LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Social Studies — Grade 8

Goal 7: The learner will analyze changes in North Carolina during the postwar period to the 1970's.

Objective 7.03. Assess the influence of technological advances on economic development and daily life.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

The space race
In Postwar North Carolina, page 1.9
An overview and timeline of the U.S. space program from the Soviet launch of Sputnik in 1957 through the 1969–72 moon landings. Includes links to NASA's websites about each mission.
Format: article
Interstate highways from the ground up
In Postwar North Carolina, page 2.3
NCDOT resident engineer Stan Hyatt lived in Madison County most of his life, and he loved hunting and exploring the mountain when he was younger. He helped design and build I-26, a project that meant the destruction of some of the environment where he grew up. He talks about the costs and benefits of highway construction in this interview.
Format: interview
By Kristin Post.
The Interstate Highway System
In Postwar North Carolina, page 2.2
Planning for an improved national system of highways had begun during the Depression, but it was not until 1956 that President Eisenhower called for a "modern, interstate highway system."
Format: article
Adapted by David Walbert.
The influence of radio
In Postwar North Carolina, page 2.6
This article from Carolina Music Ways discusses the rise of three radio stations in the North Carolina Piedmont between 1930 and 1960.
Format: article
Growing tobacco
In Postwar North Carolina, page 2.5
In North Carolina History: A Sampler, page 8.9
This short documentary shows the process of harvesting, curing, and selling tobacco, from farm to auction. It was filmed at Duke Homestead State Historic Site in Durham, North Carolina, during the 2009 Tobacco Harvest Festival.
Format: documentary
Changes in agriculture
In Postwar North Carolina, page 2.4
In North Carolina History: A Sampler, page 6.4
A series of maps based on U.S. Census of Agriculture data show changes in North Carolina's agriculture over time.
Format: slideshow
Bombs over Goldsboro
In Postwar North Carolina, page 1.8
In North Carolina History: A Sampler, page 2.12
On January 24, 1961, a B-52 jet carrying two nuclear bombs crashed near Goldsboro, North Carolina. When one of the bombs was found, its arming mechanism had accidentally gone through all but one of the seven steps toward detonation, and a piece of the bomb containing uranium was never recovered.
Format: article
The Andy Griffith Show
In Postwar North Carolina, page 2.8
The Andy Griffith Show, which premiered in 1960, was initially disparaged by reviewers but became one of the most popular American television shows of all time.
Format: article

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Folklife
Students will learn North Carolina folklore, traditions, war activities, local legends, superstitions, food preparation traditions, art, songs and dances which are unique to the area.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)
By Carolyn Early.