Social Studies — Grade 8

Writing activities: William Hilton explores the Cape Fear River

These suggested writing activities are designed to help students understand William Hilton's report on his 1663 exploration of the Cape Fear River. The activities include exercises in understanding chronology, adopting multiple perspectives, and building historical empathy.

Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

"Where Am I?" Reading guide and activities

In Two worlds: Educator's guide, page 3.3

This lesson for grade 8 will help students to understand the article "Where Am I? Mapping a New World" through the use of a graphic organizer and a reading guide.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

A visit to colonial North Carolina

This lesson plan extends student learning about the colonial period in North Carolina history by incorporating primary sources from the Documenting the American South collection. After reading first-hand accounts of travelers to colonial America, students will create their own travel brochure advertising North Carolina.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Meghan Mcglinn.

Take action, save the past

In Intrigue of the Past, page 5.8

In their study of archaeological resource conservation, students will use a problem-solving model to identify a problem and solve it creatively.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Reading guide: Spain and America

In Two worlds: Educator's guide, page 3.2

These terms and questions will guide students as they read "Spain and America: From Reconquest to Conquest." Filling in the chronological list of dates will enable students to understand the order in which events unfolded in Spain and in America, and answering the questions will encourage students to think critically about the readings in the chapter.

Format: /lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

A proprietary colony: Exploring the Charter of Carolina

In this lesson for grade 8, students will examine the 1663 Charter of Carolina and complete a graphic organizer exploring the elements of the Charter. Students will then write a letter to the king of England from the perspective of one of the Lords Proprietors.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

"The present state of North Carolina": Making decisions

In this lesson, students read an excerpt from John Lawson's 1709 book A New Voyage to Carolina and use a graphic organizer to decide whether they would have emigrated to Carolina as a result of reading Lawson's book.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

"Land and Work in Carolina" teaching strategies

These suggested teaching strategies, designed to accompany the article “Land and Work in Carolina,” will enable students to understand the concept of feudalism and its impact on the systems of labor and land ownership in colonial North Carolina.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

Educator's guide: Spain and America

In Two worlds: Educator's guide, page 3.1

The article "Spain and America: From Reconquest to Conquest" introduces a lot of information and a number of issues that may be new to students. These suggestions will help you use the article in a way that best fits the needs of your class.

Format: /lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

De Soto in America

In Two worlds: Educator's guide, page 3.4

In this lesson for grade 8, students will evaluate the effectiveness of the De Soto expedition through the interior of the southeastern United States in the years 1539-1543. They will examine the impact of that trip on the Native Americans. Students will engage in historical empathy as they put themselves in the place of the Native Americans and the Spanish soldiers who encountered them on the expedition.

Format: lesson plan

By Pauline S. Johnson.

Comparing creation stories

In Two worlds: Educator's guide, page 1.5

In this activity, students compare creation stories from three peoples -- Cherokee, European, and West African -- that met in colonial North Carolina.

Format: lesson plan (grade Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

The Carolina colony: Comparing three perspectives

In this lesson, students compare three different primary sources written by early colonists, and consider the reasons the colonists had for moving to Carolina.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

British migration to Roanoke: Push and pull factors

In Two worlds: Educator's guide, page 4.1

In this lesson, students will examine the push/pull factors that led settlers to attempt to settle Roanoke Island in the 1580s.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

Resources on the web

Lewis and Clark: "The Object of This Mission"

Students will explore Thomas Jefferson's reasons for promoting the Lewis and Clark expedition. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 and 8 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Lewis and Clark: Overcoming Obstacles

Using handouts and maps, students discuss the challenges and obstacles the Lewis and Clark expedition faced, focusing on how geographic information can influence a decision. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 and 8 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Lewis and Clark: Native American Contributions

Using handouts and maps, students learn about specific instances in which Native Americans helped the Lewis and Clark expedition overcome obstacles. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 and 8 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Lewis and Clark: A Legacy to Remember

Students design a memorial that illustrates the legacy of the Lewis and Clark expedition from a geographic perspective. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 and 8 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic

Discovering North Carolina: A colonial map webquest

Using historical maps of North Carolina and other primary sources now published online, students complete a webquest in which they describe the colony of North Carolina for the King of England and imagine they are explorers in his employ. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

Provided by: UNC Libraries