12th Grade
Reduce Video
Eight Grade Curriculum
8.4.1. History-Social Science
Land, Politics, and Expansion in the Early Republic
This unit teaches students about the physical landscape of the United States, political divisions, and territorial expansion during the terms of the first four U.S. presidents. Students also learn about factors associated with the use of natural resources, especially land, which led to expansion. Students deepen their understanding of what the promise those resources held meant to American Indians and citizens of the new republic during that time. Students also learn about the development of federal land policy and how the political concerns that existed during this time influenced the development of land ordinances. The influence of
expansion on the country's physical landscapes and natural systems is also examined.
8.6.3. History-Social Science
America Grows
Focusing on immigration from Northern Europe to the United States during the first half of the 19th century, this unit explores human dependence upon ecosystem goods and ecosystem services provided by natural systems. Students gain an understanding of the interrelatedness of natural and human social systems-how changes in one set of systems trigger changes in the other. Specifically, students learn how natural systems influence human social systems and how their interactions forced large numbers of Irish and Germans to emigrate to America. The lessons also explore whether the nation's new citizens chose to settle in areas that replicated the natural systems, or the human social systems, that the immigrants had left behind in Europe.
8.8.4. History-Social Science
Struggles With Water
This unit teaches students about the role that the great rivers and other fresh water resources played in the United States in the early 1800s (for example, the location of towns, farming, and ranching). The lessons describe the role of scientific and technological knowledge in the establishment of water rights and provide examples of the economic, political, legal, and cultural factors that influenced decisions about water. Students also learn how the great river systems and water rights influenced the development of the West. Students see that water use and management in the West, and other parts of the United States, continues to influence the economy, politics, and legal system today.
8.12.1. History-Social Science
Agricultural and Industrial Development in the United States (1877-1914)
This unit examines the influence of urbanization and renewed industrialization at the turn of the century on natural systems and in defining the course of the United States into the 20th century. Students begin the unit by "visiting" the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, "touring" the California building, and the new technologies on display. Students look carefully at the patterns of agricultural and industrial development in the East and West as they related to climate, natural resources, and availability of markets. They come to understand that technological advances influenced the growth of human populations and the establishment of commercial centers. Students also learn about political, economic, cultural, and environmental factors that affected technological advances in agriculture and industry during this time.
8.12.5. history-Social Science
Industrialization, Urbanization, and the Conservation Movement
Students look closely at global economic imperative of the late 19th- and early 20th century and its influence on the natural world through the development of the San Francisco Bay Area during this time. This examination unveils the connections between technological advances in the construction and planning of urban centers, the growth of population of those centers, and the eventual rise of a "conservation" movement. Key players in the American conservation movement -those who helped propel both public and political awareness of America's need to preserve its natural systems-are highlighted, including John Muir.
8.4.1. History-Social Science
Land, Politics, and Expansion in the Early Republic
This unit teaches students about the physical landscape of the United States, political divisions, and territorial expansion during the terms of the first four U.S. presidents. Students also learn about factors associated with the use of natural resources, especially land, which led to expansion. Students deepen their understanding of what the promise those resources held meant to American Indians and citizens of the new republic during that time. Students also learn about the development of federal land policy and how the political concerns that existed during this time influenced the development of land ordinances. The influence of
expansion on the country's physical landscapes and natural systems is also examined.
8.6.3. History-Social Science
America Grows
Focusing on immigration from Northern Europe to the United States during the first half of the 19th century, this unit explores human dependence upon ecosystem goods and ecosystem services provided by natural systems. Students gain an understanding of the interrelatedness of natural and human social systems-how changes in one set of systems trigger changes in the other. Specifically, students learn how natural systems influence human social systems and how their interactions forced large numbers of Irish and Germans to emigrate to America. The lessons also explore whether the nation's new citizens chose to settle in areas that replicated the natural systems, or the human social systems, that the immigrants had left behind in Europe.
8.8.4. History-Social Science
Struggles With Water
This unit teaches students about the role that the great rivers and other fresh water resources played in the United States in the early 1800s (for example, the location of towns, farming, and ranching). The lessons describe the role of scientific and technological knowledge in the establishment of water rights and provide examples of the economic, political, legal, and cultural factors that influenced decisions about water. Students also learn how the great river systems and water rights influenced the development of the West. Students see that water use and management in the West, and other parts of the United States, continues to influence the economy, politics, and legal system today.
8.12.1. History-Social Science
Agricultural and Industrial Development in the United States (1877-1914)
This unit examines the influence of urbanization and renewed industrialization at the turn of the century on natural systems and in defining the course of the United States into the 20th century. Students begin the unit by "visiting" the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, "touring" the California building, and the new technologies on display. Students look carefully at the patterns of agricultural and industrial development in the East and West as they related to climate, natural resources, and availability of markets. They come to understand that technological advances influenced the growth of human populations and the establishment of commercial centers. Students also learn about political, economic, cultural, and environmental factors that affected technological advances in agriculture and industry during this time.
8.12.5. history-Social Science
Industrialization, Urbanization, and the Conservation Movement
Students look closely at global economic imperative of the late 19th- and early 20th century and its influence on the natural world through the development of the San Francisco Bay Area during this time. This examination unveils the connections between technological advances in the construction and planning of urban centers, the growth of population of those centers, and the eventual rise of a "conservation" movement. Key players in the American conservation movement -those who helped propel both public and political awareness of America's need to preserve its natural systems-are highlighted, including John Muir.
