Units of Study
1. Geographical Regions
I can describe the physical characteristics of the three major geographical regions of North Carolina.
I can explain the effect of the physical features of a region on the people of North Carolina.
I can label major physical features of the United States on a map.
2. Columbian Exchange
I can list and explain the major American Indian culture groups of the United States.
I can describe the ways in which American Indians from each of North Carolina’s three regions used their environment.
I can list and describe the positive and negative impacts of the Columbian Exchange on the Americas, Africa, and Europe.
3. US Colonization and NC Settlement
I can describe the early English attempts at settlement in the New World.
I can name the three regions in Colonial America and list the colonies and major social groups in each.
I can compare/contrast the motivations for settlement in each of the three regions.
I can explain the impact of geography on the people of each region.
I can analyze the establishment of early forms of government in the colonial settlements.
4. Road to Revolution and Revolutionary War
Road to the Revolution
1. I can demonstrate the cause/effect relationship of the events that led the American colonies to declare their independence from Great Britain.
2.I can create a timeline of the events that led the American Colonies to declare their independence from Great Britain.
3. I can explain the underlying causes for the independence movement in the American Colonies.
4. I can judge the importance of social and political leaders of the independence movement in the American Colonies.
5. I can recognize the degree to which democratic ideals are expressed in important Revolutionary documents such as the Mecklenburg Resolves, the Halifax Resolves, and the Declaration of Independence.
5. Effects of Revolution/ Need for New Government
1. I can judge the importance of military leaders during the Revolutionary War.
2. I can judge the importance of Revolutionary War battles.
3. I can explain reasons for the American victory during the Revolutionary War.
6. The New Nation
1. I can explain the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
2. I can explain the significance of Shay's rebellion.
3. I can explain the compromises of the US Constitution.
4. I can compare and contrast the Federalists and Anti-Federalists,
5. I can summarize the seven principles of the Constitution.
9. Civil War
1. What advantages and disadvantages did the North and the South have going into the Civil War?
2. What impact did the Civil War have on the homefront?
3. What were significant events or circumstances that influenced the outcome of the Civil War?
4.How did the Civil War come to an end?
10. Reconstruction
1. What were the main goals of the plans for Reconstruction?
2. How did Lincoln’s assassination change the course of Reconstruction?
3. What political changes occurred during Reconstruction that were designed to improve African-Americans’ access to rights and freedoms?
4. How did legislation and racism limit freedoms for African-Americans following the Civil War?
5. How was the economic class structure changed by the Civil War in the South?
11. Industrial Revolution/ Immigration
How did technology and innovation change transportation and communication in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s?
What innovations caused an increase in industry during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s?
What industries developed during the Gilded Age and how did they impact the economies of NC and the USA?
How did agricultural and industrial advancements change labor needs in NC and the USA?
What impacts did industrialization have on the quality of life in NC and the USA?
How did industrialization encourage immigration in the late 1800’s?
What were the challenges immigrants faced as they moved to America?
What were the challenges immigrants faced as they moved to America?
How did immigrants influence the development of NC and the USA?
What were the main social issues and their impact on NC and the USA during the Progressive Era?
What political and economic issues resulted from the industrialization of the USA?
What reforms were made to address the political and economic issues during the Progressive Era?
12. American Expansion in the Early 20th C & WWI
13. The Roaring 20s/The Great Depression/The New Deal
14. WWII & The Cold War Beginnings
15. Civil Rights Movement
16. Vietnam & Its Impact
17. Contemporary Issues
NC Essential Standards for 8th Grade
1. Geographical Regions
I can describe the physical characteristics of the three major geographical regions of North Carolina.
I can explain the effect of the physical features of a region on the people of North Carolina.
I can label major physical features of the United States on a map.
2. Columbian Exchange
I can list and explain the major American Indian culture groups of the United States.
I can describe the ways in which American Indians from each of North Carolina’s three regions used their environment.
I can list and describe the positive and negative impacts of the Columbian Exchange on the Americas, Africa, and Europe.
3. US Colonization and NC Settlement
I can describe the early English attempts at settlement in the New World.
I can name the three regions in Colonial America and list the colonies and major social groups in each.
I can compare/contrast the motivations for settlement in each of the three regions.
I can explain the impact of geography on the people of each region.
I can analyze the establishment of early forms of government in the colonial settlements.
4. Road to Revolution and Revolutionary War
Road to the Revolution
1. I can demonstrate the cause/effect relationship of the events that led the American colonies to declare their independence from Great Britain.
2.I can create a timeline of the events that led the American Colonies to declare their independence from Great Britain.
3. I can explain the underlying causes for the independence movement in the American Colonies.
4. I can judge the importance of social and political leaders of the independence movement in the American Colonies.
5. I can recognize the degree to which democratic ideals are expressed in important Revolutionary documents such as the Mecklenburg Resolves, the Halifax Resolves, and the Declaration of Independence.
5. Effects of Revolution/ Need for New Government
1. I can judge the importance of military leaders during the Revolutionary War.
2. I can judge the importance of Revolutionary War battles.
3. I can explain reasons for the American victory during the Revolutionary War.
6. The New Nation
1. I can explain the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
2. I can explain the significance of Shay's rebellion.
3. I can explain the compromises of the US Constitution.
4. I can compare and contrast the Federalists and Anti-Federalists,
5. I can summarize the seven principles of the Constitution.
9. Civil War
1. What advantages and disadvantages did the North and the South have going into the Civil War?
2. What impact did the Civil War have on the homefront?
3. What were significant events or circumstances that influenced the outcome of the Civil War?
4.How did the Civil War come to an end?
10. Reconstruction
1. What were the main goals of the plans for Reconstruction?
2. How did Lincoln’s assassination change the course of Reconstruction?
3. What political changes occurred during Reconstruction that were designed to improve African-Americans’ access to rights and freedoms?
4. How did legislation and racism limit freedoms for African-Americans following the Civil War?
5. How was the economic class structure changed by the Civil War in the South?
11. Industrial Revolution/ Immigration
How did technology and innovation change transportation and communication in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s?
What innovations caused an increase in industry during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s?
What industries developed during the Gilded Age and how did they impact the economies of NC and the USA?
How did agricultural and industrial advancements change labor needs in NC and the USA?
What impacts did industrialization have on the quality of life in NC and the USA?
How did industrialization encourage immigration in the late 1800’s?
What were the challenges immigrants faced as they moved to America?
What were the challenges immigrants faced as they moved to America?
How did immigrants influence the development of NC and the USA?
What were the main social issues and their impact on NC and the USA during the Progressive Era?
What political and economic issues resulted from the industrialization of the USA?
What reforms were made to address the political and economic issues during the Progressive Era?
12. American Expansion in the Early 20th C & WWI
13. The Roaring 20s/The Great Depression/The New Deal
14. WWII & The Cold War Beginnings
15. Civil Rights Movement
16. Vietnam & Its Impact
17. Contemporary Issues
NC Essential Standards for 8th Grade