.3.4

Nazism Acid Rain
Fascism Erosion
Dictators Incumbent
Isolationism Terrorism
Concentration camps Globalization
Holocaust Free Trade
Pearl Harbor NAFTA
Axis Powers Demographics
Allies Cold War
Nisei D-Day
Nuremburg Trials Civil Rights
Manhattan Project
Citizenship
Communism
Recession
Segregation
Integration
Super Power (World Power)
Al Quaida
Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka
Totalitarian
Arms Race
Refugees
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
NASA
Internet
AIDS
Recession
Sit-in
Jim Crow
Busing
Non-violent protest
Census
Redistricting
Research Triangle Park
Integration Opportunities: Choose a historical text related to this time period for students to independently and proficiently read and respond to in a written form.