8th grade Social Studies: how to help at home
What your child learns in 8th grade social studies in the California Content Standards, and simple things to try at home.
Focus areas this year
- United States history: growth and conflict, to 1914
- The Constitution and the early republic
- Westward expansion, the Civil War, Reconstruction and industrial America
Easy ways to practice social studies at home
- Follow a current event together and ask who is affected and why people see it differently.
- Build a timeline of a family event or a historical topic they are studying.
- Use an atlas or online map to trace a trade or travel route.
- Ask “Whose voice is missing from this story?” when reading about the past.
What each unit covers
Rights & Amendments
What the first ten amendments protect, the Reconstruction Amendments, and why rights come with limits and responsibilities.
Reconstruction
Reconstruction from 1865 to 1877 as a bridge to high school US history: the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments, Black officeholders, the violence that opposed them and how gains were later rolled back.
Founding Ideals
The Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights and Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the debates of 1787, the Federalist Papers, and the principles of the Constitution.
A New Nation
The first presidents and parties, judicial review, the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark, the War of 1812 and early foreign policy.
Westward Expansion
Jackson and Indian removal, Manifest Destiny, Mexican California and the land grants, Texas and the Mexican-American War, and the Gold Rush, told accurately for the people who moved and the nations who lost their lands.
Factories & Reformers
The Industrial Revolution in the North, canals, roads and railroads, immigration, public schools, and the abolition and women's rights movements before 1861.
The Civil War
How the conflict over slavery led to secession and war, Lincoln's leadership, key events and people from Fort Sumter to Appomattox, and how enslaved people helped win their own freedom.
A Nation Divided
Cotton and slavery in the South, the resistance of enslaved people, free Black Americans in the North and South, abolitionists, and the compromises and conflicts from the Missouri Compromise to the Dred Scott decision.
Industrial America
Industry, railroads and inventors after the Civil War, big business and monopolies, new immigrants and growing cities, child labor and unions, farmers' movements, and federal Indian policy on the Plains.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the California report card guide.
Common questions
Follow a current event together and ask who is affected and why people see it differently. Build a timeline of a family event or a historical topic they are studying. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The California Content Standards 8th grade social studies units include Rights & Amendments, Reconstruction, Founding Ideals, A New Nation, Westward Expansion, Factories & Reformers.
Free printable 8th grade social studies practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.